David Gold, President of Standard Auto Wreckers, a parts supplier in Canada, has been immersed in the auto recycling industry for decades. Growing up in the business, he helped transform the family-run business into a leader in sustainable vehicle recycling. He shares insights on navigating the complexities of auto recycling and the opportunities ahead for the industry.
The Standard Auto Wreckers Journey
My father, Ken Gold, started Standard Auto Wreckers in 1979. My grandfather, Sam Gold, had a scrap yard in downtown Toronto, and that is where my father first learned the nuances of the scrap metal business (my father loved the scrap business). I grew up in the business from an early age, came on full-time in the early 90s, and became entrenched in all things auto recycling.
My father and I attended all the auto recycling conventions locally and abroad. We never missed an ARA convention, and we love the industry like so many others. We joined URG from day one and became the first Pinnacle Yard in Canada in 1999, which was a bold move at that time but a great one. So, we have come a long way in the past 45-plus years!
Navigating the complexities of this business takes dedication and passion – we have been able to do that by never being satisfied or settling for mediocrity. We always push and have that sense of urgency that is required to flourish. So many people depend on the success of the organization, and that is not lost on us.
I started programs that drove business to us on levels which we couldn’t have imagined – locally, we kept growing, and we are always willing to collaborate with auto recyclers from all over North America and beyond.
Our social media presence has been a big part of our success, including our own company Facebook page, and we also run other groups online:
- One program that garnered us a lot of attention is our Green Vehicle Disposal Program.
- Green Vehicle Disposal is being offered again to our fellow auto recyclers – the details of which are available here.
Programs like www.charitycar.ca or www.junkcar.ca have been drivers of growth for us for years. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to serve the local community, especially in the City of Toronto, where our popularity has risen (along with the population in the Greater Toronto Area) – as I mention in the former corporate videos below – for me – this is a love affair, it’s work for sure – but the rewards and relationships that I have built are treasured, and it keeps me grounded.
These are older videos (not used any more, but they show a bit about the culture here, for what it’s worth:
- Selling Auto Parts at Standard Auto Wreckers
- Standard Auto Wreckers. The Environment and Our Community
- The Official Canadian International AutoShow
Good service, attention to detail and a ‘buy or die’ mantra is what we have (buying ELVs and Insurance Salvage), that is! And this is key to growth, and the opportunity is tremendous right now for progressive and engaged auto recyclers. Stay on top of the business and the numbers. All the important metrics, collaborate with others – try new things and give back to your industry – that is what will drive growth, and the marketplace for recycled OEM auto parts is very promising!
The Digital Transformation of Auto Recycling
Vehicles are computers on wheels these days – and those auto recyclers that take the time and energy to understand the nuances of the industry will thrive – there is a greater opportunity for profitability than ever before, streamlining processes and turning complex issues into bite-size pieces where the team can gather around and understand the commitments which we as a company make are crucial to the success. Everyone must be involved; communication is the foundation of trust, and our people are the biggest asset we have – so making them be the best they can be is our goal!
Continuous and never-ending training – signing up with all the third-party programs that assist auto recyclers is key – the ROI is quickly paid off. In terms of auto parts sales – making sure that your parts are exposed on important online marketplaces is key – technology plays a bigger part in the sales aspects of the business, and you must stay on the cutting edge of it and be in the know.
Contributions to the Auto Recycling Industry
I personally get involved wherever I can. First, as a regional director for ARA years ago and then as the e-commerce committee chair years later – it’s always been rewarding – especially being the ARA President – that was really something, traveling the World – talking about auto recycling, what could be better. I’ve been to Washington to speak to lawmakers to educate them on the importance of what we do, as well as to City Hall in Toronto with Steve Fletcher doing the same thing – putting myself out there has been well received and very positive for our company’s growth. I always assist when asked in some shape or form – making myself available to anyone / always – it’s never an issue. Like many others, I can talk shop for hours! Giving presentations or orchestrating panels is a way to give back, and I relish those opportunities always – on a variety of topics related to auto recycling.
The Key to Increased Demand for Recycled Parts
It’s very hard to gauge customer demand for recycled parts and correlate them to the environmental benefits – but we are doing our best to educate the public, and what car-part.com has recently done is fantastic.
See the video below on the Auto 21 Legacy Snapshot of End-of-Life Vehicle Management for Automotive Sustainability:
There are so many opportunities to highlight the environmental benefits of recycled auto parts, and we, as auto recyclers, must always be educating the public and all stakeholders – it’s just so beneficial to reuse these automotive parts! Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!
