Mallin Bros. Celebrates 80 Years

Mallin Bros. Co. Inc., Kansas City, Mo., is celebrating 80 years in business as a recycler of scrap materials.

Beginning in 1928, leading his horse drawn wagon throughout the city and surrounding areas, the late Harry G. Mallin bought recyclables such as bottles, rags, magazines, copper, aluminum and scrap iron.

Through several decades, the company has expanded its production to include a shredding operation and one of the largest wire processing facilities in the nation.

“My father was so forward thinking in his approach to processing wire,” says Jeffrey Mallin, the company’s president and the third generation Mallin family member to run the business. “He created a special niche for our company in the recycling industry that has been very successful. We are in our 40th year processing wire and are very excited about our plant expansion and brand new technologies coming on-stream this year.”

Utilities, wire manufacturers, electrical contractors and other scrap dealers make up the customer base that generates wire and cable scrap for the Mallin Bros. operation. Being centrally located in the heart of the country has been a major logistical advantage, says Jeff Mallin, as has being a member of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc. (ISRI).

Jeff Mallin also points to a rich tradition handed down to him by his father, Larry G. Mallin, CEO of the company. “I am lucky to have a business partner that not only shares his wealth of 50-plus years of business experience with me, but also really enjoys working together—and I feel the same way,” says Jeff.

“My grandfather, uncle, and father taught me that honesty, integrity, and perseverance are the characteristics needed to be successful in business and in life,” remarks Jeff. “I guess 80 years and still going strong validates their teachings.”