Scrap metal firm doubles processing capacity

SCRAP metal firm Kim Hock Corporation has doubled its metal processing capacity with the launch of its fifth facility yesterday. The $51 million facility can process about 200,000 tonnes of scrap metal a year, with only 20 new hires, or 12 per cent more staff.

The doubling of production capacity is mainly due to continuous shredding and separation processes employed in the new plant, located on Shipyard Crescent. Scrap metal was previously processed into smaller pieces by compression and shearing machines , which operate on a batch basis. Now, continuous shredders that handle about 100 tonnes of scrap metal per hour are used.

Processing is now continuous, with metals being fed into the machines on a conveyor belt. "It's a slight difference but that's where the productivity gains are," said Lim Teck Siang, Kim Hock's general manager. He expects the facility to run at full capacity within the next six months.