Hampshire: R Collard acquires Raymond Brown Waste Solutions

Hampshire-based racing driver and entrepreneur, Rob Collard, is celebrating 25 years in the waste business with a major acquisition. His company Collard Group has completed the acquisition of Raymond Brown Waste Solutions (RBWS) in a deal which sees two of the biggest names in waste management in the South of England combine – elevating Collard even further into the sector’s big league.

The newly combined business now operates from nine recycling centres across five counties from Hampshire to Surrey, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire. Founder Rob Collard is keen to reassure existing customers of both companies that it will be ‘business as usual’ following the announcement.

He said: “The integration of Raymond Brown Waste Solutions’ facilities, fleet, equipment and people including the existing management team will enable us to achieve a seamless transition of service for existing customers.

“The deal brings together two successful businesses and strong brands, giving us more capacity across a much bigger area and expanding the services available to Raymond Brown Waste Solutions’ existing customers.”

From left: Rob Collard and Adam Murnieks

Don Coates, chief executive officer, commented: “Raymond Brown Waste Solutions has been a key part of the group’s overall development but will now have more opportunities for growth as part of a focussed waste business. I thank my colleagues for their hard work and dedication to Raymond Brown Group over the years and with them all the best in what I am sure will be a prospering waste company. Raymond Brown Group will now concentrate on growing its Quarry Products and Fortis IBA divisions both of which have had recent success in securing new reserves and contracts.”

Raymond Brown Waste Solutions operates the Chilton Waste and Brown Skips brands.

The announcement coincides with the 25^th Anniversary of the establishment of R Collard and is a perfect way for the company to celebrate a quarter of a century in the waste business.

Collard explained: “We’ve come a long way since we started and this major milestone is testament to the hard work and dedication of every single employee who have each, in their own way, contributed to our success. My management team has worked tirelessly to get this deal over the line, alongside their Raymond Brown colleagues and I am proud and delighted to welcome over 80 new employees to the business.”

R Collard was established in 1994 to provide haulage services to local construction companies. Twenty-five years on Collard Group employs over 400 full time staff, has over 4000 skips, a 150-vehicle fleet and turnover in excess of £50 million. The acquisition propels the company further into the top-tier of waste companies with the capacity to process over 1 million tonnes of waste and recycling every year.

Through investment and acquisition the company has gradually diversified into a multi-disciplined provider of demolition, recycling, skip hire, haulage, aggregates and earthworks as well as supplying high-grade secondary aggregates and ready-mixed concrete.

It continues to be a family-run business with four generations of Collards involved in the region’s waste industry since the Second World War. Rob’s sons Ricky and Jordan also work in the business when they’re not busy with their racing careers with Aston Martin and McLaren.

As a major local employer, the company invests heavily in its people through local apprenticeship schemes, skills training and the continuous professional development of its staff. Being a part of the community through active, tangible support for local causes and initiatives is important to Collard employees. In the past 18 months alone, the company has contributed over £120,000 supporting charity and community projects, as well as helping to raise £75,000 for national children’s charities through its association with the National Federation of Demolition Contractors.

While Rob Collard is still very-much a hands-on presence at the company and has been instrumental in its recent transformation and development, he is possibly better known for his exploits on the motor racing circuit. He has been a driver in the British Touring Car Championship for over 10 years and is regularly featured in ITV’s coverage of the sport.