Hull waste management specialist Biowise has been bought out by a European environmental sector leader.
Urbaser Group’s UK subsidiary has acquired the Willerby operation, which trades as Wastewise, weeks after it added its tenth local authority contract across the North and Midlands.
The Spanish giant is a global force in green waste services, with 40,000 employees working across 25 countries.
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Biowise, founded by the Landau family, and is built on more than half a century’s experience within the industry.
It has seen rapid expansion in recent years, providing municipal, waste treatment, and recovery services, allied to those of Cheltenham headquartered Urbaser Ltd, the UK arm of the European multinational.
Javier Peiro, managing director of Urbaser Ltd, said: “We are delighted to announce the integration of Biowise into the Urbaser Group as another important step along the path of growth and example of our continued ambition to expand the range of services we offer to our local authority and commercial customers across the country. We are committed to ensuring that Biowise continues to deliver the exemplary level of service established by the team over the many years of operation.
“The collection and treatment of organic waste is a critical element of the UK’s overall waste management strategy. Through the delivery of the organic waste treatment and total waste management services, Urbaser Ltd is pleased to be able to provide additional support to maximise recycling within the UK.”
The undisclosed deal builds on the acquisition of five waste management contracts from Amey and J&B Recycling Ltd last year by the 32-year-old firm.
Wastewise delivers services across Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire and Cheshire, and operates three organic waste treatment facilities - including two state-of-the-art in-vessel composting facilities. Leading peat-free compost producer Vital Earth is a major client as part of the circular economy it oversees.
Revenues of more than £13 million were generated last year, through the management of more than 260,000 tonnes of waste by the 43-strogn team.
Executive chairman James Landau added: “It was extremely important to me to find the right organisation to take the business forward and I have every confidence that Urbaser will nurture and build upon Biowise’s existing relationships with its various local authority and commercial customers to take the company to the next level.
“I am very proud of what we have achieved, and I am thankful to the whole team for their loyalty and support. I wish them and Urbaser all the best for the future as they embark on the next chapter.”
The senior management team will remain within the business, including recently appointed managing director Bob Wilkes, who had joined the company in 2017.
He said: “We are very excited to be joining Urbaser and supporting the group in its ambitious growth strategy within the UK.
“Biowise is very fortunate to have found a company which possesses the same values in respect of the provision of innovative and environmentally responsible solutions across the waste management sector.”
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