Pictured above: (l-r) Stan Crawford, emda Board Member, Donny Shadrow, President of SOS Metals Inc, and his brother, Sandy Shadrow, President of Transworld Alloys

SOS International Holdings, the US industry leading recycler of specialist materials, officially opened a new site at South Normanton in Derby this week, creating 15 jobs.

The company, which was helped by the East Midlands Development Agency (emda), to set up a site in the region, is adding to its portfolio of 16 global locations with the aim of taking advantage of UK market opportunities and bringing specialist knowledge to the East Midlands. Through a highly specialised, secure process, SOS International have become a leader in the development of custom tailored scrap metals reclamation and recycling programmes including the re-processing of materials for future use.

The environmental credentials of the company have been instrumental to SOS International's success in building a customer base of Fortune 100 companies. SOS International recycles stock and decreases the associated carbon footprint of its clients through reducing the manufacturing of new parts.

The accuracy and security of this process is essential, and the ISO 9000 certified company is able to safeguard this process by various means. This high standard of quality assurance has won major contracts, and has impressed partners across the globe.

SOS International was founded 35 years ago in America by brothers Donny and Sandy Shadrow who gradually expanded the business and diversified its actions to focus on cost-effective and efficient metal reclamation to support large manufacturing industries.

A team from East Midlands Development Agency (emda) provided assistance in a number of ways to support SOS international. This included conducting property searches to find a suitable location and hosting tours and visits to inspect these.

In addition, the Agency also liaised closely with local authorities, making introductions to local government and industry bodies such as the Midlands Aerospace Alliance and the local Chambers of Commerce, plus identifying government grants and funding that the company could access.

Speaking about their reasons for choosing the East Midlands, Peer Hashmi, Chief Financial Officer for SOS International, said: "Being located near many specialist advanced manufacturing operations means we can cater for a lot of business needs in a central location. The support that emda was able to provide made opening our new site a much smoother process and gave us a soft landing to enter the local market. As we know, UK businesses are looking to move towards processes with less wastage and we're in a prime position to serve this growing need."

Their investment into the East Midlands will create 15 new 'green' jobs at their new facility and potentially further roles in the future as the company transforms the site into their European hub. The new site's central UK location means fast and convenient access for SOS International to work with other UK businesses and expand their future operations.

Mike Carr, Executive Director of Business Services at East Midlands Development Agency, added: "emda's Inward Investment team worked closely with SOS International to support their move to the region and it is very welcome news that they have chosen to invest in Derbyshire.

"They will be creating new jobs and helping in the regional and national drive to become a low carbon economy and I wish them every success in the future."