Acumen are marking their 25th year with a record turnover and ambitious plans for significant growth.
Their strategy for growth includes further acquisition targets following the 2017 purchase of Highspeed Group, development of their App based ordering and reporting infrastructure, together with expanding their existing network of nationwide waste processing and recycling facilities.
Acumen provides safe and compliant waste removal, transport and processing services for public and private businesses and for government agencies such as the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales.
They currently employ 90 people and run a fleet of 30 vehicles across 7 sites in the UK – Knottingley, Wolverhampton, Keighley, Escrick, Rufforth, Immingham and Middlesborough – handling a range of difficult, hazardous and non-hazardous wastes but predominantly industrial and commercial streams.
Established in 1994, the business underwent an MBO in 2018. Acumen’s Executive board of Directors Leon Kirk, Andy Crossley and Kris Sutton, together with Non-Executive Chairman Jon Morris, spearheaded the buy-out and are responsible for its ambitious growth targets.
“In celebrating our 25th year of business, we are proud to say that we are in the strongest position that we have ever been” said Andy Crossley, Managing Director.
“We have an incredible team driving the business forward and we’re well placed for further success. We have demonstrated sustained growth over a number of years and have a clear and focussed strategy for continuing this success. We feel that is achievable with our developed plans and the strong team we have in place.
“It has taken time, but we have built a diverse team with a strong working culture” he added. “Gender and racial diversity are integral to the employment process which is reflected in our workforce that comprises of over 50% of women.”
With a stellar reputation for compliance and integrity in this heavily regulated industry, Acumen is the first choice for many Customers with complex waste-related issues – an example being Acumen’s recent Contract to repatriate illegally-exported waste back from Poland. Their ability to find solutions to complex challenges has been one of the reasons for success according to Andy.
“We have a reputation for doing what others can’t and doing it compliantly, cost-effectively and in a way that minimises the impact on the environment. We’re happy to develop novel solutions to complex problems.
“Our ability to do this is undoubtedly helped by the fact we are privately owned, which allows complete flexibility to be reactive to both customer needs and market shifts.
“Being a reputable and trustworthy solution provider is more important than ever for corporations that care and that are accountable for their choices, however large or small.
“It’s important for us to keep developing as a team as we push for further growth,” Andy added. “We each take our work very seriously and take a lot of pride in what we do. This commitment is key to our success.”
