UK Enterprise Awards 2026/ 80 Metal Recycling Business of the Year 2026 - North West England Established by Peter Clay in 1985, Maxilead Ltd (Maxilead) is a proudly independent, family-owned and -operated metal recycling business, still going strong more than 40 years later. Offering specialist services in metal collection, skip services, metal recycling, and WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) recycling, Maxilead is renowned for its reliability, compliance, and long-term customer partnerships across the UK recycling sector. Today, the UK scrap metal industry is worth in excess of £5-6 billion annually and it processes millions of tonnes of scrap metal each year. Scrap metal has always been considered a high value commodity but with recent rising demand due to global supply pressures the market is booming. Metal recycling comes with numerous advantages, economically it means businesses are able to generate direct revenue by trading it; environmentally it means less energy is being used when not having to produce new metals; landfill is also avoided and the industry continues to create thousands of jobs. For Maxilead Ltd operating within the UK metal recycling sector brings multiple opportunities, including profitability, thanks to strong demand and revenue; cost efficiency, and growth potential, with exports and contribution toward the circular economy. For over 40 years, Maxilead has been growing alongside the communities and industries it serves. A lot has changed over that time, but the business’ guiding principles of integrity, reliability, and responsible business practices have remained the same. These values, combined with four decades of business stability, extensive industry knowledge and experience, and a best-in-class team with innovative ideas, have allowed it to forge longterm relationships with customers, suppliers, and partners alike. Ruby Clay, Peter’s daughter, tells us about the team who make it all happen: “At Maxilead, our people are central to our success. As a business operating in a dynamic and competitive sector, we focus on building a team that is adaptable, skilled, and aligned with our long-term vision for growth.” Thanks to the hard work of its people, the past two years have seen the most significant growth phases in the business’ history, with it securing multiple large-scale contracts. This has strengthened its position as a trusted recycling partner for both commercial and specialist waste streams. Consistent year-onyear increases in turnover also demonstrates strong financial performance, all while maintaining high operational standards. Another recent major milestone saw the development and commissioning of a custom-built, state-of-the-art recycling facility, including a new WEEE processing plant with downstream. This significant capital investment has considerably increased Maxilead’s processing capability and efficiency, allowing more material to be handled in-house and reducing reliance on third-party processors. The new facility will play a key role in the business’ long-term growth strategy while reinforcing its commitment to quality, control, and compliance. The introduction of its new plant comes as a major step forward in delivering a fully integrated circular economy solution. By closing the loop on material recovery, Maxilead maximises the value of recovered metals and WEEE components, improves material quality, and reduces waste to landfill. This innovative approach sets the business apart in a competitive market, while bolstering its resilience as an independent operator. So, how will Maxilead continue to innovate into the future? Ruby reveals, “Environmental performance is a core priority. Recycling volumes have increased significantly as a result of expanded capacity and new contracts, delivering tangible environmental benefits through higher recovery rates. Maxilead has also reduced operational emissions through the implementation of a newer, more efficient vehicle fleet, demonstrating a practical and measurable commitment to sustainability. “Compliance and safety standards remain exemplary. Maxilead maintains a fantastic compliance record with both the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive, reflecting robust systems, strong leadership, and a culture where safety and responsibility are embedded at every level of the organisation.” “Social responsibility is equally important. The Maxilead Mission Sustainability Project reinforces the company’s long-term environmental and community focus, while its commitment to employing a local workforce supports skills development and economic resilience within the community it has served for four decades.” If you’d like more information about Maxilead, or if it’s services could benefit your business, visit the company website, call 0161 790 5105, or email ruby@maxileadmetals.co.uk. Company name: Maxilead Ltd Contact name: Ruby Clay Website: www.maxileadmetals.co.uk Email: ruby@maxileadmetals.co.uk
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