Full Steam Ahead at Skelmersdale Tissue Maker

24 January 2018

A multi-million pound investment, that will see a West Lancashire town become a leader in specialist tissue manufacturing, is nearing completion – with production planned for early in the New Year.

Leading global hygiene and health company, Essity, has invested £12 million in reopening the Tawd paper mill in Skelmersdale to meet growing demand for premium quality tissue. The investment will create 40 new jobs.

Welcomed by local MP Rosie Cooper, and Lancashire LEP, the investment will make Essity the UK’s largest manufacturer of premium quality tissue – used to make toilet rolls that are softer and stronger.

Once production starts, thousands of tons of paper on giant ‘mother reels’ – made from 100% certified or controlled fibre – will leave the mill on Paddock Road for other Essity sites across the UK. Here, the tissue will be converted into some of the UK’s best-known household brands such as Cushelle, Plenty and Velvet.

LEP board member Graham Cowley, who lives in West Lancashire, believes existing large local employers making additional investments of this type is further proof of the county’s ability to attract and retain world-class businesses.

“I’m delighted to welcome this exciting investment as a tangible example of the commitment and confidence Essity has in its base in Skelmersdale, and the local workforce,” he said.

Essity’s other location on Pimbo Road, Skelmersdale, has 334 employees and is one of the largest sites in Europe for the production of the company’s Professional Hygiene range – that includes Tork folding hand towels used in hospitals, hotels and motorway service areas.

Essity project manager Frank Hurst added: “We appreciate all the support we have had from local residents and key stakeholders – particularly whilst we were commissioning the new boiler and testing the steam system, which generated a bit more noise than normal.

“Overall everything has gone well, and we are on track to open on schedule in the early part of the New Year.”

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