About Us

We’re not your typical industrial recycling company.

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What We Do

We create customized recycling programs for manufacturing partners across a broad range of industries, in addition to trading our materials with consumers across the globe.

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Why We Do It

With a steadfast focus on transparency, sustainability, and service, we’re transforming our industry for the better to help business leaders like you boost revenue and growth. And, by creating a culture where our employees have a voice, we allow new ideas and innovation to flourish.

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Our Story

1904
Humble beginnings.

Our company takes root as Max Shapiro, Bruce’s grandfather, begins his one-man horse-and-wagon operation.

1930s
All in the family.

Melvin Shapiro joins his father Max in operating the business. The Shapiro family begins working out of a friend’s warehouse. Fun fact: many years later, Bruce would allow this same friend’s son to share warehouse space!

1940
Putting down roots.

Shapiro moves into our first permanent location at 2937 Sheridan Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri.

1959
Operations level up.

Forklifts are introduced at the Shapiro scrap yard. Prior to 1959, all scrap was handled manually and moved with wheelbarrows. Melvin Shapiro brings in Stan Dobkin to help run the business.

1962
Passing it on.

Melvin Shapiro passes away, and Irv Shanke, Bruce’s uncle, takes over company operations. Bruce Shapiro begins working in the business and his vision for the future begins to develop.

1972
Changing of the guard.

Bruce’s mother, Ceal Shapiro, makes a substantial investment in the business. Bruce Shapiro, along with Stan Dobkin, take over company leadership. Ceal also pitches in at the company handling the administrative work.

1970s
Taking the show on the road.

Shapiro’s first outside salesperson joins the organization and begins selling Shapiro’s services on the road.

1980s
Making room for growth.

Headquarters relocates to 601 E Red Bud Ave, where the current St. Louis plant still operates today.

1989
Another new generation.

Rick Dobkin joins his father Stan at Shapiro, starting out working in operations at the St. Louis plant.

1990s
Technology taking hold.

Company transitions its office operations from handwritten records to computerized records.

1994
El Paso plant opens.

Shapiro opens a plant to better serve customers in the southern U.S. and Mexico.

1999
Another new plant, a whole new market.

Dickson, TN plant opens, and Shapiro begins processing ferrous scrap metal for the first time.

2001
New cities, new materials.

Second Shapiro plant opens in Springfield, Missouri and begins processing steel for the first time.

2005
Fitzgerald, GA plant opens.

A booming RV business creates increased demand for recycling.

2007
Going international.

Shapiro joins BIR (Bureau of International Recycling), an international organization for recyclers, and gains a global view of the industry and metal markets.

2008
Economic challenges.

The Great Recession impacts the business as metal prices fall. According to Bruce, “This was a difficult time for business, but a good time to learn lessons.”

2010
McAllen, TX plant opens.

Markets expand in the southern U.S. and Mexico.

2012
Mobile, AL plant opens.

Shapiro expands operations into Mobile in order to better serve a partner generating a large amount of scrap in the area.

2015
New location and new perspectives.

Shapiro opens a plant in Denton. Shapiro also looks outside the scrap industry to hire Chief Operating Officer, Bob Alvarez, who brings years of industrial operations and human resources experience.

2017
Decatur, AL plant opens.

The company continues to grow as markets rebound.

2017
Sales growth.

Sales and service team expands to 12 employees in response to the company’s healthy growth.

2020s
Transforming the industry.

Shapiro continues to innovate, drive transparency, and create opportunities for its partners and employees in the recycling industry.

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Get to know the friendly faces

of the professionals on the metal recycling industry’s leading edge.

Meet the Team