In an effort to expand further into eastern Kentucky, Freedom Metals, 425 Gawthrop Drive, a scrap metal recycling business that opened in Winchester two years ago, acquired Bates Iron and Metal in West Liberty.
Spencer Blue, vice president of Freedom Metals, which is based in Louisville, said before opening its Winchester facility, the business had no representation in eastern Kentucky.
“We found it to be a good area to purchase scrap, and being in Winchester, ... we built relationships with customers and further east of us in eastern Kentucky, West Liberty and other places ... we saw an opportunity to purchase a small yard in West Liberty,” he said. “ ... We feel like we really like the eastern Kentucky area to purchase scrap metal.”
Blue said his company has been pursuing the move for about nine months, and it became effective Monday.
He said Bates Iron and Metal will retain its current name, and Gary Bates will be retained as the general manager of the West Liberty facility.
