Hanson to acquire Mick George as sales of regional firms continue

Cambridgeshire-based Mick George is one of the biggest construction and demolition (C&D) waste processors in the UK, with annual revenues of around £220 million.

The company operates four C&D material recycling facilities, eight waste transfer stations, 11 aggregates quarries and 10 ready-mixed concrete plants.

Subject to regulatory approval, Hanson hopes to complete the acquisition in the second quarter of 2023.

Veolia acquired Mick George Recycling Ltd in 2019. Mick George Recycling provided a waste and recycling collection service to commercial customers, such as football clubs and shopping centres.

Consolidation

With much consolidation in the industry, the attention of companies looking to enter the market or expand their presence has switched to ‘regional powerhouse’ waste firms.

This also gives companies access to waste, which is becoming more valuable for energy.

Mick George’s sale comes after similar sized companies such as Britaniacrest Recycling, B&M Waste, O’Donnovan, and McGrath have all been acquired this year alone.

These sales come on the back of Veolia’s attempted acquisition of Suez in the UK, Viridor’s sale to KKR, and Biffa accepting a takeover bid from Energy Capital Partners.

Hanson

Hanson UK is based in Maidenhead and is a subsidiary of the German company HeidelbergCement.

Hanson said the Mick George acquisition will “significantly strengthen our circular materials offering while complementing our existing aggregates and ready-mixed concrete businesses.”

The company added that the acquisition adds a “considerable recycling platform to our portfolio, supporting the development of innovative technologies for processing waste and upgrading it for use in the construction cycle as a valuable material”.

Hanson chief executive Simon Willis said: “The acquisition of the Mick George Group is a strong fit for us and another significant step towards our target to offer circular alternatives for half of our concrete products by 2030.

“Promoting circularity and consequently recycling, reusing, and thereby reducing the use of primary raw materials, is crucial to achieving net zero.

“I warmly welcome the 1,000 Mick George employees to Hanson and look forward to further developing the business together.”