Colmar: manufactured in Italy, trusted worldwide

Recycling Today, Oct, 2004

Humble Beginnings

Colmar began in the Veneto region of Italy shortly after World War II with one man's vision to use parts leftover from U.S. Army vehicles to build tractors for the agricultural industry. Shortly afterward, Colmar added a line of cranes to its agricultural equipment line. Turning its attention toward manufacturing more sophisticated cranes, Colmar soon left agricultural applications behind, focusing instead on the scrap metal recycling segment of the heavy equipment industry.

In 1975, the company added a line of railroad cranes to its equipment offering. In time, as the company's reputation for manufacturing reliable and efficient equipment spread, Colmar's bright yellow machines captured 80 percent of the Italian market and a substantial share of the European market, particularly in the United Kingdom and France.

Expanded Focus

Leadership changes at Colmar in the 1990s lead the company into new markets. Dr. Carlo Bortoletti, Colmar's new president, wanted to expand the company's reach and its array of products. He chose to add scrap metal balers to the Colmar line up, a natural fit for the yards that already used Colmar's cranes.

CEO Julian G. Marceglia says Colmar thought its new shear/balers could grow to be the largest portion of the company's business. Indeed, shear/balers have accounted for 60 percent to 70 percent of Colmar's sales in the last seven years.

Colmar was not only expanding its line of products, the company was also growing its international reach. In response to the new demand from markets outside Italy, Colmar started to build a new production facility next to its old one in the Veneto region in 1999. By the end of 2003, Colmar had already doubled its production capacity in response to growing demand in America, the former Soviet Republics and Japan, Marceglia says.

Baler/Loggers

Colmar had to make a few changes to its established designs to accommodate the needs of the American market. For instance, Colmar's 5260 baler is a best seller worldwide, but its 16-1/2-foot charge box is smaller than that preferred by many U.S. scrap yards. Marceglia says, "We realized that, particularly in the south, the American cars required a bigger box." In response to America's larger scrapped vehicles, Colmar created the 5.5260 baler, which features an 18-foot charge box. Colmar's balers also offer automatic cycling and remote-control operation.

John Kastner, owner of John's Auto Parts & Metal, Bunnell, Fla., purchased Colmar's 5260 baler. "I made $14,000 processing aluminum for two days," he says.

Shear/Baler/Loggers

Colmar's 6260-800 baler includes an 800-tph-capacity shear. "It's the best you can buy for your money all over the world," Marceglia says. The unit includes a 20-foot charge box on the baler side. The shear can cut through steel up to 3.5 inches thick, including structural steel from construction or demolition jobs.

E&H Car Crushing of Orlando, Fla., purchased a 6260-800 shear baler and has been pleased with its performance. "The baler I am using is doing a great job," owner Harold Erb says.

"This machine is huge, but fast and reliable. It is easy to operate and to maintain," Marceglia says." It is a real money maker. Every customer is so happy, they are spreading the word. That's the best form of advertising possible."

Cranes

"The way Americans use cranes is a bit different than Europeans," Marceglia says, adding that Americans often prefer magnets, while Europeans favor grapples. "Americans also like much longer booms with respect to the weight of the unit," he adds.

With these preferences in mind, Colmar is redesigning its cranes for the U.S. market. "By the end of 2004, we will have a complete line of products for America," Marceglia says.

Those yards already operating Colmar's cranes are pleased with the performance of their units.

Ricky Forrest owns Florida Parishes Industries in Hammond, La. His yard is currently using Colmar's 402 crane. "I like the mobility and quickness of the crane," he says.

Howard Carter, owner of Frontier Recycling in Harlingen, Texas, also praises his Colmar crane's speed. "It's the fastest machine I have been using since I've been in the business," he says of his model-403 crane.

COLMAR'S COMMITMENT

In 2002, as a result of Colmar's commitment to the U.S. market, the company created Colmar USA--a fully owned subsidiary of Colmar S.p.A.--in Buffalo, N.Y. Within 18 months, Colmar USA had sold more than 50 machines, Marceglia says. U.S. customers are responding to the value Colmar machines represent. "We have a good product at the right price," he says. The company also has the industry knowledge required to build effective and reliable machinery. "We know what scrap yards are all about," Marceglia says.

Colmar also knows what it's like to start small and grow to become a company with a worldwide presence. Because of Colmar's own humble beginnings, the company is willing to finance buyers at smaller yards who may not be able to get financing from other sources, Marceglia says.