Bendall Metal Recycling invests in the future with Taurus

We visited Rob Bendall of Bendall Metal Recycling in Gloucestershire, UK, to hear the story of his company’s involvement in the ferrous and non-ferrous metals industry and why it chose Taurus as its development partner.

WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF THE COMPANY?

‘We are a family-run business based in Gloucestershire, UK. We have been in the ferrous and non-ferrous metal recovery and processing industry for many years, spanning several generations. My father founded the business and about 10-12 years ago my sister and I decided to take it forward, investing in developing the plant.

Recently, my son has also started working with us: he represents the third generation. It is very satisfying to see that the passion for this work is being passed on.’

WHAT HAVE BEEN THE MAIN CHANGES TO THE SITE IN RECENT YEARS?

‘We decided to make a significant leap forward in terms of both technology and operations. One of the biggest investments we’ve made was the purchase of the Taurus RH11 electric shear press. For us, as a family business, this is the largest investment we have made to date.’

WHY TAURUS?

‘Yes, we had a Taurus before which served us well for 20 years. When we started considering a replacement, we realised it would be difficult to find an alternative that was just as reliable. The longevity of the previous machine convinced us to choose Taurus again. What’s more, the new electric RH11 impressed us with several innovative features: it is robust, fast and requires less maintenance than previous models.’

HOW COMPLEX WAS IT TO INSTALL THE NEW MACHINE?

‘Surprisingly simple. The Taurus RH11 arrived with the steel base already assembled. When we received it, I wondered where all the other parts were… in fact, assembly was completed in just a few days. It took us longer to install the new electrical system than to get the machine itself up and running. That says a lot about the efficiency of the design and Taurus’ customer focus.’

WHAT ARE THE MAIN ADVANTAGES?

‘There are many advantages. First of all, the machine is equipped with three hydraulic cylinders on each wing and an over stroke system, which allows for much more effective compression of the material. This not only improves density, but also reduces wear on the guillotine, increasing the machine’s service life.

The shear has two cylinders, which ensure a balanced and precise cut. In terms of productivity, we can achieve up to 35 tonnes per hour, depending on the density and length of the material being processed. And then there is flexibility: we also chose the loading hopper, which allows us to feed the machine from both sides. This fits perfectly with our site and our operational needs.’

WHICH MARKETS DO YOU MAINLY TARGET?

‘We work with steelworks and foundries in the United Kingdom and we also handle exports. The increased density of the material and the quality of the cut allow us to offer a competitive product even in distant markets, such as India or elsewhere, depending on price trends and demand.’

WHO OPERATES THE MACHINE AND HOW IS IT CONTROLLED?

‘The operator who runs it has been working with us for a long time. He knows the plant and the machine well. The interesting thing is that he controls everything via a remote control, comfortably resting on his knees. This increases safety and simplifies daily operations.’

HOW IMPORTANT IS AFTER-SALES SERVICE TO YOU?

‘It is fundamental. When we decided to purchase the Taurus, we knew that it was not just a machine, but also a long-term commitment. After-sales support is one of the aspects that convinced us. In the UK, we can count on Hassell, who are always available by telephone, for any questions or assistance.

If something cannot be resolved by them, we can always contact Taurus directly, who offer fast and efficient technical assistance. Furthermore, thanks to the telematics system integrated into the machine, they are often able to detect any problems before we even notice them. This type of predictive maintenance is a great advantage.’