Cawley specialises in business and commercial waste management, and the deal will see its three depots, materials recycling facility, two transfer stations and its battery processing facility transfer to Suez.
Its HQ in Luton will also be transferred to Suez as part of the deal.
Suez said the deal will allow it to expand the range of services it offers to its commercial customer base, as the company “expands its portfolio across the M1 corridor”, where earlier this year it secured Milton Keynes city council’s waste and environmental services contract.
Founded in 1947, F&R Cawley Ltd has grown to a company that today has a turnover of £36.8 million. Employing over 200 staff, it handles 90,000 tonnes of waste annually from its 4,500 customers across three locations with a 70 strong fleet.
‘Opportunities’
The deal marks the second acquisition for Suez this year, after it acquired Devon Contract Waste in October (see letsrecycle.com story).
This forms part of the French-owned Suez group’s aim for the company to reach 40% turnover from international markets by 2027.
Sabrina Soussan, chairman and chief executive officer of Suez, commented: “This second acquisition in Suez’s first year back in the UK recycling and recovery market highlights our ability to capitalise on opportunities in areas identified for strategic growth.
“F&R Cawley complements Suez’s offering in innovative and resilient solutions such as battery recycling, where Suez is already a first player in France with the development of a battery recycling facility in Dunkirk.”
F&R Cawley are the perfect fit
- John Scanlon, Suez
‘Proud’
With this acquisition, Suez said it can provide commercial customers across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire with a “resilient and responsive, full value chain solution for their waste”.
This will range from from collection through to recycling and energy recovery, supported by a “comprehensive fleet, local transfer and sorting facilities and long-term energy recovery off-take contracts”.
John Scanlon, chief executive officer for Suez recycling and recovery UK, said: “I’m proud to be responsible for leading SUEZ’s expansion in the UK. As we grow, we want to work with likeminded companies – companies that share our commitment to putting our customers at the heart of what we do and who understand our triple bottom line approach that balances profit with the needs of people and the planet.
“F&R Cawley are the perfect fit and I’m delighted to welcome their team to SUEZ. This acquisition develops our footprint north of London and offers our customers a resilient, end-to-end solution for their waste and recycling needs.”
Regional
The deal means there are now few ‘regional powerhouse’ family-owned waste firms left in the industry, after many of them have now been acquired either by bigger waste companies or private equity-backed groups.
Alongside Suez’s acquisition of Devon Contract Waste, last year saw the sale of Britaniacrest Recycling, B&M Waste, O’Donnovan, and McGrath and part of the Mick George group.
Further consolidation was also seen earlier this month when FCC acquired the UK business of Urbaser.
‘Perfectly placed’
Anna Cawley, strategy and communications director, said: “Cawley’s has grown to become a leading independent commercial waste business and we’re proud to have served our customers for over 75 years.
“When it came to selling our business, we wanted to find a buyer who shared our values and who we were confident would maintain our excellent customer service. As a triple bottom line business with a strong track record in the industry, Suez is perfectly placed to take our business forward.
“It’s not all change though, the Cawley’s management team will continue to work with Suez and are committed to a seamless transition for our customers, who will continue to receive the same great service from their regular crew and customer service team.”
Subscribe for free