Date: July 18, 2012
Source: Star Atlantic Waste Holdings II, L.P.
Veolia Environnement has struck a deal to sell its US waste business to a unit of Highstar Capital for $1.91 billion.
Highstar, the infrastructure-focused private equity firm once affiliated with American International Group Inc. (AIG) is a great fit. It has been a player in the waste management space for many years and owns large regional companies, Interstate Waste Services (Basking Ridge, NJ), and Advanced Disposal (Jacksonville, FL). It plans to combine the operations of all three into one company operating as Advanced Disposal Services. The new entity will have annual revenues of about $1.4 billion, making it the largest privately owned waste company in the US. Its 5,450 employees will operate a fleet of over 3,000 trucks, 47 landfills, and 92 transfer stations across 20 states.
Veolia, the world's biggest water company and second biggest waste company, is shedding the unit as it tries to cut debt by 5 billion Euros (20 percent) to 12 billion Euros ($14.7 billion) by the end of next year. Its US business, Veolia ES Solid Waste Inc. had revenues of 614 million Euros ($818 million) in 2011 and operates from more than 300 locations.
Veolia is said to have also received offers from private equity firm Madison Dearborn Partners LLC and Brazilian conglomerate Estre Ambiental SA.
It would have been problematic for any of the large waste companies to have made a deal to buy Veolia's business as this would almost certainly raised antitrust issues in various markets where a significant overlap occurred.
The new company will likely enjoy efficiencies gained by combining Veolia operations in the Northeast with those of Interstate Waste and operations in the southeast with those of the old Advanced Disposal. Commenting on the acquisition, Highstar Capital Founder and Managing Partner Christopher Lee said, "The acquisition of Veolia ES Solid Waste, Inc. is a unique opportunity to create a fully-integrated environmental services platform across the eastern United States.
Highstar's waste management business has made 30 acquisitions just since 2005. Its infrastructure funds manage over $5.6 billion of assets.
Veolia engaged Credit Suisse Group AG and Barclays Plc to find buyers for the Veolia ES Solid Waste unit. Star Atlantic received financing commitments from Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc., Macquarie Capital, UBS Investment Bank and Barclays.
See also: "Who Will Buy Veolia's US Waste Business?," (www.wasteinfo.com/news/wbj20111213B.htm), December 13, 2011.
PRESS RELEASE
July 18, 2012
Star Atlantic Waste Holdings Announces Agreement to Acquire Veolia ES Solid Waste
Star Atlantic Waste Holdings II, L.P., a Highstar Capital portfolio company, today announced that it has reached an agreement to purchase Veolia ES Solid Waste, Inc. from Veolia Environmental Services North America Corp. Star Atlantic will combine its existing investments in Advanced Disposal Services, Inc. and Interstate Waste Services, Inc. with the acquired Veolia operations. The combined business, which will operate as Advanced Disposal Services, will be the largest privately owned environmental services business in the United States. It will have operations in twenty states and have annual revenues of approximately $1.4 billion, a fleet of over 3,000 trucks, 47 landfills, 92 transfer stations and 5,450 employees.
Commenting on the acquisition, Highstar Capital Founder and Managing Partner Christopher Lee stated, "The acquisition of Veolia ES Solid Waste, Inc. is a unique opportunity to create a fully-integrated environmental services platform across the eastern United States. The combined business will be a best-in-class company with an exceptional management team and growth opportunities."
"Veolia ES Solid Waste, Inc. is a tremendous business with high quality employees and assets. The opportunity to select best practices from VES SW, Advanced Disposal Services and Interstate Waste Services will create a strong company with compelling growth prospects. We look forward to working with our customers, employees and community partners as we provide comprehensive environmental service solutions," said Chief Executive Officer Charlie Appleby.
The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to close this fall.
Star Atlantic has obtained committed financing from Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc., Macquarie Capital, UBS Investment Bank and Barclays. Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. acted as lead financial advisor to Highstar Capital and Star Atlantic. Macquarie Capital acted as co-advisor to Highstar Capital and Star Atlantic. Winston & Strawn LLP acted as legal advisor.
About Highstar Capital
Highstar Capital is an independently owned and operated infrastructure fund manager with an operationally focused, value added strategy. The firm, based in New York and with offices in Houston, was founded in 1998 and currently manages over $5 billion of investments on behalf of its managed funds and co-investment vehicles in a diversified portfolio of energy, transportation and environmental/waste management assets and businesses. For more information please visit Highstar Capital's website at www.highstarcapital.com.
About Advanced Disposal Services, Inc. Advanced Disposal is the fourth largest privately owned environmental services company in the United States providing integrated, non-hazardous solid waste collection, transfer, recycling and disposal services in the Southeastern United States. Advanced Disposal currently owns and operates commercial, industrial, and residential solid waste collection operations, municipal solid waste landfills, transfer stations, and recycling facilities. Advanced Disposal is dedicated to preserving the environment and ensuring that all operations are conducted in a manner that follows all local, state, and federal laws in regards to environmental protection. Advanced Disposal is headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla. and has operations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina. For more information regarding Advanced Disposal, please visit www.AdvancedDisposal.comor on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AdvancedDisposal.
About Interstate Waste Services
Interstate Waste Services, based in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, is one of the fastest growing providers of comprehensive waste management services with operations in New England, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia. Their subsidiaries provide collection, transfer, recycling and disposal services. Clients include residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers throughout the northeast United States. For more information, visit www.interstatewaste.com.
For additional information, please contact Cassie Winn at cassie.winn@highstarcapital.com.
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