Gopher Resource Smelter/Battery Recycling Plant

Looking to venture into a new region and join forces with a market leader, Harris partnered with Gopher Resource on the expansion and modification of a smelter/battery recycling plant for its wholly-owned subsidiary EnviroFocus Technologies.

The new state-of-the-art facility in East Tampa replaced the facility’s existing plant doubling its recycling capabilities from 26,000 tons of lead per year to 130,000 tons of lead annually, or approximately 50,000 lead-acid batteries per day.

Under a four-phased staggered approach to construction, the plant was able to remain fully operational during all portions of construction, which included an industrial lead production facility and warehouse and a shipping and receiving facility. The site also included a utility building, fire pump house and a hygiene building constructed to meet LEED Gold standards.

Working with the owner and general contractor a year prior to breaking ground, Harris moved on-site relocating five employees and utilizing local labor unions for most of the work force.

Harris was looked upon to lead the BIM modeling process, help drive the schedule and coordinate the other trades and the construction effort. Harris manpower reached its peak at 105 individuals (including Harris subcontractors) with a total overall construction crew topping 250 on-site.