Canadian Company to Open Electronics Recycling Facility in New York

The nonferrous scrap metal recycling firm BoMET Holding Inc., headquartered in Cambridge, Ontario, has announced plans to expand its operations with a proposed new facility in Albion, N.Y. The new 60,000-square-foot facility was previously owned by Orleans Economic Development Agency (OEDA).

Jim Whipple, CEO of the County of Orleans Industrial Development Agency (COIDA), says BoMET will be doing some work on the building, which has been closed for more than 10 years, and expects to have it operational by the first half of 2014.

The facility will process a range of obsolete electronics collected from the surrounding area. Equipment to be installed at the location includes shredders. The facility will operate under the name BoMET Recovery LLC.

BoMET, which is owned by a Chinese national company, chose Albion for its plan in part because of its proximity to BoMET’s Cambridge facility. Zhan Bo Zhang, BoMET CEO, says, “When I began to consider diversifying BoMET's business model into the United States, Albion's proximity to our Cambridge facility was certainly a consideration.

“But I was also prepared to go to other states or other regions of New York. It was my dealings with the OEDA that cemented my decision to locate in Orleans County. From start to finish, their knowledge, expertise and guidance gave me the confidence that BoMET Recovery would be successful there."

He continues, "Orleans is manufacturing friendly, known for its workforce and how welcoming they are to new business. We are excited about this new operation and, I believe, this is only the start of great relations between us."

Whipple says the OEDA offered the building to BoMET “at a very competitive price, along with a property tax abatement package and a loan package for the facility's manufacturing equipment." The incentive package included a $150,000 low-interest loan to the company, though Whipple says BoMET also contributed a significant amount of money. “They had to put up some good faith money to show they have skin in the game,” Whipple adds.

When fully operational, the facility is expected to employ 30 people.

“The addition of BoMET Recovery in Albion is another example of how we welcome new industry, cut through the red tape and get projects up and running in Orleans County. We have an active local incentive program and excellent relationships with our economic partners at the state level,” Whipple adds.  

BoMET Recovery will be the main electronics recycling center for BoMET Holding Inc. and the company's first physical operation in the United States.