Recyclable Material Wholesalers

Recyclable Material Wholesalers

Brief Excerpt from Industry Overview Chapter:

Companies in this industry engage in wholesale distribution of automotive scrap, industrial scrap, and other recyclable materials. Major scrap wholesalers include America Chung Nam, Commercial Metals Company, and The David J Joseph Company (all based in the US), as well as ELG Haniel and TSR Recycling (Germany), European Metal Recycling (UK), and Sims Metal (Australia).

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand from the steel, auto, and construction industries drives the scrap metal wholesaling industry. The profitability of individual companies depends on cultivating relationships with suppliers and buyers. Most companies are small and compete by specializing in one type of material in their local market. Large companies have economies of scale in purchasing equipment and transportation. The industry in the US is fragmented: the top 50 companies account for less than 50% of revenue.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major sources of revenue are recyclable and prepared ferrous metal scrap, which accounts for about 45% and 35% of sales, respectively. Other sources include aluminum scarp (15%), stainless steel, and recyclable textiles, which account for the rest.