Central Iron & Metals -  March 2008 Merchant of the Month

 by Renee Lee

 

Robert L. Ellery, DBA Central Iron & Metals was founded by Bob 18 years ago. Central Iron & Metals opened in Hamilton in 1989. Besides himself, Bob presently employs 9 people including: Truck drivers, Tony Peters, Sonny Cole, and Bill Lamma; Yard Foreman, Al Grossman; Crane Operator, Carl Farris; Non Ferrous Buyer, Chris Vradenburg; Yardmen, John Norton and Bill Babcock; and Office Manager, Karon Buckert. Once Spring arrives, they will need to hire a couple more people as the scrap yard becomes pretty busy around this time.

 

You may bring in your scrap metals or aluminum cans Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 A.m. to 12 p.m. Through the week they are closed at noon for a half hour at lunch-time.

 

There is a wide range of services available at Central Irons & Metals. They are buyers of any and all types of metals including ferrous and non ferrous metals. They use a 70 foot scale that weighs vehicles including: car, pick ups & semis. They also purchase white goods which are appliances such as washers, dryers & stoves. Other types of metals they purchase are tin, shred, cut #1 and #2 iron and cast iron products. Bob explains, "We constructed a large metal building to use for the purchasing of the non ferrous metals with its own small scale to weigh the aluminum cans, coppers and brasses along with miscellaneous aluminums and lead." Bob also expressed, "We even purchase vehicles with titles."

 

If you have a metal that you want to sell and are not sure what it is, the crew at Central Iron can have the metal analyzed for you then shoot a price to you once they know what it is. "We have a large number of 20 and 30 yard roll-off containers available for industrial, commercial, and demolition uses." Bob explains. "Many of the containers are used in Hancock County during events such as clean up days and many other events."

 

Bob, the owner, is a graduate of Quincy High School also residing in Quincy, IL. In order to work with the larger manufacturing companies, Bob and a couple employees are required to attend continuing education classes. Recently two employees attended a 40 hour HAZMAT training course to ensure they work safely on the job.

 

The company expanded in 2005 with the purchase of the former Bob Boulton car repair buildings and grounds. Formerly, the grounds were known as the Hiriam Walker Stave Mill where liquor barrels were made.

 

"We recently purchased a large shear that is used to cut large metal into small pieces to haul it away to market by our semis or by rail cars. More projects to come consist of a protective fence around the area where we purchase the metals, upgrading our driveway, and work to the large scale area. Overall, we are working on cleaning up the lower yard of excess metal an old buildings." Bob goes on to explain future progress for the coming year.

 

I asked Bob what he likes to do outside of work. He replied, "When not at the job, I like to spend time with my family in Quincy where I grew up." Bob's family consists of his wife, Wilma, a son, Greg, two step sons, Todd and Robbie, and two grandchildren. "I also enjoy riding motorcycles, camping, fishing, and auto racing."

 

When I asked Bob what personal advice he had to give someone looking to use their services, he said, "Just give us a call about anything you may have a question about metals and we'll be glad to explain to you what we offer or even shoot you a price. If you don't have a way to haul in large items to us, we offer pick-up services. We have people who dump appliances at the old "south 14th yard" just to get rid of them, but if you would actually bring them in to weigh we will pay you for them."

 

"What do you enjoy most about working in the Hamilton area?" I asked. "We have found for the most part how friendly the Hamilton people are and how grateful they are to have a place like Central Iron to bring in their scrap metals. We are centrally located having a huge impact to the area when it comes to buying scrap metals. Haulers come in from all over Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. The rail services available to us help make this possible."

 

Central Iron & Metals is located at 1175 North Highway 96, P.O. Box 68, Hamilton, IL. You may call the business at 217-847-3191 or toll-free at 800-531-9085.

 

Thank you, Central Iron & Metals! Hamilton is proud to have your friendly staff an services available in our community!

 

Please stop by and congratulate Bob and the staff at Central Iron & Metals, our March 2008 Merchant of the Month!