MIDWEST IRON & METAL COMPANY, INC.

The recycling company was established in 1903 when Israel Smith along with the Wichita/Denver Railroad opened a scrap operation next to a chicken processing plant. Tin, iron, rags, and animal bones were recycled and shipped via the railroad.  The recycling business continued to prosper and eventually Mr. Smith took over the railroad depot at 700 South Main, Hutchinson, Kansas and acquired a partner Mr. Louis Gordon. Together they served the local community by collecting and recycling all types of metals, glass, rubber, bones, and rags.

The company name, Midwest Iron & Metal Co., was established in 1927 when Mr. Gordon became sole owner.

During World War II, Midwest Iron & Metal Co. became a major collection center for metals.  So much metal was collected that they were forced to pile it in the middle of Main Street as Mr. Gordon tried to keep up with processing and shipping it to the steel mills.

In 1952, Mr. Ron Galler and his partner I.J. Cohen Company purchased the company from Mr. Gordon.  Mr. Galler moved his family to Hutchinson and modernized the company.

In 1970, Mr. Galler became the sole owner.  Under Mr. Galler’s guidance and business abilities Midwest Iron & Metal Co., Inc. continued to expand and prosper. In the years following his proprietorship, he purchased additional land outside of Hutchinson and installed a 2,000 hp shredder. In addition to buying a competing scrap yard located across the street called Hutchinson Iron & Metal, he had recycling operations in Salina, McPherson and Wichita, Kansas.

Midwest Iron & Metal has been a  regional leader of scrap metal and recycling services for more than a century.

In 1998, Mr. Ron Galler unexpectedly passed away and Mrs. Charlotte Galler became the CEO of Midwest Iron & Metal Co., Inc.  In 2000, Mrs. Galler hired Mr. Roger Crispin as President and along with a loyal work force they have modernized and successfully combined all divisions into one cohesive unit.

Today, Midwest Iron & Metal Co., Inc. only operates out of  Hutchinson, Kansas, however it continues to serve an industrial base of over 100 companies around Kansas.  Mrs. Galler continues to re-invest the profits back into the company and employees. Her investments and Mr. Crispin’s business management have further built an efficient and profitable operation serving the recycling needs of our region.

Roger Crispin, President and Charlotte Galler, CEO.