Waste Control acquired by Waste Connections

As reported by The Daily News, Waste Control and Recycling, Longview, Washington, has been acquired new corporate owners. According to property documents, previous co-owners Joe and Kevin Willis sold the property last month to Texas-based Waste Connections for $13.7 million.

“Waste Connections is honored Joe and Kevin put their trust in and chose to sell their stock to us. We are committed to continue providing the same quality service our customers in Cowlitz County have grown to expect and look forward to building strong, working relationships with our municipal partners,” Waste Connections Division Vice President Jason Hudson said in a prepared statement July 13.

Waste Control has been Cowlitz Cowlitz County’s major garbage collection and waste hauler for decades, but collection rates will not be affected by the sale at this time, Hudson added.

“Waste Control’s rates are regulated by municipal contracts, which will remain in place or set by the Utilities Transportation Commission (UTC),” he said.

Greg Hannon, solid waste and recycling manager for the City of Longview, said the city’s existing contract with Waste Control includes a cost-of-living adjustment, which will remain in place for the new owners next year. In general, Hannon expects the transition between owners to be “seamless” with “no effect to the residents of Longview.”

“I have had several conversations with officials from Waste [Connections] this past week and they are committed to maintaining the same level of service, the same level of efficiencies and commitment in providing solid waste and relying services to our residents,” Hannon told The Daily News.

Waste Connections, which took over the plant in mid-June, will continue to operate the Cowlitz County plant under the Waste Control name, Hudson said. It also will keep the current staff of 112 workers.

The waste management giant is the first owner of Waste Control outside of the Willis family.

Stan Willis, Joe and Kevin’s father, started Waste Control in 1949 as Stan’s Sanitation Service. The Willis brothers took over operations in 1987. They quickly accumulated city contracts throughout Cowlitz County and grew the company to serve Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties.

“First and foremost, we want to congratulate Kevin and Joe for a long and successful career in the solid waste and recycling industry,” Hudson said. “We also want to wish Joe, Kevin and their significant others a happy and well-deserved retirement.”