‘New chapter’ as Mick George is bought by Heidelberg Materials
Mick George Ltd (MGL), a leading supplier to the construction industry across the region since it was formed in 1989, has been acquired by Heidelberg Materials, a German multinational building materials company headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany.
Mick George has an annual turnover of around £220million and staff of around 1,000. It operates around 40 recycling facilities, waste transfer stations, aggregate quarries and ready-mixed concrete plants in East Anglia and the East Midlands.
The company originally agreed to take over Huntingdon-based Mick George – its Cambridge office is at St John’s Innovation Park – in December 2022. The specialist recycling and waste management services were a key factor in the Heidelberg takeover bid. The proposed transaction included four recycling plants, eight waste transfer stations, 11 aggregate quarries and 10 ready-mix concrete plants – but it was held up by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which cited concerns about the deal’s impact on market competition in parts of the East of England and the East Midlands.
The acquisition was approved by the CMA this month after the regulatory authority approved a series of asset disposals.
“We have divested a combination of eight Heidelberg Materials and MGL sites to PJ Thory as well as Needingworth quarry to Brice Aggregates,” explained Heidelberg in a statement.
“The acquisition strengthens our circular materials offering,” added the company in its announcement of the buyout. “It adds a substantial recycling platform to our portfolio, supporting the development of innovative technologies for processing waste, and upgrading it for use in the construction cycle as a valuable material.”
Heidelberg Materials was formed in 1874 by Johann Philipp Schifferdecker: it made Portland cement for many years, and in fact was only rebranded from Heidelberg Cement in 2022.
In the UK, Heidelberg Materials UK is a leading supplier of heavy building materials to the construction industry, operating around 300 sites and employing more than 3,500 people.
CEO Simon Willis said: “I am delighted to confirm the completion of the acquisition of MGL, which is an exciting milestone for us. It is a strong fit and represents a major step as we embrace the opportunities the construction waste sector represents.
“It will allow us to drive the use of recycled aggregate in building materials and help us reach our target to offer circular alternatives for half of our concrete products by 2030.
“Promoting circularity and thereby reducing the use of primary raw materials is crucial to achieving net zero and we are committed to playing our part.
“I am looking forward to working together to explore further opportunities and develop the combined business.”
Mick George’s joint CEO, Jonathan Stump, said in a social media post: “Dawn of the next chapter in the Mick George story.
“Excited to continue developing and growing the Mick George business, extending our reach and expanding the opportunities.
“Being part of the Heidelberg group still allows us to retain our identity, ethos and culture and its very much business as usual for years to come.”
The financial considerations involved have not been made public.
