Metro Metals Northwest, All Recycling Combine Businesses

Metro Metals Northwest, a Portland, Ore., scrap metal recycling firm, has announced that it is combining its business with All Recycling Inc., a Denver-based scrap metal recycler.

Metro Metals was formed in 1997 by three competitors, Metro Metals NW, Cliff Koppe Metals Inc. and Mt. Hood Metals Inc. The three companies formed a joint venture to build a $10 million automobile shredder in Vancouver, Wash. In 1999, the three companies merged to form Metro Metals Northwest Inc. After the merger, the operations were consolidated onto three operating yards.

In regards to the acquisition, Victor Winkler, president of Metro Metals Northwest, says, “The business combination will provide additional domestic and export recycling opportunities and will result in the establishment of the largest privately owned recycling operation in the western part of the United States with more than 400 employees. Currently, each operation has independently supplied either domestic or export steel mills, and the combination will be able to take advantage of each delivery source.”

Craig Uhrig, president of All Recycling, believes the employees of his operation will have increased career opportunities as part of an independent and privately owned recycler increasing its expansion in the Rocky Mountain region.

According to a news release, the owners of each operation have been working on the transaction for more than one year and have conducted a series of studies as to how to expand the combined operations after its completion. 

“There are tremendous opportunities to grow both top line revenues and profitability through additional strategic transactions,” Uhrig says.

Metro Metals adds that the combined company will significantly enhance Metro Metals’ nonferrous infrastructure investment. Steve Zusman, executive VP of Nonferrous Recycling, says that Metro will be adding more management staff to accommodate the additional tonnage that is expected to be handled with the addition of All Recycling.

The board of directors will consist of Victor Winkler, Steve Zusman, Craig Uhrig and Scott Uhrig. Ralph Miller will serve as chairman.