As a first step in its expansion plans, Star Cleaners & Launderers, Rhosrobin, near Wrexham, has bought fellow Welsh independent County Linen Services, Rhuddlan.
The acquisition has been prompted by the retirement of County's owners Joe and Anne Cross.
The resulting company, StarCounty Textile Services, will be one of the largest independent laundry and cleaning operations in north Wales, with over 70 staff.
StarCounty will offer a full service including drycleaning, laundry, linen and workwear rental, washroom services and mats. It will continue to operate from both Wrexham and Rhuddlan plants and will eventually increase the workforce at both sites. Further investment and expansion is planned in order to strengthen the portfolio of services.
StarCounty will also continue to work with its network of drycleaning agencies in North Wales, Cheshire and the Wirral and is actively seeking additional agencies in view of possible closures of rural post offices and smaller village businesses. Maurice Salvoni, managing director, commented: "We are pleased with this first step in our expansion plan. Both factories have excellent management and staff and - with our new senior management structure - will be building on our existing services and quality reputation." Star Cleaners was formed in 1963 and under the ownership of chairman Pat O'Sullivan and MD Maurice Salvoni entered laundry and rental services in the mid-1990s. It was a founder member of the National Laundry Partnership.
