IWJS Ltd

Our Story

IWJS has a long history of successful change and innovation, adapting to shifts in markets and embracing new technologies. From its humble beginning, the Company has delivered services in many sectors. Most recently, IWJS has been best known for its superior service delivery, innovation, trusted partner approach and ability to invest. Over the years we have cleaned and surveyed thousands of miles of drains and pipelines across the entire UK and have become one of the leading companies within our industry. IWJS’s history dates back to June 1977 when Ken Cooper set up operations from Woolpit, Suffolk. One of his first jobs was cleaning safety kerbs on athletic tracks. It wasn’t long before IWJS were cleaning the council drains (later handed over to Anglian Water) in Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk. Eventually IWJS were doing the same for Yorkshire Water and Welsh Water with IWJS pioneering and dominating the tunnel cleaning industry in the 1970/80s.

1977 – Ken Cooper sets up as owner operator in Woolpit, establishing a company that will grow into IWJS Ltd.

2000 – IWJS make their first acquisition of Arrow Drain Services, which then became the Lincoln depot.

2003 – IWJS was acquired by Adler and Allen who specialise in waste oil management. Adler & Allen continued to invest and grow the company until 2010 when it was sold to its current owner.

2004 – Colchester office opened on Mersea Island, moved to Colchester depot in 2005 and again in 2011 to the current location at Marks Tey.

2010 – IWJS sold to Christopher Stewart. Christopher had been supporting IWJS for Adler & Allen through difficult times, so when the company went up for sale Christopher took the company on.

2011 – IWJS Group formed to manage the acquisition of Aquajet GB and DSSE which continued to operate as separate entities until 2014. This acquisition took the turnover to in excess of £25m.

2013 – New Manchester depot opens in Irlam.

2014 – Company re-branded to celebrate completion of company restructure.

2015 – Opening of our new Leeds depot in Brighouse

2016 – Launch of our new health and safety training company Industrial Water Training Services (IWTS) Ltd at Oldham in Lancashire.

2016 – Launch of our new specialist confined spaces rescue service IWJS Rescue based in Woolpit.

2017 – The 40th Anniversary of IWJS Ltd, now sees the Company firmly established as one of the leading and most innovative industrial Waste Water Management firms in the UK. With a turnover approaching £30 Million and employing over 500 people, IWJS is a trusted supplier to the major water utilities, as the Company continues its growth.