Fri, 19 Jun 2026 | COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
An independently owned family metal recycling and waste management firm has acquired four new sites across the Midlands and Yorkshire. Ward, which was founded in 1940, has increased its operational network to 12 UK sites with the acquisition of facilities in Nottingham, Castleford, Barnsley and Huddersfield.
According to Ward, the acquisitions will strengthen its capabilities in metal processing and waste management, while supporting plans to increase its nationwide processing volumes and expand its supplier network.
The sites in Nottingham, Barnsley and Castleford are already operational, while the facility in Huddersfield is expected to become active over the coming months.
The acquisitions represent a significant expansion of the company’s existing portfolio, which includes sites in York, Chesterfield and Swadlincote, an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF) in Ilkeston, a metal export operation at Cardiff Port and a number of processing facilities.
Ward Commercial Director Thomas Ward commented: “We have recruited more than 100 new staff to complement our existing team who bring a diverse range of experience and a good mix of skill sets.”
“As a business, we’ve never been in better shape to embrace these changes, increasing our network to recycle more material and better serve our customers.”
Ward processes in excess of one million tonnes of ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal per year. As well as supplying domestic customers, the company also exports to international markets, including China, India, Turkey, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
In addition to scrap metal trading and recycling, the company also provides an array of waste management services, including hazardous waste management, confidential waste disposal, textile recycling, secure destruction and commercial, industrial and construction waste compaction.
Ward says that its latest acquisitions come during a period of significant change in the metal recycling industry, amid growing demand for recycled materials and mounting pressure to improve collection and processing infrastructure.
Thomas Ward added: “This is an exciting time to be part of Ward as we develop and grow. The metal recycling industry is going through a huge period of transformation and bringing these new sites into the Ward family represents a major opportunity.”
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