Harris American Company was established in April 2025 through the consolidation of three prominent subsidiaries of Avis Industrial Corporation: Harris Waste Management Group, American Baler Company, and International Baler Corporation. This strategic unification combined nearly 300 years of collective experience in the recycling and waste processing equipment industry, creating a comprehensive provider of material handling solutions. The formation of Harris American aimed to streamline operations, enhance service offerings, and leverage the strengths of each legacy brand to better serve a global customer base.
Harris Waste Management Group, founded in 1889 by R.C. Harris in Georgia, began as a machine shop servicing sawmills and locomotives. In 1938, the company made a significant advancement by designing a hydraulic scrap metal baling press, setting a new standard for compression force and speed in the industry. Over the decades, Harris expanded its product line to include shears, shredders, and balers, becoming a leader in ferrous and non-ferrous processing equipment. In 2014, Harris was acquired by Avis Industrial Corporation, further solidifying its position in the market.
American Baler Company, established in 1945 in Bellevue, Ohio, originated as an offshoot of the Ohio Cultivator Company. It quickly became one of the most respected baler manufacturers globally, known for its innovations such as the first continuous horizontal fiber baler and the first electro/hydraulic auto-tying system. American Baler’s product line includes a variety of balers designed for different applications, emphasizing energy efficiency and durability. The company became part of Avis Industrial Corporation in 1979, aligning with other industry leaders under the Avis umbrella.
International Baler Corporation (IBC), founded in 1946 and based in Jacksonville, Florida, has been a significant player in the industrial balers and recycling equipment industry. Known for its reliable and customizable balers, IBC offers over 200 standard models to cater to various recycling needs, including municipal facilities and high-volume warehouses. The company became a subsidiary of Avis Industrial Corporation, contributing its expertise and product range to the collective strength of Harris American.
Today, Harris American operates four manufacturing facilities across Georgia, Ohio, and Florida, employing approximately 350 team members and encompassing 480,000 square feet of production space. The company’s product offerings include single-ram, horizontal, two-ram, ferrous, and specialty balers; scrap metal and automobile shear/baler/loggers; and high-volume waste and scrap compactors. By integrating the rich histories and innovations of Harris, American Baler, and IBC, Harris American continues to provide reliable and efficient solutions to meet the evolving needs of the recycling and waste management industries.