New Komatsu to serve you even better

Growth and cost benefit analysis drove us to purchase another new Komatsu this week, a PC360.  Last year we bought a Komatsu PC290.  We are demolishing larger, taller and more complex structures and the PC360 is an 80,000 lb machine with a greater reach.  It came with a 2+ yard bucket and a 4 over 3 grapple.  The grapple acts like a huge hand that allows the operator to grip steel beams for instance and pull a building apart rather than generically smashing it. Owning versus renting is a clear benefit given that the difference in monthly payment is around $4,000.  And we own it.

This machine is state of the art.  It comes standard with a rear view camera for safety, remote monitoring of the machine’s vital statistics and will transmit error codes, cautions, maintenance needs and fuel levels.  As with many “old school” items these days, computing has elevated blue collar trades to a science.

Customers benefit because the machine ensures there won’t be any break downs on the job site which means the job will start and finish on time.   The larger machine ensures a safer job for demolishing larger structures which decreases the chance of an accident.  The larger machine also means greater capacity for demolition work and improved efficiency to ensure your build back begins on time.

New Komatsu PC360 from Tractor & Equipment Company

New Komatsu PC360 from Tractor & Equipment Company

Morrow, GA new Chipotle coming soon!

Nothing can happen until the demolition commences.  We are like the ground trips hitting the dirt first during battle.  We just started a job this morning in Morrow, GA.  This was originally a Caribou Cafe then a Burger Shack.  We will gut the interior, entirely demolish the southeast exterior wall and the drive thru lane so Rand Construction can add onto the building for the new Chipotle.

First job with Rand Construction and we are glad they selected us.

Front view of former Burger Shack

Front view of former Burger Shack

Interior demolition at the former Burger Shack in Morrow

Interior demolition at the former Burger Shack in Morrow

Closed today

Two primary employees cannot make it into the metal recycling facility today because they live in north Bartow County where road conditions are icy and snow covered.  In deference to them and the possibility of worsening conditions later in the day we have decided not to open today.  We anticipate Wednesday will be more treacherous but we will evaluate conditions in the morning.

New toy!

About six weeks ago we purchased a new Takeuchi TS60V from Cobb County Tractor.  This machine helps our customers get in and out quickly by allowing them to offload their heavier scrap metal into the self tipping hopper.  Then the TS60V whisks it away to the scale for weighing.   The faster Acworth Recycling completes the transaction the faster our customers get their scrap money.

New toy!

New toy!

Junkyard Planet by Adam Minter

Sub-title to this book I am reading is “Travels in the billion dollar trash trade”  The book is the first book written by Adam Minter.  Mr. Minter grew up in Minneapolis, MN in a family scrap business.  His story details how the scrap industry evolved from a bunch of peddlers to a multibillion dollar industry today.  He traveled all over the world tracing scrap or junk from how it didn’t end up in a landfill but landed in a scrap yard, got sorted and bundled with like material, shipped to a processor and came out as a new product.

The greatest insight he provides is the interplay between manufacturing, recycling and the influence China has on the scrap industry and prices of almost everything in the world. Fascinating insight into the our world wide economy, not just the scrap industry.