Dive Brief:

• Waste Management has acquired Cortez, CO-based Baker Sanitation Inc. (BSI) in a reportedly "seamless transaction" imposing no changes to service, rates, or schedules, according to The Cortez Journal.
• Waste Management will now operate BSI's routes in Montezuma, Dolores, and La Plata counties. The drivers will all keep their jobs, and BSI's recycling services will continue as normal. 
• "We did well and expanded ... Now it's time to take it easy for a while," John Stramel, former BSI chairman, told The Cortez Journal.

Dive Insight:

While Waste Management continues to grow as the nation's largest waste and recycling service provider, acquisitions become a strategic process to ensure that operations run smoothly and customers stay happy. Conducting a "seamless transaction" is very important for the company as it ensures that any obstacles or complaints will be kept to a minimum.

When asked about the company's acquisition strategy, Waste Management Vice President of Communications and Community Relations told Waste Dive, "The assets we would look at as a priority would be ... the ability to integrate effectively and to optimize and leverage [the deal] around our corporate capabilities to create additional value."

Waste Management has expanded in other areas as well, such as Florida where they acquired 12 Florida-based Southern Waste Systems/Sun Recycling sites earlier this year. However the solid waste giant hasn't been able to avoid blows from the ever-changing commodities market; earlier this month, it was reported that Waste Management has closed 21% of its recycling facilities in the past two years, with no intentions to open new ones.