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North East based O’Brien Waste Recycling Solutions continues to grow on the back of a 12 month, £1 million investment in new plant machinery supplied by Liebherr. The purchase of the equipment is a part of continual expansion by the Waste Recycling business as it hits the £30m turnover mark this financial year, doing so for first time since it was demerged with the demolition and group businesses in 2015.

A driving factor in opting for Liebherr equipment was O’Brien’s mission to work in partnership with other local businesses, exchanging services and expertise, with Liebherr in turn using O’Brien as a supplier for its hazardous, industrial waste and recycling requirements.

Jon Hurford, O’Brien Waste Recycling Financial Director, commented: “Working with other businesses who use our own services underpins our continued growth. We firmly believe that the key to regional growth is by using and supporting other local businesses. Liebherr Sunderland is part of a much larger multi-national group and expects a very high level of service, which we pride ourselves on being able to provide”.

Ralph Saelzer, Managing Director for Liebherr Sunderland Works Ltd. agrees: “The partnership with O’Brien has worked very well for 2 years now. Their service-levels are excellent and due to the proximity of their recycling centres to our Sunderland operation, transportation costs of waste are reduced and as a result of that, so is our carbon footprint. The percentage of waste material we recycled was already good, but O’Brien have worked closely with us help increase that and we value their service-driven approach.

“Of course we are always happy to see our plant equipment being used locally. The Sunderland plant is a key part of our UK operation”.

As for O’Brien, continued growth into this year and beyond is the goal. Jon Hurford explains: “It is exciting times in the waste industry as an increasing amount of businesses are focusing on sustainability and environmental performance. Due to our operation and approach, we are able to offer businesses waste recycling performance that is unbeatable in the North of England”.

“Sometimes it is the simple things that make the difference though. Since the inception of the business, the focus has been on delivering an excellent level of service. This has been fundamental to our growth. We are delighted to have won Service of the Year in the North East Business Awards for our sub region. We feel that this is testament to our values of good service above all. As we invest in new technology and grow we are determined to maintain that ethos.”