IPP on a roll after signing UK’s largest own-label toilet tissue business

Own-brand toilet tissue and paper manufacturer Accrol has signed a distribution deal to place its products into Britain’s major supermarkets and high street stores through Coventry-based IPP.

The two companies signed the deal after Accrol acquired Leicester Tissue Company (LTC), with who IPP was the sole distribution partner, into its portfolio in November 2020.

The £42m acquisition of LTC increased Accrol’s share of the £1.7bn UK tissue market, which includes toilet roll, kitchen roll and facial tissue, to 16%.

“Accrol is focused on delivering great value and great quality and, immediately following acquisition, we set up a supply chain team to identify cost synergies for the enlarged group. The new distribution agreement with IPP, which is a direct result of that process, will facilitate the achievement of operational excellence, reduce our costs, and help minimise our environmental impact,” said Sean Floyd, Accrol’s head of procurement.

“Top quality pallets are crucial in the achievement of operational excellence because of our highly automated production and distribution processes.

“We also had really good support from IPP during a time where we have all had to manage very erratic production demand. Delivering to our customers on time, whatever the challenges, is essential.”

Accrol has facilities in Blackburn, Leyland and now Leicester, and employs over 400 people.

Shelley Harris, IPP’s commercial director, said: “We only signed the deal with Leicester Tissue Company in 2020.  So to extend the seamless operation we have achieved with LTC to its new parent company is testament to the relationship and synergies between our businesses. There is a great chemistry in vision between our teams, which I see moving from strength to strength.

“Part of our mandate with the Leicester Tissue Company was helping the business to reduce CO2 emissions through collaborative supply chain partnership and cutting non-essential journeys and this will continue to be a primary focus in our new relationship with Accrol.”