Van Helvert Metalen

Purchase of scrap metal and sale of new metal. That's what we've been doing since 1952.

We relieve our customers by taking in scrap metals, covered at our tray or collected on location. We also supply non-ferrous products such as ballast lead and products for the installation sector. Thanks to our Weeelabex certification, we can collect all materials.

Family business

Van Helvert Metalen is a family business that has existed for 3 generations.

Since we are a family business, we do not look at the short term, but always look at building long relationships and a reliable service.
Service is not a term for us, but a mentality.

Who are we?

A wealth of experience for almost 70 years and keeping up with the times. New developments in the field of the environment, certifications, changing market conditions and technology have had a major impact on trade since the existence of Van Helvert Metalen.

We are proud that we have always grown with all developments and have always been looking for new opportunities. But also that we have been able to offer our customers a good service over the years. To us, these loyal customers are a token of appreciation and reward for a reliable service. For 3 generations.

Below is an overview of our history of 3 generations.

We take you back to the year 1952: the foundation of the Firma Joh. K. van Helvert. With a starting capital of 100 guilders, Johan K. van Helvert senior starts collecting old metals on his old Benzo bicycle. 

Business went well and the Benzo bicycle was soon replaced by a Tempo, a 3-wheeler truck with a load capacity of 500 kg. 

The first staff member was also hired in 1960 and during the 1960s the warehouses where the metals were stored grew steadily.

Son Henk van Helvert was surrounded by metals since childhood and grew automatically in the company.

From an early age he helped his father and thus laid the foundation for his love for non-ferrous metals. In the photo Henk van Helvert and the former foreman are working together.

In 1977 senior passed away unexpectedly and 24-year-old Henk had to take the plunge.

Henk van Helvert had big plans, and in 1980 a new yard with weighbridge was built in Almstraat.

Sales of new metal to plumbers, such as copper pipe, zinc sheet and lead, were also started at this location.

This was the first step towards the circular idea: new becomes old, and old becomes new. By offering both old metal and new, non-ferrous semi-finished products, Van Helvert Metalen became a real recycler.

In the eighties more and more orders were received for cutting and removing ship propellers. This aroused interest in the maritime sector, which ultimately resulted in the production and sale of ballast lead. 

The ultimate project was the delivery of 100 tons of lead blocks for the submarine built by Wilton Feijenoord for delivery to Taiwan.

The supply of ballast material and zinc anodes has now become an important 3rd branch at Van Helvert Metalen.

In the late 1980s, interest in international trade increased. After importing containers from Africa in particular, the step was taken to set up their own purchasing office first in Ivory Coast and then in Ghana.

Helvert Metals Ghana has grown into a purchasing office with its own yard and 6 employees, and supplied Rotterdam with a regular flow of non-ferrous metals.

The trade with Africa was a sign of the pioneering spirit of Henk van Helvert, who left many a drop of sweat in Africa.

In the 1990s, the first plans came from the Municipality of Rotterdam to reorganize Almstraat. In 2004 this resulted in the takeover of the adjacent Sonco building and the construction of the new hall on the adjacent site.

This hall was unique at the time, as customers could return their scrap metal under cover and the metals could be stored dry. 

In this hall we still receive our customers for the return of scrap metal.

In 2020 the time has come for a new generation. After several years of preparation, John van Helvert, named after his grandfather, will officially take over from his father this year.

In addition to the activities that have already been developed by the first 2 generations, a lot of attention will be paid to the necessary certifications (such as Weeelabex) and dismantling projects where metals are released.

This next phase in the company marks an important step in the continuity of Van Helvert Metalen.