In
a forward-looking move, the Philadelphia Metals Association presented its
28th Phoenix Award to Jake J. Farber, president of Alpert & Alpert
Iron & Metal, Inc., Los Angeles, and president of the Bureau
International de la Recuperation (BIR). Because the 1990s will see
dramatic changes in the European Community and in prospects for
international trade by U.S. exporters of recycled materials, the choice of
an international scrap organization president was particularly
appropriate. Because, too, family-owned businesses in the United States
will face many challenges in the coming decade, the choice of a
60-year-old family-owned corporation's chief executive seemed an
especially good one.
In
presenting the Phoenix Award, Stanton A. Moss, Stanton A. Moss, Inc., Bryn
Mawr, Pennsylvania, said: "We honor this man in grateful recognition
for a lifetime of service and contribution to the advancement of the
metals recycling industry." He noted that "Jake Farber has been
the leading force in making his company one of the
foremost metal companies in the U.S." Alpert & Alpert is one
of the largest and most respected firms in its field, with multiple
facilities.
Moss
reviewed the 30-year history of the Phoenix Award, pointing out that when
it was first given, Philadelphia was the center of the metals industry. He
noted that James J. Florio, recently elected governor of New Jersey,
received the award in 1979. Farber is the second BIR president honored in
the award's history--Sidney Danziger was given the Phoenix Award in 1977.
Philadelphia
Metals Association President Jonathan B. Stein, Theodore Sall
International, Philadelphia, discussed the recycling industry's challenges
and accomplishments. "The 1980s have been a long and rocky
road," Stein said. "Because of all of your efforts to correct
the problems we face, our industry is now being recognized for its
contributions to a safer environment."
A
gala audience of close to 200 heard Moss list the high spots in Farber's
career as he moved up to the presidency of Alpert & Alpert and of its
aluminum smelting facility, Vista Metals. Farber also is a past president
of the National Association of Recycling Industries.
In
thanking the Philadelphia Metals Association for the honor bestowed on
him, Farber spoke briefly about family-owned corporations and the need for
"a lot of give-and-take among partners" for these companies to
be successful. He emphasized that personal feelings must be considered
carefully when major corporate decisions are made. Also necessary is hard
work, knowledge of commodities, and some luck. "Those of us who have
been in the business for a while," he said, "know that the
markets we enjoyed in the past two to three years probably only happen
once or twice during our careers."
Working
through associations, Farber believes, is the best way to solve industry
problems. He spoke about BIR's role on the international front.
Warren
B. Goodman, Metallurgical Products Co., West Chester, Pennsylvania,
toastmaster of the evening, read a letter congratulating Farber from BIR
Secretary General Francis Veys. Goodman introduced past Phoenix Award
recipients who were present, including Herschel Cutler, executive director
of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI); Si Wakesberg, ISRI
metals consultant; and Albeit Spitz, of engineering reknown. Goodman also
recognized ReMA President Richard E. Abrams; ReMA First Vice President
David Serls; Henry L. Schweich, president of Cerro Copper Products Co.,
Sauget, Illinois, who accepted the 1988 Phoenix Award on behalf of Harold
E. Lewin; and Harvey Jakob, Bridge Alloys, Inc., Brooklyn, New York,
president of ReMA's New York Chapter.
--Si
Wakesberg
In
a forward-looking move, the Philadelphia Metals Association presented its
28th Phoenix Award to Jake J. Farber, president of Alpert & Alpert
Iron & Metal, Inc., Los Angeles, and president of the Bureau
International de la Recuperation (BIR). Because the 1990s will see
dramatic changes in the European Community and in prospects for
international trade by U.S. exporters of recycled materials, the choice of
an international scrap organization president was particularly
appropriate. Because, too, family-owned businesses in the United States
will face many challenges in the coming decade, the choice of a
60-year-old family-owned corporation's chief executive seemed an
especially good one.
In
presenting the Phoenix Award, Stanton A. Moss, Stanton A. Moss, Inc., Bryn
Mawr, Pennsylvania, said: "We honor this man in grateful recognition
for a lifetime of service and contribution to the advancement of the
metals recycling industry." He noted that "Jake Farber has been
the leading force in making his company one of the
foremost metal companies in the U.S." Alpert & Alpert is one
of the largest and most respected firms in its field, with multiple
facilities.
Moss
reviewed the 30-year history of the Phoenix Award, pointing out that when
it was first given, Philadelphia was the center of the metals industry. He
noted that James J. Florio, recently elected governor of New Jersey,
received the award in 1979. Farber is the second BIR president honored in
the award's history--Sidney Danziger was given the Phoenix Award in 1977.
Philadelphia
Metals Association President Jonathan B. Stein, Theodore Sall
International, Philadelphia, discussed the recycling industry's challenges
and accomplishments. "The 1980s have been a long and rocky
road," Stein said. "Because of all of your efforts to correct
the problems we face, our industry is now being recognized for its
contributions to a safer environment."
A
gala audience of close to 200 heard Moss list the high spots in Farber's
career as he moved up to the presidency of Alpert & Alpert and of its
aluminum smelting facility, Vista Metals. Farber also is a past president
of the National Association of Recycling Industries.
In
thanking the Philadelphia Metals Association for the honor bestowed on
him, Farber spoke briefly about family-owned corporations and the need for
"a lot of give-and-take among partners" for these companies to
be successful. He emphasized that personal feelings must be considered
carefully when major corporate decisions are made. Also necessary is hard
work, knowledge of commodities, and some luck. "Those of us who have
been in the business for a while," he said, "know that the
markets we enjoyed in the past two to three years probably only happen
once or twice during our careers."
Working
through associations, Farber believes, is the best way to solve industry
problems. He spoke about BIR's role on the international front.
Warren
B. Goodman, Metallurgical Products Co., West Chester, Pennsylvania,
toastmaster of the evening, read a letter congratulating Farber from BIR
Secretary General Francis Veys. Goodman introduced past Phoenix Award
recipients who were present, including Herschel Cutler, executive director
of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI); Si Wakesberg, ISRI
metals consultant; and Albeit Spitz, of engineering reknown. Goodman also
recognized ReMA President Richard E. Abrams; ReMA First Vice President
David Serls; Henry L. Schweich, president of Cerro Copper Products Co.,
Sauget, Illinois, who accepted the 1988 Phoenix Award on behalf of Harold
E. Lewin; and Harvey Jakob, Bridge Alloys, Inc., Brooklyn, New York,
president of ReMA's New York Chapter.
--Si
Wakesberg