01.01.08
Location: GREAT NECK, NY
Sales: $250 million
Description: Plants
Hazleton, PA; McElhattan, PA
Processes
Spunmelt
Applications
Hygiene, medical
Formed in 1996, First Quality Nonwovens has steadily invested in its nonwovens business to make it what it is today, one of the world’s largest supplier of spunmelt nonwovens for medical and hygiene applications. Based in Great Neck, NY, the company has nonwovens operations in Hazleton and McElhattan, PA.
The company’s first production lines began commercial production in August 1997 and since then, new lines have come up nearly every other year. The most recent of these investments—the company’s eighth production line—was announced in mid-2007 and is currently coming onstream.
According to industry insiders, the current output of tight-lipped, privately held First Quality Nonwovens is in the 90,000-100,000 ton range, making its sales in the $250 million range. Until recently, First Quality was a major supplier of nonwovens to many of North America’s major hygiene producers, however the company sent supply and demand levels into a tailspin earlier this year when it acquired Covidien’s Retail Products business, which includes what is probably North America’s largest private label diaper business. First Quality, which already produced private label feminine hygiene items, adult diapers, wipes and consumer paper products, had announced earlier in 2007 plans to enter the private label diaper market and this acquisition propelled it to the forefront of this industry.
At the time of the acquisition, the company indicated that ownership of Covidien provided it with a more diversified product portfolio and a full range of adult incontinence, feminine hygiene, wet and dry wipes and baby diaper products and would enable First Quality to enhance its relationships with retail customers by offering broader, more innovative product lines and greater value.
The deal was valued at $335 million. Covidien’s retail products business—once known as Tyco Healthcare—had sales of $744 million in fiscal 2007.
“The acquisition of Covidien’s Retail Products business is a compelling opportunity for First Quality,” said Richard Martorella, director of finance and treasury of First Quality. “The addition of retail products creates a more comprehensive Absorbent Hygiene business, solidifying First Quality’s position in our three core areas. Together, the First Quality Absorbent Hygiene division will provide customers with a full suite of premium products serving the infant care, adult incontinence and feminine hygiene segments. We welcome Covidien’s Retail Products business and its hardworking and dedicated employees to the First Quality family.”
Sales: $250 million
Description: Plants
Hazleton, PA; McElhattan, PA
Processes
Spunmelt
Applications
Hygiene, medical
Formed in 1996, First Quality Nonwovens has steadily invested in its nonwovens business to make it what it is today, one of the world’s largest supplier of spunmelt nonwovens for medical and hygiene applications. Based in Great Neck, NY, the company has nonwovens operations in Hazleton and McElhattan, PA.
The company’s first production lines began commercial production in August 1997 and since then, new lines have come up nearly every other year. The most recent of these investments—the company’s eighth production line—was announced in mid-2007 and is currently coming onstream.
According to industry insiders, the current output of tight-lipped, privately held First Quality Nonwovens is in the 90,000-100,000 ton range, making its sales in the $250 million range. Until recently, First Quality was a major supplier of nonwovens to many of North America’s major hygiene producers, however the company sent supply and demand levels into a tailspin earlier this year when it acquired Covidien’s Retail Products business, which includes what is probably North America’s largest private label diaper business. First Quality, which already produced private label feminine hygiene items, adult diapers, wipes and consumer paper products, had announced earlier in 2007 plans to enter the private label diaper market and this acquisition propelled it to the forefront of this industry.
At the time of the acquisition, the company indicated that ownership of Covidien provided it with a more diversified product portfolio and a full range of adult incontinence, feminine hygiene, wet and dry wipes and baby diaper products and would enable First Quality to enhance its relationships with retail customers by offering broader, more innovative product lines and greater value.
The deal was valued at $335 million. Covidien’s retail products business—once known as Tyco Healthcare—had sales of $744 million in fiscal 2007.
“The acquisition of Covidien’s Retail Products business is a compelling opportunity for First Quality,” said Richard Martorella, director of finance and treasury of First Quality. “The addition of retail products creates a more comprehensive Absorbent Hygiene business, solidifying First Quality’s position in our three core areas. Together, the First Quality Absorbent Hygiene division will provide customers with a full suite of premium products serving the infant care, adult incontinence and feminine hygiene segments. We welcome Covidien’s Retail Products business and its hardworking and dedicated employees to the First Quality family.”