A&S Metals--Founded on Trust

A&S Metals began humbly enough in Moss Landing, Calif., in northern Monterey County in 1969 when George Silva, one of the company’s founders, decided to do something about the tons of metal lost to the local landfill.

During the company’s first year of operation, the partners—George and his wife Louise, their son Stan Sr. and Louise’s brothers James and Ed Ash—received loose scrap metal and loaded it by hand for delivery to the San Francisco Bay area. Realizing that they could benefit from a baler, Stan Sr. began constructing one for the operation. It took him nine months to complete the project, which proved critical to the company’s future success.

A&S Metals expanded in 1979 with the installation of a shredder, at which point Stan Sr. says the business changed from a "junk yard to a scrap yard." The shredder installation was followed by the addition of a new 4200 portable baler/logger from Sierra International Machinery, Bakersfield, Calif., in 1985.

Stan Silva Jr., Danette Silva and Stan Silva Sr.

Today, Stan Sr. owns the company with two of his four children, his daughter Danette and his son Stan Jr. The Silva family’s relationship with Sierra and the Sacco family continues, as A&S prepares for the delivery of a T750 shear/baler/logger in December of 2005. In fact, A&S Metals has owned several Sierra machines in the last 20 years, including a Macpresse horizontal ram baler to handle the baling of cardboard, paper and plastics.

"A&S Metals’ relationship with Sierra can be traced back for 20 years," Stan Sr. says. "The relationship is based on trust, loyalty and dependability."

Danette agrees. "The Saccos are fantastic people to work with. They’re always there for us."

Stan Jr. says, "Because of the versatility of Sierra’s equipment, we are not limited to the management of ferrous-based scrap metal, but we are able to process and handle nonferrous metals, plastics, corrugated paper, mixed paper, etc."

The Silvas agree that the Sacco family’s experience running a scrap yard contributes to the unmatched performance of its machinery. "Because of Sierra’s experience in the recycling industry, they are intimately familiar with the industry’s needs," making Sierra’s equipment efficient and targeted, Stan Jr. says.

"Trustworthy and long-lasting equipment, coupled with unmatched service from dependable people keep A&S Metals coming back," Stan Sr. says of his company’s relationship with Sierra and the company’s dedication to quality service.

"It’s been our experience that Sierra’s equipment is exceptionally dependable and long-lived," he adds. "These features translate into huge long-term savings for our company."