ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada is to acquire the assets of Legault Métal Inc, a metals recycling company with facilities in Trécesson, Val d'Or, Rouyn-Noranda and La Sarre, in Abitibi-Témiscamingue (Quebec, Canada). These sites, which will now operate under the name Legault Métal, a division of ArcelorMittal, will continue to deliver its services to scrap dealers and individuals.
"We are pleased to welcome Legault Métal Inc, a long-standing supplier, to our organisation and further reinforce our presence in the Quebec scrap recycling market," said François Perras, chief executive officer for ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada. "As the largest recycler of scrap for local use in Quebec, we are further securing our supply of raw materials from this important region and strengthening our value chain. We are excited to extend our footprint to Abitibi and will work hard with the local team to earn the trust of our new host communities."
ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada has been well established in Quebec since the 1960s and will continue the tradition of excellence that Legault Métal has maintained since 1968 to ensure that local opportunities are available for scrap metal collected mostly in the region but also elsewhere in Quebec, Ontario and across Canada.
"I could not find a better partner than ArcelorMittal to maintain the activities of the largest recycling company in Abitibi and ensure an outlet is available for scrap from our clients," said Gerry Legault, outgoing owner of Legault Métal Inc. with his spouse Aurore. "This transaction is the best outcome for our employees, our suppliers and the community.”
Mr Legault will support the ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada team to ensure a smooth transition of operations over the coming months. Approximately 100 people currently working for Legault Métal remain employed by the company as of the transaction date.
Recycling is a strategic activity of ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada, which uses two main raw materials – iron ore from Northern Quebec and scrap metal - to produce steel. The company currently owns a recycling and scrap processing centre in Contrecoeur, Quebec, which processes approximately 800kt/yr of scrap used within the two ArcelorMittal steelworks to make new steel. Over the last two years, ArcelorMittal has announced strategic investments of more than CAD$160 million in its steelmaking facilities in Quebec to improve its performance, reduce its environmental footprint and ensure its sustainability.