United Metals History

United Metal & Scrap Inc. was founded in 1972 by Bert Ekart as he recognized the need for a reliable and honest recycling operation in the Treasure Valley. Starting out with a location in both Caldwell and Nampa it was soon consolidated to just one location in Caldwell, ID. Bert worked to grow the business by adding a trucking company (United Hauling) that would allow the company to haul its processed material to the coast and on the return trip haul back various materials such as construction supplies.

In 1997 Bert Ekart retired and the company was purchased by his son and daughter in law Rod & Debby Ekart. In this same year, United Metal & Scrap Inc. formed a Joint Venture with Schnitzer Steel Industries (based out of Portland, OR) and formed what is now United Metals Recycling. Rod and Debby’s growth oriented vision was starting to take place in the following years with additional recycling facilities being purchased in Mountain Home and Gooding, Idaho.

2011 was a big year for United Metals Recycling as it acquired United Electronics Recycling, Barger Mattson Auto Recycling of Mountain Home, ID and added a large Non-ferrous/Ferrous processing facility in the capital city Boise, ID.

2013 brought more expansion with the addition of a ferrous/non-ferrous processing facility in Twin Falls, ID. It was also this year that United Metals Recycling formed a partnership with B&K Auto Salvage, which today is named B&K Auto Salvage and Recycling. This partnership has enjoyed expansion over the last 5 years with facilities in Baker City, OR (2016) and Payette, ID (2018).

In 2018 United Metals Recycling recognized the need for another metal recycling operation in eastern Idaho and purchased the former Gibson Auto and Recycling in Heyburn, ID. United Metals Recycling will continue to grow as opportunities present themselves, but for now we are just excited to continue to serve our existing customers for many more years to come!!