Biffa PLC working hard to mitigate HGV driver shortage

Biffa PLC acknowledged a shortage of HGV drivers is having an impact on bin and waste collections.

In a trading update Biffa, which collects waste for more than 30 councils across the country, did not say if it has been affected directly but noted it was “working hard to mitigate the impact of the national shortage of HGV drivers, along with other supply chain challenges, on our services.”

Some eighteen councils in the UK recently reported collection problems due to a lack of drivers for lorries

Trading in the first half of the year has continued in line with the board’s revised expectations, the statement said.

Earlier this year Biffa said trading had recovered faster than expected and underlying profits this year would be 10% higher than previously guided.

Group net revenues for the five months to August 2021 were 12% higher than the comparable period in 2019, it said today, and 3% excluding acquisitions.

In the Industrial and Commercial (I&C) business, like for like volumes (adjusted for acquisitions) stabilised at levels slightly above pre-pandemic levels.

Biffa completed the acquisition of Viridor’s waste collections business at the start of the month for £126mln, adding it is making good progress on its energy from waste initiatives and new plastic recycling facilities.

“The outlook for the full year remains positive and in line with the board’s expectations,” said the statement.