ReMA New Member Spotlight: Commodities United LLC

New ReMA member Commodities United LLC has a collective 20+ years of experience in the metals market, allowing them to act as a trusted intermediary for traders, producers, and consumers. Based in Jacksonville, FL, the company trades a variety of primary metals including aluminum, copper, tin, nickel, and zinc.

The company is owned and founded by Gustavo Gonzalez. According to the company's website, by having a round-the-clock level of communication, they can predict potential issues before they materialize and create an informative transaction that benefits all parties. Commodities United also offers consultation services to other companies.

ReMA News spoke with Gonzalez about the company, his background, and how he decided to join ReMA.

Tell me about your background and how it led you to Commodities United.

My first experience in the industry was working as the Manager for the Puerto Ordaz office for Mitsubishi in Venezuela in 2007 we started supporting the trading team in the New York office. While there I worked in primary metals such aluminum. I started helping with the trade index and in 2008 I was transferred to Mitsubishi New York. Then I went to Engelhart ECTP where I helped develop their North American metals market. After they shut down their physical book in December 2018, I started making rounds to my contacts at various trading firms. I kept hearing, "We like you, but we can't hire you, but we don't want to lose you. If you set up your own business, we'll support you." It turns out the trading firms really meant it.

In 2021 we moved to Florida and after finding an accounting firm we launched Commodities United. We trade mostly primary products like copper, zinc, aluminum, and tin. In addition to trading, we provide consulting services for banks, warehouses, or with other clients that need help with developing metals market. We also have a third-party logistics company in Jacksonville where we receive metals, segregate them, and arrange for them to be delivered.

What are some of your short- and long-term goals for the company?

Commodities United has had consistent growth over the past several years. We traded more metals this past year than we expected on the primary side. So, going into next year we're planning to focus on developing other markets and increase the number of customers.

How did you learn about ReMA? And how did you decide to join the association?

I've been in the business a long time and have known about ReMA for years. I used to attend the ReMA Roundtables and ReMA's spring meeting. This is a business where everyone knows each other.

While Commodities United doesn't have the same name as some bigger trading companies, we're well established now in Jacksonville, and we have our core team in place with myself, my two sons, and our new hire who handles the IT and back office. We're family-owned business with 20 years of experience, mostly in the Mexican and Latin American metals markets. We also have a wide network of connections in the recycled materials industry and we're happy to leverage those connections.

So, what we're looking for now is exposure; we want people to see us and get to know us and what we have to offer. I'm looking forward to attending ReMA events and getting to know other members.