Latest News

Duni Poppies: A new era for UK manufacturing

Discover how Duni Poppies unites British manufacturing with Duni Group’s global strength, offering improved choice, availability and service for hospitality customers.

There’s something exciting about two well-established names coming together – especially when those names have long been part of everyday hospitality. That’s exactly what’s happening as Duni UK and Poppies Europe join forces under the Duni Group umbrella. It’s a moment that blends heritage, capability and fresh opportunity wrapped up in one table-ready package.

This merger isn’t just a corporate handshake; it’s a practical evolution built on shared strengths. After all, Poppies has spent decades supplying the UK catering world with quality tissue, proudly manufacturing everything from napkins to bespoke ranges on its impressive 12-acre site between Liverpool and Manchester. With around 250 employees and a reputation for consistency, it’s long been a trusted British manufacturer with both national and international reach.

Meanwhile, Duni UK has built its name on premium tabletop solutions such as Dunisoft®, Dunilin® and Evolin®, supported by the global strength of Duni Group. Bringing the two together means blending Poppies’ Made-in-Britain manufacturing expertise with Duni’s innovation, logistics network and broader product portfolio – a combination that promises the best of both worlds to customers.

So, what does this mean for the hospitality industry?

In short: more choice, better availability and a streamlined supply chain. With Poppies now part of the Duni Group family, production and distribution become more connected. The merger will also increase the Group’s capacity through shared manufacturing efficiencies – with Duni now owning the entire value chain – pulp production in its own paper mills to full-scale manufacturing – ensuring complete control over quality, sustainability and innovation.

For end users, that means smoother stock flow, reduced lead times and a reliable pipeline of high-quality tabletop essentials. It’s the kind of behind-the-scenes improvement that quietly makes everyone’s life easier – from wholesalers and distributors to the hospitality teams setting tables day in and day out.

One of the standout strengths Poppies brings to the table (quite literally) is its Made in Britain manufacturing heritage. With its UK based production site operating at scale, customers gain reassurance of locally made goods – shorter transport distances, responsive production, and the kind of flexibility that overseas manufacturing simply can’t match.

Behind the scenes, both businesses share a commitment to thoughtful product development. Poppies has long focused on quality paper solutions, and Duni continues to progress its sustainable dining innovations across Europe. The result isn’t a rebrand or replacement – it’s a genuine expansion of what’s possible.

As Robert Thorniley, Managing Director at Duni Poppies puts it, joining forces with Duni creates “ a strong value chain that allows the combined business to better serve its customers”.  And that’s exactly what this merger is about: strengthening what already works and creating room for what comes next.

Visit Duni Poppies at Elevate to learn how this strengthened partnership is delivering practical benefits for operators, wholesalers and distributors across the hospitality sector.