Shared Values, Shared Vision: Two Family-Founded Leaders Join Forces to Advance Sustainable Metal Recycling
Siegfried Jacob Metallwerke GmbH & Co. KG, together as head of the collective Jacob Metal Group of companies (“JMG”), is pleased to announce its acquisition of Auris Noble, LLC (“Auris Noble”), a technology-driven recycler of precious and strategic metals based in Akron, Ohio. The sellers of Auris Noble will retain minority ownership positions and continue to lead day-to-day operations.
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Heritage and Family Values
JMG was founded in 1953 by Mr. Siegfried Jacob and today remains under ownership of the Jacob family, now led by second generation Dr. Hans-Eckhard Jacob. Deeply rooted in family values and driven by a mission to improve the recovery and recycling of finite critical resources, JMG has grown into one of the world’s foremost family-owned metal recycling companies. “I am proud that, despite our size, we have always remained a family business, preserving the identity and independence of each individual member company,” noted Dr. Jacob on the legacy his family built. From humble beginnings as a one-man scrap business, JMG now stands as a leading multinational recycling company with more than 1,000 people employed across 8 global locations in 5 countries.
Founded by Mr. Lou Britton in 2011, Auris Noble was similarly built on a passion for recycling, particularly focused on developing new recycling methods for difficult-to-process and previously unrecyclable waste feeds. The company’s entrepreneurial approach and differentiated hydrometallurgical processing capabilities have established it as a leader in recycling and refining superalloys and precious metals, notably iridium and ruthenium within its new state-of-the-art chemical hall. Together with partners Patrick Deeringer, Joe Patrick III, and Joe Patrick IV, Auris Noble has grown from a one-man, at-home gold refiner to a vertically integrated recycling solutions partner, helping global organizations advance sustainable business practices.
Cultural and Strategic Alignment
Although JMG has served customers in North America for many years, Auris Noble marks its first operation in the United States. This is a move that is expected to provide existing JMG and Auris Noble customers with expanded service offerings and numerous operational benefits globally.
Regarding the fit between JMG and Auris Noble, Henning Reuter, Managing Director of JMG, noted, “It was clear from the first time we met with Auris Noble that both organizations share a deep commitment to value-added recycling. Perhaps the most important factor to us when evaluating this milestone expansion into the United States was the overlap in culture, long-standing values, and continuous innovation. We are excited to welcome Auris Noble to our family of companies.”
Founder, Lou Britton, noted, “While our hydrometallurgical capabilities span nearly all metals, we’ve recently prioritized opportunities to develop sustainable iridium and ruthenium recycling programs. With JMG’s family culture, global reach, and deep recycling expertise, they are the perfect match to accelerate our growth strategy and deliver even greater value to our customers and employees.”
Triscend Partners served as the exclusive financial advisor to Auris Noble in the transaction. Regarding Triscend’s services, Partner Joe Patrick III noted, “It was critical for us to have hands-on representation by someone who truly understood our business to appropriately tell our story. John’s knowledge of the global metal and recycling markets proved invaluable in helping us find the right partner.”
James Jolley from Smith Anderson served as lead counsel to Auris Noble, LLC.
Ute Mueller from Irwin Mitchell LLP served as strategic legal advisor to JMG. Henry Alderfer from Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP served as US legal counsel to JMG.

