Zato North America
Precision-Engineered Machinery for Metal Recycling and Processing

The metal recycling industry stands at the crossroads of environmental responsibility and economic viability, turning scrap materials into valuable, reusable resources. However, its not without hurdles. The sector faces many issues like managing contaminated metal, diverse material streams, and meeting the stringent specifications required for mill-ready products. Balancing these challenges is key to ensuring a sustainable future.

Zato Recycling, founded in 1999 by Valerio Zanaglio, has been a leader in addressing and solving these challenges in the global market since its inception. Based in Brescia, Italy, with a US office in Hebron, KY, Zato is focused on increasing their local branding and investing in their customers success.

“We take pride in contributing to a better, cleaner world. Our shredding solutions create meaningful value for customers around the world, and that movement has grown enormously in the US market. The quality of our products is directly increasing bottom and top lines for scrap businesses in North America. All while ensuring a cleaner, more renewable way to manufacture goods here.” says Ian Laffey, Director of Sales in North America.
Zato’s expertise lies primarily in the metal (ferrous and nonferrous) recycling industry, though its solutions extend to waste, plastics, and electronic scrap processing. The company offers a wide range of products, including single-shaft and twin-shaft shredders, and compact hammer mills that address numerous key industry pain points. These include transforming unprepared and oversized materials into mill-ready products that fetch higher market value, reducing shipping costs, and recovering entrapped materials for further processing.

Zato also produces mobile demolition shears, and railbreakers, commonly used by demolition companies and scrap yards looking to break down metal products with material handlers. Beyond equipment, the company offers comprehensive plant design services, specializing in consultation for full-scale separation plants. Zatos custom-designed separation plants work seamlessly with its shredders to extract valuable materials and deliver high-quality, market-ready products.

One notable example of the company’s impact is in busheling processing, which is typically handled using slower, traditional methods. In contrast, Zatos machines can process 25 to 30 tons of material per hour, a substantial improvement over more manual techniques. This efficiency is especially valuable for customers supplying foundries, where strict material specifications and high volumes are often required. By enabling clients to meet these demands more quickly, Zato has helped businesses achieve significant operational improvements and increased profitability.

But with the overwhelming permutations of machinery and business needs, how does Zato ensure that every solution fits the clients needs? By using a tailored engagement process.

Each customer receives a full consultative experience from day one. Zato’s sales team takes great care in understanding clients’ specific challenges and objectives, avoiding blanket solutions and delivering bespoke processes.

Ian Laffey says, “In some cases, clients have needs that our products do not directly address. I have no problem recommending other equipment suppliers if the customer will be better off.” This transparency and dedication to finding the best solution has helped foster genuine trust and long-term client relationships.

Zato’s partnership doesn’t end after the initial sale but continues into an exceptional support infrastructure. The company operates globally, with two primary offices in Italy and the U.S. and maintains a network of strategically positioned sales representatives and service technicians to provide reliable service and support. This global presence stems from the company’s commitment to maintaining proximity with customers to better understand and address their needs. The growth in the US is directly correlated to keeping their customers happy. Their Kentucky office allows them parts storage and local service.

Zato’s decades of experience and heritage as a family-founded company continue to shape the company ethos. The emphasis on quality from material selection to manufacturing ensures its products stand out for reliability and longevity. It is apt to say Zato embodies excellence in metal recycling, championing client success through reliable products, superior service, and a customer-first mindset.