Niagara Metals and Sennebogen - A Winning Combination

When Todd Levin established Niagara Metals on May 1, 2006, he had one simple goal: to be the area's lowest cost processor of scrap metal. Coming from a family of fourth-generation scrap metal handlers, he knew he would need reliable and dependable equipment to achieve this goal. Mr. Levin turned to Sennebogen and Lisa Blair at M&M Machinery for the reliability and service he knew would meet his needs.

Since then, Niagara Metals has become a major player in the local scrap metal business and Todd Levin says expansion of its operations is in the works.

"Our two Sennebogen 835 M material handlers have been an important part of our success," says Mr. Levin. "Their reliability, dependability and simplicity enable us to handle an unbelievable amount of scrap a month with a limited crew and a crane-mounted shear. For that kind of volume to happen, everything has to go efficiently 100% of the time. As a new company, my experience in this industry tells me that there's no way we can succeed and do what we do, unless our two material handlers are running an average of ten hours a day, six days a week. Reliability and uptime are key to our success. We can rely on our two 835 Ms to get the job done. One of the 835 M machines is fitted with a 170 cm magnet, while the other has a grapple."

A busy place
Niagara Metals is on a 20 ha concrete pad. The scrap yard is located on the reclaimed site of a former electrode factory. During the day, the two Sennebogen machines are used to load trucks. The two rubber-tired 835 M models are ideal in terms of mobility. "If the machine is in the back of the yard and a truck rolls in that needs attention up front, the operator literally can be there in about three minutes," says Todd Levin.

In the evening, the two 835 Ms are used to load rail cars that are changed by the railroad at that time. Mr. Levin estimates that his business is the right mix of larger industrial accounts, demolition contractors, and local drive-in trade. It is a busy operation that cannot afford any downtime.

Computer-free machines and simplicity of service is what drew Todd Levin to Sennebogen. He recalls how changing parts on another manufacturer's computerized machines at his family's former scrap yard would often put them out of operation for the day and sometimes longer. "With the Sennebogen if something knocks it out, we are up and running in no time. Having that capability is terrific," says Todd Levin.

An office at the top
The elevating cab on the 835 M allows for some unexpected multi-tasking. "One of the operators in our ferrous division is actually a working foreman. When he's sitting up in the elevating cab he can see what's going on across the whole yard. With his radio, he can do his job as a yard foreman while he's operating the material handler," says Mr. Levin. Operators appreciate the visibility the elevating cab offers them, and being able to sit behind a trailer and reach the front when loading it, thanks to the generous reach offered by the 835 M.

Lisa Blair of M&M Machinery is happy to share in Niagara's success. "When Todd purchased his first 835 M, we were a relatively new Sennebogen dealer. We knew what level of response would be required by a dealer and that has become our standard. We congratulate Todd Levin and his staff on their success and look forward to many more years of meeting their material handling equipment needs," she says.

A third Sennebogen 835 M equipped with a magnet is something Todd Levin foresees for Niagara Metals in the near future. "Good things come in threes," he says.

Source: Sennebogen LLC