Republic Services Inc. (NYSE:RSG) (4.2%) (RSG – $80.38 – NYSE) based in Phoenix, Arizona, became the second largest solid waste company in North America after its acquisition of Allied Waste Industries in December 2008. Republic provides nonhazardous solid waste collection services for commercial, industrial, municipal, and residential customers in 40 states and Puerto Rico. Republic serves more than 2,800 municipalities and operates 190 landfills, 207 transfer stations, 349 collection operations, and 91 recycling facilities. Since the Allied merger, Republic has benefited from synergies driven by route density, beneficial use of acquired assets, and reduction in redundant corporate overhead. Republic is committed to its core solid waste business. While other providers have strayed into alternative waste resource technologies and strategies, we view Republic’s plan to remain steadfast in the traditional solid waste business positively. We expect continued solid waste growth acquisitions, earnings improvement, and incremental route density and internalization growth in already established markets to generate real value in the near to medium term, highlighting the company’s potential.
From Mario Gabelli (Trades, Portfolio)'s first-quarter 2019 Value 25 Fund shareholder letter.
