Upstate-Weitsman Adds Yard in Hornell, NY

Upstate Shredding- Ben Weitsman, Owego, N.Y., has acquired Hornell Waste Material Co. of Hornell, N.Y. Hornell Waste Materials was founded in 1908 and is the oldest recycling business in the Hornell area, according to an Upstate-Weitsman news release.

“We do not yet have a location in Steuben County so this acquisition is filling a great need to serve Hornell and the surrounding areas,” says Adam Weitsman, owner of Upstate Shredding and Ben Weitsman.

Weitsman says the acquired yard will help supply his company’s new export facility. “With our new export facility at the Port of Albany in full operation and second shredder approved for New Castle, Pa., we are eager to find new markets for scrap metal.”

Upstate-Weitsman now operates 15 facilities located throughout New York and Pennsylvania. New York locations are in Owego (two locations), Buffalo, Syracuse, Binghamton, Liberty, Jamestown, Albany, Rochester, Ithaca (two locations) and Allegany. Pennsylvania yards are in Scranton and New Castle.

For many years, Hornell Waste Material Co. was owned by Myer Spitulnik, who was born and raised in the Hornell area, graduated from Hornell High in 1942 and attended Alfred University in Alfred, N.Y. Spitulnik, who served in the Navy in World War II and returned home to operate the scrap company in his hometown, passed away in January 2012. Control of the company passed to his son, Danny Spitulnik.

“This company has been in my family and a fixture in the community for many years,” says Danny Spitulnik. “It was very important to us that we only sold to a company that we feel would move this facility forward both for the customers and the residents of Hornell. Weitsman has an outstanding reputation in the industry for fair dealings, keeping existing staff employed as well as creating new jobs for the local area, and ensuring everyone benefits from their being in town.”

“I have been looking to make an acquisition in this region for some time,” says Weitsman, noting that Hornell is in a region underserved by recycling infrastructure, with other facilities located some 20 or 30 miles away. “We look forward to renovating this yard to the highest of standards to give the Hornell community and its residents a landmark that they can be proud of.”

Upstate Shredding-Ben Weitsman has more than doubled its geographic market reach since 2011, according to the company. Recent acquisitions include Reamer Recycling in Ithaca, N.Y., and Valley Recycling in Allegany, N.Y., both of which were acquired in the summer of 2013.