EcoSouth enters Florida market with acquisition of Desoto Recycling and Disposal, Gabbert Waste Solutions

EcoSouth Services LLC announced June 23 that it has acquired Desoto Recycling and Disposal LLC (DRD) and Gabbert Waste Solutions LLC (GWS), marking the company’s first entrée into the Florida market. EcoSouth is a Mobile, Alabama-based portfolio company of New York City-based Kinderhook Industries LLC.

Collectively, DRD and GWS comprise a vertically integrated waste company consisting of a DRD landfill, a GWS transfer station, and complementary hauling services located in central and southwestern Florida.

“Over the years, we have built a dynamic, vertically integrated company at DRD and GWS that contemplates the full waste collection cycle,” Jim Gabbert, president of Desoto Recycling and Disposal, says. “We are ecstatic to partner with Kinderhook, [EcoSouth CEO] Jeff Claunch, and the team they have assembled at EcoSouth to focus on the next phase of growth.”

“The landfill assets of DRD along with the transfer station and hauling services of GWS enable EcoSouth to enter the growing Florida market with a well-established operational base and a clear and exciting runway,” Claunch says. “We are very happy to own these assets and are excited about the prospect of building out our Florida operations further.”

“The acquisition of DRD and GWS represents the continuation of our growth strategy at EcoSouth,” Rob Michalik, managing director of Kinderhook, says. “We are excited about the company’s entrance into the Florida market by way of two well-run assets. We look forward to working closely with the current management team and employees to continue to grow the collection presence of GWS’ hauling operations, as well as expand the landfill’s collection footprint across both coasts.”

“DRD is a well-constructed, centrally located landfill with a long remaining life of site, which will enable it to accept waste throughout Florida for a long time,” Cor Carruthers, managing director of Kinderhook, says. “This acquisition reflects a great opportunity to acquire a growing company with a strong base of assets in a new market with notable tailwinds.”

The acquisition of DRD and GWS represents the third add-on acquisition for EcoSouth and Kinderhook’s 56^th environmental services transaction since inception. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.