Gamtex Industries Reaches 100-year Milestone

Few Fort Worth businesses can boast operating for 100 years, and even fewer have remained in the hands of the same family. Arnold Gachman is proud of his family’s achievement of doing business in the metal recycling industry for 100 years. He is also proud of the Gamtex Industries family – all of the employees over the years who have contributed to the company’s success.

“There are so many leaders and great employees who have helped our company thrive and we’re just thrilled to celebrate our 100th Anniversary this year,” said Arnold Gachman, Chairman of Gamtex Industries.

What started as a small shop in 1914, along the Texas cattle trail in downtown Fort Worth, by Jacob Gachman, is still operating today as a multi-million dollar business.

Gamtex Industries, now run by Jacob Gachman’s grandson, Arnold Gachman, is one of the largest metal recycling businesses in Texas. There are only 18 businesses in all of Tarrant County older than Gamtex, and only a handful of those are family-owned.

“We’re excited to celebrate 100 years of doing business in this community and proud to be among a select few family-owned businesses that have operated here for that long,” Arnold Gachman said. “We are just as proud of the way we have done business over the course of a century, truly dedicated to being a community partner.”

To reflect that continued commitment to the community, Gamtex this year will commemorate its 100-year anniversary by commissioning and donating art sculptures to be placed in Fort Worth’s Rockwood Park. The pieces are expected to be unveiled at Gamtex’s centennial celebration at the park this March.

“Gamtex, and especially its CEO Arnie Gachman, has not only contributed to the economic vitality of Fort Worth for a century, but also has taken a leadership role in giving back to the community,” said Bill Thornton, president of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce.

Gamtex Industries started from humble beginnings, when Jacob Gachman opened several small scrap yards throughout Texas. In the 1920’s, Jacob Gachman, together with business partner P.E. Ellis, operated the St. Louis Junk Co., which progressed into a very successful business. Jacob Gachman would travel by train around the state collecting scrap metal, carrying it in sacks to bring back to Fort Worth. Jacob Gachman eventually bought out Ellis and continued the business as Gachman Metals.

By age 27, Arnold Gachman was named general manager of Gachman Metals and five years later became president. In 1986, he bought Gachman Metals and turned it into what is now known as Gamtex Industries. Arnold Gachman said dedicated family members interested in building on Gamtex’s legacy and a core group of loyal, committed employees have been at the center of the company’s success. Iric Gachman, Arnold Gachman’s son, has risen through the ranks at Gamtex to become president and CEO – meaning the company will continue to be run by a Gachman.

“As proud as I was to carry on my grandfather’s vision in running our family’s recycling business, I’m just as proud knowing my son will lead Gamtex into the next century,” Arnold Gachman said.

From its renaming in 1986 to the present, Gamtex has been a leader in the scrap recycling industry. The company has grown and purchased several metal companies, while Arnold Gachman has received multiple achievement awards for community involvement to his role as an industry leader.

Gamtex was recently listed as one of Fort Worth Business Press’s Top 100 Private Companies. Arnold also serves the community as, Chair of Trustees of Baylor All Saints and Baylor Hospitals and Board Member of Sammons Transplant Institute at Baylor University Medical Center, Board of Governors of the Fort Worth Club, Vice President of Beth El Congregation and Add Ran College of the TCU Board of Visitors. He is Immediate Past Chair of the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC) Foundation and a member of the UNTHSC advisory board. He received the Person of Vision Award from UNTHSC in 2012. He also serves on the Health Benefits Advisory Board of the City of Fort Worth.