Early this year, Ferrous Processing & Trading (FPT) completed the construction of new scrap processing operations at Nissan’s Smyrna, TN plant. At 5.9 million square feet on 884 acres, Nissan Smyrna is the country’s largest auto plant under one roof. The vehicle assembly plant has an annual capacity of 550,000 vehicles and produces the Nissan Altima, Nissan Maxima, Nissan Pathfinder, Infiniti JX and will soon begin production of the all-electric Leaf.
Staying true to its innovative spirit and embrace of technology, FPT has constructed and will operate state-of-the-art processing systems for optimizing both the steel and the aluminum scrap generated at the auto body stamping plant. FPT’s patented Clipress has replaced two balers and will decrease processing costs while increasing the value of the steel scrap for sale to mills throughout the region.
“It’s a win/win proposition,” explains Chip Hering, FPT’s Executive Vice President. “FPT has served as Nissan’s scrap manager since 2008 and we have worked to stay ahead of our competition. With this new process in place to service their increasing production at this plant, we’re looking forward to a long and successful future as Nissan’s US Scrap Metals Manager.”
FPT’s new aluminum baling operation will optimize the value of Nissan’s growing volume of aluminum scrap associated with the industry-wide emphasis on decreasing vehicle weight and improving fuel efficiency.
“The scope and long-term nature of these operating agreements reflects the confidence that Nissan North America has in FPT’s integrity, expertise and capabilities,” Hering notes.