Announcement
5th January 2010

SWANTEX COMPLETES ACQUISITION TO CREATE INDUSTRY SPECIALISTS

Swan Mill Paper Company Ltd ('Swantex') is pleased to announce the completion of the purchase of F Bender Ltd (Benders) tabletop business as of 5th January 2010.

The transition period that followed the deal initially being announced in September has now finished and Benders will cease to supply the tabletop category with immediate effect.

David Byk, Group Managing Director of Swantex said: "The period between the initial annoucement and now has gone smoothly, allowing us ample time to work, plan and communicate with our customers without creating unwanted distractions through the important Christmas trading period. Plus, we are completing the transaction at, traditionally, one of the quietest periods of the year to minimise any distruption".

"It is a very positive and forward looking acquistion for us and we are very happy to have reached agreement with the vast majority of customers and are now on schedule to hit the key targets we put in place when planning this transaction."  

Swan Mill will be moving the Benders' machines to their facility within the next two months, which will create spare capacity at the Swantex site for further growth in the UK and overseas, on top of the 4.8 billion napkins they expect to make in 2010.

This acquistion now makes Swantex the market leading tabletop producer in the UK, encompassing napkins and tablecoverings plus tableware categories, such as cutlery, straws, plates, doilies and Christmas crackers.   

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For further information please contact  sales@swantex.com or +44(0)1322 665566.

For media enquiries please contact Hamish Thompson on 01727 831222 or hamish.thompson@1238kmh.com