Despite a flagging economy, the 2002 Waste Age 100 listing shows that 2001 was a growth year for many private waste firms.
For example, Folsom, Calif.-based Waste Connections jumped from its ninth place spot last year to No. 7 in this year's listing by adding more than $70 million to its reported 2001 revenues. And the upward trend seems to be continuing, as the company's first quarter 2002 revenues increased 24 percent to $105.7 million vs. $85.1 million during the same period last year. Crediting some growth to “having closed or signed acquisitions with $55 million of annualized revenues in the first quarter,” Waste Connections' Chairman and CEO Ronald J. Mittelstaedt says his company still has “a strong backlog of acquisition opportunities.”
Focusing on its three-year turnaround plan, Houston-based Waste Management finished 2001 with a strong fourth quarter. “In 2002, we are focused on cost and operational efficiencies in all parts of our business and on improving our sales effectiveness,” says CEO Maury Myers. The company is aiming at between $11.4 billion to $11.5 billion this year, which would be an increase from 2001's reported revenues of $11.3 billion. To do this, Myers says the economy would have to rebound during the second half of the year.
Improving operational efficiencies also seems to be No. 2 Allied Waste's mantra, citing its vertical integration strategy as the “key element of [its] operating philosophy.” The Scottsdale, Ariz.-based company also reported a high internalization rate of 67 percent at the end of 2001, up two percentage points. Allied is increasing the number of operating areas from two to four in 2002 (Eastern, Southern, Central and Western), and is further dividing those areas into 12 regions.
With about 70 percent of its revenue from the Sunbelt states, Republic Services, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., continued to increase its income in every quarter of 2001. The company claims to have made only strategic acquisitions in 2001, including Richmond, Calif.-based Richmond Sanitary Service, and focused on organizational changes. Republic also says it standardized operations in many areas to take advantage of its size.
Republic's Q1 revenue in 2002 kept the momentum going; It recorded a 3.1 percent increase to $551.9 million from $535.4 million for the first quarter of 2001. CEO James E. O'Connor says the company is “beginning to realize the positive effects of the initiatives started in 2001, especially in the areas of increasing route productivity and reducing maintenance costs.”
Successful integration of its various parts also has led No. 4, Onyx North America, to increase its 2001 revenues over 2000 from $1.16 billion to $1.3 billion.
Once you move past the top 10 companies, however, the changes in the rest of the field show a different kind of horserace. While several names disappeared from last year's listings, many, if not most of them, held their own or grew their business. Even the smallest company on the list approached $10 million in size, compared to slightly more than $6 million last year.
Now, with the economy showing a rebound, the big question is, can the industry sustain it?
- Waste Management Inc.1
Houston, TX • A. Maurice Myers
Last Yrs' Rank: 1
Public
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 55,000
2001 Rev.: $11.3 bil.
CO, IN, LF, HZ, RS, TF - Allied Waste Industries Inc.1
Scottsdale, AZ • Thomas Van Weelden
Last Yrs' Rank: 2
Public
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 29,000
2001 Rev.: $5.57 bil.
Proj. 2002 Rev.: $5.6 bil.
CO, LF, RS, TF - Republic Services Inc.4
Fort Lauderdale, FL • James O'Connor
Last Yrs' Rank: 3
Public
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 12,700
2001 Rev.: $2.26 bil.
CO, LF, HZ, RS, TF - Onyx N.A.1
(includes Superior Waste Svcs., Onyx Waste Svcs., Montenay Int'l, Onyx Enviro. Svcs., Onyx Industrial Svcs. Holdings)
Last Yrs' Rank: 4
Public
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 8,628
2001 Rev.: $1.3 bil.
CO, IN, LF, HZ, RS, TF - Safety Kleen Corp.3
Deer Park, TX • Ronald A. Rittenmeyer
Last Yrs' Rank: 5
Public
Com./Ind.
Employees: 9,618
2001 Rev.: $533.7 mil.
CO, IN, LF, HZ - Casella Waste Systems Inc.3
Rutland, VT • John W. Casella
Last Yrs' Rank: 6
Public
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 3,200
2001 Rev.: $431.1 mil.
CO, HZ, IN, LF, RS, TF - Waste Connections Inc.4
Folsom, CA • Ronald Mittelstaedt
Last Yrs' Rank: 9
Public
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 2,400
2001 Rev.: $377.5 mil.
CO, LF, RS, TF - Norcal Waste Systems Inc.1
San Francisco, CA • Michael J. Sangiacomo
Last Yrs' Rank: 7
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 2,000
2001 Rev.: $355 mil.
CO, LF, RS, TF - Stericycle Inc.4
Lake Forest, IL • Mark C. Miller
Last Yrs' Rank: 8
Public
Com./Ind.
Employees: 2,583
2001 Rev.: $334.3 mil. (U.S. revenues only)
CO - Rumpke Consolidated Cos. Inc.2
Cincinnati, OH • William J. & Thomas Rumpke
Last Year: 10
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 2,500
2001 Rev.: $293 mil.
CO, IN, LF, RS, TF - PSC Environmental Services Group1
Houston, TX • Brian J. Recatts
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 2,300
2001 Rev.: $285 mil.
Proj. 2002 Rev.: $300 mil.
CO, RS, TF - Clean Harbors Environmental Services1
Braintree, MA • Alan S. McKim
Last Year: 13
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 1,500
2001 Rev.: $250 mil.
IN, HZ, RS - Waste Holdings Inc.4
Raleigh, NC • Lonnie C. Poole Jr.
Last Year: 12
Public
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 1,700
2001 Rev.: $249.3 mil.
CO, LF, RS, TF - US Liquids Inc.4
Houston, TX • Michael P. Lawlor
Last Year: 11
Public
Com./Ind.
Employees: 1,200
2001 Rev.: $230.3 mil.
CO, LF, HZ, RS - Duratek Inc.2
Columbia, MD • Robert E. Prince
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 1,200
2001 Rev.: $177.2 mil.
HZ - IESI Corp.2
Haltom City, TX • Charles Flood
Last Year: 15
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 1,000
2001 Rev.: $110 mil.
CO, LF, RS, TF - Envirocare of Utah Inc.2
Salt Lake City, UT • Ken Alkma
Last Year: 17
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 350
2001 Rev.: $100 mil.
LF, HZ - Capital Environmental Resource Inc.3
Burlington, Ontario, CN • David Sutherland-Yoest
Last Year: 16
Public
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 887
2001 Rev.: $96.3 mil.
CO, LF, RS, TF - Industrial Services of America1
Louisville, KY • Harry Kletter
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 130
2001 Rev.: $96 mil.
RS - Schupan & Sons Inc.1
Kalamazoo, MI • Marc A. Schupan
Last Year: 21
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 200
2001 Rev.: $89.8 mil.
RS - Waste Corporation of America1
Houston, TX • Tom Fatjo
Last Year: 24
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 510
2001 Rev.: $80 mil.
Proj. 2002 Rev.: $85 mil.
CO, LF, RS, TF - Garbage Disposal Service Inc.2
Conover, NC • Drew Isenhour
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 1,000
2001 Rev.: $70 mil.
CO, LF, RS, TF - Harold LeMay Enterprises Inc.1
Tacoma, WA • Doug LeMay
Last Year: 29
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 417
2001 Rev.: $68 mil.
Proj. 2002 Rev.: $73 mil.
CO, RS, TF - Edco Disposal Corp.2
Lemon Grove, CA • Edward Burr
Last Year: 59
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 500
2001 Rev.: $60 mil.
RS - Terrace-ENSCO2
Dallas, TX • Xavier Dennery
Last Year: 20
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 600
2001 Rev.: $54.8 mil.
CO, IN, LF, HZ, RS, TF - Horizon Waste Services Inc.1
Mesa, AZ
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 270
2001 Rev.: $51.7 mil.
CO, RS - Resource Recovery Corp. RI2
Johnston, RI • A. A. Ferland
Last Year: 30
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 120
2001 Rev.: $50.7 mil.
LF, RS, TF - CalMet Inc.1
Montebello, CA • Thomas K. Blackman
Last Year: 40
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 250
2001 Rev.: $45 mil.
RS, TF - Watts Trucking Service Inc.1
Rock Island, IL • Jim Watts
Last Year: 33
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 500
2001 Rev.: $45 mil.
RS, TF - BLT Enterprises1
Oxnard, CA • Bernard Huberman
Last Year: 34
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 175
2001 Rev.: $43 mil.
RS, TF - Advanced Recycling2
Concord, NH • Ron Beaulieu
Last Year: 35
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 52
2001 Rev.: $42 mil.
RS - Solid Waste Transfer & Recycle2
Newark, NJ • Harold Martin Sr.
Last Year: 39
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 35
2001 Rev.: $40 mil.
TF - Burrtec Waste Industries Inc.2
Fontana, CA • Cole Burr
Last Year: 42
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 381
2001 Rev.: $38.1 mil.
CO, TF - World Resources Co.2
McLean, VA • Peter Halpin
Last Year: 46
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 140
2001 Rev.: $37.7 mil.
HZ, RS - Contain-A-Way Inc.2
Corona, CA • Jackie O'Rourke
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 20
2001 Rev.: $35 mil.
RS, TF - EL Harvey & Sons Inc.1
Westborough, MA • James Harvey
Last Year: 48
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 175
2001 Rev.: $35 mil.
CO, RS, TF - Texas Molecular2
(formerly GNI Group)
Deer Park, TX • Carl V. Rush Jr.
Last Year: 43
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 95
2001 Rev.: $35 mil.
HZ - Crown Disposal Co. Inc.1
Sun Valley, CA • Thomas Fry Sr.
Last Year: 72
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 250
2001 Rev.: $32.5 mil.
CO, RS, TF - Texas Disposal Systems Inc.2
Austin, TX • Bob Gregory
Last Year: 62
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 300
2001 Rev.: $32 mil.
CO, LF, RS, TF - Morris Recycling Inc.2
New Albany, MS • Phil Morris
Last Year: 53
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 112
2001 Rev.: $28 mil.
RS - Marin Sanitary Service1
San Rafael, CA • Joseph J. Garbarino
Last Year: 55
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 240
2001 Rev.: $27.8 mil.
Proj. 2002 Rev.: $29 mil.
CO, HZ, RS, TF - JRM Hauling Recycling Service1
Newbury, MA • James R. Motzkin
Last Year: 56
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 100
2001 Rev.: $25 mil.
CO, RS - LWD Inc.2
Calvert City, KY • Amos H. Shelton Jr.
Last Year: 73
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 125
2001 Rev.: $25 mil.
IN, LF - New England Ecological Development2
Johnston, RI • Louis Vinagro Jr.
Last Year: 60
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 150
2001 Rev.: $25 mil.
RS, TF - Ross Consolidated Corp.1
Grafton, OH • Maureen Cromling
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 210
2001 Rev.: $25 mil.
IN, HZ, RS - Santek Environmental1
Cleveland, TN • Kenneth Higgins
Last Year: 65
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 250
2001 Rev.: $24 mil.
CO, LF, RS - Better Management Corp. of Ohio BMC1
Youngstown, OH • Jerry Stoneburner
Last Year: 76
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 25
2001 Rev.: $23.8 mil.
Proj. 2002 Rev.: $30 mil.
LF, HZ - Regional Waste Systems Inc.2
Portland, ME • Chuck Foshay
Last Year: 63
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 64
2001 Rev.: $22.6 mil.
RS - American Waste Industries1
Sun Valley, CA • Mego Godjamanian
Last Year: 68
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 165
2001 Rev.: $22 mil.
Proj. 2002 Rev.: $20 mil.
CO, RS - Classic Sanitation of Saddle Brook NJ1
Jersey City, NJ • Michael Granatell
Last Year: 64
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 140
2001 Rev.: $22 mil.
Proj. 2002 Rev.: $20 mil.
CO, RS - Cycle Systems Inc.2
Roanoke, VA • Bruce Brenner
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 70
2001 Rev.: $20.8 mil.
RS - Marborg Industries Inc.1
Santa Barbara, CA • Mario A. Borgatello
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 145
2001 Rev.: $20.6 mil.
RS - Gilton Solid Waste Management1
Modesto, CA • Richard Gilton
Last Year: 70
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 160
2001 Rev.: $19 mil.
RS, TF - American 3CI2
Shreveport, LA • Otley Smith
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 121
2001 Rev.: $18.8 mil.
HZ - Robbie D. Wood Inc.2
Dolomite, AL • Robbie D. Wood, Jr.
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 103
2001 Rev.: $18.5 mil.
HZ, TF - Rainbow Disposal Co. Inc.2
Huntington Beach, CA • Stan Tkaczyck
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 500
2001 Rev.: $18.1 mil.
HZ, RS, TF - Randy's Sanitation Inc.1
Delano, MN • Randy Roskowiak
Last Year: 79
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 130
2001 Rev.: $17 mil.
CO, RS - J&J Refuse Inc.1
Dover, OH • Keith Kimble
Last Year: 78
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 89
2001 Rev.: $16.6 mil.
Proj. 2002 Rev.: $19 mil.
CO, RS, TF - Waste Control Specialists LLC2
Andrews, TX • Eric Peus
Last Year: 71
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 77
2001 Rev.: $16.5 mil.
LF, HZ - Jet-A-Way Inc.1
Boston, MA • Darlene Jeter
Last Year: 83
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 76
2001 Rev.: $16 mil.
Proj. 2002 Rev.: $16.5 mil.
CO, TF - Mass Environmental1
Chelmsford, MA • Patrick Hannon
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 30
2001 Rev.: $16 mil.
LF, HZ - Interstate Waste2
Sloatsburg, NY • Vincent Paolino
Last Year: 80
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 100
2001 Rev.: $15.9 mil.
CO, IN, LF, HZ, RS, TF - Energy Answers Corp.2
Albany, NY • Patrick F. Mahoney
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 140
2001 Rev.: $15.4 mil.
CO, LF, RS, TF - Bluebonnet Waste Control Inc.2
Dallas, TX • Miguel Gonzales
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 100
2001 Rev.: $15 mil.
RS - Natures Choice Corp.1
Union, NJ • Stephen Reiter
Last Year: 87
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 95
2001 Rev.: $15 mil.
Proj. 2002 Rev.: $18 mil.
RS - Rubatino Refuse Removal Inc.2
Everett, WA • Ed Rubatino
Last Year: 81
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 49
2001 Rev.: $15 mil.
Proj. 2002 Rev.: $15 mil.
CO, RS - Wayne Disposal Canton Inc.2
Canton, MI • Brad Green
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 30
2001 Rev.: $15 mil.
LF - Michigan Waste Energy Inc.2
Detroit, MI • Dave Gloer
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 150
2001 Rev.: $14.7 mil.
IN - SWDI LLC1
Houma, LA • Peter Callais
Last Year: 82
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 150
2001 Rev.: $14.7 mil.
Proj. 2002 Rev.: $15.5 mil.
CO, RS - Aspen Waste Systems Inc.1
Saint Paul, MN • Robert E. Kircher
Last Year: 88
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 80
2001 Rev.: $14.5 mil.
Proj. 2002 Rev.: $16 mil.
CO, RS - Sanitary Service Co. Inc.1
Bellingham, WA • Paul Razore
Last Year: 84
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 72
2001 Rev.: $13.8 mil.
Proj. 2002 Rev.: $14.2 mil.
CO, RS - Balcones Recycling Inc.2
Austin, TX • Kerry R. Getter
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 100
2001 Rev.: $13.6 mil.
RS - Friedman Recycling Co.1
Phoenix, AZ • A. Friedman
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 70
2001 Rev.: $13.5 mil.
RS - Ace Solid Waste Inc.1
Ramsey, MN • Andy Schweizer
Last Year: 89
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 78
2001 Rev.: $13 mil.
Proj. 2002 Rev.: $14.5 mil.
CO - California Waste Solutions1
Oakland, CA • David Duong
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
2001 Rev.: $13 mil.
CO, RS - Triumvirate Environmental Inc.1
Somerville, MA • John McQuillan
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 100
2001 Rev.: $12.9 mil.
HZ, RS, TF - Central Ohio Contractors Inc.2
Grove City, OH • Ralph D. Loewendick
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 100
2001 Rev.: $12.8 mil.
LF - American Transfer Co. Inc.2
Hicksville, NY • John Persichilli
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 200
2001 Rev.: $12.3 mil.
RS, TF - WTE Recycling Corp.2
Bedford, MA • David B. Spencer
Last Year: 47
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 150
2001 Rev.: $12.1 mil.
RS - Advanced Waste Services Inc.1
Milwaukee, WI • Michael T. Malatesta
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 45
2001 Rev.: $12 mil.
RS, TF - Cycle-Chem Inc.1
Elizabeth, NJ • Michael Persico
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 150
2001 Rev.: $12 mil.
HZ, RS, TF - Si-Nor Inc.1
Rialto, CA • Silas Ugorji
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 200
2001 Rev.: $12 mil.
CO, RS, TF - Nortech Waste LLC1
Roseville, CA • Donald M. Moriel
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 100
2001 Rev.: $11.6 mil.
LF, HZ, RS - Vogel Disposal Service Inc.2
Mars, PA • Edward L. Vogel
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 150
2001 Rev.: $11.6 mil.
LF, RS, TF - Automated Waste Disposal Inc.2
Danbury, CT • James E. Galante
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 500
2001 Rev.: $11.2 mil.
LF, RS, TF - Zanker Road Resource Management2
San Jose, CA • Rich Christina
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 120
2001 Rev.: $11.1 mil.
CO, LF, RS, TF - Ocoee Environmental Services1
Cleveland, TN • Steve McKenzie
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 100
2001 Rev.: $10.9 mil. (Purchased by Waste Connections)
CO, TF - Aerccom Inc.2
Allentown, PA • Robert M. Blanchfield
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 100
2001 Rev.: $10.5 mil.
RS - Alpco Environmental Group Inc.2
Rochester, NY • Ethan Hershman
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 24
2001 Rev.: $10 mil.
RS, TF - Max Cohen & Sons Inc./Advanced Rec.1
Concord, NH • Steven Cohen
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 52
2001 Rev.: $10 mil.
RS - Mill Valley Refuse Service1
San Rafael, CA • Dave Biggio
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 60
2001 Rev.: $10 mil.
CO, RS - Uhel Polly Hauling Inc.1
Pompano Beach, FL • Uhel Polly III
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 91
2001 Rev.: $10 mil.
Proj. 2002 Rev.: $13 mil.
CO, RS, TF - Universal Environmental Inc.1
Benicia, CA • Wayne R. Turnage
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 100
2001 Rev.: $10 mil.
Proj. 2002 Rev.: $19 mil.
HZ - Roy Strom Refuse Removal Service1
Maywood, IL • George Strom
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 50
2001 Rev.: $9.9 mil.
TF - Active Recycling Co.1
Los Angeles, CA • Errol Segal
Last Year: 44
Private
Employees: 88
2001 Rev.: $9.7 mil.
CO, RS - ABC Disposal Service Inc.1
New Bedford, MA • Laurinda Camara
Last Year: 93
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 65
2001 Rev.: $9.4 mil.
RS, TF - Health Care Waste Services
Bronx, NY • Joseph Orlando
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 45
2001 Rev.: $9.4 mil.
HZ - A&J Disposal Inc.2
Park Forest, IL • Tom Yonker
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 100
2001 Rev.: $9.3 mil.
RS, TF - WSI Inc. New England2
Waterbury, VT • Tom Badowski
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind., Res.
Employees: 60
2001 Rev.: $9.3 mil.
LF, RS, TF - American Recycling Holdings2
Atlanta, GA • John Lupas
Last Year: NR
Private
Com./Ind.
Employees: 30
2001 Rev.: $9.3 mil.
RS -
KEY 1: Company verified. 2: Company provided all information except revenues, which are from Dun & Bradstreet. 3: Estimated from annual report. 4: Annual report. NR: Not Ranked. Com./Ind.: Commercial/Industrial. Res.: Residential. CO: Collection. IN: Incineration. LF: Landfill. HZ: Hazardous waste. RS: Recycling Services. TF: Transfer
