Working from a horse and cart at The Limes at Beacontree Heath in Dagenham, W. Wakefield Senior began our business which now spans four generations. His role as a traditional scrap metal and rag merchant began in 1943, following demob from the army with an injured back from the Dunkirk evacuation. With the help of W. Wakefield Junior, the business quickly progressed and soon earned council contracts from all over London.

Originally, the company bought scrap metal and rags (textiles). Growth of the business continued until 1960 when Dagenham Council compulsory purchased the site. The business then moved to a site on Crow Lane, Romford, before our founder retired. The new name of “Crow Metals” started at this point. Mr W. Wakefield Junior continued running the company until 1969 when, at the age of 39, a stroke left him partially disabled.

Mr W. C. Wakefield (Billy), left school at the age of thirteen to help his father run the business and joined our family of scrap metal merchants.

Crow Metals has moved into the 21st century by not only providing scrap metal services in Romford, Ilford, East London and Essex, but by also moving into waste management, recycling, haulage and lifting services (with Mr J. Wakefield joining the family business).

Having outgrown the original Crow Lane site, Crow Metals moved to a new purpose-built two-acre facility on the corner of Crow Lane and Jutsums Lane (Romford) in July 2013. This site benefits members of the general public and our many trade customers by providing a fast, efficient service and the best, most transparent prices to be found for miles.

Crow Metals continues to serve the Romford, Ilford, East London and Essex areas to the present day, offers door trade services to the public and help for other merchants.