Lotzkar family sells Pacific Metals Recycling International

After 112 years of Lotzkar family ownership, Pacific Metals Recycling International of Delta, British Columbia, has been sold to fellow British Columbia-based companies ABC Recycling and Pacific Materials Destruction, a subsidiary of Urban Impact.

A statement shared by Jacqueline Lotzkar, vice president of Pacific Metals, reads: “We are proud to have sold our recycling operations to two well-respected companies in the Vancouver recycling industry, ABC Recycling and an Urban Impact-owned subsidiary Pacific Materials Destruction. We have full confidence in both ABC Recycling and Pacific Materials Destruction and know that our employees and customers are in very good hands with both organizations.

“Pacific Metals Recycling International has been an essential part of the recycled materials industry in Greater Vancouver since 1912. I am proud of the positive impact we have made both locally and globally in promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility. On behalf of Pacific Metals and the Lotzkar family, we are grateful to all of our employees, customers and industry friends for 112 years of business.”

Pacific Metals was founded by Leon Lotzkar, Jacqueline’s great-grandfather, in 1912. According to the company’s website, his business philosophy was simple: “Be honest, be fair, work hard and treat your customers well. Stick to that belief and business will look after itself.”

When Leon retired, his son, Joe, took over Pacific Metals, passing it on to his son, Mark, who ran it until its sale with his children, Jacqueline and Director of Operations Bradley Lotzkar.

Jacqueline Lotzkar says the Delta property the company operates on was not included in the sale and has been leased. Remaining equipment not included in the sale will be auctioned Sept. 18 with Tradewest Asset Solutions Inc.:

• a Sierra C 500T shear/baler;   
• a nonferrous 100-horsepower HRB baler system;
• a 2016 Sennebogen material handler;   
• a Liehberr 954 material handler;   
• a Cat MHL 322 shear with a new shear head;
• a new Kinshofer grapple head;
• a Cat 242d3 skid steer;
• a Volvo L45B loader;
• a Ludlum gate monitoring system;   
• a Garland Henning briquetter;  
• a 2016 Toyota 8FGU32 forklift;   
• a Toyota FGU70 9250LB forklift;   
• five Toyota 8FGU32 forklifts;
• more than 20 self-dump hopper bins; and
• hundreds of concrete blocks.

Jacqueline Lotzkar tells Recycling Today that she will remain with the business through the end of the year to assist in the transition but will be looking at other career opportunities.

In her LinkedIn post announcing the sale, she writes in part, “Working alongside my dad and brother, Bradley Lotzkar, has been an invaluable experience. The past 10 years of growing our family business have given me memories I will cherish forever. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to take on leadership roles in both our company and the industry.

“For everyone who has had the privilege to work in the recycled materials industry, we all know that one of the best parts of the industry is the community. I want to thank all my industry friends, mentors, colleagues and everyone I have worked with over the last 10+ years. I will be forever grateful for your support and friendships.

“I am proud of the positive impact we have made both locally and globally in promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility.”

Her father, Mark Lotzkar, who has worked at the company for more than 30 years, also posted on LinkedIn about the sale, writing, “It has been a rewarding career in an ever-evolving industry. I had the opportunity to work with not only my grandfather, my dad, my uncle and my brother but with our two children, Jacqueline and Bradley as well.

“I look forward to my retirement with my wife and family and am in great anticipation to see what Jacqueline and Brad decide to do with their futures.”