Metro Group
Metro Group is a privately held, family-owned scrap metal recycler, broker, and transloading company operating nine facilities across Utah, Idaho, and Nevada. It serves commercial and industrial customers with container, on-site cleanup, and rail-truck transloading services, plus retail walk-in consumers, processing approximately 1.5 million pounds of metal daily.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1976
- HeadquartersSalt Lake City, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Metro Group does
Metro Group, Inc. is a privately held, family-owned scrap metal recycling, brokerage, and transloading company headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. Founded in 1976 by third-generation operator Bill Bond (evolving out of an early-1900s Bontsik family scrap collection business), the company operates nine facilities across Utah, Idaho, and Nevada, employing more than 250 people and processing approximately 1.5 million pounds of metal per day. It is currently operated by 4th and 5th generation family members alongside a dedicated core management team. The business serves two distinct customer segments: commercial/industrial accounts (manufacturers, demolition contractors, construction firms, steel fabricators, mining operations, and logistics companies) and retail consumers who bring scrap directly to Metro's buying doors for cash payment.
Metro's service platform spans six core offerings: retail recycling (walk-in scrap purchase with on-site weighing and immediate payment), commercial metal recycling (container delivery, scheduled pickup, and on-site demolition cleanup), container services (Square Bins, Lugger, Roll-off, Flatbed, Low-Sided, and Box Trailers with 5,000–45,000 lb capacities), transloading (rail-to-truck material handling at a 10-acre facility with three rail spurs connecting Union Pacific and BNSF), international brokerage (intermediating transactions between scrap yards and global buyers across Latin America, Europe, and Asia), and a Recycling Rewards loyalty program managed through the RewardBooth mobile platform. Underlying technology is commodity-logistics oriented — state-of-the-art sorting, weighing, and grading equipment, heavy loading machinery, and a full owned fleet of trucks and trailers — rather than software- or AI-driven. The company holds no disclosed patents, AI/ML capabilities, or external institutional capital.
Metro's revenue model combines transactional buy-sell spreads on scrap metal purchase and resale (to domestic mills/foundries and international buyers via brokerage), container service fees, transloading fees, and brokerage commissions. Pricing is market-based with publicly published retail rates (e.g., ferrous $80–$95/ton, aluminum $0.70–$1.95/lb, copper $1.75–$4.95/lb, brass $2.45–$3.00/lb) and customized commercial pricing for larger volumes. Distribution is conducted through a regional field-sales motion targeting enterprise accounts, direct-to-consumer walk-in locations, and channel partnerships with non-competing yards in adjacent markets. The company has grown through a combination of organic expansion and three acquisition waves (2003, 2013, 2016), maintaining anchor relationships including a 34-year partnership with Kennecott Utah Copper and 20+ year relationships with Utility Trailer Manufacturing and Robinson Fans.
Metro Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Metro Group
- Legal name
- Metro Group, Inc.
- Website
- https://metrogroup.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1976
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Metro Group is a privately held, family-owned scrap metal recycler, broker, and transloading company operating nine facilities across Utah, Idaho, and Nevada. It serves commercial and industrial customers with container, on-site cleanup, and rail-truck transloading services, plus retail walk-in consumers, processing approximately 1.5 million pounds of metal daily.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Metro Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Scrap Metal Recycling Services
- NAICS
- Metal Service Centers and Other Metal Merchant Wholesalers (423510), Solid Waste Collection (562111), Waste Collection (56211)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Metals & Minerals (No Petroleum) (5050), Refuse Systems (4953)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Metals Recycling & Processing (Ferrous/Non-Ferrous) (BPALADAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Scrap Metal Collection, Logistics & Aggregation (Yards, Roll-off, Container Programs) (IMAKAMAK), Non-Ferrous Scrap Processing & Recycling (Aluminum, Copper, Brass, Lead, Zinc) (EUAIAJAB), Ferrous Scrap Processing & Recycling (Steel/Iron) (EUAIAJAA), Scrap & Recyclables Bulk Transport (Metal/Glass/Paper) (TLADAKAL)
Keywords
Where Metro Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Salt Lake City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Metro Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Scrap Metal Purchasing and Resale: Metro purchases scrap metal from commercial and retail customers, processes it, and resells to mills and foundries domestically and internationally
- Brokerage Services: Metro acts as intermediary between scrap yards and international buyers, facilitating global transactions and earning commissions on trades
- Transloading Services: Moving materials between rail and truck for customers without rail facilities. Includes load brokering and transportation logistics support
- Container Services: Providing and delivering containers for commercial clients to collect scrap metal, with scheduled pickups
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Ferrous metals - retail pricing |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Aluminum - retail pricing |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Copper - retail pricing |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Brass - retail pricing |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Stainless Steel and other metals |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Coupon bonus |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Metro Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Metro Group purchases, processes, and resells scrap metal (ferrous and non-ferrous such as steel, aluminum, copper, brass, and stainless) from commercial and retail customers at nine yards across Utah, Idaho, and Nevada. It complements this core recycling business with rail-to-truck transloading services connecting Union Pacific and BNSF rail networks to truck transportation, and an international brokerage that matches processed scrap with overseas mills and foundries in Asia, Europe, and Latin America. The company also delivers containers, executes on-site demolition cleanups, and serves as Utah's premier full-service metal recycler.
Product overview
Metro Group is a scrap metal recycling company operating as a multi-service platform offering retail recycling, commercial metal recycling, transloading, and brokerage services. The core offering combines retail drop-off with commercial container services and on-site cleanup capabilities. The transloading service connects Union Pacific and BNSF rail networks with truck transportation. Brokerage services facilitate international trade. Container services include Square Bins, Lugger Containers, Roll-off Containers, Flatbed Trailers, Low-Sided Trailers, and Box Trailers. The company operates multiple Utah and Idaho locations and supports a Recycling Rewards Program through the RewardBooth platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Retail Recycling Scrap metal recycling service for individuals; pays customers cash for aluminum cans, copper wire, brass fixtures, old appliances, catalytic converters, and other accepted metals brought directly to Metro yard locations.
- Commercial Metal Recycling Business-focused scrap metal recycling services including container delivery, scheduled pickup, commercial buyer consultations, and on-site cleanup for construction, demolition, and industrial operations.
- Container Services Delivery and pickup of multiple container types (Square Bins, Lugger Containers, Roll-off Containers, Flatbed Trailers, Low-Sided Trailers, Box Trailers) sized 5,000 to 45,000 lbs for commercial scrap collection, with scheduled pickups.
- On-Site Cleanups Large-scale demolition and scrap removal at customer locations; Metro evaluates the site, executes cleanup, removes materials, and pays customers based on weight and preparation needs.
- Transloading Services Rail-to-truck material handling connecting Union Pacific and BNSF rail networks with truck transportation, supported by heavy loading equipment, storage, and load brokering; routinely handles loads exceeding 70,000 lbs.
- Scrap Metal Brokerage Intermediation service connecting scrap yards with international buyers in Latin America, Europe, and Asia to facilitate competitive scrap metal transactions and earn commissions.
Quantifiable outcome
- 34-year partnership with Kennecott Utah Copper with zero recordable accidents
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Metro Group
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Metro Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature2 records
Metro Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.
- Kennecott Utah Coppercore34-year partnership providing grinding media transloading and delivery services to mining and copper refining operation. No recordable accidents throughout partnership.
- Union Pacific RailroadcoreMetro Transloading connects with Union Pacific rail for receiving and shipping materials. Open switching arrangement allows direct railcar deliveries.
- BNSF RailwaycoreMetro Transloading connects with BNSF rail for receiving and shipping materials. Open switching arrangement allows direct railcar deliveries.
- Salt Lake Railroad (Utah Railway)strategicLong-standing working relationship with Salt Lake Railroad, characterized by clear, open, and timely communication.
- Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction CompanycoreTransloading partner for SLC International Airport redevelopment project. Metro handled over 5000 pieces of H-pile sections and steel pipe for the project.
- North American RecyclingminorPartner location in Nampa, Idaho recommended for customers seeking closer locations.
- MillCreek MetalsminorPartner locations in Idaho Falls and Blackfoot, Idaho recommended for customers seeking closer locations.
- Redwood RecyclingminorPartner location in Taylorsville, Utah; also participates in Charge Your Yard program.
- Valley Metal RecyclingminorPartner location in Logan, Utah recommended for customers seeking closer locations.
- Wasatch Metal RecyclingminorPartner location in Salt Lake City, Utah. Also participates in Charge Your Yard program and accepts refrigerators with Freon removal for $20 fee.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Metro Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Radius Recycling (formerly Schnitzer Steel): Radius Recycling is a publicly-traded West Coast-focused scrap metal recycler and steel producer with significant operations across the Western US and Pacific Northwest. As a much larger, publicly-funded platform, it competes with Metro for ferrous and non-ferrous scrap supply in overlapping geographies and serves similar end markets (mills, foundries, exporters).
- Republic Services: Republic Services is a major publicly-traded national solid waste and recycling services provider. While broader in scope than Metro, it operates recycling and metals recovery programs that overlap with Metro's commercial container and recycling services for industrial and construction customers.
- Waste Management Inc. Waste Management is the largest US provider of waste and recycling services with significant metals recovery operations. As a broad incumbent, it competes with Metro for commercial waste/recycling contracts and competes in the same end markets for scrap metal, albeit with a much larger national footprint and broader service portfolio.
- Sims Metal Management: Sims Metal is a global publicly-traded scrap metal recycler with significant North American operations. As a broad incumbent, it competes with Metro for non-ferrous scrap supply, international brokerage flows, and end-market relationships with steel mills and foundries. It serves as a relevant larger-scale comparator for Metro's growth trajectory.
Direct peers
- North American Recycling: North American Recycling operates as a channel partner to Metro Group in Nampa, Idaho and is a regional scrap metal recycler in the Pacific Northwest/Intermountain West. It directly competes with Metro in Idaho and surrounding markets for both retail and commercial scrap volumes.
- MillCreek Metals: MillCreek Metals operates scrap metal recycling yards in Idaho Falls and Blackfoot, Idaho as a channel partner to Metro Group. It is a direct regional competitor serving similar retail and commercial customers in Idaho with comparable services (ferrous/non-ferrous buying, container service).
- Wasatch Metal Recycling: Wasatch Metal Recycling operates a Salt Lake City scrap metal yard as a Metro Group channel partner participating in the Charge Your Yard program. It is a direct local competitor serving the same Salt Lake City retail and commercial customers with similar ferrous/non-ferrous recycling services.
- Redwood Recycling: Redwood Recycling operates in Taylorsville, Utah as a Metro Group channel partner. It is a direct regional competitor in the Salt Lake City metro area, serving similar retail walk-in and commercial scrap customers with comparable pricing transparency and service offerings.
- Valley Metal Recycling: Valley Metal Recycling operates in Logan, Utah as a Metro Group channel partner. It is a direct competitor in northern Utah serving similar retail and commercial customers with comparable scrap metal buying services.
Regional players
- Casella Waste Systems: Casella Waste Systems is a regional solid waste, recycling, and resource management services provider primarily serving the Northeastern US. While geographically non-overlapping with Metro, it operates a comparable model of vertically-integrated waste collection and recycling services including metals recovery, making it a useful operational comparator.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks1 record
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Metro Group social profiles
Digital presenceMetro Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Metro Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Metro Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Metro Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Metro Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Metro Group
What does Metro Group do?
Metro Group purchases, processes, and resells scrap metal (ferrous and non-ferrous such as steel, aluminum, copper, brass, and stainless) from commercial and retail customers at nine yards across Utah, Idaho, and Nevada. It complements this core recycling business with rail-to-truck transloading services connecting Union Pacific and BNSF rail networks to truck transportation, and an international brokerage that matches processed scrap with overseas mills and foundries in Asia, Europe, and Latin America. The company also delivers containers, executes on-site demolition cleanups, and serves as Utah's premier full-service metal recycler.
Is Metro Group a public or private company?
Metro Group is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Metro Group founded?
Metro Group was founded in 1976. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Metro Group based?
Metro Group is headquartered in Salt Lake City, United States, in the North America region.
How does Metro Group make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Scrap Metal Purchasing and Resale is the primary driver. The others are brokerage Services, transloading Services and container Services.
Who are Metro Group's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Radius Recycling (formerly Schnitzer Steel), Republic Services, Waste Management Inc. and Sims Metal Management. Direct peers are North American Recycling, MillCreek Metals, Wasatch Metal Recycling, Redwood Recycling and Valley Metal Recycling. Casella Waste Systems is listed as a regional player.
Does Metro Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for Metro Group.
What industry is Metro Group in?
Metro Group's product category is Scrap Metal Recycling Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPALADAF, Metals Recycling & Processing (Ferrous/Non-Ferrous), with a secondary code of IMAKAMAK, Scrap Metal Collection, Logistics & Aggregation (Yards, Roll-off, Container Programs). Its NAICS code is 423510 and its SIC code is 5050.