ONE of Hampshire’s oldest businesses is set for further expansion after its second successful acquisition in 14 months.

Award-winning waste management specialist, Cleansing Service Group, which has its national headquarters at Segensworth East, Fareham, has acquired Lymington-based Mitchell Parker White, which specialises in the maintenance and installation of sewage treatment plants.

CSG was founded in 1934 by Hampshire man, Bunny Hart, who went into business emptying cesspits in the Botley area. The latest acquisition strengthens CSG’s national dominance in the sewage system maintenance sector where the company already serves more than 45,000 domestic and commercial customers.

MPW has a customer base of around 700 and operates largely in the South and South-West.

A successful expansion programme, in which CSG has acquired a number of specialist companies, has seen the company take on a wide range of waste treatment sectors ranging from agricultural recycling to marine waste.

CSG now manages waste handling facilities all over the country, including an advanced industrial waste processing centre at Cadishead in Manchester.

The company, which acquired the print industry waste management business J & G Environmental, in 2008, has grown to become the second largest privately-owned waste management group in Britain with a customer base including Government departments, local authorities, utility companies, major supermarket groups and forecourt chains.

CSG celebrated its 75th anniversary last year by being named the county’s most innovative company in the Hampshire Business Awards, in which it was shortlisted for all three award categories, and announcing record turnover and profitability.

“MPW will continue to trade under that name as a wholly owned subsidiary of CSG,” said CSG operations director, Steve Pashley.

“The acquisition is a significant development in our business strategy and broadens the range of services we can offer both domestic and commercial customers in the sewage system maintenance sector.

“We’re proud that a Hampshire company is able to announce further growth in its business at a time when the national economy is still in difficulty.”