Manufacturing Magazine June 2018 | Page 70

SCHNITZER STEEL

Throughout the last five years , the mining and metals industry has faced a number of macroeconomic challenges and has been focused on implementing new technologies to provide significant cost control , cost management and enhanced optimisation .

One of the oldest companies in the business , Schnitzer Steel Industries , Inc ., is continuing to lead the way , establishing an impressive footprint , with approximately 100 locations spanning the US , Canada and Puerto Rico .
“ We purchased roughly 400,000 end-of-life vehicles last year , from which we harvest parts and recycle through our platform . There ’ s a lot of opportunity that is tied to our purchases of automobiles , the overall economy and the replacement rate of automobiles ,” explains Senior Director of Procurement Marcus Folino .
“ We also have a variety of other programs and sources of metal

Established in Portland , Oregon in

1906

supply , including appliances , manufacturing scrap and other local sources of construction-related recycling , for example . There ’ s a lot of growth coming from many areas .” By honing in on industry trends , Schnitzer Steel has gained essential foresight in the re-evaluation of its operational platforms to deliver consistent positive outcomes . By investing in its procurement capabilities , it has sought to transform its procurement function from one which is somewhat tactical , into one which is more strategic . With past senior roles across manufacturing , logistics and strategic sourcing operations , Folino ’ s role as Director of Strategic Sourcing at logistics and transportation company Con-way ( now part of XPO Logistics ), fully opened his eyes to the potential that procurement can bring to organisations .
“ At Con-way , I found myself rebuilding the strategic sourcing
70 June 2018