Perhaps the best testament to our sustainable business model is the simple fact that we've been around for over 125 years. That's what happens when you take care of people and the environment.
The David J. Joseph Company traces its roots back to 1863, when German immigrant Joseph Joseph opened a hide and fur trading business in Cincinnati, Ohio. Joseph’s brother Samuel soon joined him and The Joseph Joseph and Brothers Company was born. In 1885, when demand for scrap began to soar, the brothers wisely switched from hide and fur trading to scrap metal recycling. Their business was located on Front Street in Cincinnati. No one could’ve guessed back then that this emerging scrap business would one day be a global leader in scrap recycling.
After Joseph’s death, son David J. Joseph became manager of the company’s entire scrap metal operation. On January 1, 1921, the company was renamed The David J. Joseph Company (DJJ). In 1938, David Joseph, Jr. joined the company, becoming president in 1945. Following David Joseph, Jr.’s vision, the company embraced innovation in management and communications, and steadfast integrity in all business practices.
DJJ is proud to be America’s oldest, full-service scrap recycling company. And we’re proud of our humble roots. Our company was built the old-fashioned way…with loyal customer relationships, smart business sense and hard work. Since the early 1900s, DJJ has played a pivotal role in advancing the American recycling movement. Today, we’re one of the world’s largest scrap brokers and recyclers, with more than 65 scrap recycling facilities and 13 brokerage offices worldwide. Our parent company, Nucor Corporation, is North America’s largest recycler of steel. From those early days on Front Street, we’ve grown to a billion dollars in assets, a strong equity base and no debt. We think Joseph would be proud.