Web Sightings

Metal Smart Features Online Materials Exchange

Metal Smart Inc., New York, has announced it is developing a Web site, www.metal-smart.com, for the ferro-alloy, noble alloy and minor metals industries. The site is set to launch in October and will offer a number of value-added services including international and local shipping, warehousing, financing and insurance.

Former Birmingham Steel CEO Robert Garvey has been tabbed to lead the venture. “The Metal Smart model will make transactions more profitable for all metals industry participants by removing excess costs from several key segments of the value chain,” he says.

Other members of the Metal Smart management team include CFO Alan Friedman, formerly CFO of Western Union Corp. and of MoneyGram Payment Systems Inc., and Menachem Zwick, product and content manager, with more than 26 years experience in the global trade of ferro-alloys and non-ferrous metals.

With offices in New York, Sao Paolo, Moscow, and Hong Kong, Metal Smart is positioning itself to offer participants a comprehensive global network. The company’s managers say Metal Smart has established strategic alliances and partnerships with companies that bring both volume commitments and a dedicated buyer/supplier base to the exchange.

Test Site Launched to Buy and Sell Fibre

A secondary fiber trading Web site known as e-Cycled.com, Wilsonville, Ore., has entered its test phase. During testing, the site will work with a limited number of suppliers and mills to research the supplier-based recycled materials supply chain.

According to a company news release, “central to the company’s business model is the ability to buy and sell recycled fiber, arrange transport, quality grading and settlement of transactions in a faster and more efficient manner.”

“We are limiting the number of participants during this phase in order to preserve top quality customer service,” says Dave Goldsmith, president and chief operating officer of e-Cycled.com. The company plans to trade up to 24,000 tons of materials during the test phase and shortly after will allow general access to the system for recyclers and mills.

Instant sales are available to recyclers through the site, the company says. Users can enter the site, review pricing and immediately create a sales transaction. The site will manage the transportation, provide payment and keep in e-mail contact to help ensure a smooth transaction.

ICG Increases Holdings in Paper Exchange

Internet Capital Group (ICG), Wayne, Pa., has announced it has increased its ownership stake in PaperExchange.com from 20% to 83%. ICG increased its stake for about 4.8 million shares of ICG common stock.

"As we've said, ICG is increasing its focus on execution and putting more resources behind our most strategic partner companies to accelerate their success," says Walter Buckley, president and CEO of ICG. "As the first centralized e-commerce marketplace for buyers and sellers of paper, PaperExchange.com has the right ingredients to aggressively transform the pulp, paper and packaging industry.

ICGE common stock was used to purchase the additional interest in PaperExchange.com from existing shareholders, including The Kraft Group, who will continue to own about 10% of the company and Robert Kraft will retain his post as the company's chairman.

PaperExchange.com now has about 7,000 registered members in more than 80 countries.

PaperExchange Names Brenner to Tech Post

PaperExchange.com, Boston, has named Bob Brenner as chief technology officer. Brenner will also maintain his role as executive vice president of product development. He will now be responsible for overseeing all aspects of architecture, development, operations, integration and support at the global e-business Web site for the pulp and paper industry.

"As PaperExchange continues expanding into providing workflow and integration tools for the industry, we realize the importance of clearly defining our product offerings and value proposition for both buyers and sellers," says Kent A. Dolby, president and CEO of PaperExchange.com

Prior to joining PaperExchange in 1999, Brenner was at Andersen Consulting for 13 years, including three years as an associate partner. During his time with Andersen, Brenner concentrated on the planning, design, and implementation of enterprise level order management, production, and financial systems. He also implemented several large-scale technology programs in the forest product industry.

MetalMaker Inc. Launches Pilot Program

MetalMaker Inc. has kicked off its pilot program allowing complete full-cycle contract transactions. The pilot connects four foundries with suppliers. The first supply chain partners to participate in the pilot program, Citation Castwell Products, Skokie, Ill., and Hickman, Williams & Co.

"Working with the MetalMaker™ applications, Citation Corporation has now conducted its first end-to-end online raw materials transaction - the beginning of the e-commerce era for Citation," says Mike Stovall, Procurement Director for Citation Corp. "We view this as the first step in transforming the Citation Corporation purchasing program from an activity-based process to a knowledge-based process."

The company has received positive feedback about the ease of use of the site, says Ty Roberts, CEO of MetalMaker Inc.

Granutech Releases Redesigned Site

Granutech-Saturn Systems Corp. has launched a redesigned Web site at granutech.com offering more information about the company's equipment and replacement parts.

"We're excited about the new look and functionality of the site," says Glen Newton, president. "We fell the site now makes it easier than ever for our customers and potential customers to get information about us-a key goal in the redesign."

A Quick-Look product guide offers product information such as materials processed and purpose, and overviews of equipment lines are offered. A trade show schedule is provided as well.

Brazil Steelmaker Offers Parts Ordering Online

Some of the largest steel makers in Brazil can now order parts online after the launch of an e-commerce system, e-Fornecedoros (e-suppliers). The system already has 2,000 registered suppliers to provide quotes for 100,000 items purchased by mills.

In the past months, Usiminas invested $400,000 to set up the system where Cia Siderugica Paulinsta, Fasal and Rio Negro could make online purchases. These mills spend a combined $400 million annually to purchase supplies.

Usiminas says the company has achieved a 30% cost savings using the system. Suppliers can access the site to see what materials Usiminas/Cosopa are requesting and what quantities and other specifications. Suppliers are then given a deadline for placing quotes.

Presently, the only other steel maker offering e-commerce to order supplies is Gerdau Group. The company plans to offer an e-commerce system to 400 to 800 of its largest clients in the fall. The site can be accessed at egerdau.com.

ISRI Puts Specs Online

The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), Washington, has made its Scrap Specifications Circular: Guidelines for Nonferrous Scrap, Ferrous Scrap, Glass Cullet, Paper Stock, Plastic Stock available online for the first time at ISRI.org.

"This move to the public side of the ISRI Web site will continue to ensure that the most widely used standards for recyclables transactions are globally available to facilitate the growth of recycling world-wide," says ISRI president Robin Wiener.

Printed copies of the specification can also be purchased through the publications catalog area at the site.

Online Partnership FormediSalvage.com has formed a partnership with 350 automotive parts recyclers in the U.S. and Canada. The online automotive parts exchange has the alliance with the United Recyclers Group and gives iSalvage access to more than 3 million recycled parts. The service will launch in the fall.

ADP Hollander Offers Web Site Posting

ADP Hollander, Plymouth, Minn., is offering Web site hosting at its Web site. The sites are developed specifically with auto recyclers in mind. Features included in a basic Web site hosting package include: a home page, a services page, a contact page and an original parts locator.

"ADP Hollander offers a simple solution that maximizes business exposure and part sales while minimizing the recycler's effort, expense and need to understand technical details," says Jason Grinstead, product manager. For more information, visit www.adphollander.com.