REDTeam helps combat problem of metal theft

APRIL 2008 - During recent REDTeam calls, team members have received feedback on metal theft in Stockton and San Joaquin County. Chamber member Sims Metal Management has come up with some ways of reducing your loss and recovering your property.

Sims Group’s core business is metal recycling, with an emerging business in electronics recycling. A publicly listed company on the Australian Stock Exchange, Sims Group (Sims Metal’s parent company) is headquartered in Australia but earns approximately 70 percent of its revenue from international operations in the United Kingdom , continental Europe , North America , New Zealand and Asia .

In March of 2008, Sims will merge with the US based recycling company Metal Management. Expected to close at the end of the first fiscal quarter of 2008, Sims Group and Metal Management will become Sims Metal Management, based out of New York. Sims offers the following tips for businesses in San Joaquin County:

Be vigilant – Report metal theft or suspicious persons around metal theft targets.

Work Together – Let local recyclers know if you are victim of theft.

Mark material – If we can recognize marked material, we’re more likely to identify it as stolen.

Recyclers are also victims of metal theft. It’s import for the public and law enforcement to be wary of people hanging around or tampering with metal theft targets.

For example: construction sites, street lighting, pumps and farms equipment.

Sims encourages business, organizations and other constituencies to educate our organization and employees on the types of materials that might be stolen. Sims has conducted such meetings with: PG&E, AT&T, the SJ Sheriffs Dept, Stockton PD, and the SJ Farm Bureau. If you would like to have a presentation on what your organization can do, please contact fferral@stocktonchamber.org.