Shiraz Tejani’s LPC Group is going full circle. The group – the UK’s largest independent manufacturer of tissue-based products – is looking to invest in the Tejani family’s native Uganda.

As well as being the country of their birth, the Tejanis have strong links with Uganda, having run a successful coffee business there before being forced to flee Idi Amin’s regime.

Now they have been meeting senior Ugandan officials and are planning a processing plant for wood pulp using sustainable tree planting. The plant and its surroundings would be designed to improve conditions for the local environment and wildlife as well as giving a much-needed boost to Uganda’s economy.

Meanwhile the group continues to expand, through newly acquired mills in Belgium and France, and is developing its Swedish and UK operations.

In June 2007 LPC bought the highly efficient Duffel Mill in Belgium – along with its workforce – from Kimberley-Clarke. In the same year LPC acquired the Roanne paper mill in the south of France. This mill was in danger of closing before LPC stepped in with a multi-million deal. The Roanne plant works with LPC’s tissue plant in Kisa, Sweden, and between them they form the biggest specialist tissue-producing operation in the world.

LPC’s £40 million UK factory turns out 600 million toilet rolls and kitchen rolls a year.

Shiraz Tejani set up the LPC group in Leicester with his brothers in 1980, originally to supply local shops with tissues and paper products. Now it turns over £350 million a year and employs 1,200 people.

The group includes LPC (UK), Kamns Paper Mill, Kilbagie Recycled Fibres, LPC Away From Home Division, and Swedish Tissues AB.

LPC (UK) and Kamns Paper Mill operate from purpose built factories in Leicester with over a million square feet. Kilbagie Recycled Fibres, acquired by LPC in 2002, is a paper recycling plant based in Scotland. LPC AFH Division, based in Redditch, produces disposable hygiene products, while Swedish Tissue has its mill in Kisa.

The company is making substantial inroads into the European and Scandinavian markets. The factories turn out toilet rolls, kitchen rolls, disposable nappies and face tissues, as well as paper recycling.

LPC’s newest state-of-the-art factory employs 250 people at Rothley Lodge in north Leicestershire. It uses the very latest technology for paper milling, converting and manufacturing and includes a distribution hub, and supports the company’s ambitious international expansion programme.

Shiraz, aged 60, has now retired from the company and taken the honorary position of group president, while his brother Amin is executive chairman.

John Danton, chief executive of LPC died in May last year. He was replaced by Tony Camp who joined LPC from confectioners Leaf UK.

The Tejani family also has property interests which add to the wealth generated by their paper business.