Metso Paper has acquired Bender Holdings Limited and its subsidiary companies in the UK to further strengthen its aftermarket business. 

Bender operates in mill site services, thermal spraying and grinding of cylinders, and workshop services for tissue, paper and board machine rolls and ancillary equipment. 

With the acquisition, Metso Paper becomes the global market leader in Yankee cylinder grinding and coating services for tissue machines. The acquisition will also strengthen Metso Paper's overall mill site and roll services on the UK market. 

The main locations of Bender Machine Services are situated in the UK and in the US, with the head office in Darwen, near Manchester. The company employs 97 persons and its net sales in 2006 amounted to about £16m (approx. 24m Euros). 

One of Metso's strategic goals is to increase aftermarket services and strengthen its service network close to customers. The Bender acquisition is in line with Metso's strategy of profitable growth and it will complement and further strengthen the company's position as a life cycle service provider for the pulp and paper industry.