In Memoriam: Martin L. Wilhelm

Marty Wilhelm, an owner of Youngstown (Ohio) Iron & Metal Inc. and Atlas Recycling Inc. died suddenly in a car accident in mid-November. Wilhelm, who was 47 when he died, was in the Caribbean nation of Trinidad & Tobago on a scrap buying trip with a business associate, Emile Valere, who also lost his life in the accident.

Wilhelm entered the recycling industry when he joined his father Harold “Bud” Wilhelm’s company Atlas Auto Crushers, in 1977. The company was established at that time and included an auto salvage and scrap metal yard along with trucking operations and mobile auto crushers. Marty became the chief operating officer and president of Atlas Recycling Inc., based in Warren, Ohio, and of Youngstown Iron & Metal, a business established in 1997 in which Marty and Bud shared ownership.

Youngstown Iron & Metal was created to operate an automobile shredder to provide recyclable material to steel mills and foundries in the Youngstown, Warren and Canton markets. Marty used emerging technologies and methods to recover the maximum amount of usable materials in the recycling process, with the goal of limiting the flow of material into the landfill.

Marty led the family-operated businesses into additional opportunities, including international scrap brokerage and structural demolition projects. One of his recent entrepreneurial projects was International Materials Trading Ltd., founded in 2006, which is involved in the international import-export business.

Marty had many dreams and a strong vision toward the future, according to family members and co-workers. He assembled and mentored a management team to help him manage day-to-day operations, allowing him to continue his entrepreneurial aspirations.

His foresight will allow his father, the management team, loyal customers and suppliers to continue the business that he built and loved, say his co-workers.

The companies were built with Marty’s strong belief in the importance of personal and business relationships, many of which were cultivated through the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc. (ISRI).

In addition to his entrepreneurial endeavors, Marty was an active member of the Argus Masonic Lodge in Canfield, Ohio; the Youngstown Shrine Club; and was committee chairman for Boy Scouts Troop 25 in Canfield. He had been involved with the scouting program for 16 years and enjoyed hiking, camping, scuba diving and flying. Marty showed a commitment to his community and a dedication to his family, friends and associates.

He is survived by his father Harold (Bud) and stepmother, Nancy; his wife Joanne, who he married in 1981; sons, Matthew and Christopher; his brother Scott and sister Christine.

Contributions can be made to the newly established Martin L. Wilhelm Charitable Account, which will provide funds for university scholarships, environmental projects and other community projects. Contributions can be made in person at any Chase Banking Center or by mail to JP Morgan Chase, 6 Federal Plaza West, Youngstown, OH 44503, Attention Private Client Services, OH2-5761.