Livingstone advises Encore Recycling on sale to Schnitzer Steel Industries
Livingstone is pleased to announce the sale of Encore Recycling LLC (“Encore” or “the Company”) to Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCHN) (“Schnitzer”). The acquisition encompasses two full-service recycling facilities, including a metal shredding operation and a recycled auto-parts center.
Founded in 2013 by the Blase brothers following a successful exit from their first company, Encore has a well-established customer-focused business that purchases and processes end-of-life vehicles, appliances, and additional ferrous and nonferrous materials from local recycling companies, industrial, commercial, and individual customers. The Company sells its recycled products to steel mills and foundries throughout the Southeast, the fastest growing steel and industrial manufacturing region in the country.
“We selected Livingstone based on their experience and credentials in the metals sector,” shared Craig Blase, Co-Founder of Encore. “From Day One, Mike and his team provided great assistance to support the transaction, working alongside as an extension of our leadership team.”
Founded in 1906 in Portland, Oregon, Schnitzler is one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of recycled metal products in North America, with operating facilities located in 25 states. Puerto Rico and Western Canada. The integrated operating platform also includes 50 stores that sell serviceable used auto parts from salvaged vehicles and receive over 4.3 million annual retail visits. The steel manufacturing operations produce finished steel products, including rebar, wire rod, and other specialty products.
Schnitzer’s acquisition of Encore’s assets follows the 2021 purchase of eight recycling facilities from Columbus Recycling and expands the Company’s Southeastern regional footprint to 24 recycling facilities across Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The integration of the Encore assets into the Schnitzer operating model will broaden the product and service offerings to customers and suppliers across the Southeast.
“We are proud to assist the Blase brothers with this transaction,” shared Mike Jenny, Partner at Livingstone. “The owners built an outstanding business with an excellent reputation, generating significant value in the market.”
Livingstone has a strong track record of working with family-owned companies, and this successful outcome is no exception. Encore marks Livingstone’s 144th completed transaction since 2020 and the 47th transaction completed globally in that same timeframe. Additionally, Encore adds to Livingstone’s substantial resume in the metals sector, including the sale of MetalTec to Imperial Group, National Kwikmetal Service to Banner Industries, a portfolio company of MiddleGround Capital, the acquisition of Grupo Valenciana de Aluminio Baux by Jupiter Aluminum, and the sale of Tennessee Valey Recycling to SA Recycling.
Katten Muchin Rosenmann LLP provided legal counsel to Encore.