Metallix Refining, Inc. Named Pitt County Industry of the Year
GREENVILLE, NC (February 18, 2014) – Metallix Refining, Inc. has been selected as Pitt County’s Industry of the Year for 2013-2014. Each year, the Pitt County Development Commission requests nominations from Pitt County citizens to recognize a manufacturer or distributor that best represents the community as a model corporate citizen in specific selection criteria, including social, economic and environmental sustainability.
“It doesn’t seem very long ago that Metallix was a prospect, trying to decide where they would locate,” says Wanda Yuhas, Pitt County Development Commission Executive Director. “We all expected they would be a great addition to our corporate community, and their selection as Industry of the Year proves just how great.”
With over 40 years of experience, Metallix is a leader in the highly competitive precious metals refining industry. Companies that use precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and rhodium in their processes sell their scrap precious metals to Metallix for recycling. Seeking to expand the business, New Jersey-based Metallix purchased an 85,000 square foot, ISO-certified facility on 15 acres in the Greenville Industrial Park. The company began operations on January 2, 2004. With considerably more space, new equipment, and an experienced worforce, Metallix has achieved rapid growth, success and a greater presence in the precious metals recycling industry. In 2010, Metallix began to serve the general public looking to recycle smaller lots of precious metals with the establishment of Metallix Direct Gold, LLC.
The Greenville facility opened with 22 employees, including 10 from New Jersey and 12 local hires. Of the 10 that relocated, 9 still work at the facility and the other has recently retired. Today, the company employs 65, with several job openings currently being advertised and future growth anticipated. The plant operates 24/7 and processes over 3.5 million pounds of materials per year. After 10 years in Greenville, Plant Manager John Santos says that this is his home and where he plans to retire. “This was a very good move for us,” Mr. Santos says. “The community really welcomed us, and we became a part of the community and believe in giving back.”
“Giving back” is a part of the corporate culture of Metallix. The company is a member of the Pitt County Committee of 100, and Mr. Santos serves on the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce Board. Metallix is also a supporter of many charitable, scholastic and athletic initiatives. These include the Pitt County Boys and Girls Clubs, Rocking Horse Ranch, the Ronald McDonald House, Pitt County Schools, Women for Women Power of the Purse, and ECU athletics, among many others. “The company and its employees, particularly John Santos, are also among our strongest community boosters,” says Mrs. Yuhas.
Metallix strives to use local talent and services whenever possible. Pitt Community College has been an ongoing partner, providing customized management, sales and process improvement training. Metallix hires biology and chemistry majors from ECU to work in its lab, which, according to Santos, may be expanded in the near future.
Metallix takes great pride in its dedication to environmental health and safety. The company conducted an extensive environmental study of the property before purchasing the facility and continually works to improve its precious metals refining processes. Metallix invests in new equipment and environmental controls to reduce industrial waste and ensure top health and safety standards for its employees, customers, and visitors. These measures include air pollution controls, air handling equipment, filtered ventilation, and fume capturing technology. They also maintain the highest standards of security with state-of-the-art security equipment and full-time security personnel.
Metallix Refining is reducing its carbon footprint and greenhouse gases by installing a new precious metals refining furnace to increase its capacity and provide an air pollution control process that will reduce emissions. A 5,000 square foot expansion of the facility was recently completed to house the new furnace. The new furnace is unique in the industry, and will result in more efficient processing and facilitate more growth for the company.
Metallix Refining wants to be known for being a part of the community and being a family-oriented business. “We are like a big family,” says Mr. Santos. Employee benefits include a generous 401k with company matching, yearly health screenings and physicals, on-site safety training, annual employee appreciation events and no-cost uniforms.
Metallix’ competitive advantage, according to Mr. Santos, is their value. They aim to provide the best price while also maintaining the highest levels of quality service as well as environmentally safe processing. They also strive to provide the highest level of transparency and security, which gains them a high level of trust and loyalty from clients. According to Mr. Santos, “We can’t control the price of gold, but we can control the way we do business.”
“Metallix Refining sets a shining example of good corporate citizenship and we are so pleased that they have made a home for themselves in Pitt County,” says Brad Hufford, Pitt County Development Commission Associate Director, Retention and Expansion. The company will be recognized at the annual Existing Industries Reception on February 18, 2014. The reception is sponsored by the Pitt County Development Commission and Greenville Utilities Commission.
About Metallix Refining, Inc.
For more than 40 years, Metallix Refining, Inc. has been a leader and innovator in the precious metals recycling industry. Metallix purchases, recycles, and refines gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and rhodium, serving businesses in a variety of industries around the globe. An ISO 9001:2008 certified company, Metallix ensures that scrap precious metals are processed carefully, and with strict attention to environmental, health and safety regulations. For more information, visit www.metallixrefining.com and www.metallixdirectgold.com.
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