S. Norton hosts tour of shredder yard

S. Norton & Co. Ltd. recently hosted a tour for guests to see its $25 million investment in metals shredding technology in Manchester, England.

According to the Liverpool-based recycling firm, guests included 17 senior leaders in the European metals recycling industry who received explanations of the plant’s operational and energy-saving efficiencies.

“As the only shredder in the Greater Manchester area, the new facility serves the whole region for processing and recycling [scrap] metals,” S. Norton says.

German shredding equipment provider Lindemann Metal Recycling Solutions invited CEOs from large metal recycling companies in Europe and North America to see the 3,000-horsepower shredder and downstream equipment.

“We were delighted to host this valuable opportunity for senior leaders in the industry to see our technologically advanced shredder and understand how it is able to produce high-quality shredded material, liberating more metal than older, less efficient models,” S. Norton Managing Director Tony Hayer adds.

“The shredder was custom built to replace an aging asset and is an integral part of our plans for growth and ongoing investment in operational quality and capacity at all our six U.K. sites, including Liverpool. We acquired a new site in Glasgow in Dec. 2023 and another site in Birmingham is currently under development.”

S. Norton says its recently installed Lindemann shredder has a “sophisticated" variable speed drive system, combined with a preshredder and shredder drive assistant that gives "best-in-class energy efficiencies.”

Early tests indicate the selected model requires up to 20 percent less energy than a 3000 hp shredder compared with one with a standard drive train. Compared with the previously installed model in Manchester, the new shredder delivers around 50 percent greater throughput, according to S. Norton.

The recycling company, a leading global exporter, says it made the shredder upgrade to increase its capacity to shred recyclable metal, consisting predominantly of light iron and end-of-life vehicles (ELVs).

“Utilizing the very latest and innovative technology options, this world class shredder installation sets the business up for the future,” says S. Norton Group Capital Projects Manager Dave Hobson, who managed the installation. “It wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work and dedication of everyone involved.”

“The event held in Manchester served as a valuable forum for collaboration and innovation between us and our customers," Lindemann CEO Carl Gustaf Gӧransson adds. It was a highlight to be able to showcase the first-rate installation of our best-in-class shredder machinery. Feedback from attendees was excellent, and they valued the opportunity to see and discuss S. Norton’s shredder operation first hand.”