BMG is one sophisticated
scrap yard
While Al Gore and the film, An Inconvenient Truth, brought
the reality of global warming into North American households, a company
in Barrie is the beacon for the manufacturing and industrial sectors
when it comes to responsible care of our planet.
Recycling doesn't sound sexy and it's easy to turn the page and check
out the sports section or the grocery ads, but wait!
What's happening behind the high fences bordering Hart-John-Lorena-George
streets is the miraculous vision of one man and the combined belief
of the 250 people who have climbed on board.
When anybody calls on Alfred Hambsch to congratulate him, he ducks his
modest head and aims for the nearest exit. Alfred moved to Barrie 23
years ago with a European millwright trade, energy and vision. With
these tools, and humility, he has harnessed ideas and a workforce that
is leading the way in how we use and re-use elements in our modern life.
From a simple scrap yard on Tiffin Street in 1984, Alfred and Barrie
Metals Group have developed sophisticated extraction, recycling, production
and sales of metals, plastics, components and electronics.
With a bundle of companies under BMG, Alfred is definitely a world
leader and is getting the attention that he deserves and ducks.
"Waste in ... Commodities out." With this motto, GEEP (Global
Electric Electronic Processing) began to accept all kinds of electronic
waste from stereos to toaster ovens, from computers and printers. Zero
landfill waste.
Investing research and development to thwart plastics landfill, Alfred
this year opened NanoFuels Solutions under the 450,000 square feet (29
acres) that makes up the BMG family. NanoFuels is recycling plastic
into diesel oil, the first plant of its kind in North America.
The diesel product is in its final testing stages and will use diesel
oil to fuel the entire BMG plant.
Any power left will be sold back into the power grid.
BMG has companies in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. It has introduced
profit-sharing to its enthusiastic employees. In fact, the company's
modus operandi is
1. Create a physical presence
2. Research and innovate in the waste field
3. Build partnerships and alliances ... everywhere!
4. Demonstrate industry leadership in all sectors.
5. Engage stakeholders to participate.
Giving back to its community is another Barrie Metals byproduct. Energy,
generated by employees, and fuelled by leadership, raised many boxes
of toys and food for both the Barrie Food Bank and Christmas Cheer this
year.
Raffling off hockey tickets raised money and employees presented $10,000
to the two charities just before Christmas.
BMG support the Barrie ball diamonds, charitable work through Rotary,
and a team spirit that engages an idea and makes it happen.
Barrie Metals is more famous across the continent than it is in its
own backyard. Alfred Hambsch has been honoured with Entrepreneur of
the Year (Bell Canada), one of Canada's 50 best managed companies, Ontario
Global Traders, Waste Diversion Award, Environmental Excellence Award
(Rotary Club), Chamber of Commerce Green Award, and the Mayor's Employer
of the Year Award.
Ontario Business Achievement Awards and the Ontario Global Traders Awards
recently recognized BMG in the innovation and export growth categories.
The company just announced an alignment with an Irish recycling operation
with expertise in specialized treatment and recycling and alternative
energy.
We are so lucky to have a corporate citizen, a world leader and a local
champion right here. From the employees in the plant to the head office,
it's one top-flight operation.
Thanks, Alfred. Thanks, GEEP, NanoFuels and Barrie Metals employees!
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