Equipment Report

Vezzani celebrates 50th anniversary
Vezzani S.p.A., based in Ovada, Italy, is celebrating its 50th year in business. The company manufactures high-capacity scrap shears for ferrous and nonferrous applications as well as baling presses, electric-arc furnace direct-charging presses and briquetting presses for a range of stationary and portable applications. Vezzani says its equipment is used by steelmakers and recyclers in more than 50 countries.

Founded in 1962 by engineer Luciano Vezzani to make grape presses for the local wine industry, Vezzani first began manufacturing horizontal shears for the scrap metal industry at the request of an Italian steelmaker.

In 1977 the company introduced the stationary inclined shear. The shear is designed with simplicity in mind and to reduce operating costs, says Gabriele Merlo, business development director for Vezzani. “It is based on using gravity to feed the machine, reducing the amount of moving parts,” he says.

The launch of the inclined shear served to uphold the company’s tradition of providing high-capacity equipment at low cost, which continues to this day, according to Vezzani. “Innovation and reliability are key factors in making us the market leader for price of equipment per productivity. This is something we are very proud of, and our customers, who recognize this achievement through their loyalty, are the ones who benefit the most from it.”

The company’s latest innovation is the PC 1627 ACV shear, introduced earlier this year. The heavy-duty stationary inclined shear offers a capacity of more than 100 metric tons per hour and a cut width up to 5.5 feet, Merlo says. “Nobody else is doing this right now, so this has been a very great accomplishment.”

Merlo says Vezzani’s tradition of providing high-capacity at low operating costs remains the company’s goal. “We keep working to improve our product portfolio in two directions—both improving the mobile equipment and moving toward higher capacity equipment,” Merlo says. “We aim at maintaining price-productivity leadership.”
 

Northshore Manufacturing adds Tracey Road Equipment to distributor network
Northshore Manufacturing, Two Harbors, Minn., has appointed Tracey Road Equipment as its distributor for Upstate New York. Northshore is the manufacturer of Builtrite-branded stationary electric material handlers, truck mounted material handlers and attachments.

Tracey Road Equipment, headquartered in Syracuse, N.Y., has locations in Albany, Binghampton, Rochester and Watertown, N.Y.

Wes Jones, Northshore Manufacturing sales manager, says, “When we were looking at expanding our distributor network in the Northeast, Tracey Road was the first dealer we targeted since they service the same niche markets we do. They have an excellent reputation in the industries they serve, provide excellent service that customers demand and therefore, provide the best potential for us to grow our business in New York.”
 

Vecoplan Midwest relocates
Vecoplan Midwest, a subsidiary of High Point N.C.-based Vecoplan LLC, has relocated to an 18,180-square-foot facility in New Albany, Ind. Bill Miller, COO of Vecoplan Midwest, says the continuing growth of the company’s shredder sales and service business and the introduction of briquetters, pellet mills and complete pelletizing systems in 2010 necessitated the move.

Vecoplan shredders are used in industrial recycling, while its briquetting and pelletizing systems are used in the production of alternative fuels.

“In order to meet the demands of sales and production, we’ve tripled our staff in the last six years. So we’re delighted to move into this new space and are excited to be a part of the growing recycling and alternative energy markets in North America,” Miller says.

In addition to 2,000 square feet of office space, the new facility houses a 10,180-square-foot machine rebuild center and a 6,000-square-foot test lab/show room space, where customers can send materials to be shredded, briquetted or pelletized. “Customers are always welcome to visit and see their material being processed from start to finish,” Miller adds.

A subsidiary of Vecoplan LLC, Vecoplan Midwest was formed in 2006 to serve Vecoplan’s customers throughout the Midwest.
 

International Baler distributes Imabe product line
International Baler Corp. (IBC), Jacksonville, Fla., has announced it will distribute the Imabe Iberica product line for the scrap industry directly and through its dealer network.

Imabe, based in Madrid, manufactures heavy-duty baling, shearing and logging equipment. According to IBC, the distribution agreement means dealers will be able to provide processing solutions for more materials, including obsolete appliances and all forms of iron and steel scrap.

“To be a successful company, you have to be passionate about producing quality equipment and providing quality customer service,” says Randy Gibson, IBC director of sales and marketing. “When looking for a manufacturer to partner with who possesses these qualities, IBC had to look no further than Imabe.”

IBC’s product line includes:

• High-production auto-tie and two-ram balers;
• Vertical balers;
• Specialty balers for foam, rubber and other materials;
• Bisquitters and densifiers for cans and fine materials;
• Conveyor systems;
• Material fluffers and material handling cart dumpers; and
• Drum crushers. Imabe’s product line includes:
• High-compression two-ram and three-ram ferrous balers;
• Car and ELV (end-of-life vehicle) balers;
• Shear-balers and baler-loggers;
• Cable strippers;
• Shears; and
• High-output auto-tie balers.

“It’s incredible to see an initial idea develop into the best equipment line for the North American recycling industry,” says Manuel San Sebastian, managing director of Imabe of America Co. “We are fully confident IBC is the best partner to have in the United States.”
 

PSC Metals, Schnitzer Steel partner with iScrap App
PSC Metals Inc., Mayfield Heights, Ohio, and Schnitzer Steel Industries, headquartered in Portland, Ore., have partnered with iScrap App, based in Rockaway, N.J.

By partnering with iScrap, PSC and Schnitzer customers and other recyclers will have access to current information in the palm of their hands. The iScrap App and online database provides customers with up-to-date pricing, locations and other information. According to iScrap App, more than 53,000 iScrap App users can now find locations for PSC Metals and Schnitzer, view prices, send pictures of questionable materials and much more.

The initial partnership with PSC will include information and location listings in Northern Ohio. The initial partnership with Schnitzer will include information and listings throughout the New England region.
 

US Shredder supplies Florida recycler with Model 80108 Auto shredder
U Pull It, an auto recycling company based in Davie, Fla., has begun operation of a new auto shredder at its Fort Lauderdale, Fla., facility. U.S. Shredder and Castings Group, Trussville, Ala., supplied the model 80108 shredder.

U.S. Shredder provided turnkey engineering for all aspects of the installation, including the design of the motor housing and electrical systems, as well as civil and foundation requirements. The entire system is operated under roof and is designed to provide production of up to 150 tons per hour, U.S. Shredder says. AmeriMex of Houston has supplied the shredder’s 4,000-horsepower DC drive system.