It has leased an adjoining warehouse, which adds 2000sq m, has started concreting the outdoor yard, costing up to $200,000, and will build a permanent concrete boundary wall.
Auckland-based general manager Angus Barrett said the yard had been there since the early-1960s but needed an upgrade, which would include sludge pits and multi-bay interceptor trap-drainage, all of which were consented.
"As recyclers, we're wanting to improve our environmental footprint and tidy up the presentation.
"Upgrading will future-proof the business," he said.
Globally, under all divisions of the widespread Sims Metal Management company, including more than 50 subsidiary companies in North America, Europe and Australia, New Zealand, India and the United Kingdom, revenue last financial year was $NZ11.3 billion and after-tax profit of $NZ248.8 million was booked.
Shipments of scrap grew 10% during the past financial year to 14.2 million tonnes, with noticeably more out of North America.
Sims' shares in New York were yesterday trading about $US8.74 ($NZ10.65) and at $A8.19 ($NZ10.54) on the ASX.
Development inside the Dunedin warehouse includes a weighbridge and equipment for processing non-ferrous metals; such as aluminium, brass, bronze, copper, lead, tungsten and zinc.
The present staff of seven are expected to be boosted later in the year.
The high-profile site on Dunedin's foreshore accumulates up to 4000 tonnes of scrap metal before a 30,000-tonne vessel, which calls quarterly, loads combined scrap from Invercargill, Dunedin and Christchurch for delivery to generally Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Korea, and occasionally China.
Recycling materials include vehicle bodies and whiteware, non-ferrous metals, aluminium, cast iron and numerous types of steel.
Mr Barrett said the scrap was recycled into a variety of products, including reinforcing steel or runs of angled, flat or channelled steels.
Sims is the country's largest metal recycler with eight other yards in Auckland, Hamilton, Napier, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch and Invercargill.
So far this year, it has exported more than 150,000 tonnes of scrap.
• Sims Pacific Metals Ltd is a 50:50 joint venture, formed in 1992, combining dual-listed Sims Metal Management and listed-Fletcher Building.
Founded in Sydney in 1917, Sims Metal Management has become the world's largest metals and electronics recycler.
It has more than 230 locations on five continents, and more than 6500 employees, according to the Sims website.
