Portuguese paper firm The Navigator Company has officially started its operations in the UK, after successfully taking over a Blackburn toilet paper firm.

Earlier this month, The Navigator Company completed the acquisition of the entire share capital of the Accrol Group, based in Roman Road, Blackburn.

The increased and final offer for Accrol, announced by Navigator on May 3, is said to be approximately £130.8 million.

The deal will allow Navigator to further expand its tissue business in the European market.

With this acquisition, Navigator is said becomes a key player in the UK's consumer tissue paper converting market.

Navigator will continue the activity carried out work by Accrol and will explore industrial, operational and commercial opportunities.

The acquisition of the Accrol business, which currently operates five industrial facilities in Blackburn, Leyland, Leicester, Flint and Bridgwater, is part of the Navigator Group's growth and diversification plan.

Through the integration of Accrol, Navigator aims to further consolidate its position as a trusted name in the UK consumer tissue market.

It is determined to expand the business in all product segments, taking advantage of Accrol's workforce.

Accrol will also benefit from the Navigator Group's knowledge and experience in operating similar tissue operations. It will aim to increase efficiency and productivity.

Navigator said it will continue to build on Accrol's good business relations and adopt the best operating practices of both companies to improve the company's productivity and overall performance in the UK.

Navigator forecasts that the combined group will make more than €580 million euros (around £490,000,000) in sales.

Accrol is one of the biggest suppliers of toilet tissues, kitchen rolls, facial tissues, and wet wipes and supplies to many of the UK's leading discounters and grocery retailers.

Accrol was founded in 1993 by Jawid Hussain and family, of Accrington, and relocated to Blackburn in 1996 and to its present location in 2004.

It remained in private family control until 2014 and later floated on the stock exchange.

A spokesperson for Navigator said: “With this acquisition, Navigator becomes a reference player in the UK's consumer tissue paper converting market, and particularly in the consumer private label segment, in which Accrol has a leading position, with a strong alignment and convergence of values with Navigator, particularly with regard to the primacy of sustainability, product quality and innovation, and service excellence.

“Navigator will continue the activity carried out by Accrol and will explore industrial, operational and commercial opportunities, and potential integration synergies.

“Navigator forecasts that the combined group will generate more than 580 million euros in sales in this segment, with the UK market contributing around 50 per cent of total tissue turnover.”