Woodville-based metal and waste recycling specialist Ward has announced the sale of its compaction services to Biffa.

The sale relates solely to the multi-collection wheelie bin and rear end load commercial services part of the business and includes a number of Ward drivers and vehicles.

All related customer contracts will now be managed by national waste management provider Biffa.

All other waste services, including metal recycling, textile reuse, wood processing and recycling, general skip hire and RoRo operations for construction, demolition land remediation and hazardous waste, remain with Ward.

James Balfour, Ward finance director, said: "We were approached by Biffa regarding the acquisition of our compaction lorry business, including trucks, drivers and wheelie bins earlier in the year.

"The opportunity has come at the right time for us both as we look to focus on our core business of bulk metal and waste recycling and Biffa is now hoping to grow its compaction services in the East Midlands.

"This sale provides the chance for our compaction drivers to join a growing national business, offering the chance for progression.

"Biffa has confirmed customers will receive the same level of service that they are used to and are unlikely to see much change at all once the changeover has taken place."

The new arrangements have taken effect immediately. Employees have been consulted on a one-to-one basis and customers contacted.

Jeff Anderson Chief Operating Officer for Biffa's Collections division said: "We are delighted to announce that our collections division has completed the acquisition of Ward's commercial compaction services.

"The business had pre-Covid-19 run rate revenues of around £4m servicing over 1,400 customers.

"This acquisition is fully aligned with our growth and acquisition strategy and will be highly complementary to our existing East Midlands operations."

Ward, a multi-award winning fourth generation family business, continues to invest across its operations including a £2m upgrade to its energy efficient vehicle fleet on order and a recent £1.5m-plus upgrade to its Ilkeston site with the installation of a bulk metal pre-shredder.