River Metals Recycling
River Metals Recycling is a privately held scrap metal recycler operating 18 facilities across Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Tennessee, and Alabama. It purchases and processes ferrous, non-ferrous, and electronic scrap from individual consumers and industrial clients as a wholly owned subsidiary of Nucor-affiliated The David J. Joseph Company.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersErlanger, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What River Metals Recycling does
River Metals Recycling (RMR) is a privately held scrap metal recycler headquartered in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, and a wholly owned subsidiary of The David J. Joseph Company (DJJ), itself part of Nucor Corporation's family of companies since 2008. Founded in 1998 through the consolidation of the Klempner Brothers yard, River City Baling, River City Shredding (all Louisville, KY), and DJJ's Henderson and Newport, KY yards, RMR today operates 18 recycling facilities across Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Tennessee, and Alabama, and is described as the largest scrap recycler in Kentucky and the greater Cincinnati area. Its asset base includes four automobile shredders, one aluminum shredder, balers, shears, mobile shearing equipment, torch processing stations, auto crushers, an extensive truck fleet, certified scales, and patented on-line bulk scrap analyzers used to certify scrap chemistry for buyers.
RMR purchases and processes ferrous scrap (iron, steel, end-of-life vehicles), non-ferrous scrap (aluminum, copper, brass, wire), and electronic scrap (cell phones, computers, hard drives), serving two primary customer segments: individual consumers selling household scrap for immediate cash payment, and business and industrial clients (manufacturing plants, construction companies, auto wreckers) requiring container services, transportation, mobile car crushing and baling, demolition, dismantling, and railcar and barge processing. The company also runs the MyScrapInfo.com customer portal for industrial account management and dispatches mobile service crews across Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia. Six facilities hold OSHA SHARP safety certification, and RMR has received the Nucor President's Safety Award and Kentucky Governor's Safety and Health Award, reinforcing its preferred-vendor positioning with regulated industrial counterparties.
RMR generates revenue on a transactional basis: market-rate cash purchases from individual scrap sellers (paid via on-site ATM) and service-fee arrangements with industrial clients for logistics, container rental, demolition, and specialized processing. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and varies with commodity market conditions. As a vertically integrated supplier inside the Nucor/DJJ scrap ecosystem—alongside sister affiliates Advantage Metals Recycling, Trademark Metals Recycling, Western Metals Recycling, Texas Port Recycling, Metal Recycling Services, and Gemini Recycling—RMR benefits from corporate backing, capital access, and a captive offtake channel to Nucor's steel mills, while operating with operational independence in regional scrap procurement and processing.
River Metals Recycling firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- River Metals Recycling
- Legal name
- River Metals Recycling, LLC
- Website
- https://rmrecycling.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- River Metals Recycling is a privately held scrap metal recycler operating 18 facilities across Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Tennessee, and Alabama. It purchases and processes ferrous, non-ferrous, and electronic scrap from individual consumers and industrial clients as a wholly owned subsidiary of Nucor-affiliated The David J. Joseph Company.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
River Metals Recycling industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Scrap Metal Recycling
- NAICS
- Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing (3314), Secondary Smelting and Alloying of Aluminum (331314)
- SIC
- Refuse Systems (4953)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Metals Recycling & Processing (Ferrous/Non-Ferrous) (BPALADAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Non-Ferrous Scrap Processing & Brokerage (Aluminum, Copper, Brass/Bronze, Lead, Zinc, Nickel) (IMAKAMAB), Ferrous Scrap Processing & Recycling (Steel/Iron) (EUAIAJAA), E-Waste & Electronics Metal Recovery (ITAD, Circuit Boards, Precious Metal Recovery) (IMAKAMAG), Industrial & Manufacturing Scrap Recycling (Factory Scrap, Turnings, Offcuts) (IMAKAMAE), Auto Shredding & Metal Fragmentation (Shredder Operations) (EUAIAJAD)
Keywords
Where River Metals Recycling is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Erlanger
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices20 records
Markets served
River Metals Recycling business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Scrap Metal Purchase and Processing: RMR purchases ferrous scrap (iron, steel, autos that stick to magnets), non-ferrous scrap (aluminum, copper, brass, wire), e-scrap, and end-of-life vehicles from individuals and businesses, processes the materials at their facilities using shredders and balers, and sells the processed scrap to steel mills and manufacturers.
- Industrial Scrap Management Services: Provides container services, transportation, mobile crushing, mobile baling, demolition, dismantling, and railcar processing for industrial clients. Revenue from service fees for logistics and specialized equipment operations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Competitive market-based pricing for ferrous, non-ferrous, and e-scrap materials |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
River Metals Recycling product offering
Product offeringCore offering
River Metals Recycling (RMR) purchases ferrous scrap (iron, steel, autos), non-ferrous scrap (aluminum, copper, brass, wire), electronic scrap, and end-of-life vehicles from individuals and businesses at 18 facilities across the Midwest. The company processes the scrap using shredders, balers, shears, mobile shearing, torch processing, auto crushers, and certified scales, then sells processed scrap to steel mills and manufacturers. Industrial clients additionally receive container services, transportation, mobile crushing, mobile baling, demolition, dismantling, and railcar processing.
Product overview
River Metals Recycling (RMR) operates as the largest scrap recycler in Kentucky and the greater Cincinnati area, offering a unified platform of recycling services through 18 facilities across five states. The core offering centers on purchasing and processing ferrous metals (iron, steel, autos), nonferrous metals (aluminum, copper, brass, wire), and electronic scrap from household sellers, businesses, and industrial clients. Key services include household scrap purchasing, E-Scrap recycling, end-of-life vehicle acquisition with mobile crushing, industrial scrap management, demolition and dismantling services (railcar and barge), transportation and container services, and certified scale transactions. The company operates four automobile shredders, an aluminum shredder, balers, shears, mobile shearing equipment, torch processing, auto crushers, and an extensive truck fleet. Customer-facing tools include MyScrapInfo.com for account management and proprietary bulk scrap analyzers for chemistry certification. RMR is wholly owned by The David J. Joseph Company, which is part of Nucor's family of companies.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Household Scrap Cash purchase of household ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal from individual sellers at RMR facilities; paid immediately via ATM.
- Electronic Scrap (E-Scrap) Purchase and recycling of electronic waste including cell phones, computers, hard drives, and laptops from individuals and businesses.
- End of Life Vehicles Cash purchase of end-of-life vehicles (cars, trucks, lawnmowers) from individuals and auto wreckers, including mobile car crushing services.
- Industrial Scrap Management Comprehensive scrap management for businesses including mobile car crushing, industrial demolition, containers and transportation, and certified scale transactions.
- Mobile Baling Services Mobile baling crews operating across the Midwest using mobile baling equipment for ecologically sound metal recycling for public and private sector clients.
- Demolition and Dismantling Services Custom plant demolition, railcar dismantling (100+ railcars/month capacity), and barge cutting using cranes, torches, and shears for industrial clients.
- Transportation and Container Services Dispatch and container services providing roll-off containers (10-65 yard sizes), specialty containers, and reliable scrap shipment from customer facilities to recycling plants.
- MyScrapInfo.com Customer Portal Online customer account portal providing account information including past trips and weights for industrial customers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Keeps scrap metal out of landfills and reuses precious resources
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use River Metals Recycling
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
River Metals Recycling technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
River Metals Recycling partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- The David J. Joseph Company (DJJ)coreDJJ is the parent company that wholly owns River Metals Recycling, LLC. DJJ, established in 1885, is one of the USA's largest scrap metal companies providing brokerage, recycling, and transportation services.
- Advantage Metals RecyclingminorSister affiliate company under DJJ/Nucor. Operates scrap metal recycling facilities across Missouri and Kansas.
- Gemini RecyclingminorSister affiliate company under DJJ/Nucor. Provides complete scrap management services for companies of all sizes.
- Metal Recycling ServicesminorSister affiliate company under DJJ/Nucor. Operates scrap metal recycling facilities throughout North Carolina.
- Texas Port RecyclingminorSister affiliate company under DJJ/Nucor. Operates scrap metal recycling facilities throughout Texas.
- Trademark Metals RecyclingminorSister affiliate company under DJJ/Nucor. Operates scrap metal recycling facilities throughout Florida.
- Western Metals RecyclingminorSister affiliate company under DJJ/Nucor. Operates scrap metal recycling facilities across Utah, Colorado and Nevada.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights6 records
River Metals Recycling competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Trademark Metals Recycling: Sister affiliate under DJJ/Nucor operating scrap metal recycling facilities throughout Florida. Most directly comparable to RMR as a sister platform with identical parent ownership, service mix (ferrous/non-ferrous, industrial, household), and operating model — different geography.
- Advantage Metals Recycling: Sister affiliate under DJJ/Nucor operating scrap metal recycling facilities across Missouri and Kansas. Same parent, same service offering (ferrous, non-ferrous, industrial, demolition), regional U.S. scrap recycler — directly comparable operating model.
- Metal Recycling Services: Sister affiliate under DJJ/Nucor operating scrap metal recycling facilities throughout North Carolina. Identical business model and ownership to RMR; commercial operations are even jointly managed (shared Commercial Manager).
- SA Recycling: One of the largest independent ferrous and non-ferrous scrap recyclers in the U.S., operating yards across the Southeast and Midwest. Direct competitor for industrial scrap, end-of-life vehicles, and mill supply in overlapping geographies.
- Texas Port Recycling: Sister affiliate under DJJ/Nucor operating scrap metal recycling facilities throughout Texas. Identical operating model, services, and ownership — directly comparable to RMR as a regional DJJ platform.
- Western Metals Recycling: Sister affiliate under DJJ/Nucor operating scrap metal recycling facilities across Utah, Colorado, and Nevada. Same parent and service offering, focused on the Mountain West region.
Broad incumbents
- Schnitzer Steel Industries: Publicly traded (NASDAQ: SCHN) ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal recycler with auto parts and steel mill operations across the U.S. Operates as a much larger, broadly diversified platform that competes with RMR on regional ferrous supply and downstream mill demand.
- The David J. Joseph Company: Direct parent company of RMR, established 1885, and one of the largest U.S. scrap metal brokerages, recyclers, and transportation providers. Operates the affiliate network (RMR, Trademark, Advantage, etc.) — comparable on every dimension but at a corporate/brokerage level.
- Nucor Corporation: Ultimate parent company (Fortune 120) and the largest EAF steel producer in the U.S. RMR's largest off-taker and strategic anchor — Nucor's vertical integration into scrap supply directly contextualizes RMR's role in the value chain.
Emerging players
- Cohen Metals Group: Regional ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal recycler with yards across the Midwest and Mid-South. Smaller and privately held, but competes for industrial and household scrap in geographies overlapping with RMR's footprint.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
River Metals Recycling social profiles
Digital presenceRiver Metals Recycling financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
River Metals Recycling leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
River Metals Recycling funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
River Metals Recycling 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 River Metals Recycling
What does River Metals Recycling do?
River Metals Recycling (RMR) purchases ferrous scrap (iron, steel, autos), non-ferrous scrap (aluminum, copper, brass, wire), electronic scrap, and end-of-life vehicles from individuals and businesses at 18 facilities across the Midwest. The company processes the scrap using shredders, balers, shears, mobile shearing, torch processing, auto crushers, and certified scales, then sells processed scrap to steel mills and manufacturers. Industrial clients additionally receive container services, transportation, mobile crushing, mobile baling, demolition, dismantling, and railcar processing.
Is River Metals Recycling a public or private company?
River Metals Recycling is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was River Metals Recycling founded?
River Metals Recycling was founded in 1998. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is River Metals Recycling based?
River Metals Recycling is headquartered in Erlanger, United States, in the North America region.
How does River Metals Recycling make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Scrap Metal Purchase and Processing is the primary driver. The others are industrial Scrap Management Services.
Who are River Metals Recycling's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Trademark Metals Recycling, Advantage Metals Recycling, Metal Recycling Services, SA Recycling, Texas Port Recycling and Western Metals Recycling. Broad incumbents are Schnitzer Steel Industries, The David J. Joseph Company and Nucor Corporation. Cohen Metals Group is listed as an emerging player.
Does River Metals Recycling have an API?
No public API is recorded for River Metals Recycling.
What industry is River Metals Recycling in?
River Metals Recycling's product category is Scrap Metal Recycling. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPALADAF, Metals Recycling & Processing (Ferrous/Non-Ferrous), with a secondary code of IMAKAMAB, Non-Ferrous Scrap Processing & Brokerage (Aluminum, Copper, Brass/Bronze, Lead, Zinc, Nickel). Its NAICS code is 3314 and its SIC code is 4953.