In the early 1970s, the company's founder Poul W. Nielsen quite by chance bought a railway that needed to be replaced. This purchase was the starting point for Kvistgaard Jern & Metal A/S.

Throughout the first years, the company's operations were primarily based on the purchase and sale of iron and batteries. Most of it was sold to other recycling companies in Denmark.

In 1984, Kvistgaard Jern & Metal A/S moved to the new industrial area on Hejreskovvej in Helsingør Municipality. Here, Kvistgaard Jern & Metal A/S has a space of approx. 10,000 m2.

At the end of 1989, the company was transformed into a limited company, where 50% of the company was sold within the family. This restructuring meant a new era for Kvistgaard Jern & Metal A/S. Where before all trade was based inland, they now began to concentrate 100% on imports and exports to and from markets around Denmark.

Due to Kvistgård's location in the middle of the northern European countries, it is therefore a natural thing that trade takes place between the various countries. Materials that come from the north are collected, sorted, processed and forwarded to other countries in most of the world.

Materials from the south are either driven directly to Denmark to be processed or driven to warehouses in Denmark, Sweden or Northern Germany, from where the goods are loaded into shipping containers or bulk ships and sent out to distant destinations.