CK Lyndex combines engineering heritage, expanded capabilities, and international ambition to accelerate growth worldwide
Bringing together CK International and Lyndex Recycling Systems was never about getting bigger. For James Murray, Managing Director of CK Lyndex, the acquisition opened the door to building something that neither company could accomplish on its own. “The acquisition has unlocked opportunities that will expand our capabilities, enhance our product range, and better serve a much wider customer base.”
As recycling operators face growing demands around efficiency, automation, compliance, and material recovery, CK Lyndex has combined CK International’s engineering heritage with Lyndex’s manufacturing expertise to expand its capabilities across baling, compaction, and recycling systems while strengthening its international growth prospects.
Thanks to support from Ulster Bank, the company is investing in manufacturing capacity, recruitment, engineering expertise, and distribution channels. James leads the strategic direction, overseeing integration across the larger business and balancing daily operations with the challenge of building an organization ready for what comes next.
James’ role covers operations, sales and commercial, product development, customer support, manufacturing, and strategy. With almost three decades in engineering and industrial leadership, he brings hands-on experience that now guides a business at the intersection of manufacturing and the circular economy.
James points to a specific example: the combined company can now offer tailored baling and compaction systems for complex, multi-material waste streams, up to 55 mTPH.
CK Lyndex supplies twin-ram balers, channel balers, semi-automatic balers, vertical balers, compactors, and recycling systems to customers across a range of industries. The expanded portfolio lets the business support a broader mix of waste streams and operational requirements while extending its involvement beyond equipment supply into installation, maintenance, refurbishment, and training.
This range reflects James’ ambition to build a business that supports customers throughout the recycling process, not just for a single operational need. “Our baling equipment handles applications from 50-kilogram (110-pound) bales up to 2.5-ton (2.75-US-ton) bales.” That kind of flexibility is opening doors beyond CK Lyndex’s traditional markets. Its installations now span Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and Australasia as the company expands its international presence. Still, James makes it clear that expansion and customer support go hand in hand. “As we expand internationally, we’re focused on developing a distribution network that meets the high customer service standards we set for ourselves.”
Branching into new markets is one thing; maintaining the same high level of support after installation is another. For CK Lyndex, customer uptime is always front and center. Downtime impacts productivity, throughput, and profitability. “We understand the commercial impact when customers can’t use their equipment as intended. Our goal is to deliver maintenance and support that matches their operational needs, keeping machines running reliably and helping prevent breakdowns.”
James believes service starts long before a breakdown. Dedicated teams handle installation, commissioning, maintenance, and refurbishment worldwide. He’s convinced that equipment performance should be measured over its entire operating life, not just at the point of sale.
Building a distribution network begins with connections, and that’s why CK Lyndex invests in industry exhibitions. “Trade shows bring buyers, distributors, customers, and industry leaders together in one place. We can build relationships across multiple markets in just a few days.”
For a company seeking to establish a larger international footprint, discussions with prospective distributors, customers, and industry partners help identify new market opportunities and strengthen its route to market.
Growth has created an opportunity to examine how the company works internally. Across manufacturing operations, CK Lyndex is focused on reducing bottlenecks, shortening lead times, and removing inefficiencies common in heavy equipment production. The emphasis is on practical improvements that can be implemented directly on the factory floor.
One example is rolling out QR-code-enabled documentation throughout the business. “Operators can scan a QR code with a smartphone or tablet to instantly access the information they need, whether through a digital document or video demonstration. This saves time and helps prevent errors caused by outdated instructions or procedures.” The initiative is part of a bigger push to make information available wherever employees need it, while cutting down on paper documentation and manual processes.
Improving efficiency on the factory floor is only part of the equation. James wants customers to see the same gains once equipment enters service.
Research and development now focuses on predictive maintenance, telemetry, remote communications, and equipment diagnostics. The aim is to help service teams respond faster and give customers a clearer read on what their machines actually need. “The primary benefit is real-time visibility into equipment performance. It also lets us adjust settings remotely to boost efficiency and lower operating costs.”
With access to operational data, customers can improve machine utilization, monitor energy use, and catch performance issues before they disrupt production. “Diagnostics and efficiency gains are areas where we see AI helping us move faster.”
James doesn’t see connected technologies as isolated innovations. Instead, he views them as tools that help customers get more from their equipment and build stronger ties with customers along the way.
The link between productivity and sustainability runs throughout the business. “Many of our efficiency initiatives reduce waste, cut transportation needs, lower power use, and decrease maintenance demands.” Whether it’s shipping optimization, hydraulic efficiency, component longevity, or reduced welding requirements in manufacturing, the goal is always the same: do more with less resources.
While CK Lyndex continues to invest in its own business, many of the forces shaping its future come from outside. “Across Europe, governments and regulators are rolling out measures to boost recycling rates, increase material recovery, and support circular economy goals.” These changes affect how waste gets collected, sorted, processed, and recycled. The biggest headlines concern new deposit return schemes across several European markets. Portugal launched its nationwide scheme in April 2026, with Spain set to follow by the end of the year. The UK is set to harmonize its approach in 2027. The impact goes beyond beverage containers. Cleaner waste streams mean better material quality and more efficiency throughout the recycling chain.
At the same time, rising volumes and more complex waste streams are speeding up investment in automated sorting technologies. “Traditional manual sorting in waste recycling centers can’t handle the volume or the complex mix of modern waste.” New digital waste-tracking requirements and source-separation mandates are also raising the bar for accountability, traceability, and operational performance.
Not every material in the waste stream is recyclable, so there’s growing demand for technologies that recover value from what’s left. “According to recent industry reports, the European refuse-derived fuel market is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 4.2 to 8.5 percent over the next decade, and we’d like to see our business grow alongside it.” Meeting that demand will depend on technology and manufacturing capability, but it also comes down to people.
CK Lyndex continues to invest in workforce development through partnerships with universities, colleges, and apprenticeship programs. The aim is to help young engineers build the skills and experience needed for future careers while strengthening the talent pipeline at a time of ongoing industry-wide skills shortages. “We want to recruit more people locally, but capacity constraints mean we also need to look internationally to fill some key positions.”
As integration continues and international expansion speeds up, James sees a business ready to grow alongside the markets it serves. “Our combined manufacturing footprint and talented workforce put us in a strong position for growth. We want the CK Lyndex brand to be recognized across all our markets, providing high-quality equipment with first-class service and support. Ultimately, we aim to be the equipment of choice for the waste recycling baling market,” James concludes.
