MetroInternational opened a similar facility at the Port of IndianaBurns Harbor

Tag : Non-ferrous Metal
Metro International Trade Services LLC, of Detroit, wants to locatein those cities because of their easy access to rail and smeltingoperations across North America, according to Curt Felch, MetroInternational vice president of strategic development.

Last year, it opened a similar facility at the Port of IndianaBurns Harbor.

"We are completely full there (Burns Harbor) and it has been a bigsuccess for us," Felch told the Gary/Chicago International AirportAuthority board on Thursday.

The new Metro International facilities will employ about a dozenworkers between them, Felch said. One will be located on 151stStreet in East Chicago and the other on Waite Street in Gary.

Metro International is certified by the London Metal Exchange tohold non-ferrous metals for trade and sale by brokers, traders, andindustry.

The airport authority on Thursday voted to approve a 20-acremodification of the airport's Foreign Trade Zone to include theEast Chicago and Gary locations for Metro International.

"My hope would be that once you employ people, you would employpeople from this area," said Rev. Marion Johnson Jr., airportauthority president.

Felch said the Burns Harbor facility is staffed by local labor andthat will also be true of the two new locations.

Foreign Trade Zone status exempts goods from certain duties andtaxes, including state inventory taxes. The London Metal Exchangerequires all storage depots for its metals to be in Foreign TradeZones, Felch said.

The airport authority voted three months ago to take similar actionfor Metro International competitor Katoen Natie, of theNetherlands, which sought a 50-acre modification of the airportForeign Trade Zone. Its depot will be located at the Chase StreetIndustrial Center.

Both companies will hold metals like aluminum, zinc, tin, copperand others metals in high security facilities.

In addition to providing jobs, the Metro International operationswill benefit local manufacturers who may need high-quality metals,Felch said.