In 1954 our founder Tom Hornick began chasing the American Dream. In a 2000 sq. ft. location at 2628 Locust St. (then, "Automobile Row"), Tom, his wife, and one new hire, a young man named Abe Ellis, started from scratch. (Incidentally, Abe became a trusted employee and loyal friend for some 45 plus years until his retirement in 2000.)

Together, they would introduce the recycled chrome bumper to a very virgin market; hardly anyone in the Mid-West had ever heard of re-chroming an auto bumper. It was their task to introduce this new product to the insurance companies and the auto collision industry.

Because there was no electro-plater in the Mid-West, the bumpers were sent to Southern California for processing. As years progressed and vo1umes increased, it was realized that to timely supply and control a quality product it must be remanufactured locally.

In 1965, United opened its first 18,000 sq. ft. replating center on Laclede Avenue. As quality improved, so did sales. The increased need for recycled reinforcement bars, impact bars, and the advent of off shore aftermarket collision parts and the remanufacturing of auto plastic fascias, required more space for remanu¬facturing and storage. To complement our 30,000 sq. ft. remanufacturing center, we added a 90,O0O sq. ft. warehouse. Our next addition included a 10,000 sq. ft. office and distribution center.

As a family owned business, and as Tom and Abe got older, I was invited into the company as a second generation owner. In my first 25 years I Saw the company grow from 20,OOO sq. ft. to 130,000 sq. ft. where we remain today with 60 employees.

As we celebrate our first 53 years in business, it behooves us to thank the many friends and customers who made another American Dream come true with their years of loyalty! We are still serving many of our original customers from 1954, several through second and third generation owners. Other original customers have retired or departed to a better place.

So, for Tom, Abe, and all of our employees, to our many long time friends and customers, we'd like to express our heartfelt thanks and well wishes for health and happiness ... And, of course, another "50 Years."



Danny Daniele
Second Generation Owner