Swedish tissue manufacturer brings 40 jobs to Skelmersdale

Tissue manufacturer Essity bringing an employment boost to West Lancashire with a multi-million pound investment.

The Sweden-headquartered company said its £12m plan to reopen the Tawd paper mill in Skelmersdale and create 40 jobs is nearing completion.

Essity said the investment, welcomed by the Lancashire LEP and local MP Rosie Cooper, will see it become the largest manufacturer of premium tissue in the UK.

Thousands of tons of paper will leave the mill on Paddock Road for other Essity facilities across the UK.

It will eventually be used for brands such as Plenty, Cushelle and Velvet.

Frank Hurst, project manager at Essity, commented: “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.”

LEP board member Graham Cowley commented: “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.”

Essity has another facility in on Pimbo Road in Skelmersdale, where it employs 334 staff.