Clean Earth acquires AERC Recycling Solutions

Clean Earth Inc., a Hatboro, Pennsylvania-based subsidiary of Compass Diversified Holdings (CODI), has announced it has acquired the electronics recycling firm AERC Recycling Solutions, Allentown, Pennsylvania.

AERC is a universal waste and electronics recycling company that serves more than 2,500 commercial and industrial customers across the United States. The company processes fluorescent and mercury lamps, batteries, ballasts, retort and other forms of common hazardous wastes. In addition, AERC provides comprehensive electronic scrap recycling services, specializing in asset recovery, disassembly and secure information destruction.  

Founded in 1990, AERC owns and operates processing facilities in Allentown; Richmond, Virginia; West Melbourne, Florida; and Hayward, California, as well as a transfer station in Bolingbroke, Georgia. For the 12 months ended Dec. 31, 2016, AERC reported net revenue of approximately $13 million. CODI funded the purchase price through available cash on its balance sheet. 

Alan Offenberg, CEO of CODI, says, “The acquisition of AERC makes this our fourth accretive add-on acquisition since acquiring Clean Earth in 2014. This addition will expand Clean Earth’s service offering to include universal and electronic waste processing capabilities, while creating new cross-selling opportunities for Clean Earth.”

He continues, “The acquisition will enhance Clean Earth’s presence in the eastern U.S. while giving the company coast-to-coast coverage via AERC’s California-based facilities. Utilizing CODI’s considerable financial resources, we will continue to pursue add-on and platform acquisitions of attractive middle market companies to generate long-term shareholder value.”

Chris Dods, CEO of Clean Earth, adds, “For over 25 years, AERC has been a leader in serving the universal and electronic waste processing needs of commercial and industrial customers across the nation. The addition of AERC enables us to recycle these wastes internally while opening up new opportunities for cross selling with existing customers and adding new regional and national customers.”

CODI owns and manages a diverse family of established North American middle market businesses. Each of its current subsidiaries is a leader in its niche market.