Upstate Shredding Wins Tioga County Business of Year Award

Upstate Shredding LLC was presented with the annual Tioga County (NY) award as Business of the Year. The award was presented to Adam Weitsman, president of Upstate Shredding.

“We were honored to be recognized by Tioga County, not only for our economic contribution our company made to the area last year, but also for the environmental leadership we demonstrated to the county’s industrial community,” says Weitsman.

The company, headquartered in Owego, N.Y., is the largest privately owned metal processing and recycling operation on the East Coast. During the year, the company invested $25 million in its Owego scrap metal processing plant to make it one of the most technologically advanced of its type in the world.

Upgrades at the facility include housing new equipment in a 200,000-square-foot complex, a landscaping and beautification program, installing a storm sewer system and an on-site water treatment plant. In doing so, Upstate exceeded the standards of the U.S. EPA and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and was the first “green” plant of its type in New York.

“This expansion is part of our strategic five-year plan to reach a billion dollars in debt free sales annually,” Weitsman notes.

At the Owego plant, Upstate expanded its Mega Shredder operation. The added capability resulted in an increase in the number of jobs to the area.

In December, Upstate acquired Matlow Co. Inc., Solvay, N.Y. to add to its feeder yards, which include yards in Owego, Binghamton and Ithaca. In a release, the company says that the new facility will undergo a comprehensive renovation to meet Upstate’s high environmental and operational standards. This includes new equipment and buildings, yard pavement, installation of a storm water treatment plant and landscaping for beautification and noise abatement.

“Treating our customers right and environmental leadership go hand in hand. Both are important to growing our business, which in turn allows us to create jobs and make a positive contribution to our communities, says Weitsman. “In the past scrap metal yards were frowned upon by some communities, but our operations meet the highest 21st Century quality standards and we are welcomed, and now even honored with awards.”