Paul D’Adamo: How auto cores, commodities and recalls fit into your ‘partfolio’

By Paul D’Adamo I hope you like my twist on the word portfolio. Most of us purchase, or should I say invest, in vehicles for our “Parts” inventory. Based on my analysis of yard inventory data, most recyclers suffer from overstock and over-aged parts. This means we have invested labour into removing parts but have […]
The Commodity of Cats: Full-serve and self-serve yards

By Becky Berube, President of United Catalyst Corporation Converters are an important commodity to sell for any automotive recycler or scrap metal dealer. I can remember 10 years ago when they appeared less important—just another $50 core. We didn’t talk about converter recycling very much and it certainly didn’t command the attention and spending power […]
Misapplied Pressure: Alberta converter theft act hampers legal sales while black market thrives, report says

Edmonton, Alberta — The Protecting Alberta Industry from Theft Act is now more than two years old, and while the legislative changes have made the process of buying catalytic converters more stringent, Albertan auto recyclers are voicing concerns that such sales are still happening regularly—albeit, under the table and off the books. A recent CBC report […]
New Brunswick Recyclers: Prepare to comment on proposed changes to Salvage Dealers Licensing Act

Fredericton, New Brunswick — New Brunswick-based auto recyclers should be prepared to provide comments on the province’s proposed amendments to its Salvage Dealers Licensing act; the province plans to amend the act in an effort to curb catalytic converter thefts. According to the province, the proposed changes aim to “reduce criminal activity by no longer […]
Precious Cargo: Police catch catalytic converter thieves red handed

Burnaby, British Columbia — Catalytic converter thieves were caught red-handed at a traffic stop by Burnaby police. The two men stopped by officers were already known to steal catalytic converters, and one was already told by the police previously that he wasn’t allowed to carry the cat-cutting tools. Burnaby police have since seized the tools […]
Palladium Prowlers: Catalytic converter thefts again on the rise from coast to coast

Ottawa, Ontario — Catalytic converter thefts are again on the rise across Canada, with authorities reporting strings of crimes in New Brunswick, Ontario and Manitoba in recent weeks. The thieves target the exhaust system part for its precious metal components, which include rhodium, palladium and platinum—rarities that can be sold on the black market for […]