This column was published in Waste Management Review, issue June 2025. Please see original article here.

Tana Oy’s acquisition of GCM Enviro signals a boost for Australian recycling. Henri Kinnunen, Tana Vice President Product Management and Business Development, explains.

Strategic acquisition to support Australia’s circular economy goals

You can hear the passion in Henri Kinnunen’s voice as he shares ambitious plans following the acquisition of long-time Australian distributor, GCM Enviro.

For the past 12 weeks Henri, the Vice President Product Management and Business Development of Tana Oy, has been phoning in to early morning meetings to ensure a smooth transition. With the final documents signed, he’s ready to launch this next phase.

He says the addition of GCM Enviro into the fold signifies an evolution for the Finnish company, allowing it to move beyond its traditional strengths and offer a more comprehensive range of solutions.

The increased local presence in Australia reinforces Tana’s mission: to improve customers’ businesses — from waste to value — and is the first part of a strategic focus on circular economy and sustainable solutions.

“It’s very exciting for us,” Henri says. “We see Australia as a growing market. By combining our operations, we can be closer to our customers, growing our presence and fleet. We aim to better understand customer needs, provide faster response times, and build stronger customer loyalty. We want to be the kings of the waste yard.”

From GCM Enviro to Tana Australia

Tana and GCM Enviro have worked together successfully for more than two decades. Under the acquisition, which was completed in May 2025, GCM Enviro will operate under the new name Tana Australia Pty Ltd.

Henri says the current team at GCM will continue to operate as before, ensuring business continuity and maintaining strong relationships with existing customers and partners.

The integration will bring additional resources and improved service capabilities under the TANA brand. Foremost among these is access to Tana’s established global network, which encompasses not only sales and distribution channels but also a wealth of technical expertise, research and development capabilities, and established supply chains.

Targeting growth in B2B waste operations

Henri sees the biggest potential for growth in the business-to-business environment and private waste yard operators.

He’s also committed to continuing GCM Enviro’s successful ‘second life’ business — refurbishing machines for resale in the Australian and New Zealand market.

“GCM Enviro is doing a very good job in the second life business,” he says. “That’s a growing business with a lot of potential.”

Tana’s legacy and product portfolio expansion

Tana Oy’s history is rooted in providing reliable machinery to the waste management industry worldwide. Initially focused on landfill compaction, the company has built a legacy of durable and efficient equipment including shredders and screeners. Although expanding the product portfolio, landfill compactors will continue to be a core offering.

“Landfill compactors are not going anywhere,” Henri says. “We have a fleet of more than 100 landfill compactors in Australia.”

GCM Enviro’s track record in Australia

GCM Enviro has been a leading provider of waste processing and recycling equipment in Australia for more than 25 years, selling more than 3200 machines across the country. It has been a representative of Tana since it only had one product, building a solid reputation for its expertise, customer service, and commitment to environmental sustainability.

Nathan Connor, General Manager of GCM Enviro, says the acquisition by Tana is an exciting new chapter: “From the beginning, the mission has been to provide customers with cutting edge technology in solid waste management, combined with state-of-the-art control and monitoring,” he says.

“The founders could not have imagined where the company is today. We are proud to become Tana Australia. With deeper collaboration and access to more global resources, we can deliver even more value to our customers.”

Australia’s opportunity for waste recovery leadership

Henri says the expansion comes at a crucial time for Australia, as the nation intensifies its efforts to improve recycling rates, reduce landfill waste, and transition towards a more circular economy.

“Given the legislative environment in Australia at the moment, where everyone’s working towards resource recovery, it’s an area where we see tremendous opportunities for growth,” he says. “GCM has done an amazing job as a small company. We aim to maintain the momentum and become a market leader.”