The WEPA Group has announced plans to acquire a majority stake in MPH1865, a French manufacturer of hygiene paper and soap products for the away-from-home (AFH) sector, strengthening its presence in the French professional hygiene market.
The transaction, subject to customary regulatory approvals including merger control, aligns with WEPA’s strategy to expand its professional hygiene activities across Europe. MPH1865 is a family-owned company with a strong industrial and commercial footprint in France.
Both companies describe the move as a long-term partnership built on complementary strengths. WEPA brings scale and a broad European network, while MPH1865 contributes local production, integrated industrial operations and established customer relationships.
MPH1865’s existing sites in southern France will be maintained, with all employees retained. The company will continue to operate under the leadership of Marc Miribel, who remains president, and its headquarters will stay in the region.
“By joining forces with MPH1865, we will create additional value for our customers through broader expertise and more innovative product solutions,” said Andreas Krengel, Chief Commercial Officer of the WEPA Group.
WEPA CEO Martin Krengel highlighted the strategic fit between the two family-owned companies, while MPH1865 President Marc Miribel said the partnership would strengthen local production, secure industrial capacity and support further development of France’s professional hygiene market.
Founded in 1865, MPH1865 operates integrated facilities in Ardèche and Drôme, employing around 260 people and producing up to 60,000 tonnes of paper per year.
WEPA, headquartered in Germany, is one of Europe’s three largest hygiene paper producers, with operations across 14 sites and an established presence in France.
Source: WEPA
