By the grace of God, Portland Iron & Metal will be in the metal recycling business for 41 years as of October 10, 2022!
Portland Iron and Metal Company was founded in 1969 by Gordon Piercefield and his brother, Jerry Piercefield. Gordon soon became sole owner and operated in the scrap business while he was building pole barns and doing light excavating. On Oct 10,1981, it was purchased by his son-in-law William(Bill) E. Fox, Jr and his son, John Piercefield and incorporated as Portland Iron and Metal, Inc. Since that humble beginning, Portland Iron has grown into a full service recycling business complete with roll-off container service, shredders, shears and baling equipment. In 1982, we built our first aluminum smelter and operated in a garage, producing 30# ingots. By the end of 1984, our second aluminum smelter with 8000# hold chamber capacity was completed and producing 1100# blocks of aluminum called ‘sows’. Between 1982 and 2000, we melted over 55 million pounds. In 2000, our aluminum melting operation was replaced with our first shredder. Since then, we have specialized in shredding aluminum scrap with iron and other contaminants.
Currently, we operate three different shredders, ranging from 2500HP to 250HP that are complemented with a variety of downstream separation equipment. In May 2015, we incorporated a Hammel 950DK. It is a portable, track mounted, remote controlled, 735HP diesel powered pre-shredder capable of pre-shredding over 80 NT per hour.
In March 2019, we upgraded our electric motor on our Williams Shredder from a 2000HP to a 2500HP. We continue to design, build and maintain all of our shredders, processing and support equipment. As a result of years of research, investment, trial and error and innovation, we currently produce some of the highest quality foundry, smelter and mill grade shredded aluminum products available in our industry.
Our Mission: Portland Iron and Metal exists to serve the public by producing the highest quality scrap products, at the lowest possible cost, with consistent basis and with the most efficient processes, in a safe, professional and profitable manner.
We also have a second generation developing in our business. Jamie and Mark Fox are sons of Bill and Lori Fox and have been working with PIM for many years. Jamie is our General Manager and Mark is our Asst. Manager.
We are blessed to be in the scrap business, serving the great people of Sebewa Township, Ionia County and the State of Michigan with personal integrity and quality service and products.