AIM
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1936
- HeadquartersMontréal-est, Canada
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What AIM does
AIM (American Iron & Metal Company Inc.) is a privately held, family-owned metal recycling and environmental services conglomerate founded in 1936 in Montreal, Quebec and still led by the Black family (Herbert Black as President & CEO, Ronald Black as Executive Vice-President). The company operates 135+ locations across Canada, the United States, Mexico, Belgium, Germany, and Hong Kong with more than 4,000 employees, making it one of North America's largest metal recyclers. Core operations center on ferrous and non-ferrous metal collection, processing, and sale to global industrial buyers, supported by an owned private fleet of 2,500+ railcars and 1,600+ trucks and trailers that underwrite logistics independence and scale economics.
The business is organized into seven divisions operating a circular resource model: AIM Recycling (core ferrous/non-ferrous scrap recycling), Delsan-AIM (decommissioning, demolition, hazardous materials, and site remediation, active since 1994), Kenny U-Pull (self-service auto parts and vehicle recycling across 27 North American locations with 22,000+ vehicles in inventory), Honeycomb (catalytic converter recycling with XRF/ICP PGM recovery and limited AI tooling, launched 2021), AIM Minesource (industrial and mining products, 2019), AIM Eco-Centre (construction and demolition waste recycling, container rental, e-waste, 2014), and AIM Solder (tin-lead and lead-free solder manufacturing since 1973). Multiple facilities hold ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications, and the Hamilton facility completed a $9 million environmental noise-barrier investment to manage community impact.
AIM generates revenue primarily through transaction-based pricing on commodity scrap (iron, steel, copper, aluminum, stainless steel, aluminum/copper chops) sold to global industrial buyers under quote-based, volume-driven contracts; self-service parts sales at Kenny U-Pull; demolition and remediation professional services via Delsan-AIM; PGM recovery at Honeycomb; industrial equipment and supplies at Minesource; and C&D material recycling at Eco-Centre. Pricing is competitive and quote-driven, with no publicly disclosed tiers. The company has historically grown through organic buildout and bolt-on acquisitions (SNF and Kenny in 2008, Ecology in 2018, Liberty and Honeycomb in 2021, Mexico JV in 2023) and most recently extended into Germany in 2024, while launching a multi-million-dollar employee scholarship program (TSAP) signaling investment in workforce retention.
AIM firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AIM
- 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
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AIM industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Metal Recycling Services
- NAICS
- Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Smelting and Refining (33141), Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Smelting and Refining (331410)
- SIC
- Primary Smelting & Refining Of Nonferrous Metals (3330)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Metals Recycling & Processing (Ferrous/Non-Ferrous) (BPALADAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Metals Recovery & Scrap Processing (from C&D) (BPALAJAF), Non-Ferrous Scrap Processing & Recycling (Aluminum, Copper, Brass, Lead, Zinc) (EUAIAJAB), Precious & Specialty Metal Recovery (Smelting, Refining, Hydrometallurgy) (EUAIAIAD)
Keywords
Where AIM is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Montréal-est
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices14 records
Markets served
AIM business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metal Recycling: Core business of collecting, processing, and selling recycled ferrous and non-ferrous metals including iron, steel, copper, aluminum, stainless steel, and high-quality aluminum and copper chops to industrial buyers worldwide
- Auto Parts Sales and Vehicle Recycling: Kenny U-Pull division generates revenue through self-service auto parts sales, selling parts from end-of-life vehicles at fraction of original cost, along with resale of complete vehicles
- Demolition and Site Remediation Services: Delsan-AIM division provides decommissioning, demolition, asset recovery, hazardous materials management, and contaminated soil remediation services for complex projects
- Catalytic Converter Recycling: Honeycomb division recovers platinum group metals from catalytic converters using advanced processing and laboratory methods
- Mining and Industrial Products: AIM Minesource provides customized industrial and mining products including heavy machinery and custom industrial equipment to mining sector clients
- Construction and Demolition Material Recycling: AIM Eco-Centre specializes in recycling of construction and demolition materials, container rental services, and recycling of bulky urban waste and electronic products
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Custom bulk metal purchasing |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels6 records
AIM product offering
Product offeringCore offering
American Iron & Metal (AIM) collects, processes, and supplies ferrous and non-ferrous recycled metals (iron, steel, copper, aluminum, stainless steel) to industrial buyers worldwide through 100+ recycling facilities. The company complements this with demolition and site remediation services (Delsan-AIM), self-service used auto parts sales (Kenny U-Pull), catalytic converter and PGM recycling (Honeycomb), mining industry products (AIM Minesource), construction and demolition waste recycling (AIM Eco-Centre), and solder manufacturing (AIM Solder).
Product overview
American Iron & Metal (AIM) operates as a multi-division industrial conglomerate offering a unified portfolio of metal recovery, recycling, and related environmental services. The core offering is AIM Recycling, a large-scale ferrous and non-ferrous metal recycling platform supported by complementary divisions: AIM Delsan (demolition and site remediation), Kenny U-Pull (self-service auto parts and vehicle recycling), Honeycomb (catalytic converter and precious metals recycling with AI-powered tools), AIM Minesource (industrial and mining products), AIM Eco-Centre (construction and demolition waste recycling), and AIM Solder (solder manufacturing). These divisions operate under a circular business model where resources, knowledge, and value flow across the organization, serving industrial buyers, construction companies, automotive sectors, and mining operations globally.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- AIM Recycling: Ferrous and non-ferrous metal recycling division with over 100 locations worldwide, specializing in collection and recycling of iron, steel, copper, aluminum, and stainless steel.
- 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 operating 100+ locations worldwide, specializing in the collection, processing, and sale of ferrous and non-ferrous metals including iron, steel, copper, aluminum, and stainless steel to global industrial buyers. Supply includes high-quality aluminum and copper chops meeting ISO 9001 standards.
- AIM Delsan (Delsan-AIM Environmental Services) Environmental contracting division specializing in decommissioning, demolition, asset recovery, hazardous materials management, and contaminated soil remediation for industrial clients in Canada. Active since 1994 with offices in Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec, and Toronto.
- Kenny U-Pull Used Auto Parts Self-service auto parts retailer with 27 storefront locations across North America and over 22,000 vehicles in inventory, allowing customers to remove the parts they need from end-of-life vehicles at a fraction of original cost. Kenny U-Pull has recycled more than one million vehicles since 2008.
- Honeycomb Catalytic Converter Recycling Catalytic converter recycling solutions based in Phoenix, Arizona, using state-of-the-art processing and laboratory methods with XRF and ICP analysis calibrated to the highest industry standards for Platinum Group Metal (PGM) recovery. The division integrates AI-powered tools for smarter, faster, and more accurate operations.
- AIM Minesource AIM Minesource division based in Amos, Quebec, providing customized industrial and mining products, including heavy machinery and custom industrial equipment tailored to the mining sector.
- AIM Eco-Centre Construction and demolition waste recycling specialist offering container rental, material recycling and re-selling services, including recycling of bulky urban waste and electronic products.
- AIM Solder Manufacturer of tin-lead and lead-free solder assembly materials, recognized as a leading manufacturer in the solder industry since 1973.
Quantifiable outcome
- Recycling one ton of aluminum prevents up to nine tons of CO2 emissions
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use AIM
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
AIM technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
AIM partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.
- Kalischatarra (Joint Venture)majorIn 2023, through a joint venture in Kalischatarra, AIM expanded its operations into Mexico and became full owners of Ecology. This partnership established multiple AIM Recycling/Kalisch Recycling locations across Mexico including Chihuahua, Hermosillo, Ciudad Juárez, Nogales, and other cities.
- Ecology Recycling Services, LLCcoreIn 2018, AIM expanded its U.S. footprint by acquiring Ecology Recycling Services, LLC in California. The company operates as part of AIM's network with ISO 9001 certification for trading of ferrous and nonferrous, mixed metals scrap, plastic scrap and alloys.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
AIM competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Schnitzer Steel Industries (Radius Recycling): One of North America's largest ferrous and non-ferrous metal recyclers, operating shredders and processing facilities across the US. Directly comparable to AIM Recycling in product offering, customer base (industrial metal buyers), and circular business model that includes steel mill output.
- European Metal Recycling (EMR Group): European-headquartered scrap metal recycler with growing North American presence. Comparable to AIM Recycling on metal processing and trading, particularly relevant as AIM expands into Belgium and Germany.
- Metalico: North American scrap metal recycler focused on ferrous and non-ferrous processing. Smaller direct competitor to AIM Recycling with overlapping customer base of industrial metal buyers.
- Sims Metal Management: Global scrap metal recycler with operations in North America, Australia, and the UK. Direct competitor to AIM's core metal recycling business, serving similar industrial buyer segments with comparable ferrous and non-ferrous processing capabilities.
Broad incumbents
- Steel Dynamics: US-based steel producer operating electric arc furnace mills that consume recycled ferrous scrap. Comparable buyer of AIM's ferrous output while operating adjacent metal processing and fabrication.
- ArcelorMittal: World's largest steel producer with significant scrap metal procurement globally. Operates recycling assets in multiple geographies overlapping with AIM's international footprint.
- Commercial Metals Company (CMC): US-based manufacturer of steel and rebar with integrated scrap metal recycling operations. Competes with AIM Recycling in ferrous scrap collection and processing while operating downstream fabrication.
- Gerdau Ameristeel: Vertically integrated steel producer using significant recycled scrap feedstock. Overlaps with AIM as both customer of ferrous scrap and operator of recycling assets; broader portfolio includes finished steel products.
- Liberty Steel & Wire (now part of various entities): Steelmaker and metals recycler with EAF mills and scrap operations across North America and Europe. AIM previously acquired one of its assets in Phoenix, indicating operational overlap with AIM Recycling.
- Nucor Corporation: Largest North American steel producer with extensive scrap metal procurement operations. Major buyer of ferrous scrap from recyclers like AIM and operates its own recycling and processing infrastructure.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AIM social profiles
Digital presenceAIM compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
AIM financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AIM leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
AIM subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries12 records
AIM funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AIM 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 AIM
What does AIM do?
American Iron & Metal (AIM) collects, processes, and supplies ferrous and non-ferrous recycled metals (iron, steel, copper, aluminum, stainless steel) to industrial buyers worldwide through 100+ recycling facilities. The company complements this with demolition and site remediation services (Delsan-AIM), self-service used auto parts sales (Kenny U-Pull), catalytic converter and PGM recycling (Honeycomb), mining industry products (AIM Minesource), construction and demolition waste recycling (AIM Eco-Centre), and solder manufacturing (AIM Solder).
Is AIM a public or private company?
AIM is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was AIM founded?
AIM was founded in 1936. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is AIM based?
AIM is headquartered in Montréal-est, Canada, in the North America region.
How does AIM make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metal Recycling is the primary driver. The others are auto Parts Sales and Vehicle Recycling, demolition and Site Remediation Services, catalytic Converter Recycling, mining and Industrial Products and construction and Demolition Material Recycling.
Who are AIM's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Schnitzer Steel Industries (Radius Recycling), European Metal Recycling (EMR Group), Metalico and Sims Metal Management. Broad incumbents are Steel Dynamics, ArcelorMittal, Commercial Metals Company (CMC), Gerdau Ameristeel, Liberty Steel & Wire (now part of various entities) and Nucor Corporation.
Does AIM have an API?
No public API is recorded for AIM.
What industry is AIM in?
AIM's product category is Metal Recycling Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPALADAF, Metals Recycling & Processing (Ferrous/Non-Ferrous), with a secondary code of BPALAJAF, Metals Recovery & Scrap Processing (from C&D). Its NAICS code is 33141 and its SIC code is 3330.