Scrap Metal Facility Deploys Cameras To Curb Theft, Streamline Management

  • Apr 11, 2012

MOBOTIX, a provider of high-resolution, network-based security solutions, recently announced that United Scrap, a metal buying and recycling facility, has deployed a complete MOBOTIX surveillance solution at its 35-acre facility near Chicago.

United Scrap is utilizing the MOBOTIX cameras to stay ahead of government regulations, protect its own assets and enhance productivity.

United Scrap has installed 25 MOBOTIX cameras consisting of M12 and M24 models that are managed by MxControlCenter. The system is used to take snapshots of every load of metal sold to the facility to help ensure United Scrap doesn’t deal with hazardous or stolen material, and has a record of what is bought and sold on-site.

The high price of metal, particularly copper, has tempted many individuals across the nation to attempt to sell stolen materials to recycling facilities. Local, state and federal regulations require the company to maintain a concise record of sales. The MOBOTIX high-resolution cameras -- one MOBOTIX camera with 3.1 megapixels records 30 times more detail than traditional CCTV cameras -- also enable the facility to easily record vehicle license plate numbers and keep a database of individuals who sell material.

“The ability to have high resolution images with the MOBOTIX system is a significant advantage,” said Brad Serlin, president, United Scrap. “The high level of image clarity provides us with additional situational awareness. Traditional video security cameras could not provide us with the detail needed to identify pieces of metal and license plate numbers that we need to be in compliance with local, state and federal regulations.”

“About 90 percent of the installs we do are MOBOTIX solutions because the image quality is unmatched,” said Paul Grefenstette, president, Griffon Systems, the integrator who installed United Scrap’s system.

The MOBOTIX system also incorporates a decentralized approach to surveillance that keep the system cost-effective. Unlike other systems, the decentralized MOBOTIX concept incorporates a high-speed computer into every camera to reduce network bandwidth because video is processed on the cameras themselves and images do not have to be transferred continuously.

The system is also used to optimize business efficiencies. It provides managers the ability to quickly access the cameras to make sure time-sensitive materials are made a priority and workers are distributed appropriately. The MOBOTIX cameras monitor the drop-off line and enables managers to see if a line is beginning to form and deploy more workers from other areas.

“It is exciting to see MOBOTIX solutions battling a type of theft that has plagued business across the nation as thieves cash-in on stolen metals,” said Steve Gorski, general manager, Americas, MOBOTIX. “United Scrap is taking remarkable measures to ensure the ethical practice of their business, and the ROI from increased productivity is a nice bonus.”

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