From the Life of a Company: Guys With a Vision or TRANS METAL Today and in Two Years

‘An idea for the business emerged when I bought my first car. After a week of driving it, I discovered my passion for scrap,’ says Tomek, a co-owner of Trans Metal.

Trans Metal is a modern recycling company run by two young men full of passion and enthusiasm for the environment-oriented work. Tomek and Sławek have been buying and selling scrap metal and non-ferrous metals for 8 years, developing and transforming a small family business into a prosperous enterprise.

‘Why have you decided to set up a business together?’

S: ‘We hold the same values, we follow similar rules, and we have the same work ethics. When you know you’re not alone in your plans and ideas and that you can implement them by working with someone, this is the best feeling ever and excellent motivation. Putting the business aspect aside, I can say that thanks to such companies as ours as many as 13 million tonnes of metal get recycled in the UK each year.’

T: ‘Together we’ve created a clearly defined path and we’re constantly pursuing our goals, investing in development and ensuring the best possible customer service.’

We challenge stereotypes and we’d like our industry to no longer trigger negative associations. We work hard every day, so that as much metal as possible is recycled.

‘What do you actually do? What does your activity consist in?’

T: ‘Generally speaking, we buy and sell scrap metal and non-ferrous metals in London. Without metal, such devices as telephones, computers, tablets, and other gadgets we use every day wouldn’t exist. Metal is irreplaceable in such industries as construction, transportation, new technologies, power industry, etc. Each plant sooner or later produces scrap metal. Our company offers quick and free of charge collection of scrap metal from commercial and construction areas as well as local premises. We buy all kinds of scrap metal and products containing metal which are damaged or the lifetime period of which has expired.’

S: ‘We challenge stereotypes and we’d like our industry to no longer trigger negative associations. We work hard every day, so that as much metal as possible is recycled. We earn money, we create new jobs, and we make the world a bit cleaner. We also guarantee customer service of the highest quality, as customers are the basis for our business.’

‘You talk a lot about values. What are they?’

S: ‘Constant striving after the quality of our services. Listening to the customers and flexibility in looking for new solutions. Concern for the ecosystem. We represent the part of the society that isn’t indifferent to what world we all live in. According to research conducted by the US Environmental Protection Agency, metal recycling allows to save even 75% of energy, reduces air pollution by 86% and water pollution by 76%, and ensures a number of other benefits in environmental and economic terms. We act for the benefit of the environment on behalf of all our customers.’

‘And where did the idea for such a business come from?’

T: ‘The idea for the business emerged when I bought my first car. After a week of driving it, I discovered my passion for scrap… (laughter). I’m only joking. The idea formed itself, growing out of the actual needs of our world and an economic niche. We set up a company that does something for the world, at the same time ensuring us financial stability. It’s a fantastic feeling.’

The concept we’re going to develop soon is a modern fleet of vans

‘Where do you see yourself two years from now?’

T: ‘The concept we’re going to develop soon is a modern fleet of vans. In order to implement these plans, we’ve decided to recruit more staff: we’ve invited the best experts having knowledge and tools necessary to achieve these aims to work with us. Trans Metal is now implementing a development project. We’ve outsourced a call centre and van management services (GPS). When a customer calls, the customer service checks which van driver is closest to the place from which scrap metal is to be collected.’

S: ‘In cooperation with Team@One, we are working on a system that will allow to automate processes and achieve the highest possible efficiency with perfect customer service. Thanks to modern solutions, we expect an increase in the number of customers and turnover.’

‘Ambitious plans. What should I wish you?’

S: ‘Definitely some holiday and more spare time.’

Tomek and Sławek, Trans Metal, May 2016