About BL Duke

2004

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BL Duke moved their Corporate Headquarters to 73rd and Oakley in Chicago, Illinois.

2005

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BL Duke opened a 5 acre ferrous processing yard in Chicago Heights, Illinois.

2006

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BL Duke jumped into the overseas market, purchasing ships to process for scrap metal.

2007

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First full time woman, Belinda Nunez, is hired.

“I’ve kept our accountability charts as a reminder of where we started and how far we’ve come,” says Belinda.

2008

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BL Duke’s demolition division is established to assist customers with machinery removal and plant clean-ups. This division quickly grows into a subsidiary taking down buildings, bridges and metal structures.

2009

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BL Duke purchases the heavy hauling equipment from Helders Motor Company.  This acquisition adds to BL Duke’s fleet and capacity to move oversize and overweight materials.

2011

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BL Duke acquires a 9 acre recycling facility in Forest View, Illinois, where their first ferrous baler is installed.

Later this year, BL Duke also relocates their corporate headquarters to Forest View, Illinois.

2013

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BL Duke wins Company of the Year from the AWMI – Association of Women in the Metals Industry.  Within the same year, BL Duke is recognized by the City of Forest View and accepts an Award of Appreciation.

2014

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BL Duke salvages a sunken barge on the Chicago River and is recognized for safely transporting the vessel to a dry dock where it is cut-up and recycled.

2015

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BL Duke’s business doubles in size and earns a spot on Crain’s Fast 50. Within the same year, BL Duke takes their talents to the water and  loads their 1^st Barge.

2016

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BL Duke acquires 30 acres in Joliet, Illinois.

The Joliet acquisition came equipped with dual barge docks, kicking off consistent monthly downriver barge sales.  Two balers are added bringing their total baling capacity to 1500 tons daily. The acquisition also provided rail service making BL Duke’s logistics a triple threat.

2017

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Customer Portal is implemented.

BL Duke is recognized and awarded by American NTN Bearing for Continual Improvement and Overall Customer Service.

2018

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BL Duke acquires an additional 30 acres west of the Joliet, Illinois property.  The new property hosts the Grand Opening of their 250,000 square foot Non-Ferrous Warehouse.

BL Duke River Terminal (BLDRT) is launched.

BL Duke was named a finalist for Fastmarkets AMM Awards for Steel Excellence in the Scrap Metal Company of the Year category and earns Crain’s Fast 50 once again.

Fabrication department kicks off to maintain BL Duke’s equipment and boxes.

2019

BL Duke is named a finalist for Fastmarkets AMM Awards for Steel Excellence in the Scrap Metal Company of the Year category for the second year in a row.

Another Crain’s Fast 50 recognition is added behind the BL Duke name.

Receives the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. This award is the highest level of recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their outstanding support of employees serving in the National Guard.

2020

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The Shannon E. Collins Foundation (SECF) was formed. SECF was established to pay Shannon’s many contributions forward and keep her light shining. The foundation assists students with scholarships to help with the cost of attending a private high school, trade school, or university.

Office of Secretary of Defense awards Mark Reilly, VP of Operations, the Patriotic Employer Award.

Marissa Plucinski, VP of Sales, receives Women of Excellence Honorable Mention by Women in Manufacturing (WIM).

2021

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An additional 1,200 ft. of rail is extended to their Joliet West facility to allow direct rail access to BLDRT and their non-ferrous warehouse.

BL Duke launches the national account management to better service their customers with facilities outside the Chicago region.