Finnish Multinational Lindström Enters UK Market With Acquisition Of Enviro Wipes

Finnish multinational group Lindström has entered the UK textile wiper sector by acquiring Bradford-based Enviro Wipes, national suppliers of recyclable industrial wipes.

Lindström, which was already active in the wiper market in Finland and the Baltic states, has had a presence in the UK workwear services sector since 2001. The purchase fulfils the textile service group’s ambitions of expanding its operations and strengthening its position in Britain.

Enviro Wipes, founded in 1992, which has been bought for an undisclosed sum, provides, collects, launders and delivers multi-use cotton wipes across the UK and Ireland. Its activities also include selling a range of products, such as soap, gloves, protective creams and storage bins. The business had a turnover of £3.1m during the last full financial year and has approximately 1,500 customers.

The acquired company’s operations will remain unchanged following the sale, with all staff being retained by the new owner. Directors George Parker, Alan Green and Phil Walker, who, with their wives, previously owned Enviro Wipes, will exit the business, with finance director Mr Walker remaining in post during the next few months to help with the transition.

Soresh Meeda, Managing Director at Lindström UK, said: “Joining forces with Enviro Wipes provides a great opportunity for us to start with a totally new service in the market. Our new partner has a solid foundation, great products and fantastic customers, including in the printing and packaging, automotive, manufacturing and maintenance sectors.”    

Mr Meeda said the acquisition was part of Lindström’s strategy to strengthen and grow its operations in the UK, with textile wiper services becoming important and integral to its offering, plus providing an increasing amount of turnover.

He said: “By utilising the best ways of working from Enviro Wipes and ourselves, we believe we can really develop our operations in this market and grow, while offering even better, safer, more innovative, value-for-money services to customers in existing and new sectors.”

Explaining the reasons for Enviro Wipes agreeing the sale, Mr. Parker said: “Our company remains successful, but we’ve now reached a stage in its growth when we need to make significant changes, to ensure it has the best possible future.  

“We have every confidence in the new owners and firmly believe they’ll provide our employees with security, opportunities to take on more responsibility, and chances to develop their careers for years to come. As they implement their plans to develop the business at an accelerated rate, we believe they’ll expand the workforce too.”

Corporate Finance advice on the deal was provided to Enviro Wipes by The Camlee Group, based in Sale, Greater Manchester, while Gordon’s LLP supplied its legal advice.

www.lindstromgroup.com