BEI selling environmental services division

By Andrew Gomes
Advertiser Staff Writer

One of Hawai'i's oldest companies — power, trucking and environmental services firm BEI LLC — has agreed to sell most of its environmental services division to two executives and other local investors.

A purchase price was not disclosed. The sale is expected to be completed by Dec. 31.

Included in the sale are BEI's environmental consulting business and Hawai'i's largest distributor of fertilizer and chemicals for agricultural and industrial use. Combined, the operations generate about $50 million in annual revenue and employ about 100 people, most of whom will be offered jobs at the new company, BEI Hawaii.

BEI executives Richard T. Hill and Marc C. Tilker will take over — Hill as president and chief executive officer; Tilker as executive vice president and chief financial officer.

Also participating in the purchase are attorney Robert Katz, Aloha Airlines director Richard Ing and retired C. Brewer & Co. Ltd. executive Marvin J. Tilker.

The buyout helps BEI stockholders, many of whom are in their 70s, to fulfill their wish of liquidating investments for estate planning purposes. The same stockholders in August sold most of Hilo-based C. Brewer, of which BEI was once a wholly owned subsidiary.

Although there are no active negotiations to sell the rest of BEI, doing so remains a desire of owners, according to Steve Knox, BEI president.

The company's remaining divisions include HT&T, a major Big Island trucking firm, and Hilo Coast Power Co., an independent electrical producer at Pepe'ekeo that sells power to Hawai'i Electric Light Co.

Formerly known as Brewer Environmental Industries and Brewer Chemical Co., BEI has been doing business since 1890.

Reach Andrew Gomes at agomes@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8065.