SMS ranked as one of the fastest growing companies in America

Development and growth concept for scrap metal company

On behalf of Inc. magazine, I am delighted to inform you that Scrap Metal Services has earned the position of 1389 on the 2010 Inc. 5000, Inc.’s annual ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America.

For more than 30 years, Inc.’s list has served as evidence ol the significant accomplishments of enterprises such as yours. And, more than ever, this year’s list is a testament to the creativity, resilience, and tenacity of America’s top entrepreneurs.

As an Inc. 5000 honoree, Scrap Metal Services shares a prestigious pedigree with such notable alumni as Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Jamba Juice, Timberland, Visa, Clil Bar, Patagonia, Oracle, and scores of other powerhouses.

Congratulations to you and your team. Inc. recognizes the creativity, dedication, and hard work that have gone into building Scrap Metal Services into what it is today and wishes you many more years of success.

Ralph Pinkert Named Executive Vice President

Handshake regarding metal recycling

Scrap Metal Services, LLC (SMS) is pleased to announce that Ralph L. Pinkert has been hired as its Executive Vice President, responsible for business development, marketing and trading for the company and its subsidiaries, including SMS Mill Services LLC. The announcement was made jointly today by Jeffry Gertler, Chief Executive Officer and Rick Gertler, Chief Operating Officer.

Mr. Pinkert is a 35-year veteran of the metals industry. He began his career with Scrap Corp. of America and later served as President of numerous other Chicago area scrap recycling companies, including Scrap Management Corp, Raw Materials, Inc. and City Centre Scrap, Inc. Following the sale of his companies, he served as Vice President of Marketing for Luria Bros. (now PSC Metals, Inc.) in Cleveland, OH, and later Vice President of Marketing and eBusiness Development for Metal Management, Inc. (now Sims Metal Management), in Chicago, IL. Most recently he was the Business Development Director of Management Science Associates, Inc’s (MSA) Metals & Advanced Manufacturing Division, headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, which provides process automation solutions and services to the steel, foundry and recycling industries, including the Raw Material Data Aggregation Service (RMDAS).

“We’re exited to have Ralph Pinkert join our SMS management team. Ralph has a solid reputation and extensive experience in the steel and metals industry. His addition will enhance our opportunities for additional growth,” said Jeffry Gertler.

Rick Gertler added that: “Over the last few years we have been fortunate to have attracted other knowledgeable and experienced individuals for key management positions, as we successfully expanded and diversified our business units, and we believe that Ralph will now greatly assist us in the next phase of our development.”

“I am excited with the opportunity to re-enter the physical and operational side of the steel and recycling industries, at this point in my career, by joining such a dynamic and growth oriented company as SMS,” said Pinkert, “and being able to contribute to the company’s continued successful development.”

About Scrap Metal Services, LLC

Scrap Metal Services, LLC (SMS), headquartered in Burnham, IL, operates full-service scrap processing, steel mill service and intermodal/railcar decommissioning and dismantling facilities in several states. SMS also provides scrap management, consulting and purchasing services to industrial scrap generators and demolition contractors, on a local and national basis. SMS is a supplier of ferrous and nonferrous scrap commodities to both domestic and international consumers.

SMS inks scrap processing deal with ArcelorMittal unit

men at work in recycling center

PITTSBURGH — SMS Mill Services LLC has signed a multiyear contract to process scrap for a division of ArcelorMittal USA, replacing Harsco Corp.’s MultiServ unit in that role. The Burnham, Ill.-based recycler, a division of Scrap Metal Services LLC, has signed a definitive agreement with ArcelorMittal Plate LLC to provide scrap handling services at the company’s Coatesville, Pa., steel mill.

“We are extremely excited about the opportunity to develop a partnership with ArcelorMittal Coatesville by providing new and innovative solutions to jointly improve the cost structure, operating efficiencies and overall performance of all the processes,” Jeffry Gertler, SMS’ chief executive officer, said.

Services to be provided include on-site transport of processed scrap to the electric-arc furnace, specialized scrap processing and alloy testing services.

Larry Coe, president of SMS Mill Services, will be responsible for all the startup, transition and operations at the facility.

SMS has a long-term mill services agreement with ArcelorMittal at its Burns Harbor, Ind., integrated steel mill. It replaced PSC Metals Inc. (AMM, Sept. 4, 2008).

In addition to the 30-acre Burnham operation, the company operates another full-service scrap processing facility in Hammond, Ind.

SafeStart newsletter published by Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad Co

Safety First on the Mechanism of Metal Gears concept for metal dealer

Fight fatigue

Fatigue is defined as a weariness from bodily or mental exertion. It is one of four states in the SafeStart program that can lead to critical errors. It also is a state that can be prevented by setting priorities and taking care of oneself on and off the clock.

Diet, exercise and sleep can all greatly impact energy level. Here are some simple tips to jump start energy:

Diet

Eating a balanced diet can help ensure vitamin and mineral needs are met. Incorporating more whole grains and protein into your diet and reducing sugar creates balance so energy is constant. Eating a sweet food can cause a spike in blood sugar, which provides an initial boost of energy. However, that is followed by a rapid drop in blood sugar, which can lead to a let down.

Overeating causes the stomach to digest food at a constant rate, which also zaps energy. Be careful not to skip breakfast and to eat approximately six small meals per day if prone to overeating. For a snack, try whole wheat crackers with peanut butter or a handful of mixed nuts. Drinking plenty of water can also keep a person feeling full. Eating healthy can be a challenge for railroaders always on-the-go, so planning meals and snacks ahead of time is critical to carrying out diet goals.

Exercise

The body is designed to be in motion. When you are not in motion, everything slows down. Just 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily could make a positive impact on energy level. That could mean lifting weights or simply taking a walk. Get the blood pumping by getting up to take a break, whether that be to get a drink of water, or to use the bathroom. Stretching for a few minutes or doing some jumping jacks can increase circulation and boost energy for employees who have a more sedentary job.

Sleep

Even the loss of sleep of only one to two hours a night can cause short-term sleepiness. Problems sleeping can be associated with caffeine, alcohol, smoking, poor diet and irregular bed times. Create an ideal sleep environment by using the bed only for sleep, drowning noise with car plugs and reducing light with heavy curtains. Find time to relax before bed through listening lo music or reading. Adults should receive seven to eight hours of sleep per night.

Customer Spotlight: Scrap Metal Services, LLC

Since start-up service in 2007, Scrap Metal Services LLC in Burnham, III., has proven to be a rapidly growing customer served by 1HB employees.
SMS provides scrap management and brokerage services for ferrous and non-ferrous scrap suppliers and customers. Various grades of ferrous and non-ferrous scrap generated from industrial demolition and obsolete scrap generators are recycled in a safe, environmentally responsible fashion.

SMS has capitalized on growing corporate and consumer recycling initiatives by providing innovative service to the recycling market. It operates recycling facilities open to the public and a 30-acre scrap processing and mill services processing facility located within an integrated steel producing mill.

Scrap Metal Services also operates a subsidiary, SMS Mill Services LLC. in Bums Harbor, Ind.

Scrap Industry Fast Facts:

  • 33 percent of U.S. aluminum supply comes from recycling.
  • Two out of 3 pounds of steel made in the United States is manufactured using ferrous scrap.
  • Recycling one ton of aluminum conserves up to 8 tons of bauxite more and 14 megawatt hours of electricity.
  • More than 150 million metric tons of scrap are processed annually.
  • The amount of energy saved by using recycled materials versus virgin ore is 74 percent for iron and steel.
  • Recycling one ton of steel conserves 2,500 pounds of iron ore, 1,400 pounds of coal and 120 pounds of limestone.
  • 60 percent of the alloys and metal produced In the U.S. are made from nonferrous scrap.
  • All information is data from the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc.