Exco Finance et Transactions advises on the disposal of the WSR group

Founded in 1998 by William Sabatier in Balzac (Charente), WSR specialises in the collection, treatment and recovery of waste, particularly paper and cardboard, scrap metal and ferrous metals, as well as wood through its subsidiary Balzabois. WSR supports both private and public sector clients in their environmental efforts and meets the waste collection and treatment needs of businesses, local authorities and households across the whole of Charente. With a workforce of nearly 50 people and an industrial site of 3,400 m² built on 7 hectares, close to Angoulême, WSR processes approximately 80,000 tonnes of waste per year. As he approached retirement, William Sabatier, the owner-manager, wished to sell his company.

Fabre Environnement Group was attracted by WSR and Balzabois's mastery of all waste management operations, genuine multi-material expertise and fleet of equipment. Led and developed by Laurent Fabre, son of the founder, Fabre Environnement is pursuing a strategy of diversifying its activities, originally positioned in automotive distribution. Through a sustained external growth strategy, Fabre Environnement operates 9 collection and recovery sites across the Occitanie, Auvergne Rhône Alpes and Île-de-France regions. This operation enables it to extend its reach into Nouvelle Aquitaine and integrate a major player in its territory. The team at Exco Finance et Transactions has developed sector expertise in the recycling and waste recovery sector, and supported William Sabatier, the owner-manager, through this company handover to the Fabre Group.

The transaction was completed successfully. William Sabatier was able to secure WSR with a group like Fabre Environnement, confident that it would continue to develop the business in line with their shared values, their clients and their team. Laurent Fabre, President of Fabre Environnement, confirmed that the acquisition of WSR and Balzabois is a genuine opportunity for their group, enabling them to sustain the momentum created by William Sabatier and to develop the site whilst maintaining a strong team and close relationships with its clients.