Nick Clegg unveils Van Dalen ferrous metal shredder

The Lindemann 1250 ZS ferrous metal shredder has been installed as part of a 6 million investment in the site, which also includes an expansion of the non-ferrous facility, set to increase the firms recycling capacity to over one million tonnes per year.

Shredder

The new shredder, which came online in December 2011, is the companys second in the country, with one already located at its site in Dagenham, East London. The shredder will boost the overall capacity of the Sheffield facility by 60%. The 6 million investment at the Sheffield site, which covers the North East, Midlands and Lincolnshire, is expected to create 25 new jobs in the area.

Speaking at the event Mr Clegg said: Van Dalen is a real Sheffield success story. This investment is great news for Sheffields economy and the wider region. As we build a new economy from the rubble of the old, the Liberal Democrats are determined to make sure prosperity is shared across the whole country, not just London and the South East. Companies like this will be at the heart of that recovery and I am proud to see it go from strength to strength.

The MP for Sheffield Hallam was joined by Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough MP and former Home Secretary David Blunkett at the launch.

Mr Blunkett said: “This imaginative investment is not only in line with the history and tradition of steel and re-processing in Sheffield, but is an example of how, despite the recession, jobs and economic activity can be created. The investment over the last seven years and the extra jobs are extremely welcome at this moment in time as an example of how responsible businesses can recycle metals for modern re-use.”

Van Dalen

Van Dalen, a Dutch firm, has been operating in the UK for 12 years and currently has six sites nationwide including two in the North East at South Shields and Hartlepool, one at Immingham in Lincolnshire, at Chatham and Dagenham in the South East, as well as its UK headquarters in Sheffield.

Van Dalen UK managing director Tom Bird said: The UK business is running extremely well following a strong performance in 2011. The installation of the shredder in Sheffield transforms our site into a complete metals recycling facility. Going forward, we are focused on further growth, not only around the Sheffield region, but the UK generally.