History

Duni has come a long way from being a Swedish producer of paper cups and napkins in the 50’s to today’s leading international provider of premium solutions and products for handling and serving meals. The road has been lined with numbers of product innovations, mergers and international expansion.

In 1949 Duni produced its first waxed paper cup and napkin made out of thin, glazed crepe paper. The company was then known as Billingsfors Långed AB, and was bought by the Swedish-based Bonnier Group earlier that year. The brand name Duni was presented in the fifties and became a part of the official company name in 1970. Since 1990 the company is called Duni.

Product development
During the fifties and sixties Duni worked hard focusing on product development and came up with several products that contributed to growing their business. In 1965, for example, Duni introduced Dunicel® to the market - a patented material that consists of several layers of tissue put together by a binding agent. Another breakthrough was in 1966 when Duni started to produce plastic products such as sets of knives, forks and spoons and cups.

Today Duni's products include napkins, candles and table coverings as well as plastic items, such as glasses, cups, cutlery and plates both to professional customers, such as hotels and restaurants, and retail customers. Duni also offers cardboard and plastic containers for meal handling within the food service industry.

International expansion
In the late fifties Duni started to work up an international market. The company established manufacturing units in Hamburg and Paris. During the next couple of decades the expansion reached England and the United States. Duni also established sales offices in Spain, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium and Austria.

In the Nordics Duni established a Danish sales office in 1963. In Norway sales started in 1972 and in Finland in 1974.

Mergers and acquisitions
Duni has made a number of mergers and acquisitions throughout the years. These activities have been a major contributor to Duni's strong expansion. The largest and most important acquisition so far took place in 1990, when Duni acquired Finess – the main competitor on the Nordic market. In doing so, Duni doubled the business and considerably strengthened it's position on the market.

For a more detailed history, please go to 'Duni year by year'.