A LEADING waste management company has acquired Thirsk-based Todd Waste Management Group Ltd for an undisclosed sum.

The deal will result in 46 members of staff, along with 1,200 business customers, joining the newly-merged Yorwaste Group.

It will increase Yorwaste’s staff numbers to more than 350 and its commercial customer base to over 4,000, further strengthening its position as the market leading waste management company in North Yorkshire and York, and increasing Yorwaste’s turnover to more than £48 million.

The deal was agreed after negotiations between Yorwaste and the family-run Todd Waste Management Group, which is led by managing director Richard Todd.

Steve Barker, Yorwaste managing director, said: "We are delighted to announce the acquisition of Todd Waste Management Group.

"It represents a significant expansion of Yorwaste as we consolidate our position as the premier waste management company in North Yorkshire and York.

"We look forward to welcoming our new members of staff and customers to the Yorwaste Group, as we join two great local businesses together. I can promise all customers that it will be business as usual.

"Our new customers will have access to more waste disposal and recycling facilities, as well as our state-of-the-art new fleet of vehicles, which will provide them with real value for money and further minimise their environmental impact."

Mr Todd said he was pleased to agree the deal. "Our staff and customers will become part of a company with an excellent reputation for providing highly efficient standards of service, and I would like to thank them for the support they have given me over the years," he said.

Mr Barker added: "In July, the Allerton Waste Recovery Park will begin commissioning and, from day one, in partnership with our major shareholder North Yorkshire County Council, Yorwaste will be the main supplier of waste to the site.

"The deal we have struck with Todd’s is significant because it means we will now be able to recycle or recover even more waste from businesses in North Yorkshire and York."

The acquisition comes just two months after Yorwaste took over the management and operation of 20 household waste recycling centres on behalf of North Yorkshire County Council. The company will also shortly open its new £3 million waste transfer station in York and recently invested £1.5 million on 11 new vehicles.

Yorwaste was advised by a legal team from Andrew Jackson in York, comprising corporate partner Philip Ashworth, together with Helen Mellors and Grace Howell. Financial advice was provided by Ken Graham and Deborah McVay of Kenneth Easby & Co in Northallerton.