The TUPE process of the 57 staff based at Walsall concluded on 14 July, with Jason Middleton, managing director of Middleton Paper, now assuming the role of commercial director at the site.

The Walsall site will now operate under the trading names Denmaur Middleton for all conversion business, and Denmaur Vision for all paper and board sales that were previously associated with Vision Paper and Board.

The Denmaur website has been redesigned to support the new brands along with the products, services, and a recognition of the history relating to the Middleton and Vision journey.

Denmaur managing director Nick Gee said the combination of the strengths and differences between the two companies was “a factor key in the pursuit of conversion and Vision business; and although work is starting behind the scenes to explore synergies and develop opportunities, it is very much business as usual for staff, customers, and suppliers at the Walsall site”.

The deal represents Denmaur’s first acquisition since Harry E Gould Jr – currently chairman of the business – took a majority shareholding in it in 2019.

With 87 staff prior to the completion of this deal, Denmaur has steadily grown since opening in 1983 into a major paper merchant that supplies the publishing, commercial print, and cartonboard sectors.

With Denmaur’s warehouse in Bardon, the combined storage facilities following the acquisition will cover nearly 22,000sqm, with a capacity of around 30,000 tonnes.

Denmaur said its turnover for 2021/22 was £99.6m while the acquired Middleton division made £21.6m in the six-month period to 30 April 2022, meaning the combined turnover of both companies will be “in excess of £140m”.