Profile
The Auto Parts Business is one of three vertically integrated business units that make up Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. Through our nationwide network of self-service stores, we are dedicated to providing a wide selection of low-cost, high quality recycled auto parts.
We purchase used and salvaged vehicles from a variety of sources, including tow companies, private parties, auto auctions, city contracts and charities. The parts are then removed and sold through our auto parts stores. The remaining portions of vehicles are crushed and sold to metal recyclers (including the Metals Recycling Business where geographically feasible) which process them into sellable recycled metal.
Why buy from the Auto Parts Business? It’s simple:
- Using our quality recycled parts saves money, energy, resources and landfill space.
- Our huge inventory includes lots of hard-to-find parts.
- Our parts are generally considerably less expensive than traditional parts sources.
- Our shopping experience and excellent customer service can’t be beat.
We remain competitive in our industry because of these reasons, plus our efficient processing of auto bodies and use of technology in managing our geographically diverse network of locations.
Pick-n-Pull – Fresh Inventory, Great Prices!
Established in 1987, our Pick-n-Pull chain of self-service stores is one of the largest recyclers of end-of-life vehicles in the industry. These locations generally feature older vehicles and are geared towards retail customers such as "do-it-yourselfers" and mechanics. Based in Rancho Cordova, California, Pick-n-Pull has 45 locations in 14 U.S. states and Western Canada.
Each yard stocks a large number of domestic and foreign cars, vans and light trucks which are continually replaced by new arrivals to offer our customers a wide selection of parts from which to choose. As vehicles arrive they are inspected and inventoried. Some mechanically sound vehicles that we receive are set aside as salvaged vehicles for "rebuilders" to purchase and repair. The rest go through our standardized, environmentally friendly process to remove and recycle vehicle fluids and hazardous materials and then the vehicles are placed on the sales floor for customer access.
The customer pays a nominal admission fee, finds a vehicle with the desired parts and removes them on their own in a safe and enjoyable setting. After a vehicle has finished its time in the customer area, our staff removes remaining recyclable nonferrous materials and "core" parts that can be sold wholesale such as engines, transmissions and alternators, and sells them at auction. The remaining auto body is crushed and sold as scrap metal. We also sell surplus equipment such as forklifts, loaders and trucks.
Recycling, Sustainability and the Environment
Our vehicle disposal process recycles everything we possibly can. Countless parts are purchased by retail and wholesale customers as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to purchasing from traditional parts sources. Parts that can be refurbished (i.e. radiators, alternators, compressors) are sold for remanufacturing. Many vehicle fluids including gasoline and oil are recycled. Ferrous and nonferrous metals are recycled and sold for reprocessing in new products. All of this reuse reduces the amount of new products that need to be manufactured, not to mention the raw materials and energy needed to create them.
Our environmental practices are second to none. From our extensive experience, we have implemented standardized policies and procedures at all locations for managing vehicles and disposing of hazardous wastes. In fact, our best practices set many of the standards adopted by local communities as guidelines for others to follow.
All of these efforts taken together protect the environment, beautify our neighborhoods and reduce the cost of new goods by returning valuable raw materials into production.
Business Opportunities
The Auto Parts Business is always interested in new business opportunities. We are interested in leases or acquisition of new properties, acquisition of existing businesses and strategic partnerships of all types. For more information, please see our strategic partners page.
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