American Iron & Metal

What American Iron & Metal does

American Iron & Metal (AIM) is a privately held, family-owned metal recycling and environmental services company headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. Founded in 1936 by Peter Black and now led by the second generation — Herbert Black (President & CEO) and Ronald Black (Executive Vice-President) — AIM has grown into a multi-continental operator with 135+ facilities across North America (Canada, United States, Mexico), Europe (Belgium, Germany), and Asia (Hong Kong), employing 4,000+ people. The company is structured as a federation of seven operating divisions: AIM Recycling (core ferrous and non-ferrous metal recycling), Delsan-AIM (decommissioning, demolition, asset recovery, hazardous materials management, and contaminated soil remediation), Kenny U-Pull (self-service auto parts across 27 North American locations with 22,000+ vehicles in inventory and over 1,000,000 vehicles recycled since 2008), Honeycomb (catalytic converter recycling and platinum group metal recovery), AIM Minesource (industrial and mining products), AIM Eco-Centre (construction and demolition waste recycling), and AIM Solder (tin-lead and lead-free solder assembly materials launched in 1973). The firm operates from a 100+ acre Montreal global headquarters and is certified to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 at multiple processing sites, valid through 2027–2028.

AIM's operations rest on an owned logistics backbone — a private fleet of 2,500+ railcars and 1,600+ trucks and trailers — and processing technology including industrial shredders, sensor sorting, and laboratory methods. The Honeycomb division layers AI-powered tools on top of XRF and ICP analysis calibrated to the highest industry standards to deliver precision PGM recovery from catalytic converters. The broader competitive position derives from scale, geographic reach, integrated collection-to-processing workflow, and multi-decade operator experience with complex environmental and remediation work performed by Delsan-AIM.

Revenue is generated transactionally across each division: bulk ferrous and non-ferrous metal sales to global industrial buyers (primary segment), demolition and remediation project fees, self-service auto parts sales at Kenny U-Pull yards, catalytic converter recycling by unit/weight, construction and demolition waste processing, mining equipment sales, and solder material sales. Pricing is quote-driven through sales inquiry forms and varies by commodity, volume, and logistics requirements. The GTM motion is sales-led for industrial accounts via direct relationships and volume forecasting, while Kenny U-Pull operates a retail/physical-storefront channel targeting individual consumers and small repair shops. AIM discloses no external private equity or venture capital participation; the Black family retains controlling ownership and active management.

Name

American Iron & Metal

Legal name

American Iron & Metal Company Inc.

Website

https://aim-global.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1936

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

American Iron & Metal is a privately held, family-owned metal recycling and environmental services company operating 135+ facilities across North America, Europe, and Asia via divisions covering ferrous and non-ferrous recycling, demolition and remediation, self-service auto parts, catalytic converter recovery, mining products, and solder materials.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Metal Recycling Services

NAICS

Primary Metal Manufacturing (331), Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Smelting and Refining (331410), Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Smelting and Refining (33141), Secondary Smelting, Refining, and Alloying of Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and Aluminum) (331492)

SIC

Secondary Smelting & Refining Of Nonferrous Metals (3341), Wholesale-Metals & Minerals (No Petroleum) (5050)

akta.pro primary industry

Metals Recovery & Sorting Facilities (Ferrous/Non-Ferrous) (EUAIADAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Metals Recycling & Processing (Ferrous/Non-Ferrous) (BPALADAF), Construction & Demolition (C&D) Metal Recycling (Structural Steel, Rebar, Roofing, Wire) (IMAKAMAF), Metals Recovery & Scrap Processing (from C&D) (BPALAJAF), Radiator, Cable & Wire Recycling (Copper/Aluminum Wire Chopping, Insulated Cable) (IMAKAMAJ), Industrial & Manufacturing Scrap Recycling (Factory Scrap, Turnings, Offcuts) (IMAKAMAE), E-Waste & Electronics Metal Recovery (ITAD, Circuit Boards, Precious Metal Recovery) (IMAKAMAG), Copper By-Products Recovery (Molybdenum, Gold/Silver, Sulfuric Acid) (IMAKADAH), Metal Melting & Secondary Smelting/Refining (Recycled Feedstock Producers) (EUAIAJAJ)

Keywords

• Metal recycling services
• Ferrous non-ferrous metals
• Demolition remediation services
• Auto parts recycling
• Catalytic converter recycling

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Metal Sales (Ferrous and Non-Ferrous): Sale of premium ferrous and non-ferrous metals including aluminum, copper chops, and other metal commodities to industrial buyers worldwide. Revenue generated through transaction-based bulk metal sales.
2. Demolition and Remediation Services: Delsan-AIM division provides decommissioning, demolition, asset recovery, hazardous materials management, and contaminated soil remediation services for complex projects.
3. Auto Parts Sales: Kenny U-Pull division generates revenue through self-service auto parts sales, with 27 locations across North America and over 22,000 vehicles in inventory.
4. Catalytic Converter Recycling: Honeycomb division provides catalytic converter recycling solutions with precision PGM recovery using advanced laboratory methods.
5. Construction and Demolition Waste Recycling: AIM Eco-Centre provides container rental, material recycling and re-selling services for construction and demolition materials.
6. Mining and Industrial Products: AIM Minesource provides customized industrial and mining products including heavy machinery and custom industrial equipment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

American Iron & Metal is a global metal recycler and environmental services provider that recovers, processes, and sells ferrous and non-ferrous metals (including aluminum and copper chops) to industrial buyers worldwide. Its integrated divisions deliver demolition and site remediation services, self-service auto parts retail, catalytic converter recycling with Platinum Group Metal recovery, mining and industrial product supply, and construction and demolition waste recycling through 135+ facilities and a private logistics fleet.

Product overview

American Iron & Metal (AIM) operates a multi-divisional metal recycling and environmental services platform. The core offerings include AIM Recycling (ferrous and non-ferrous metal recycling), AIM Delsan (demolition and remediation), Kenny U-Pull (self-service auto parts), Honeycomb (catalytic converter recycling with AI-powered tools), AIM Minesource (mining products), and AIM Eco-Centre (construction/demolition waste recycling). Additional offerings include AIM Solder for solder materials and bulk metal purchasing services. These divisions operate through a circular business model where resources, knowledge, and value flow seamlessly across operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AIM Recycling: One of North America's largest and most trusted metal recyclers with over 100 locations worldwide, specializing in ferrous and non-ferrous metal recycling.
• Delsan-AIM
• Kenny U-Pull
• Honeycomb
• AIM Minesource
• AIM Eco-Centre
• AIM Solder

Products and services

• AIM Recycling One of North America's largest metal recyclers with over 100 locations worldwide, specializing in the collection and recycling of both ferrous and non-ferrous metals including iron, steel, copper, aluminum, and stainless steel for industrial buyers.
• AIM Delsan Environmental Services Environmental contracting division specializing in decommissioning, demolition, asset recovery, hazardous materials management, and contaminated soil remediation services for complex projects.
• Kenny U-Pull Self-service auto parts retailer with 27 locations across North America and over 22,000 vehicles in inventory, allowing customers to remove parts they need at a fraction of original cost.
• Honeycomb Catalytic Converter Recycling Catalytic converter recycling division using state-of-the-art processing and laboratory methods including XRF and ICP analysis for Platinum Group Metal recovery, featuring mobile app and AI-powered tools.
• AIM Minesource Mining industry partner specializing in the sale and delivery of industrial and mining products, including heavy machinery and custom industrial equipment.
• AIM Eco-Centre Specialist in recycling construction and demolition waste, offering container rental, material recycling, and resale services, including bulky urban waste and electronic products.
• Bulk Metal Purchasing Bulk metal purchasing and industrial metal supply service providing high-quality ferrous and non-ferrous metals including aluminum chops and copper chops to global industrial buyers, with customized logistics and volume forecasting.
• AIM Solder Manufacturer of tin-lead and lead-free solder assembly materials, launched in 1973 and now recognized as a leading manufacturer in the solder industry.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kalischatarra (Joint Venture)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023AIM expanded operations into Mexico through a joint venture with Kalischatarra in 2023, establishing multiple recycling locations across Chihuahua and other Mexican regions including operations in Hermosillo, Ciudad Juárez, Nogales, and other cities.
• Recycling Product NewsminorOthersFeatured as March/April 2026 cover story in Recycling Product News, highlighting AIM's journey from humble beginnings to one of North America's leading metal recyclers.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves15 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sims Metal Management: Australia-headquartered global metal recycler with operations in North America, UK, and Australasia. Comparable to AIM's multi-divisional recycling platform, including ferrous/non-ferrous scrap collection, processing, and downstream metal trading to industrial customers.
• Metalico: US-based scrap metal recycler with yards across the Northeast and Midwest, focused on ferrous and non-ferrous collection and processing. Comparable to AIM's regional yard network and industrial metal supply model, though smaller in scale.
• SA Recycling: US-based non-ferrous and ferrous metal recycler operating yards across the Southern and Western US. Direct peer to AIM Recycling in bulk metal processing and trading, with similar focus on industrial buyer supply.
• Radius Recycling (formerly Schnitzer Steel Industries): One of North America's largest publicly traded metal recyclers, operating scrap yards, shredders, and finished steel products. Directly comparable to AIM's core ferrous and non-ferrous recycling operations across the US West Coast and Pacific Northwest, with overlapping customer base of steel mills and industrial buyers.
• EMR Group: Privately held UK-based global metal recycling group operating across Europe, North America, and Asia. Closely comparable to AIM as a privately held, multi-decade, family-influenced global scrap platform with integrated shredding and downstream processing.

Emerging players

• Autobacs Seven / LKQ Corporation (auto parts retail): LKQ is a major North American recycled and aftermarket auto parts distributor with self-service and full-service yard models. Comparable to Kenny U-Pull's self-service retail channel for used auto parts, though LKQ operates at substantially larger scale.
• Wieland Group: European copper and copper alloy semi-finished products manufacturer with significant recycled copper feedstock sourcing. Comparable to AIM's non-ferrous copper chops business and AIM Solder division, particularly as both participate in the European copper value chain.

Regional players

• Stena Recycling: Sweden-headquartered metal and electronics recycler with European operations including Germany. Comparable to AIM Eco-Centre and Delsan-AIM divisions for C&D waste and electronics recycling, though primarily European rather than North American.

Broad incumbents

• Commercial Metals Company (CMC): US-based vertically integrated steel manufacturer that also operates extensive scrap metal recycling operations feeding its mills. Comparable to AIM in scrap collection and processing scale, though CMC extends further downstream into finished steel products.
• David J. Joseph Company (DJJ): Subsidiary of Nucor Corporation and one of the largest US ferrous scrap processors, with deep integration into steel mill feedstock supply. Comparable to AIM Recycling on collection and shredding operations, though ultimately aligned with Nucor's steelmaking rather than independent merchant sales.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInca.linkedin.com/company/american-iron-&-metal
• Xx.com/aim_1936

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about American Iron & Metal