Chicago scrap recycler launches river transport subsidiary
Written by Marine Log Staff
Chicago headquartered scrap metal recycler B.L. Duke has launched a new wholly owned subsidiary, B.L. Duke River Transport. The new division will focus on stevedoring services with both indoor and outdoor storage. It gives the company the ability to transload finished steel product, including coils, bar stock, rebar, wire, and structural steel, to rail or truck from barges coming from mills along the river systems and imports.
B.L. Duke says that with trucking rates and availability becoming increasingly inhibitive, it will continue to grow its barge and rail services, not only as a means of controlling its own logistics costs but also as a diversification strategy and new revenue source.
“We’re always looking for new ways to strengthen our services and improve cost-savings for our customers,” said Lou Plucinski, B.L. Duke’s President & CEO. “This expansion allows us to help link mills with our customers and suppliers and illustrates just one more way we’re revolutionizing the recycling industry.”
B.L. Duke River Transport will be housed at at the recently acquired site of the former Gerdau Rolling Mill in Joliet, Ill., adjacent to its Joliet scrap metal processing facility, equipped with barge and rail terminals. With 30.5 acres and a 250,000 square foot warehouse, this will nearly double Duke’s footprint to almost 64 acres. The new location is significantly closer to Chicagoland’s industrial areas compared to Indiana ports. In addition, the new site is in close proximity to several major highways and rail terminals, including I-55, I-80, and I-355.
