Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. and the Macon Bibb County Industrial Authority announce that Schnitzer has commissioned a new state-of-the-art Advanced Aluminum Separation System in Macon. Schnitzer is one of the largest manufacturers of recycled metal products in North America, with facilities in Georgia located in Albany, Atlanta, Cartersville, Columbus, Gainesville, and Macon.

With a total investment of $11 million, the new 32 thousand square foot facility features a processing and storage building, as well as extensive paving renovations, a new storm water retention pond, and the extension of two new rail spurs within the facility. Schnitzer is currently hiring for numerous new positions at the facility.

The new technology will be the first of its kind in the State of Georgia and allow Schnitzer and the region to benefit from the increased production of recycled nonferrous metals, particularly aluminum, which will serve the growing demand for locally sourced aluminum products, including from the automotive industry. This new facility is expected to process and produce millions of pounds of material per month, making Macon a hub for Schnitzer’s aluminum recycling program. By recycling scrap metal, the Company is diverting and reusing millions of tons of material each year that might otherwise be destined for landfills.

“After a thorough review, Schnitzer decided that Macon is the ideal location for this operation,” said Pedro Orbezo, Schnitzer’s Vice President of Metals Technology. “Schnitzer has been a contributing member of the Macon community for over 100 years, and we chose this location for this major technology investment because of the region’s strong transportation infrastructure, the central location to service domestic aluminum consumers, such as the automotive industry, and the facility’s close proximity to Georgia ports with access to export markets, as well as strong community leadership and a growing labor force.”

To provide better access into the Schnitzer site, MBCIA, Georgia Central Railroad, Macon Water Authority and Macon-Bibb County collaborated to identify a funding source and complete road and rail infrastructure improvements. These efforts bolstered Schnitzer’s decision to expand in Macon-Bibb County.

“In our Blueprint for a Renewed Macon-Bibb County, we found the community believed that support for economic development that brings new jobs and opportunities should be a priority for local government,” says Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester M. Miller. “I’m proud to stand with Schnitzer Steel as they expand their operations, provide new jobs for our community, and continue to make us a leader in industry for the state.”