Mergers & Acquisitions

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Kinderhook acquires Chemtron Corp.

Kinderhook Industries LLC, New York, announced it has acquired Avon, Ohio-based Chemtron Corp. from Cleveland-based CapitalWorks. Chemtron represents Kinderhook’s eighth environmental services platform since inception. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Chemtron is a hazardous and non-hazardous waste management provider serving the Midwest. According to Kinderhook, Chemtron’s value proposition lies in its ability to provide a diverse range of disposal solutions to hazardous and non-hazardous waste generators. Through its hazardous and non-hazardous waste processing facilities, Chemtron treats, processes and directs for end disposal a diverse range of wastes on behalf of waste generators. The company has two Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous waste Part B treatment, storage and disposal facilities; two 10-day facilities; a non-hazardous waste processing facility; and a railcar and ISO container processing facility.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Kinderhook, who shares our vision for the future of Chemtron,” says Rob Swords, the CEO of Chemtron Corp. “Chemtron will continue its legacy of providing best-in-class service to its customers with a focus on safety and compliance.”

“The company has made great strides to optimize processes to quickly and efficiently handle waste,” says Corwynne Carruthers, the managing director at Kinderhook Industries. “These recent improvements along with additional support from Kinderhook’s broad base of resources will increase customer satisfaction, fostering key operational relationships.”

As part of the transaction, Kinderhook announced it will be adding Brandon Velek (chairman Circon of Canada) and Ken Wunderlich (former chief financial officer of EQ of Wayne, Michigan), both Kinderhook operating partners, to the board of directors. Each of these board members have over 20 years of industry experience in both hazardous and non-hazardous waste management.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Chicago, served as legal counsel to Kinderhook.

Frontier Waste Solutions expands reach in Texas

Frontier Waste Solutions, a solid waste and recycling collection company based in Plano, Texas, has made several key moves this year that will expand its reach in the state.

The company acquired five Texas companies during the third quarter: Midwest Waste Services of Azle; Panther City Disposal of Fort Worth; Riata Disposal of Dripping Springs; H&L Rural Trash of Cleburne; and Triple H Dumpster Service of Liberty. Riata Disposal is a new market for Frontier and will serve as a base for further expansion into Austin and northern San Antonio.

Frontier says the Midwest Waste Services and Panther City Disposal deals will provide support for its continued growth in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, complementing Frontier’s existing residential, commercial, municipal and industrial waste services.

Earlier in 2019, Frontier also acquired certain strategic assets from The Woodlands, Florida-based Waste Connections in the Hearne-College Station market. These included new exclusive municipal agreements with the cities of Hearne and Brenham, Texas. The Waste Connections transaction was completed in March and includes a combination of open market and exclusive municipal contracts.

Additionally, during the third quarter, Frontier was awarded new exclusive contracts with Newport Municipal Utility District and the city of Marlin, Texas, both contiguous to Frontier’s current service areas.

In addition, Frontier says the company is moving into a new facility in Corpus Christi, Texas, to accommodate further growth in the market.

Frontier has leadership changes on the horizon as well. It recently added Scott Hunter and Lance Butler as members of the management team. Hunter has 40 years of experience in the industry, including more than 30 in Texas, and Butler has worked in the industry for more than 20 years.