TNT Metals built own niche in metals recycling Service Detail
When Joe Tibensky and his brother, Rick, started TNT Metals in 2003 they knew very little about recycling industrial metals.
When they both decided to leave their jobs to fulfill other interests, they happened upon a Pittsburgh industrial metal recycling business that was being sold.
They bought it and operated in the Strip District until recently relocating to Frontier Drive in Gibsonia.
Joe was previously in the technology sector, while Rick was in the environmental field.
Rick had worked in the steel industry years before and had some knowledge of industrial metals.
“Neither of us had ever been in this industry. In fact, when we got in it, most people would say, 'You'll never be able to do this. You don't know anything about this,'” he said.
“But we figured out how to do it our way rather than learning all the rules of the way it was done by everybody else.
“We created a unique niche. We invented our own method of metal recycling. As a result, we built a very loyal customer base.”
TNT recycles nonferrous metals, or metals that don't contain iron, along with industrial grade precious metals, such as copper, lead, brass, aluminum, nickel, gold, silver, and platinum.
Joe said they quickly discovered that customers, such as large manufacturers, were looking to make some money off the scrap, and wanted the convenience of regular consumer recycling.
“We see our business as more of a business to business service company than we do a metal recycling company,” he said.
“If you think about manufacturers, they want two things to happen. They want recycling to happen almost effortlessly like when you put your garbage can out on Friday evening, but they want to make money at it.
“They want someone who will provide that service and not require them to do a lot of work,” he said.
Joe explained that manufacturing and construction metal can be valuable and clients want top dollar.The metal can be sold to buyers worldwide. Metal is a commodity trading business and various types are assessed daily on the market.“They want to get maximum value out of it, meaning material is identified properly, weighed properly, and they are paid on a timely basis. So if I tell you you'll be paid by the 15th of the month, you're going to have your check by the 15th day,” he said.Joe said he and Rick recognized early on that there was a need for a recycling service to contractors and manufacturers that provided service based on the customer's needs.Some may need large recycling containers. TNT Metals provides customers with whatever size containers they require.Client's schedules are also figured into pick up for whenever it is convenient for the customer.And if a client is unsure of what kind of metal they have and whether it can be recycled, TNT can provide material identification.Special technology equipment is used to identify not only the type of metal, but its chemistry makeup.While custom service has proved fruitful, Joe said ultimately reliability has been the key to TNT Metals' success.“Sometimes it's just nothing more than reliability. If we tell you we're going to do something, we do it. If we tell someone we're going to be at their business every Tuesday morning, we show up,” he said.“That's where the relationship is built, because over time the customer really begins to trust you.”
