Two Family Businesses Join Forces as Sanitation Service Buys Sutter Sanitation

(RICHARD DEIBEL, TRACY SUTTER AND BRIAN HAYES STAND IN FRONT OF ONE OF THE NEW SANITATION SERVICE GARBAGE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN "ARM" THAT WILL PICK UP AND DUMP GARBAGE CANS INTO THE VEHICLE)

Two local family owned and operated garbage collection businesses have become one.

Brian Hayes, Dick Deibel and Tracy Sutter Friday announced that Sanitation Service, Inc. "The Rubbish Gobbler" has purchased the assets of Sutter Sanitation.

After 50 years in business, Sutter Sanitation decided to sell their family business, but another family business stepped in to keep the business local with the acquisition by Sanitation Service.

Tracy Sutter said, "People need to realize we were going to sell. We had offers from two large corporate companies from out of town, actually out of state. We were glad that Sanitation Service, Inc. was interested in our offer to buy us out. We are glad they are committed to keeping all our employees, myself included. We have the same trucks running the same routes taking care of our customers. This is a huge investment for them. Sanitation Service Inc. needs to be commended for their commitment to Effingham County and the surrounding area by purchasing Sutter Sanitation and keeping local revenue local."

Sutter added, "The four owners of Sutter Sanitation preferred to sell to a local family owned company. Selling to Sanitation Service made the transition for my family much easier than working with people from out of town, who would ultimately operate and answer the phone from out of town. Unfortunately, my older brother Jim passed away from cancer in September. My sister Mag and her husband Joe who worked for Sutter Sanitation wanted to retire. My sister Linda and I have stayed on with Sanitation Service. Linda also wishes to retire after she helps with the transition of all the customer information."

Tracy Sutter has signed on to stay with Sanitation Service to continue to serve their customers and manage Sutter Sanitation employees and the solid waste transfer station south of Altamont. Those employees include Jim's son Mic Sutter, Joe and Mag's son Bill Hardiek, along with Lance, Rodney, Rusty, Matt, Steve and Phil.

Brian Hayes of Sanitation Service said, "It was important to use that Tracy and his employees wanted to stay on board and continue to serve his customers, and have the passion to do some of the things in the garbage business that was difficult for either of us to do working apart."

Hayes added, "Our intention is to work together to be the full service provider for all our customers by increasing our efficiencies, which in turn will allow us to offer more services. We have over 100 years of combined garbage collection experience wanting to serve the single bag senior citizen to the largest production facility. Having a reputable full service collection and disposal operation is an important cog in the wheel in the infrastructure of a progressive community that is wanting to promote growth, new business and industry, and ultimately more employment opportunities. Our intention is to also work with city officials to address leaf collection and a viable recycling program that works for everyone, as well. The best way to do that is to consolidate our efforts. It has been a pleasure to work with Tracy, his nephews and the rest of the Sutter Sanitation employees. Everyone seems to have a commitment to working together to take the market to the next level. It is exciting to see what can be accomplished working together."

Hayes asked for patience from Sutter Sanitation and Sanitation Service customers during the transition. He said, "It's a lot of work to merge the company files, customers, and equipment. As you can imagine, it was a big decision and big investment in the area."