Latest News
This page will be updated on a regular basis. It will contain:
· News and Notices relating to the WT Pension Scheme
· Details of any future WTPA events:
NEWS:
Latest News – June 2023
As reported in the News section in January 2019, various UK companies within the Sequana group filed for administration. Since that announcement events have unfolded in different ways:
The Antalis group of companies were acquired by the Kokusai Pulp & Paper group, a worldwide leader in Papers, Packaging and Visual Communication distribution headquartered in Japan and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. KPP is a leader in paper recycling and a strong believer in closed loop production. Antalis, the largest paper merchant in Europe, is therefore now part of one of the largest paper merchanting and manufacturing businesses around the globe.
The Stoneywood company, together with Chartham mill in Kent, was subject to a management buy-out during 2019, being acquired by subsidiaries of a new venture, Creative Paper Holdings. However as at early 2023 this company has now gone into administration, and the future is not clear.
Meanwhile as a result of the Sequana administration the WTPS pension fund administration was placed in Pension Protection Fund (PPF) assessment. The fund has been processed and evaluated over the past 4 years and it has now exited assessment and will be wound up by the trustees – the fund is confirmed as being sufficiently well funded for the trustees to be required to manage the winding up themselves. This process is now progressing with future individual annuities being arranged with one of two insurance companies, either Scottish Widows or Just Limited. These annuities are effectively in operation as of December 2022, but final details will take until 2024 to be completed with the full hand-over from the trustees. The trustees and advisors have done an excellent job in steering WTPS through the PPF process whilst protecting the funds and identifying the optimum future organisation of pensions.
When the hand-over happens the WTPS will cease to exist as an official body as all pensioners will have their own annuity arrangement with the insurance companies. This is likely to be by the end of 2024.
9 June 2022
Annual Lunch - any enquiries to administrator@wigginsteapepensioners.net.
11 June 2021
Roland Walton, Roddy Lane and Rowland Cant are planning to arrange a post-lockdown WT/Arjo reunion.
This event is planned for FRIDAY, 30th JULY - see full details below: (CANCELLED)
“A WT/Arjo Reunion day will take place at Kia Oval on Friday 30th July, 11.00 - 6pm - in a Private Room. There are any number of rooms available so numbers are not limited (unless there are over 450 of us!).
The cost of a 3-course meal with a half bottle of wine is £42.50/head – to include a starter, mains and dessert.
Incidentally, the cricket is a Royal London Cup match v Northamptonshire - viewing isn't essential but mingling/renewing acquaintances is! Also, there will be a ground entrance fee that is likely to be around £20.
There will be bars and drink stations around the ground”
If you would like to attend, could you please email Rowland (rowland@in-a.co.uk) and he will provide bank details for your payment of £62.50. Cheques will also be acceptable. Please confirm by Saturday, 26th June.
Most importantly, if you know of any ex-WT/Arjo colleagues who may also like to attend, please let them have details.
12 February 2021
Brian Western has advised:
"It is with regret I have to announce the 'Wind-up' of the St. Neots Branch of WTPA. Most members will remember this Branch was born out of the amalgamation of 'Samuel Jones' units from Camberwell & Letchworth into a comprehensive production mill at St. Neots, a mill previously occupied during World War II by WT Dover.
Over the last 20 years, with the initial encouragement from Tom Bolton, a previous Mill Manager at St. Neots, we set up our Pensioner Association. Sadly, over the last few years membership has dwindled from over a hundred at start-up to just a handful now - and ageing fast.
The last few members send their regards to other Branch Members throughout the Group and wish all the best for the future."
The WTPA Management Committee is very sad to hear of St. Neots Branch closing and would like to thank Brian and the St Neots Branch committee for all the hard work they have put into organising events and managing the Branch's affairs over many years. If any of our St Neots pensioners wish to provide memories or photographs from the past we would be happy to share them on the website.
29 October 2020
Forwarded by Roddy Lane
2020 marks a significant milestone for Arjowiggins as we celebrate the 250th Anniversary of our Stoneywood Mill.
Located on the banks of the River Don near Aberdeen, Scotland, Stoneywood Mill was built in 1770 by James Moir, who owned the estate at the time. The mill started the production of paper three years later. In 1800, it was acquired by Alexander Pirie, who switched production from brown paper to Fine Papers. The Mill produced its first watermarked paper two years later. Over the following decades Stoneywood Mill built an international reputation for producing high-quality papers and by the late 1800s its products were sold in most countries around the world.
Stoneywood has always been at the forefront of the paper industry, from early investment in technological advances and cutting-edge equipment, to the manufacturing of the iconic Conqueror brand since 1888 and the creation of Curious Metallics in the 1990s. The Mill has also diversified into producing casting papers, security papers and, more recently, smart papers for printed electronics. By 2008 all products were FSC™ certified, a mark of the Mill’s commitment to sustainability.
During the second world war, Stoneywood supplied the British Army with a range of papers including parchment for telegrams and maps, and graph paper. The Mill played an additional role in the war effort by manufacturing fuel tanks, shells and tank turrets.
Through innovation, determination and the skill and hard work of our employees, Stoneywood has stood the test of time. It is the last surviving mill on the River Don, one of the largest employers in Aberdeen and an enduring symbol of an historic industry.
While we could not commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Mill this year, we look forward to celebrating this milestone in 2021.
Congratulations to Stoneywood Mill.
*****
22 March 2020
Due to the current situation with Coronavirus, it has been decided to cancel the Annual General Meeting and Lunch scheduled to take place in June. However, planning is already in place for 2021 and details will follow in due course.
KEEP SAFE - FOLLOW GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES
*****
Farewell Wiggins Teape…?
Press Release from Sequana dated 15th January 2019: Billancourt, 15 January 2019
Some of Arjowiggins’ companies in the UK plan to enter into administration.
Following the Receivership proceedings opened in France at the request of Arjowiggins and some of its subsidiaries, the boards of Directors of some of Arjowiggins’ companies in the UK have decided to file notices of appointment of an Administrator for the following companies AW UK Holdings Ltd, Arjo Wiggins Fine Papers Ltd, ArjoWiggins Chartham Ltd, AW UK Holdings Ltd, Arjowiggins Sourcing Ltd, Arjobex Ltd and Performance Papers Ltd. These companies operate the mills of Stoneywood, Chartham and Clacton.
Under the aegis of Administrators, these procedures will help support the measures undertaken to find buyers for Arjowiggins’ businesses.
As a result of this announcement, the administration of the Wiggins Teape Pension Scheme automatically transfers to the Pension Protection Fund (PPF). The following documents were sent to all members of the WTPS, including deferred pensioners, on 1st March 2019:
Pensions letter 1st March 2019
Member Announcement 1st March 2019
Future Events:
AGM and Annual Lunch. WTPA Annual Lunch Co-ordinator Contact: Lynda Cant - telephone 01256 781455; email: lynda@in-a.co.uk.
- the 2020 AGM & Annual Lunch is cancelled for 2020 due to the Coronavirus. Further details to follow re 2021 AGM & Lunch.
"Charles Morgan Luncheon Club". Contact Roddy Lane - telephone 07979 525663; email: roddylane@roddylane.plus.com.
- the 2020 Luncheon Club is unfortunately cancelled due to Covid.
This has been running for over 20 years now and welcomes anyone who has worked at some time for the Wiggins Teape Group to gather for a pie and a pint in a pub in Central London in early December ea.