Business North March 2023

46 | CONTRACTING Phoenix Metal Recyclers Karen Phelps Rapid growth for metal recycler Phoenix Metalman Recycling, has been named in the Deloitte Fast 50 recording a revenue growth of 154%. A strategy to create a nationwide network to help make metal recycling easy for Kiwis has paid dividends. Phoenix Metal Recyclers, trading as Phoenix Metalman Recycling, has been named in the Deloitte Fast 50 recording a revenue growth of 154%. “It’s independent recognition and shows we are walking the walk,” says Phoenix Metal Recyclers Chief Sustainability Officer Hilary West-Reeve. A 100% Aotearoa New Zealand owned private business, with 25% Maori ownership, Phoenix Metalman Recycling is a full service professional metal recycling company with 18 sites nationwide, in both small towns and large cities, and a network extending throughout the South Pacific. In New Zealand its nationwide collection service includes over 4500 bins on customer sites. Founder and CEO Eldon Reeve originally started with one branch in 2008, incorporating Phoenix in 2013. Since acquiring Metalman in 2021, Eldon and Hilary have focused on growing Phoenix Metalman Recycling’s nationwide network through acquisition and establishing new branches. “Due to New Zealand’s long slender shape we have regions that are hard to get to,” explains Hilary. “We are building a business that represents New Zealand, not an overseas model being applied. We have our own supply chain so we can have control of it and be flexible to suit our customer’s needs. “We are the reverse supply chain in terms of container shipping in New Zealand, filling empty containers heading out of the country. This creates a win-win because for dry cargo (non refrigerated), New Zealand has an import to export imbalance. “As metal exporters we are able to assist this by making use of the oversupply of containers in depots and limit the shipping companies having to move containers out of New Zealand empty with no revenue. Getting paid both ways helps keep the import freight rates down. “Without a significant amount of return cargo many shipping companies will avoid sending cargo to New Zealand and all imported goods would further increase in price.” Phoenix Metalman Recycling exports on average over 180 containers per month to mostly Asian markets where the ferrous and non-ferrous products are melt ready for making into new metallic products sold throughout the world. It recycles over 130 metallic products including being the largest lead acid battery exporter in New Zealand, in FY22 exporting over 7,800 MT – equivalent to 372 20 foot containers – of batteries to be recycled. Averaging over 10,000 transactions per month sectors it assists include engineering, manufacturing, consumer, automotive, construction, demolition, energy, waste and the general public. Hilary says Phoenix Metalman Recycling has focused on being proactive rather than reactive. “The fact we are progressive is the feedback we get from the market. We are not reacting – we are setting the tone and leading the industry to move into the transition to decarbonise and really hone into what the circular economy means in New Zealand.” A good example is the company’s net carbon zero focus, which is strongly supported by digital technology to track the metallic products. Hilary says this is becoming increasingly important for customers and has seen Phoenix Metalman Recycling partner with a variety of industry organisations and departments such as the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority, New Zealand Green Building Council and others. “We are focused on being market leaders and creating long term, mutually beneficial relationships through reliability, transparency, and integrity in everything we do. Via our computer integrated record system every load is weighed, graded, photographed and the data consolidated by customer each month for record. We can track our customer’s recycling rate so they can relay the information to whoever they want to – board, team, customers etc.” Phoenix Metalman Recycling also offsets its own carbon emissions and is Toitū Envirocare net carbon zero certified. We handle the transportation of all machinery New Zealand Wide. 0800 8299753 | transport@hanes.co.nz | www.hanes.co.nz Transport Services Relief Transport is a proud transport partner of Phoenix Metals Diverse range of trucks & capabilities backed by a team of experienced drivers Relief Transport has a fleet of over 30 dedicated trucks to help businesses small through large move their freight throughout Auckland and the North Island. Palletised Freight • Container Freight• Bulk Haulage / Tippers • Storage Solutions Sales Enquiries: Andrew Smith | 0273 648 045 | andrew@relieftransport.co.nz relieftransport.co.nz

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