Supplier News

Atlas Organics brings modular system to New England

Spartanburg, South Carolina-based Atlas Organics hosted an event in West Haven, Connecticut, in mid-January to demonstrate its EASP Modular Unit. Atlas describes the system as “a fully remote, off-grid solution to diverting organic waste and creating quality compost.”

The EASP Modular Unit powers all blowers as well as monitoring and control systems needed to run an extended aerated static pile (ASP), the company says.

“Our hope for this project is that it demonstrates to the people of West Haven and other municipalities that when you are faced with solid waste management decisions, there are things you can do,” says Doug Colter, project manager for the city of West Haven. “This ASP project will show that we can incorporate more and more organics from our waste stream into a usable product.”

Colter is overseeing a food waste diversion and compost pilot project that is funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Agriculture Department’s Natural Resources Conservation Service Urban Farming program. He says the project is a public-private partnership with Atlas.

“Modular Units like these can finally provide a much-needed solution for municipalities with limited space,” says Atlas Organics CEO Joseph McMillin. “The Modular Unit allows for a large amount of material to be processed in a small space with limited infrastructure.”

According to Atlas, the EASP Modular Unit is constructed from a 20-foot shipping container that is outfitted with a newly developed control system that allows operators, managers and engineers to monitor and communicate with the unit remotely.

The EASP Modular Unit comes equipped with temperature probes, a solar photovoltaic system, a three-blower EASP system with piping, an operations manual and Solvita maturity kits that are used in soil testing.

San Francisco-based Generate Capital acquired Atlas for $200 million in January. Atlas CEO McMillin says the investment facilitates new opportunities for expansion.

Metso Outotec finalizes divestment of its Waste Recycling business

Finnish company Metso Outotec completed the divestment of its Waste Recycling business to Helsinki-based Ahlström Capital’s fully owned investment company Ahlström Capital BV Dec. 1, 2021. Under Ahlström, the business will operate as M&J Recycling and will be headquartered in Horsens, Denmark. The planned sale was announced in July 2021.

The company specializes in the design and manufacture of industrial waste shredders and has more than 1,000 installations worldwide.

Uffe Hansen, previously a member of Metso Outotec’s executive team (MOET), continues to head M&J Recycling, therefore his employment at Metso Outotec and as a member of MOET ended when the transaction was finalized.

All employees of the business at the time of its sale, approximately 120 people, have transferred to the new company in connection with the transaction.

“M&J Recycling is well-positioned to drive sustainable development in our portfolio,” says Lasse Heinonen, president and CEO of Ahlström Capital, in a news release issued by Metso Outotec that announced the transaction’s close. “Ahlström Capital invests in companies that can develop into leaders in their own industry, and we see good value creation potential in M&J Recycling.”

Heinonen adds, “We want to welcome Uffe Hansen and his team, as well as the new chairman of the board Carsten Nygaard Knudsen to the Ahlström Capital network.”

M&J Recycling CEO Hansen says, “With Ahlström Capital as the new owner of M&J Recycling, we can unleash the full potential of our business. We have been showing strong growth over several years, and the recycling business is booming. We can now increase our focus and investments in both market presence, portfolio and organization to support both organic and inorganic growth going forward.”

Liebherr selects managing director for USA division

The Liebherr Group has selected Tim Gerhardt as one of the new managing directors for Liebherr USA. Gerhardt takes over for Torben Reher, who served Liebherr USA Co. since its inception in 2016 and plans to return to Germany after six years of leading the organization. 

Gerhardt will share Liebherr USA executive responsibilities with Kai Friedrich, managing director for Liebherr USA and divisional director for the construction equipment product segment in Newport News, Virginia.

“Working as managing director for Liebherr in the United States gives me the unique opportunity to develop the company to its next level after a successful launch in 2016,” Gerhardt says of the position. “It allows me to work in an interesting environment within one of Liebherr’s most important markets.”

In his role at Liebherr, Gerhardt will be responsible for leading and overseeing the strategic development, communication and implementation of growth strategies for all corporate, finance and administrative functions.

According to a news release from Liebherr, Gerhardt has more than 20 years of experience in the automotive industry. He recently served as managing director at Liebherr-Ettlingen GmbH remanufacturing center. Before joining the Liebherr Group, he served as chief financial officer at MAN Truck & Bus from 2012 to 2016 and as vice president of sales controlling from 2008 to 2011. He was senior manager of controlling at BMW Group in Munich from 2001 to 2008 and senior in-house consultant at Bosch Group in Stuttgart, Germany, from 1998 to 2001.

Big Truck Rental names new director of key accounts

Big Truck Rental LLC (BTR), Tampa, Florida, has announced Mike Natelborg will be taking on the role of director of key accounts. In the new position, he will be responsible for the strategy and execution for the segment, which BTR says will fuel the long-term growth plans for the company. 

Natelborg will report directly to Vice President of Sales Eric Voss. 

Natelborg has more than nine years of environmental industry experience. He started in the industry at Los Angeles-based Rehrig Pacific Co. (RPC) as a sales representative for the Midwest. At RPC, he reached Presidents Club in all eligible years and then was promoted to south-central sales manager.

Most recently, Natelborg was director of sales at Charlotte, North Carolina-based Wastequip in its Toter division.

He received his bachelor’s degree from Calvin University while playing on the basketball team and serving as team captain. He also holds an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management.

“Big Truck Rental’s strong company culture is a natural fit for me both personally and professionally,” Natelborg says in the news release announcing his appointment. “I’m passionate about the waste and recycling industry and excited to further engage my current and new industry network on how BTR is challenging the status quo in fleet management. I’m looking forward to contributing to the successful growth trajectory of BTR and making a positive impact [on] all our current suppliers and partners”

“I’ve known Mike since he started in the industry. He has a proven track record of success, strong relationships across the industry and stays laser-focused on his personal and professional goals,” Voss says. “His entrepreneurial spirit, business acumen, attitude [and] competitive drive are a perfect match for this role and our organization. We have absolute confidence in Mike.”

Zach Martin, BTR president, adds, “Mike is an excellent addition to the BTR team, and his industry expertise, relationships and value-added approach will serve this customer segment well. We are excited to continue our growth with a leader who mirrors our culture and a strong drive to serve our customers.”