Weekly News Bulletin: Dec. 3-9, 2008

 

Justice Dept. Clears Republic-Allied Waste Deal With Conditions

In reviewing the proposed merger between Republic Services and Allied Waste, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) said it had reached a settlement that will require the companies to divest commercial waste collection and disposal assets, serving 15 metropolitan areas. Specifically, Republic and Allied will have to divest 87 commercial waste collection routes, nine landfills and 10 transfer stations, together with ancillary assets and, in three cases, access to landfill disposal capacity. DOJ said that the transaction, as originally proposed, would have resulted in higher prices for collection and disposal of waste in these areas. "This remedy ensures that the benefits of competition - namely, lower prices and better service - will be preserved in these areas," said Deborah Garza, the acting head of the department's antitrust division.

Republic announced its acquisition of Allied Waste in June, an all-stock deal that was then valued at $6.24 billion. The combined companies expect to generate more than $9 billion in annual revenue and will take the Republic name but will be based out of Allied's headquarters in Phoenix. Shareholders of both companies approved the deal last month. It will still will be smaller than industry leader Waste Management Inc., which in October dropped its own bid to buy Republic...Read More »

 

Sign up to receive our free Weekly News Bulletin