WCA Waste Corp. acquires Klean Way Disposal

WCA had 40 trucks, 80 employees and 29,000 customers in Springfield before the acquisition. With the acquisition, it added eight trucks, four employees and about 7,000 customers. The trucks will be repainted, but trash cans will only be replaced as they wear out, according to Springfield Division Manager David Cepero.

Klean Way founder Leroy Johnson has retired following the sale. He said WCA approached him about buying his 30-year-old company late last year.

The acquisition solidifies WCA’s position as the second-largest trash hauler in town, behind Allied Waste Service, which had 75 local trucks as of Jan. 5, according to Springfield Business Journal’s 2007 Book of Lists.

WCA also acquired Springfield-based Sunrise Disposal for an undisclosed price in December.

“In the trash business, you either keep growing or you go away,” Cepero said. “It’s a tough business, and there’s no stand-still.”

See SBJ’s April 30 issue for more on WCA Waste Corp.’s latest move.