The sale sees national waste management service provider Biffa adding Ward’s multi-collection wheeled bin and rear end load (REL) commercial services. Drivers and a number of the customer support team have also joined Biffa as part of the deal.
Ward says it will now focus on bulk metals and its waste core business following the sale.
Opportunity
James Balfour, finance director at Ward said: “We were approached by Biffa regarding the acquisition of our compaction lorry business, including trucks, drivers and wheelie bins earlier in the year. The opportunity has come at the right time for us both as we look to focus on our core business of bulk metal and waste recycling and Biffa is now hoping to grow its compaction services in the East Midlands.”
Mr Balfour continued: “This sale provides the chance for our compaction drivers to join a growing national business, offering the chance for progression. Biffa has confirmed customers will receive the same level of service that they are used to and are unlikely to see much change at all once the changeover has taken place.”
Delighted
Jeff Anderson, chief operating officer for Biffa’s Collections division, said he was delighted with the purchase and that others are in sight.
Mr Anderson commented: “We are delighted to announce that our Collections division has completed the acquisition of Ward’s commercial compaction services. The business had pre-Covid-19 run rate revenues of around £4 million servicing over 1,400 customers.
“This acquisition is fully aligned with our growth and acquisition strategy”
“This acquisition is fully aligned with our growth and acquisition strategy and will be highly complementary to our existing East Midlands operations. Active negotiations continue on several other acquisition targets and the pipeline is progressing well.”
Ward
Specialists in metal recycling and waste management and with a turnover in excess of £150million Ward describes itself as “the largest independent metal and waste recycling company in the East Midlands.” It has six sites in Derbyshire and North Lincolnshire – three in Ilkeston, as well as Swadlincote, Chesterfield and Immingham. A fourth generation family-run business, Ward has been established for over 70 years and now employs over 400 people locally with a fleet of more than 120 modern heavy goods vehicles.
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