The value of UK manufacturing: how Essity’s mills are strengthening local economies

In this exclusive for The Manufacturer, Essity’s Lee Jones explains how the hygiene and health manufacturer is supporting UK communities and regional economies through recycling innovation, apprenticeships, skills development and grassroots partnerships across its nationwide mill network.

UK manufacturing continues to contend with rising energy costs and years of under-investment. But with a long heritage of industrial and manufacturing success, many UK businesses continue to invest in people and local communities.  

Whether through apprenticeships or partnerships with schools, local charities and organisations, forward-thinking manufacturers are helping to build a pipeline of skills – often in areas where opportunities may be limited.  

For Essity, the global hygiene and health manufacturer behind brands such as Cushelle, Plenty, Tork and Bodyform, each of the business’ UK mills plays an important role in the local communities. 

From advanced recycling innovation at Stubbins to grassroots community support in Oakenholt and skills development initiatives over in Skelmersdale and Manchester, each site is also supporting its respective regional and national economy. 

Stubbins Mill: circular innovation and career pathways

Located in Lancashire and home to the Tork PaperCircle programme, Stubbins Mill produces recycled products for the Tork brand, supplying businesses across the UK and Ireland. One of these companies is 3 Hardman Square, a prominent 16-storey office building located in the Spinningfields district of Manchester, which introduced Tork PaperCircle as part of its wider sustainability strategy in February 2024. Through the scheme, the building has successfully recycled 3,000kg of paper hand towels, demonstrating how the mill supports organisations who are looking to implement measurable circular processes across their operations. 

As a leader in its field, Stubbins Mill is the only facility in the UK capable of recycling both takeaway drink cups and used paper towels into new tissue products. The mill also repurposes waste from the papermaking process into animal bedding, giving materials a second life beyond production. 

Tork PaperCircle’s closed-loop approach delivers tangible value to both the economy and environment by keeping materials in circulation, reducing waste disposal costs and supporting a more resilient domestic supply chain. 

Meanwhile, Stubbins Mill’s apprenticeship programme has become a proven pathway into skilled manufacturing careers, with progression built into the fabric of the operation. As a local employer, the mill is launching young people into careers at a time when high youth employment is a key issue in the UK. Creating career trajectories is a key benefit which UK manufacturers provide on the local level, supporting young people and expanding opportunities within communities.  

Notably, the PM3 paper machine is now operated by a team made up entirely of former apprentices – an achievement that reflects both the strength of the programme and the opportunities it creates. 

Lee Jones, site director at Essity commented: “Seeing former apprentices now running one of our key machines is a real source of pride for us at Stubbins. It shows what’s possible when you invest in people for the long term – not simply filling roles, but building future leaders.” 

Oakenholt Mill: community at its core 

At Oakenholt in North Wales, Essity’s impact extends beyond manufacturing into meaningful community engagement. A shining example of this is the mill has pledged its support for Flint Town United FC, helping to sustain the future of the club as an important pillar of the local community. 

Through sponsorship, Essity has supported upgrades to the club’s facilities, including washrooms, changing areas and kitchen spaces fitted with Tork hygiene systems – improving standards for players, staff and visitors alike. 

The site has also embraced sustainability at a local level, transforming unused land into a productive vegetable plot – an initiative that reflects a broader commitment to environmental responsibility and community wellbeing. 

Lee Jones, site director at Essity, added: “Our role in the community goes beyond the mill’s activity. Whether it’s supporting local organisations or improving shared spaces, we’re committed to making a positive, lasting contribution.” 

Skelmersdale Mill: building skills for the future 

Employing more than 200 people, Essity’s Skelmersdale site plays a vital role in converting paper from Stubbins and Oakenholt into finished hygiene products for workplaces, healthcare settings and businesses nationwide. 

The site is also a hub for skills development. Its dedicated Apprentice Academy provides structured, hands-on training while supporting on-site maintenance and repair – reducing costs and giving apprentices a deeper understanding of the production process. 

Complementing this is its flagship Equipment Ownership scheme, also operating at the Manchester and Prudhoe Mill, which empowers operators with responsibility for performance, safety and maintenance – driving both engagement and operational excellence. 

Lee Jones, site director at Essity, said: “We’re focused on giving people the confidence, skills and real career opportunities they need to succeed. It’s about creating a pipeline of talent that will support the industry for years to come.” 

Trafford Park Mill: Developing the next generation 

At Trafford Park in Manchester, Essity operates a fully integrated site with a strong focus on early careers and workforce development. The site’s apprenticeship programme continues to produce highly skilled engineers and operators, supported by a structured training pipeline.  

This commitment to innovation and skills has been recognised at the National Innovation Skills Competition 2026, where the Essity’s apprentices from the site received national accolades, including a full podium sweep. It helped assert Essity as one of the strongest apprenticeship providers for innovation capability across Great Britain. 

For apprentices like Fin McAinsh Munroe, aged 21, the programme offers a clear route into long-term employment, having recently secured a full-time role at Trafford Park. He added: “The programme gives you the chance to learn on the job while building real responsibility. It’s a strong foundation for a long-term career in engineering.” 

Essity’s UK manufacturing footprint   

Across its five manufacturing sites, Essity is creating value locally and globally with significant investment across the UK and ROI, investing in skills, people and communities. It reinforces the meaningful contribution manufacturers make to local economies and long-term regional growth. 

About the author

Lee Jones is manager of Essity’s North West manufacturing operations and has spent more than 25 years with the global hygiene and health manufacturer, helping to drive operational excellence, skills development and sustainability initiatives across its UK sites.