Metal Exchange Corp. names new president and COO

Metal Exchange Corp. (MEC), St. Louis, has announced today the promotion of Rick Merluzzi to president and chief operating officer. Merluzzi will assume responsibility for the parent company and all of its affiliated companies: Pennex Aluminum Co., Continental Aluminum Corp., Electro Cycle Inc., and Metal Recovery Systems.

“Through thoughtful succession planning, Rick Merluzzi’s promotion marks the next step in our company’s evolution from a family-run business created 40 years ago to the large global industry leader that we’ve become today,” says Mike Lefton, chairman and CEO of MEC. “The Lefton family remains committed to the business. This transition should be seen as a reflection of our growth and our confidence in the executive leadership team’s ability to drive success well into the future.”

Merluzzi joined MEC in 2005 as president of Pennex Aluminum and later was named president of manufacturing for the entire MEC family of companies. 

“I’m honored to be given the opportunity to lead such a tremendous organization,” Merluzzi says. “MEC has an exemplary 40-year track record of serving customers and establishing great long-term relationships. This is a great tribute to the dedication of the team of people at MEC, who are truly the key to our success and our ability to remain an industry leader.” 

He adds, “Our core values of safety, integrity, respect and drive will continue to help guide us long into the future.”

Before joining MEC, Merluzzi held key leadership positions with Mobil Corp., FMC Corp. and Edlon Inc. His extensive international experience includes living and working in Europe and the Middle East, MEC says. Merluzzi holds a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Pennsylvania State University and an MBA in Finance from Drexel University, with continued studies at Harvard University, Columbia University and the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. He is the immediate past chairman of the Aluminum Extruders Council and is active in a variety of charitable organizations. 

Metal Exchange Corp. (profiled in the August 2013 issue of Recycling Today), was founded in 1974. MEC and its family of companies are industry leaders in nonferrous metals, from purchasing to manufacturing and processing.