Your community leader in metals recycling since 1912.

We Have Deep Roots

1900 to 1929

1900

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Seeds of Success planted in Canada – In the early 1900’s, the Yochlowitz and Goldstick families immigrate to Canada.

1912

1912

Joseph Yochlowitz begins scrap peddling business in Vancouver

1914

1914

Joseph’s sons Daniel and Charlie join the business

1919

The J. Yochlowitz Second Hand Dealer location established at 818 Main Street

1928

Joseph establishes Service Auto Wrecking located at 980 Main Street

1930 to 1949

1935

Daniel launches his own salvage business Scrap Metal Shop

1936

1936

Daniel Yochlowitz marries Molly Goldstick

1949

1949

Daniel opens ABC Salvage and Metal Company on Main Street with the goal of being the first company name in the phone book.

1950 to 1969

1957

1957

Daniel’s son, Melvyn Yochlowitz, joins the business full time at age 16

1961

1961

Daniel’s son, Harold Yochlowitz, joins the business full time son at age 22

1964

1964

10-acre property purchased in Burnaby – home to ABC’s Head Office

1970 to 1989

1970

Harold takes on day-to-day leadership of business as CEO

1970

1970

Burnaby yard operations grow through an enhanced business strategy – shifting from salvage to recycling, and selling material directly to steel mills.

1975

ABC Salvage renamed to ABC Recycling

Mid 1970’s

the company built a spur to the main railroad line and started selling to US customers.

1980

Non-ferrous business emerges through further enhancement of the business model.

1987

1987

Harold and Mel’s sister, Helen Alko, joins the company

1988

1988

Harold’s son, David Yochlowitz, joins the company full-time

1990 to 2009

1996

1996

–ABC’s Campbell River location opens

1999

1999

Helen’s daughter, Karen Alko, joins the company full-time

David takes on day-to-day leadership of business as CEO

2001

2001

David named to BIV Top 40 Under 40 list

2004

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ABC named to BC Business Magazine’s Top 50 Private Up & Comers list

2005

2005

ABC acquires Bold Salvage in Terrace

2006

Harold’s son, Mike Yochlowitz, joins the business full-time

2006

2006

ABC acquires Action Metals in Kelowna

2007

2007

ABC’s Surrey location opens

Canadian Association of Family Enterprise – Grant Thornton Family Enterprise of the Year Award recipient

2008

2008

Burnaby Business Excellence Awards – Business of the Year

2010 to present

2011

David Yochlowitz acknowledged by BCIT with the Distinguished Alumni Award

2012

ABC’s Fort St. John location opens

2012

2012

ABC celebrates its 100th anniversary

2013

ABC acquires Grande Prairie Salvage

2013

2013

ABC inducted into the Burnaby Business Hall of Fame bestowed jointly by the Burnaby Board of Trade and the City of Burnaby.

Recycling Council of BC Environmental Award, Private Sector – Presented to a business with outstanding initiatives to preserve and protect our environment

2014

2014

Burnaby Hospital Foundation Award for Corporate Citizenship

2015

2015

ABC’s Nanaimo location opens

2018

2018

Campbell River Chamber of Commerce International Export Award

Karen Alko named Top Family Leaders to Watch by Family Business Magazine

2022

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David Yochlowitz Top Family Business CEO’s to Watch by Family Business Magazine

2023

2023

Winner of Canada’s Best Managed Program

ABC acquires Fraser Valley Metal Recycling in Abbotsford

2023

ABC acquires Fraser Valley Metals in Abbotsford.

2024

ABC acquires Skagit River Steel & Recycling in Burlington Washington.

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