Shumakers sell Midwest Fiber to Circular Services

Circular Services has acquired Midwest Fiber Recycling, boosting the portfolio of materials recovery facilities under Circular Services’ recycling arm, Balcones Recycling.

The company says it marks an expansion into the US Midwest to support existing recycling infrastructure and services in the region and increase the recovery of valuable materials into domestic supply chains.

Midwest Fiber’s management team will continue to run operations. Midwest Fiber began in 1990 when founders Ron and Linda Shumaker purchased the Decatur Recycle Paper Company.

Since then, with sons Mike and Todd, they have grown the company into one of the largest recycling operations in the Midwest, with facilities in Decatur, Normal, Urbana and Peroria, Illinois and Terre Haute, Indiana.

‘Right partner’ ‘Todd and I waited to find the right partner,’ said Midwest Fiber ceo Mike Shumaker. ‘The singular focus of Circular Services and Balcones Recycling on advancing robust circular materials management, as well as their longstanding experience operating recycling infrastructure, made them a great fit.’

Circular Services offers holistic circular materials management services through several companies, helping municipalities and businesses close the loop on valuable materials, including paper, metal, glass, plastics, organics, textiles and electronics.

Balcones Recycling is one of the largest independent recycling companies in the country, handling more than one million tonnes of recyclables each year through operations in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Texas, Arizona and Arkansas.

Following the acquisition of Midwest Fiber, it will operate 18 materials recovery facilities across the US.

‘The Shumakers have built and led a great company with an excellent reputation as they served their surrounding communities for over 30 years,’ notes Tom Outerbridge, ceo of Balcones Recycling.

‘We are proud to join forces with Mike, Todd and their management team and leverage our collective expertise and growing portfolio of facilities to offer custom, effective recycling solutions to more municipalities, counties and small-to-large businesses.’