Urbaser continues growth with J&B Recycling acquisition

Cheltenham-based environmental services company Urbaser Ltd has acquired J&B Recycling, with support from PKF Francis Clark.

Urbaser Ltd is a leading integrated waste and resource management company, providing waste treatment and municipal services solutions to local authorities, businesses and the public across the UK.

Operating in the North East of England, J&B Recycling boasts a significant portfolio of local authority contracts as well as over 1,600 trade contracts servicing nearly 700 commercial customers.

The acquisition of J&B Recycling provides Urbaser Ltd with a network of four materials recycling and processing facilities, managing over 180,000 tonnes per annum. Forecast revenue for the year ended 31 March 2021 was approximately £20 million.

We were delighted to help our clients with this next stage in their ambitious growth plans.

This latest deal follows Urbaser Ltd’s acquisition of five waste management contracts from Amey earlier this year.

Javier Peiro, managing director of Urbaser Ltd, said: “The acquisition of such an experienced and well-established operation within the North East represents a significant step in our ambition for growth within the UK marketplace.

“We are excited to welcome nearly 200 new employees to the Urbaser Ltd family. We look forward to building on the success of J&B Recycling within the region and continuing to deliver exemplary levels of service to the significant network of local authority and commercial and industrial customers. We have a strong history in the collection and processing of recyclable and municipal waste across the UK and internationally, and we are very pleased to be building on our existing presence in the North of England.”

Vikki Jackson-Smith, CEO of J&B Recycling, added: “When it came to looking for a partner that could support the business in our next chapter, Urbaser Ltd ticked all of the boxes. This deal will allow us to continue our growth within an organisation with shared values and goals. It will also provide the enhanced support for our team and customers that comes with being part of a company of Urbaser’s scale and calibre.”

A team from PKF Francis Clark, comprising Andrew Killick, Robert Gear, George Harold and Adam Kefford supported Urbaser Ltd’s acquisition of J&B Recycling by carrying out financial and tax due diligence.

Robert Gear, corporate finance director at PKF Francis Clark, said: “Having previously advised Urbaser Ltd on the acquisition of a number of waste management contracts from Amey, we were delighted to help our clients with this next stage in their ambitious growth plans.

“J&B Recycling is a great fit with Urbaser Ltd’s existing operations and geographical footprint, and we wish the combined business continued success.”

Read more: Recent deals our corporate finance team has advised on.