Hoffmaster Group, Inc, a leading U.S. manufacturer of premium disposable tableware, has announced the acquisition of Manchester-based The Paper Straw Co, the U.K.’s first paper straw manufacturer. This agreement increases Hoffmaster’s ability to service the U.K. and European markets in an efficient and effective manner.

Co-Founders Geert Pijper and Ilesh Mawji launched The Paper Straw Co in April 2018 in response to the growing demand for environmentally friendly alternatives to single-use plastic straws. In 2018, the U.K. and the European Union announced its ban of single-use plastics, including straws, which would go into effect by 2021. The Paper Straw Co provides U.K. and European customers with the opportunity to purchase paper straws made locally.

“At The Paper Straw Co, we manufacture sturdy paper straws made up of certified raw materials. Rather than shipping them thousands of miles away, which would reduce their environmental credentials, we serve local customers in our own backyard,” said Pijper. “Joining Hoffmaster presents excellent opportunities for our business. Hoffmaster’s 75+ years of experience in the foodservice industry has given them the necessary expertise, equipment and resources to ensure that our customers will continue to receive exceptional service and the highest quality products on the market.”

Hoffmaster also operates Aardvark Straws, the world’s leading paper straw manufacturer based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and its own line of paper straws. The Paper Straw Co will remain under the same banner. Pijper and Mawji will continue to run the business, while all employees will continue to work for the company in Manchester. This acquisition will provide both Hoffmaster and The Paper Straw Co with the ability to better serve their European customers by increasing the U.K.’s manufacturing capacity and production of paper straws. In order to produce the best quality straws in the U.K., Hoffmaster will apply the same methodology that is used for Aardvark Straws, often referred to as the strongest paper straws on the market, to The Paper Straw Co straws.

“We are thrilled to be working closely with The Paper Straw Co team to progress in our mission to solve our world’s plastic pollution crisis and serve as a reliable supply source for European businesses, restaurants, and venues seeking durable paper straws,” said Andy Romjue, president of Hoffmaster’s Foodservice Division. “This acquisition is a strategic and important addition to the portfolio of Hoffmaster brands. It expands our global footprint into the U.K. and also allows us to reach our international customers conveniently while improving our customer service experience.”

With the Made in Yorkshire Exhibition just around the corner, the first list of speakers has been announced with key businesses from industry participating. Though the list of key figures is diverse, all speakers have one thing in common: they’re all intimately aware of the great potential in Yorkshire manufacturing.

One major company to look out for at the Exhibition is Airbus. Operating on a nationwide scale, Airbus is the leading aerospace company within the UK, and are on the forefront of supplying commercial aircraft, military satellite technology and helicopters.

Michael Gavin, HO of Supply Chain & Quality For Detail Parts, will be delivering a talk on the company’s presence within Yorkshire and throughout the UK as a whole.

Another key speaker is Jon Hughes, Managing Director of Haribo UK and Haribo Ireland, who have made significant investments within the Yorkshire region. This will be an opportunity to gain valuable insight into a company which is so well-known both inside and outside of the industry.

The ADI Group will also be represented at the Made in Yorkshire Exhibition, with James Sopwith, Group Strategic Account Director for ADI, delivering a talk. Working with top brands and operating within a massive range of engineering sectors, The ADI Group will be bringing along their expertise and years of industry experience.

The state of UK manufacturing has implications which go far beyond the industry itself. As such, the Made in Yorkshire Exhibition will also host some exciting speakers who will offer their unique perspective on Yorkshire manufacturing.

One such speaker is Yvette Cooper, MP for Normanton, Ponterfract and Castleford. Yvette has made no secret of her concern for the future of manufacturing and engineering in Yorkshire, and will be discussing her thoughts and ideas on things to come.

Another is Stuart Meikle, celebrated paratriathlete for Great Britain. Stuart will be discussing his story of how Yorkshire manufacturing was able to transform his life, shedding light onto the ways the industry impacts people’s lives for the better every day.

Alex Robinson, Regional Director of Made in Yorkshire, said: “We’re really excited to be hosting such fantastic businesses at the Exhibition.

“From well-known industry figureheads to passionate people from outside the industry like Yvette and Stuart, it’s important that we continue to champion manufacturing and engineering in Yorkshire – especially in such a crucial time with significant opportunities to expand industry across the region.”

Warrington based hygiene specialist, Christeyns Food Hygiene, has launched Moviemento, the UK’s first fully adaptable Learning Management System and e-learning package designed to meet the stringent hygiene requirements of food and beverage production environments.

The unique platform is a result of the collaboration between government agencies, food and beverage safety experts and online training specialists and provides seamless, up-to-date management of all training programmes, whilst simplifying the process of knowledge sharing across an organisation.

Moviemento differs from traditional e-learning in that it not only offers the ability to tailor and personalise the existing content, but also to add company specific training resources; site rules, practices, policies, procedures, in various formats such as of photographs, animations or video clips, thus ensuring full engagement, relevance and understanding for users.

The platform is also personalised to look and feel like a company’s own website, incorporating elements such as branding and ethos so the user feels immediately comfortable.

“We are very excited to be bringing this innovative and unique learning programme to the UK marketplace” says Elaine Hankinson, Business Development Manager at CFH.  “It has been hugely successful in Belgium and is now completely in line with the laws and regulations related to the UK food and beverage manufacturing industry.”