A Short History of the Company

The company's origins began in 1964, when the founder Albert Widdowson started with a small ferrous and non ferrous business in Edmonton, North London, under the name of A. G. Widdowson Metal Co. 

The growth since then has been as follows:-

1970

G. A. D. Holdings Ltd (G. D. Metal Co.) was formed

1987

Purchase of Salts Scrap Metal Walsall, West Midlands

1989

Opening of processing site at Thornwood, Epping, Essex

1990

Purchase of C. H. Ford, Birmingham Ltd., one of the oldest processors of new production scrap in the Midlands (pre second world war).  Operating the first mobile baling press for light steel cuttings in the United Kingdom

1995

Purchase of site in Deptford, South London, and purchase of works collection business E. Wyatt, Deptford

1997

Purchase of South Shields, Tyne and Weir, North East England, and assets and works collection business Charles Newton Junior Ltd

1998

Company changed to G. D. Metal Recycling Ltd., to demonstrate the way forward as a Recycling Company with green views, into the 21st Century

1998

First export facility opened; wharf on the River Thames

1999

Purchase of works collection business, called Enfield Metal Trading, North London

1999

Purchase of site Byker Newcastle and Business of Shepherds of Newcastle Ltd., probably the most renowned name in the recycling business, in the North East of England, and a market leader in works collection in North East England

1999

Purchase of F. W. Rooke, a large processor of steel and non-ferrous metal in North London established in the early 1900's

Purchase of a 4 acre dock facility in Barking, London which is capable of exporting 250,000 tonnes per year

Opening of a 2.5acre processing facility in Deptford, South London.  Installation of a 800 tonne shear and a 600 tonne baling press

Installation of 1300 ton Leimbach Shear at our Edmonton Headquarters

Installation of 1000 ton Leimbach Shear at Deptford, South London

Purchase of H Williams & Sons Limited, a highly successful and well regarded fragmentiser operator based on seven acre site at Hitchin, Hertfordshire. More details here www.williamsandsons.co.uk

Joint venture and partnership agreements to create purpose built state of the art de-pollution facilities to comply with the End of life Vehicle Regulations

G. D. Metal Recycling awarded the highly prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise for International Trade

Purchase of Foreman Recycling Ltd a highly successful and well regarded waste management company operating in Spennymore Durham.  More details here www.foremanrecycling.co.uk

1^st November - Change of Name of the Company to Metal & Waste Recycling Limited to reflect the Groups acquisition of Foreman Recycling Limited and the full range of waste services now being offered to our customers

February 2006- Metal and Waste Recycling formed an alliance with Barclays Private Equity who have made a significant investment in the business.

This will provide the company with a platform for substantial development and growth in the future.

This exciting development will give the company the opportunity to offer its customers and suppliers an ever increasing and improving service.

With the backing of a brand name such as Barclays it is felt that existing customers and new customers can have complete confidence that their choice of Metal and Waste Recycling as a partner will reap future rewards.

Gary Widdowson continues in his role as Chairman of the Group and as a very significant shareholder will remain at the heart of the continued development and growth of the business.

The existing Board of Directors have pledged their support and have also invested in the business.  

The Future

As perhaps the market leader in foundry metals suppliers and the driving force in Automotive Manufacturing Collection and Processing throughout the United Kingdom, we are looking forward to growing further and continuing to strive to improve our services to both our suppliers and sales customers

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