Universal Scrap Metals Expands to Kentucky

Chicago-based Universal Scrap Metals (USM) has expanded its operations with the purchase of the facility and equipment used by Anheuser-Busch Recycling Corp.’s (ABRC) aluminum recycling facility in Georgetown, Ky. According to a USM news release, ABRC has a long relationship with USM and is fully supportive of USM’s efforts to expand the facility.

According to USM, the new location, to be called USM Alumacycle, will allow the company to service new customers in a new region. The new equipment at the facility also will allow USM to offer higher recovery of off-spec used beverage cans (UBC) and aluminum alloys to manufactures, dealers, waste companies and mills.

USM Alumacycle is a group investment between Universal Scrap Metals Inc., USM Processing Ltd. and USMe LLC.

USM says the recycling facility was designed and engineered from the ground up three years ago by the equipment company Machinex and has the capability of shredding, sorting and processing 5 million pounds of aluminum per month. The facility also is located near some of North America’s largest aluminum sheet mills, eliminating many logistical issues and transportation costs.

“I’m excited to see USM’s aggressive growth strategy continue,” says Jason Zeid, president of USM Alumacycle. “This recycling facility in Kentucky will expand USM’s already vast aluminum processing capability and allow us to service more customers in the South.”

USM operates eight locations throughout the Chicago area, Central Illinois and Kentucky.

“Operating this new facility is a monumental step in line with our goal of providing the best recycling and processing solutions possible,” says Pat Madison, USM’s chief operations officer. “This will allow USM to process off-spec used beverage cans and other aluminum alloys in a state-of-the-art facility that is unique to the industry and, in turn, allow us to offer higher recovery on these cans and aluminum alloys to manufacturers, dealers, waste companies and mills.”

Madison adds that while initially the facility will handle just the UBCs, primarily from waste management firms in the area, the company also is looking at the possibility of adding other possible revenue streams at the facility.