Streamlined recovery and reduced downtime: Conservit gains advantage with STEINERT innovation
In the heart of Hagerstown, Maryland, Conservit Inc., a leading recycling company with over half a century of operations in the American Mid-Atlantic region, has transformed its non-ferrous metal recovery plant with the help of STEINERT technology.
The partnership, which began years ago, has seen Conservit evolve from a smaller, outdated non-ferrous processing plant to a modern and successful metal recycler. The early STEINERT machines installed in Conservit's plants are still unmatched in their durability, contributing to the plant's reliable operation since their inception.
In 2021, Conservit expanded its non-ferrous metal processing capabilities with the addition of state-of-the-art sorting technology from STEINERT. This upgrade aimed to process mixed metal fractions more precisely and market them better, a crucial step in moving towards a modern and successful operation.
Operational excellence is maintained through a strategic partnership with STEINERT, which includes quarterly assessments and ongoing support to ensure optimal equipment performance and identify improvements. This collaboration has resulted in premium output quality, with benchmarking exercises demonstrating superior recovery rates compared to competitors, highlighting the effectiveness of both the technology and Conservit's operational practices.
Ross Meadema, STEINERT's contact person for Metzner and Conservit, commends the company's plant maintenance and operations as top-notch. Vice President Sam Metzner of Conservit initiated the modernization of the non-ferrous metal recovery plant, citing reliability, durability, and attentive customer service as key reasons for their loyalty to STEINERT—factors that have contributed to the plant’s strong, stable performance and growth over more than 50 years in business.
The robustness of STEINERT systems helps to significantly reduce downtime in shredder plants and downstream sorting facilities. In fact, Conservit's plant, using STEINERT technology, has seen zero unexpected downtime and sustained long equipment lifespans.
The collaboration with STEINERT has given Conservit significantly better access to the growing domestic market for high-quality mixed metal fractions. This was evident in a joint project where STEINERT and Conservit tested a sample of mixed shredder material from a shredder and sorting plant, discovering that 4-12% metal fractions were being discarded despite the customer having almost twice as many sorting machines as Conservit.
STEINERT won the contract for the modernization due to a compelling package of cost, quality, and performance. Metzner reports that STEINERT quarterly evaluates the installed plants and systems, and communication with STEINERT is helpful in addressing any problems. Metzner expresses trust, value, and satisfaction in STEINERT and Ross Meadema, praising the excellent performance of the delivered sorting systems.
[1] Conservit Inc. Press Release, 2021. [2] STEINERT Case Study: Conservit Inc., 2021. [3] Metzner, S., Personal Communication, 2022.
The strategic partnership between Conservit Inc. and STEINERT, established years ago, has allowed Conservit to modernize its non-ferrous metal recovery plant, transitioning from an outdated processing plant to a successful metal recycler, providing services within the manufacturing and finance industries. The latest upgrade in 2021, incorporating state-of-the-art sorting technology from STEINERT, was crucial for processing mixed metal fractions precisely and marketing them effectively, ultimately enhancing the plant's operations and technology sectors.
