WEG purchased by Univar
A global chemical distribution company purchased Carnegie-based Weavertown Environmental Group, which was founded in Washington County 34 years ago.
Univar Inc., which is publicly traded, said in a news release Tuesday its wholly-owned subsidiary, Univar USA Inc., based in Downers Grove, Ill., acquired all of the outstanding stock of Weavertown Oil Services, Inc., and Weavertown Transport Leasing, Inc. The companies operate as Weavertown Environmental Group, a provider of environmental and facilities maintenance services.
Univar spokesman Scott Johnson said Thursday the company is not disclosing the purchase price.
Founded in 1981, WEG provides a full range of environmental and consulting services, including industrial cleaning, waste management and transportation, site remediation, and 24/7/365 emergency response services.
The company employs more than 210 people and operates from eight locations.
“Industrial operations and municipalities are increasingly challenged by the regulatory complexities related to managing and preventing waste and environmental concerns,” said Univar President and Chief Executive Officer Erik Fyrwald. “The acquisition of Weavertown Environmental Group enhances Univar’s offering of value-added environmental services with trusted expertise and experience that increases our capabilities and presence not only in the industrial services market, but also in key geographic markets across the U.S.”
Univar noted to meet its clients’ requirements, WEG “has invested in a broad range of equipment, personnel and supply capabilities.” In addition to environmental services, WEG offers towing, garage services, stone aggregate and landscape supply and oil delivery services. The company is also an emergency response contractor for the Chemtrec Chemnet program. Univar said it plans to integrate the WEG business with its ChemCare waste management service.
“For more than 30 years, we have worked to build a strong family business focused on two simple goals: to be a great employer and a great supplier and service provider to our markets,” said Dawn Fuchs, president and CEO of WEG. “As we looked ahead to our future and the opportunities we had to further grow our business and a service offering, Univar was the right fit, for our clients, our employees, and for Weavertown Environmental Group. We look forward to our new future as a Univar company.”
She said she and the Fuchs family were appreciative of the professionalism exhibited by all of the parties involved in the transaction and thanked her attorneys, Rega, Ewing and Hergenroeder of Pittsburgh for their assistance in meeting the Dec. 1 deadline.
Fuchs said she will remain with the company as a managing director. She said all of the WEG operations will continue with the new owner.
The company was founded in Cecil Township by Fuchs’ father, Donald Fuchs, as a one-truck hauling company.
Over the years, WEG evolved into a company providing an array of environmental services – from cleaning up industrial sites and hazardous waste spills to designing and installing air quality control systems.
Johnson said Thursday WEG’s services are highly complementary to Univar’s existing environmental services.
While WEG moved its corporate headquarters from Washington County to Carnegie in 2005, Fuchs noted many of its operations remain in the county, including its diesel operations and A-1 Supply, which handles aggregates.
She said most of WEG’s employees work in Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Ohio.
“The bulk of our employees are from Washington County,” she said.
Founded in 1924, Univar is a global distributor of specialty and basic chemicals from more than 8,000 producers worldwide. It operates more than 700 distribution facilities throughout North America, Western Europe, the Asia-Pacific region and Latin America, supported by a global network of sales and technical professionals.