Company History

In the beginnings

In 1969, a 50/50 joint venture between M Collins & Sons and Yellow Express formed the company Collex Pty Ltd. Collex started operations with 5 Frontlift Mobile Compactors and 3 Linehaul Transfer Trailers. In 1981, Mayne Nickless purchased Collex outright after having an equity share in the company for several years.

Collex Expands

In 1991, the French Group Veolia Environnement through its subsidiary, Compagnie Generale d’Entreprises Automobiles (CGEA) purchased the waste management activities of Simsmetal Limited and Mayne Nickless Limited amalgamating them as Collex Waste Management Pty Ltd. This amalgamation placed Collex among the largest waste management companies in Australia with a revenue of $54M and employing more than 500 people. Collex formed part of Onyx, the waste management division of Veolia Environnement, and was able to expand operations to include:

• Collection, recovery and treatment of solid, liquid and hazardous waste on behalf of local authorities, industry and consumers;
• Commercial, urban and industrial cleaning.

Industrial Services Boom

In 1998, Collex decided to further expand its national Industrial Services operations through the purchase of two highly respected and long established companies, Middlemass Industrial Services and Aqualine Australia. The subsequent acquisition of Vactech in 2000 positioned Collex as a major player in the national industrial services market.

More Changes

In 2000 the decision was made to change Collex’s name from Collex Waste Management Pty Ltd back into Collex Pty Ltd. This change was to signify the growth of Collex to become an environmental services provider, rather than the one dimensional Waste Services provider. This change beckoned a new age where Collex was able to provide a broad portfolio of services in the fields of waste management and industrial services.

Committing to Sustainable Development

In 1999, Collex made a commitment to the principles of sustainable development. Sustainable Development means adopting business strategies and activities that meet the needs of both our company and its stakeholders today whilst also protecting, supporting and enhancing the human and natural resources that will be needed in the future.

Veolia Environnement launches a new Global Brand

In 2005 Veolia Environnement embarked on a new global branding campaign which would see all global subsidiaries within the group change names and corporate identities and adopt the Veolia brand. With Onyx becoming Veolia Environmental Services, Collex within Australia was also to take on this new corporate name. In October 2006, the trading name of Collex became officially defunct and operation under the name Veolia Environmental Services Australia began.

Veolia Environmental Services in Australia Today

Today the company has expanded and diversified its operations within the waste and industrial services industry increasing its revenue to more than $650M in 2006.

• 2895 employees
• Revenue in excess of $650M in 2006
• 3.4 million population served
• 52, 500 commercial and industrial clients