Waste firm acquires four sites across the Midlands and Yorkshire

The independently owned family business, which was founded in 1940, has acquired facilities in Nottingham, Castleford, Barnsley and Huddersfield, increasing its operational network to 12 sites across the UK.

Ward said the acquisitions will strengthen its metal processing and waste management capabilities, while supporting its plans to expand its supplier network and increase processing volumes nationwide.

Three of the sites – Nottingham, Barnsley and Castleford – are already operational, with the Huddersfield facility expected to come online in the coming months.

Thomas Ward, Commercial Director at Ward, commented: “We have recruited more than 100 new staff to complement our existing team who bring a diverse range of experience and a good mix of skill sets.

“As a business, we’ve never been in better shape to embrace these changes, increasing our network to recycle more material and better serve our customers.”

Acquisitions to build on Ward’s recycling site portfolio

The latest additions build on Ward’s existing portfolio, which includes sites in Chesterfield, Swadlincote and York, as well as multiple processing facilities, an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF) in Ilkeston and a metal export operation based at Cardiff Port.

Ward processes more than one million tonnes of ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal each year, supplying customers in both domestic and international markets. Export destinations include Turkey, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and China.

The company said the expansion comes at a time of significant change in the metal recycling sector, with growing demand for recycled materials and increasing pressure to improve collection and processing infrastructure.

Ward added: “This is an exciting time to be part of Ward as we develop and grow. The metal recycling industry is going through a huge period of transformation and bringing these new sites into the Ward family represents a major opportunity.”

Alongside scrap metal trading and recycling, Ward provides a range of waste management services including commercial, industrial and construction waste compaction, hazardous waste management, secure destruction, confidential waste disposal and textile recycling.