Stuart Mann, Director at Reclamet, has transformed a 30-year-old metal recycling business in Manston, near Ramsgate, Kent, into a thriving enterprise. With a lifelong passion for cars and extensive knowledge of the metal trade, Stuart took over the business in 2020 and has since quadrupled its size, expanding into new markets.
“I’ve always loved cars,” Stuart shares. “My dad was a car salesman, and we often discussed cars at home. Taking them apart to save the best parts and recycle the rest is only natural. In today’s throwaway culture, it’s absolutely essential.”
In 2020, Stuart assumed leadership of Reclamet, which then had twenty staff members. “Back then, Reclamet was well known locally as a metal recycling centre and an authorised treatment facility (ATF), but I knew there was potential to do so much more with vehicle recycling.”
Today, Reclamet employs over 80 people and has significantly expanded its vehicle recycling services. It remains a bustling scrap metal recycler, processing mixed metals and other materials, but has invested heavily in vehicle recycling.
As a registered ATF and dismantler for End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs), Reclamet had the framework for Stuart’s vision. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, Stuart began building his vision. A year and a half later, Reclamet was ready to take on its most significant project.
In 2023, Reclamet acquired a 40,000 sq ft warehouse, fully outfitted to stock over 100,000 parts, enhancing its capacity to process more vehicles. This investment included recruitment, more storage racking, improved yard equipment, and a state-of-the-art body shop and spray booth for repairs, utilising replacement used parts.
Under Stuart’s leadership, Reclamet’s annual turnover has skyrocketed from £1.4 million to £15 million in four years. Stuart says, “We’re VRAC certified and a top-rated seller on eBay, which is crucial for our auto parts business. We also sell parts through our website and our on-site shop.”
Stuart’s journey began in a council house in East London. Raised by a father, a boxer, who instilled a fighting spirit in his sons, Stuart chose swimming as his sport, and by 16, he had made it into the British Olympic training squad for the 50m freestyle. His determination and competitive nature were shaped by the transformative era of London’s Docklands, where he witnessed the rise of Canary Wharf.
After a brief stint as an apprentice electrician, Stuart began working as a junior trader at the London Stock Exchange. He excelled as an oil trader and earned a reputation in the metals sector. Combining his love for cars, knowledge of the metals sector, and desire to run his own company, Stuart seized the opportunity to buy Reclamet from Ampthill Metals.
Stuart’s long-term vision is to position Reclamet as a preferred supplier of used auto parts to major manufacturers like Mercedes and Ford. “Our core business is recycling car parts; at any one time, we have access to over 100,000 reusable green parts. Mechanics, insurers, and individuals want quality certified parts delivered quickly.”
“Recycling has become a political buzzword,” Stuart notes. “Instead of always buying new or aftermarket alternatives, why not give perfectly good cars a new lease on life? It’s good for business and the environment.”
Reclamet’s salvage team recovers damaged or end-of-life vehicles across the Southeast. The business has grown, in part, due to the Mayor’s ULEZ policy and incentives for scrapping older polluting cars. Reclamet’s website offers car scrappage, vehicle recovery and repair, vehicle parts, tyres, salvage auctions, and all types of metal recycling.
A trusted partner of global car auctioneers, Copart, Reclamet is recognised for its business agility and fast turnaround times. The company is exploring how AI can further improve its operations. Stuart attributes the company’s success to innovative practices like digital cataloguing and the hard work of his dedicated team, who are generously rewarded for their efforts.
Reclamet’s growth under Stuart Mann’s leadership is a testament to his vision, drive, and commitment to both business success and environmental sustainability.
Visit www.reclamet.co.uk
