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Waste Connections is an integrated solid waste services company that provides solid waste collection, transfer, disposal and recycling services in mostly secondary markets in the Western and Southern U.S. The Company serves more than two million residential, commercial and industrial customers from a network of operations in 26 states. We also provide intermodal services for the movement of containers in the Pacific Northwest.
Our corporate strategy targets secondary and suburban markets that have strong demographic growth trends and where competitive barriers to entry can be developed. We seek to avoid highly competitive, large urban markets and target markets where we can provide either non-integrated or integrated solid waste services under exclusive arrangements, or markets where we can be integrated and attain high market share. We are a leading provider of solid waste services in most of our markets, and approximately 50% of our revenues are derived from market areas where we have franchise or exclusive rights to provide our waste services.
We believe the solid waste service business is a local business managed by professionals living and working in the communities we serve. We strive to provide service excellence for those communities that place their trust in our company and are always dedicated to putting our customers first. We look to technology and growth to help our customers, employees and shareholders "Connect with the Future". As a public company we have the resources to meet every customer's needs in a cost effective and environmentally compatible manner. We understand the markets, the philosophy and the unique needs of the customers we serve whether they be industry, commercial accounts, municipal jurisdictions or individual subscribers.
Background
The company was founded in 1997 by a dedicated group of industry professionals with over 50 years of industry experience through the purchase of five operations in Washington and Idaho from Browning-Ferris Industries. The company rapidly expanded into the California market in early 1998 and now has operations throughout 23 states located primarily in the Western and Southern United States.
Waste Connections went public in May of 1998 and is traded on the NYSE exchange under the symbol WCN.
Growth
Waste Connections has grown through a combination of both organic growth in our existing markets and acquisitions of selected companies in high growth markets. Operations of acquired companies are typically enhanced through the introduction of modernized fleets, technology, management support and the capital that comes from being part of a publicly traded company. We look to grow rapidly within a market through expanding the range of services we offer and by helping our local managers to continue the success they have built locally by expanding into adjacent regions. As we grow, whether by acquisition or by internal growth, we seek to constantly upgrade our level of customer service. At the same time we look to retain the local name and goodwill associated with the companies and the entrepreneurs who helped to build them.
Customers
Our customers range from individual residential subscribers to county contracts and include industrial and commercial accounts, contracts with homeowners associations, apartment owners and mobile home operators. We have a market based strategy for serving our customers to provide the most cost effective solution depending on local regulations and solid waste management practices. Where collection services are governed by exclusive franchise agreements, municipal contracts, or in the case of Washington, G certificates, the company focuses on excellence in collection services, transfer and recycling services. In other markets, not governed by these types of agreements, we can best serve our customers and provide the most cost-effective solution through having an integrated company with collection, transfer and disposal.
Safety And The Environment
We are committed to improve the environment for the future of the communities we live in and serve. We believe that our services play an integral part of improving the environment and we are always mindful of having the most cost-effective waste management solutions for our customers. In addition, we are committed to the safety of our workers and have programs in place to continually upgrade our risk management and environmental policies.
Technology
All our sites are linked with one another and to the corporate offices via a wide area network that allows real time communication for exchanging financial, customer service and internal data. The company employs a customer service, dispatch and routing platform that is Windows based and is both comprehensive and user friendly, allowing for rapid changes to accommodate our ever-changing customer needs. It is our objective to move from a highly paper intensive business towards a more automated environment for internal and external transactions and in the process improve overall efficiency. The company also seeks to implement utilization of automated equipment when appropriate and cost effective for our customers.
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