The history of ABC Recycling is intertwined with the legacy of the Yochlowitz family. Joseph Yochlowitz and his wife Sarah immigrated to Canada from Poland at the turn of the last century, eventually settling in Vancouver. In 1912, Joseph began a scrap peddling business, working the streets of the young city with horse and wagon. He was soon joined by his son, Daniel. In 1935, Daniel opened his own scrap metal business and, 14 years later, bought a building and established ABC Salvage and Metal Company.
Over the years, subsequent generations of family members have joined the business, and leadership has been handed from Daniel to his son Harold, and from Harold to his eldest son, David. The company has continued to flourish so that today, third and fourth-generation family members are actively involved in growing ABC Recycling for future generations.
Milestones
|
1912 |
Joseph begins scrap peddling business in Vancouver; his son Daniel joins soon after |
|
1935 |
Daniel launches his own salvage business |
|
1949 |
Daniel opens ABC Salvage and Metal Company on Main Street in Vancouver |
|
1961 |
Daniel’s son Harold joins ABC |
|
1964 |
10-acre property purchased in Burnaby |
|
1970s |
Business relocates to Burnaby and begins to shift from salvage to recycling Company builds spur to main railroad line ABC employs 14 people |
|
1975 |
Name changes to ABC Recycling |
|
1980 |
Non-ferrous business emerges |
|
1981 |
ABC Recycling begins exports to Japan |
|
1988 |
Harold’s son David joins company full time ABC Recycling employs 35 people |
|
1993 |
ABC Recycling expands to Campbell River |
|
1995 2000 |
Exports to China begins; brokerage business emerges Helen's daughter Karen joins the company full time |
|
2004 |
Company joins Canadian Association of Family Enterprises (CAFÉ) |
|
2005 2006 |
Forms joint venture partnership with Bold Salvage & Recycling in Terrace ABC Recycling employs 66 people Harold's son Mike joins the company full time |
|
2007 |
ABC Recycling expands to Surrey Forms joint venture partnership with Action Metals Recycling in Kelowna ABC employs more than 130 people at operations throughout BC |
|
2010 |
ABC Recycling partners with The Kidney Foundation of Canada, establishing Kidney Metals and taking over the Kidney Car program in BC |
|
2011 |
ABC Recycling in partnership with Bold Salvage expands to Prince George Action Metals Recycling and Bold Salvage & Recycling adopt the ABC Recycling brand |
|
2012 |
ABC Recycling celebrates its 100th Anniversary |