History of Reliant

In 2009, Jake Himel, founder and sole owner of Reliant Recycling always had a passion for being a businessman and giving back to the community. After the birth of his first son, he knew it was time to build something stable, meaningful, and lasting for his family and future.

At the time, he was working in real estate and insurance sales, but it wasn’t where his heart was. One afternoon, during lunch with a group of attorneys, someone mentioned the scrap business. That conversation stuck with him. After a lot of research and conversations with a local mill, he decided to take a chance.

With a line of credit from the bank and a lot of determination, he started Reliant Recycling. With what began with a few 30-foot containers and a handful of machine shop accounts, subbing out roll-off trucking to get the job done.

From the beginning, service was the focus. Jake learned early on working valet that if you don't take care of the customer, you don't get the tip. That lesson shaped everything about how Reliant Recycling operated. When a customer called for a swap or pickup, the company made sure it happened the same day — no excuses. That commitment to service quickly set us apart from the competition.

Building the business took grit, plain and simple. Jake worked 24/7, stayed in the fight, and refused to give up when others thought he would fail. Every step of the way, he pushed through obstacles and kept moving forward. Early on, Jake bought out an initial partner and, several years later, completed full ownership by buying out the other. Reliant’s growth has always been built on hard work, strong relationships, and a relentless drive to serve our customers better everyday.

After securing our first group of loyal accounts, we expanded into the manufacturing side of the scrap business. For three years, we focused on briquetting steel turnings, adding new processing capabilities. From there, Reliant transitioned into full scrap processing, specializing in platforms and marine scrap, allowing us to take on larger, more complex industrial projects.

Today, Reliant operates from three strategic waterfront locations, serving industrial customers throughout the Southern Gulf region, with a strong focus on Louisiana. We work exclusively with industrial accounts — not the public — giving our customers faster service, better communication, and a real partner they can trust.

April 2014- Reliant Recycling reached a major milestone that helped shape the future of our company. That year, we proudly processed our very first offshore platform, marking our official entry into the offshore decommissioning and rig recycling industry. This project tested our capabilities, strengthened our commitment to safety and environmental responsibility, and proved that our team could handle even the most complex dismantling operations. It laid the foundation for what has become one of our core service areas today. From that moment on, we knew we weren’t just recycling metal—we were helping reshape the Gulf Coast’s approach to sustainable offshore operations.

June 2015- Reliant took a major step forward in our journey by acquiring what would become our flagship facility in Houma, Louisiana. This location wasn’t just a bigger yard—it was a game-changer. With direct access to the Houma Navigational Canal and increased waterfront capabilities, we dramatically expanded our ability to process offshore platforms, vessels, and large-scale industrial scrap. In October of 2015, Reliant processed the first vessel with great access in the Houma yard. The Houma facility allowed us to centralize operations, increase efficiency, and better serve our Gulf Coast clients. It became the heart of Reliant Recycling—where our team, our equipment, and our mission all came together under one roof.

2019- A standout year for Reliant Recycling—one that truly showcased the strength, skill, and determination of our team. That year, we successfully dismantled and recycled 35 boats, including commercial vessels, barges, and offshore support craft. This marked our biggest ship-wrecking accomplishment to date. Each vessel brought its own set of challenges, but our crew handled every job with precision and care. This milestone solidified our reputation as a trusted leader in marine vessel recycling and proved that when it comes to heavy-duty decommissioning, Reliant gets the job done right.

2020- A year that truly put Reliant Recycling on the map in the marine dismantling world. We proudly reached a major milestone—dismantling and recycling 250 hopper barges. That’s not just a number—it’s a testament to the grit, experience, and relentless work ethic of our team. These weren’t small jobs. Each barge required detailed planning, heavy coordination, and the kind of precision only seasoned professionals can deliver. This accomplishment not only reinforced our reputation across the Gulf Coast but also proved that no job is too big for Reliant. We’re proud of the work we did and the partnerships we built that year, setting a new standard for what we could achieve.

2021- A banner year for Reliant Recycling. We proudly surpassed a major accomplishment by processing over 200 offshore platforms structures to date. These structures came from across the Gulf of America, each one representing years of offshore history and engineering. Taking them apart safely, responsibly, and efficiently wasn’t just a job—it was a mission. Our team showed up every single day with purpose and precision, committed to setting the standard for environmentally responsible offshore decommissioning. This accomplishment reflects who we are: leaders in heavy industrial recycling, problem solvers, and trusted partners to the offshore energy community.

2023- Reliant Recycling proudly opened the doors to our new office and yard in Elmwood, New Orleans, marking a major step in our continued growth across Louisiana. This expansion wasn’t just about adding square footage—it was about strengthening our presence in a key industrial hub. The Elmwood location gives us faster access to clients throughout Southeast Louisiana and adds valuable yard space for material handling, staging, and processing. With this new facility, we’ve not only grown our footprint—we’ve deepened our commitment to delivering efficient, responsive service to the Gulf Coast region. Elmwood is more than a location—it’s part of our future.

THE HISTORY OF RELIANT RECYCLING