Small size isn't a barrier to making a global contribution

Despite its diminutive size, Highland Park prides itself on being global minded, on emphasizing the success of our students, and for being progressive on issues such as the environment. So it comes as no surprise that three of Highland Park’s own alumni are integral employees of one of the smartest and greenest raw material export companies in the country, Anbakam Metals, based out of East Brunswick.

The company name comes from a word that means “house of love” in Tamil and Indian dialect. Though, with its ever-growing ventures, its international recognition, and a goal of growing into a billion-dollar-a-year company, Anbakam Metals seems more a budding empire than a simple house.

Owner and president Siva Kumar Balasubramanian (often called ‘Mr. Bala’ for short by employees and customers), chose the name Anbakam for the fact that “his co-workers are his family and they treat him the same,” says Philip Smart, a purchasing executive for the company and 2002 HPHS graduate. “(The) friendship that is shared throughout the office makes for a hard-working team that lets nothing stand in their way.”

Yet even before the love for their co-workers, there was a love for the mission at hand; one rooted in both protecting the environment and providing quality material for the infrastructural growth of developing countries. In recycling scrap metals and exporting to India, Pakistan, Vietnam, Malaysia, and South Korea, employees of Anbakam take pride in their service to the world and its peoples.

“By commercially processing scrap, we’ve created new methods of recycling and reducing waste. Processing recyclables is a highly effective system to help aid in ecological preservation,” says the company in a statement on their website.

It was this mission and the drive of Mr. Bala, specifically, that appealed to Conor O’Brien, HPHS Class of 2000 and Vice President for Anbakam. “When I met the owner and listened to his business plan, I became interested in working with someone whose goals were so focused,” O’Brien said. VerLeea McDonald, also of HPHS’s Class of 2000, credits the size, youthfulness, and the motivation in all its employees that made the work attractive.

It’s work that Highland Park seems to have cultivated its students specifically for, both academically and morally. “Conor, VerLeea, and I all remember being influenced by Highland Park’s recycling and green solutions projects. Events like Earth Day were taken seriously by teachers showing the children how important it is to keep the Earth clean,” says Smart. “Growing up in such a diverse town also allowed us to be able to excel in international business by working with people from all types of cultures.”

Anbakam continues to grow, seeking additional avenues of renewable energy and establishing itself in an even wider market, including wind and solar energies over the next several years.

And their efforts have not gone unrecognized. On March 31, Congressman Rush Holt and federal commerce officials joined Anbakam’s staff for brunch, presenting Siva Balasubramanian with the Commerce Department’s Export Achievement Certificate.

“This is one of the most prestigious awards that any export company could receive,” Smart says. “Anbakam was able to create several jobs for people during the tough economy, as well as generate growth for the local economy.”

Not bad work for three small town graduates.