W. Silver plans new Arizona location

El Paso, Texas-based W. Silver Recycling Inc. has purchased land in Tucson, Arizona, with plans to open what will be its 11th location later this year.

On its website, W. Silver lists three facilities in Texas, four in Mexico, one in California and another in New Mexico. Also listed as “coming soon” is an address in Tucson.

An August announcement from Tucson-based economic development agency Sun Corridor Inc. says the company purchased 4 acres of land in Tucson this January. W. Silver anticipates that during the next five years, it will create 25 jobs and make a capital investment of more than $5 million in Tucson.

“W. Silver’s Tucson facility will be operational within 45 days, bringing its premier industrial account servicing to Pima County [Arizona],” Sun Corridor writes.

The economic development agency says Tucson is strategically located between W. Silver’s location in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, and its Calexico facility in southern California.

“Arizona and Mexico share a thriving economy, familial ties and a shared history and culture," Tucson Mayor Regina Romero says. "I am happy to welcome W. Silver to Tucson. They play a critical role supporting industrial manufacturers looking to divert landfill waste. As part of our Zero Waste Roadmap, the City of Tucson is committed to reaching Zero Waste by 2050. Attracting private sector partners like W. Silver helps support more sustainable and innovative industries while helping to protect our beautiful Sonoran Desert.”

The Tucson location allows for improved service times to its central and southern Arizona clients, as well as its maquiladora scrap-generating suppliers in the Mexican state of Sonora, Sun Corridor says. The 4-acre site also is served by Union Pacific for direct-to-mill rail shipments.

“Proximity to the maquilas in Northern Mexico and access to the Californian market was key in the decision to expand to Tucson,” says Patrick Merrick, president of W. Silver Recycling. “Tucson has a skilled workforce and a growing manufacturing presence, both of which are needed for a successful operation.”

Sun Corridor also worked with Pima County, the city of Tucson and commercial real estate firm PICOR to help the W. Silver investment come together.

“The Mexican state of Sonora and Pima County share major industries, including aerospace, manufacturing, touris, and many others,” says Rex Scott of the Pima County Board of Supervisors. “Our geographic proximity to Mexico results in economic growth and increased job opportunities for all of our citizens. We welcome W. Silver Recycling to Pima County and look forward to many years of economic success.”

“Our geographic position and natural alignment put us at the center of more economic opportunities, such as W. Silver Recycling’s decision to locate their facility here,” adds Susan Gray, board chair of Sun Corridor Inc. and president and CEO of Tucson Electric Power. “Tucson offers companies like W. Silver Recycling all the right assets to do cross border business successfully. We thank [CEO] Lane Gaddy and his team for confidence in our community.”