Project Overview
In 2020, Umicore needed to clear its precious metal recycling plant in Wickliffe, Ohio so the property could be sold and repositioned as a warehouse and storage yard. Phoenix Equipment was contracted to remove the plant’s process equipment, related structures, piping, and process electrical systems. The approximately $1.75 million project was completed over roughly six months during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Equipment recovery was built into the project, with several major pieces sold to another metal recycler and approximately 15 additional items preserved for later resale.
The Challenge
The work required coordinated equipment removal, rigging, dismantlement, and site cleanup across multiple buildings while the project was being executed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Equipment Recovery & Resale
Phoenix identified equipment that still had value for continued industrial use and separated those assets from the broader dismantlement scope. Several key pieces were sold to another metal recycler, while approximately 15 additional pieces were removed and retained for continued resale.
Major equipment from the liquidation included:
- 1,292 sq ft M.W. Watermark filter press
- 200 cu ft Aaron Process 304 stainless steel ribbon blender
- Bepex Strong Scott Solidaire 304 stainless steel jacketed dryer, Model SJS36-13
- 15,000 CFM Viron International scrubber
- Sellers Engineering 50 HP Model 77 Commodore boiler
- 2 × 1,666 sq ft Sperry Size 42 filter presses, Type AHOP 47-48-49
- 566 CFM Ingersoll Rand rotary screw compressor
- Additional precious metal recycling process equipment
Multi-Building Dismantlement & Site Clearance
The removal scope covered seven buildings across the plant.
Phoenix began by removing six filter presses from two buildings, then continued with the removal of remaining equipment and piping from those areas. At the same time, the site supervisor coordinated demolition of exterior tankage and cleanup of the scrap yard.
The work then progressed through five additional buildings, where Phoenix removed process equipment, process piping, and process electrical systems as part of the broader site-clearance effort. The project was completed safely and cleared the process areas for the property’s planned sale and repositioning.
Project Highlights
- Client: Umicore
- Location: Wickliffe, Ohio
- Facility: Precious Metal Recycling Plant
- Year: 2020
- Project Duration: Approximately 6 Months
- Project Value: Approximately $1.75 Million
- Phoenix Scope: Equipment Removal, Rigging, Piping Removal, Process Electrical Removal, Exterior Tankage Demolition, Scrap Yard Cleanup, Equipment Recovery and Remarketing
- Buildings in Scope: 7
- Equipment Recovery: Several Major Assets Sold to Another Metal Recycler / Approximately 15 Additional Pieces Preserved for Resale
- Major Equipment: Filter Presses, Stainless Steel Ribbon Blender, Jacketed Dryer, Scrubber, Boiler and Rotary Screw Compressor (See Liquidation)
- Main Execution Challenge: Work Performed During the Height of COVID-19
- Owner Outcome: Site Cleared for Sale and Repositioning / Equipment Recovery Helped Offset Removal Costs
- Safety: Completed Safely
Recovering Value While Preparing the Site for Sale
Phoenix cleared the Wickliffe process facility for sale and repositioning while recovering equipment that still had secondary-market value. By combining dismantlement with equipment resale, the project helped reduce the net cost of site clearance while preserving reusable industrial assets.