As a young man Ken Watson learned to repair cars and trucks as well as farm machinery while working with his father John and brother Peter in the scrap business. This experience allowed the boys to learn about vehicles while dismantling them for scrap and auto parts. This skill became known in the Gananoque area and neighbours required them to repair their equipment and fix their trucks and cars. In 1980 Ken moved to a farm in Seeley's Bay where he worked the land and milked his herd. After a number of years Ken opened, 'Ken Watson's Auto Wrecking & Repair'. This became Ken's main activity and farming took a back seat. After a few years the demand for services required the business to add four more bays and to expand the scrap yard; the business he learned as a young man.
Ken eventually expanded his service, supplying a reliable towing service which dovetailed nicely with metal recycling.
In 2001 the business became incorporated as Seeley's Bay Iron & Metal Ltd. and the addition of Ken's son Kent. Mechanical work on cars and trucks, towing, metal scrap collection for recycling and medium-run flat bed hauling became the areas of focus.
Recently it became apparent that Ken and Kent were working too hard at all aspects of the business and to become more focused they decided to stop offering auto repair. This has allowed more time to concentrate on recycling scrap metal, reclaiming used auto parts, and always be available for tow calls and hauling product for area manufacturers.
“You can’t be everything to all people and still do it well. Small business is always a challenge, and it is one we are up for. Our plan to concentrate on the growth areas was simply a smart business decision” says Kent.
