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O’Donovan Waste Disposal bought by Nordic firm Sortera

Nordic construction waste business Sortera has acquired London-based O’Donovan Waste Disposal.

West London-based O'Donovan's sites include at Alperton and Tottenham

In a move completed on 1 June 2022, Sortera described the deal as “strengthening its international presence”.

O’Donovan had a turnover of around £17 million with a £2 million profit in the last reported financial year. The company is perhaps best known for the work of its managing director Jacqueline O’Donovan who has won numerous industry awards. With her siblings she took on the running of the business and at the age of 19 became managing director.

Jacqueline O’Donovan said the sale would enable new  investments

The company is a strong player in London in the collection and recycling of construction waste, with about 100 employees and has facilities which include sites in Alperton and Tottenham.

European expansion

Sortera sees the acquisition of O’Donovan, which is its first in U.K, as part of its effort to expand in Europe’s major cities and to become “one of Europe’s leading companies in collection and recycling of construction waste”.

“We are very happy to now join forces with O´Donovan,” said Sebastian Wessman, CEO of Sortera which has its headquarters in Sweden. “They have for a long time carried out impressive work and are today one of the leading and most prominent construction recyclers in London. O´Donovan has a strong customer focus and their systematic work with environment and health and safety has resulted in several prestigious awards, as well as a strong reputation among both customers and employees.”

Sebastian Wessman, Sortera CEO

Mr Wessman added that he was “proud to grow Sortera with a company who share our values of strong customer focus and a sustainable approach to business. We wish all employees at O’Donovan a warm welcome to the Sortera family.”

Development

Jacqueline O’Donovan said: “I look forward to continuing to develop our business in the UK with Sortera as a strong owner who understands and appreciates our work with sustainability, quality and health and safety. Sortera will give us the right preconditions to continue our successful development path and to enable new investments and development initiatives.”

(Above: a video – in Swedish – about Sortera)

Sortera’s acquisition of O’Donovan “marks an important milestone in Sortera’s history”. It is Sortera’s 17th acquisition since it was established in 2006. With the new acquisition, Sortera´s new turnover will increase to SEK 2 billion.

Sortera’s facilities and offices can now be found in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmo, Orebro, Helsinki and London.

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