Q. 1. Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business. Please include what your business is all about, in which city you are located and if you have offices in multiple locations/ cities.
A. H&C Metals is a full service scrap metal facility, with 2 locations (Balemet Recycling) based in Newark NJ, serving the tri-state area including New York and Pennsylvania. We are a family owned & operated company, financially strong, with about 40 years experience.
We pride ourselves on our communication, follow-up and customer service. Our credibility, reputation, and devotion to customer satisfaction in the industry speaks volumes as evidenced by our longevity and numerous client testimonials.
You see unwanted scrap, we see an untapped resource. We haul and buy your scrap metal and select electronic and computer equipment.
H&C Metals offers resource recovery solutions that allow corporations, contractors, municipalities, industry and the general public to leverage the value of recyclable materials while contributing to environmental conservation.
H&C recycles nonferrous and ferrous metals as well as electronic and computer scrap (e-scrap). Balemet Recycling, Inc., our sister company, is a processor and recycler of ferrous metals with a specialty in baling light iron and steel cans.
Q. 2. Kindly give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
A. H&C Metals was started by Frank Colantuono in 1976 in the Ironbound section of Newark. Today, Frank serves as a consultant to his sons Mike and Dan who operate H&C and Balemet, established in 1985. The Colantuono sons carry on the importance their father placed on earning a reputation as an honest, reliable and knowledgeable business partner while balancing time to support various charitable organizations. These characteristics, in tandem with a commitment to exceed customer expectations, have forged long-term, loyal relationships, propelling the company to expand in size and service capabilities. Our customers share the advantages of our financial strength and regional industry name recognition.
Q. 3. What inspired you to (start a new business venture) or (to make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?
A. We had the idea to create a ‘surface mine’ for ferrous and non-ferrous metals to create value not only for our end users/client but something that would also benefit the environment.
Q. 4. What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
A. 1 Be passionate about what you want to do
2 Always look for ways to be more efficient
3 Be diligent about execution
Q. 5. What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
A. 1 Creativity
2 Focus
3 Be willing to put in the time
Q. 6. How many hours do you work a day on average?
A. A normal work day averages 10-12 hours.
Q. 7. To what do you most attribute your success?
A. I believe it is important to surround yourself with the right team.
Q. 8. How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
A. We have been very successful through 2 types of marketing: word of mouth and online marketing.
Q. 9. Where did your organizations funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
A. Our business uses different banks and finance companies to purchase trucks & other heavy equipment. In the beginning we were primarily self-funded and believed in reinvesting in our company as much as possible.
Q. 10. What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
A. Take care of your customers, take care of your employees, and patience.
Q. 11. Where you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
A. As we begin 2016, our industry is faced with very challenging times. As a company, we are facing these tough times head-on and have the people in place to weather the storm. In this business environment it is prudent to take things one-day-at-a-time and not concern yourself with what you will look like 5-10 years in the future.
Q. 12. Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
A. It is hard to pick a specific business that I admire. I respect companies that are built on hard work and honesty. People that respect people.
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