Carmen Olvera spent decades behind the torch at Comal Iron & Metals. On his last day, we rode through the yard to say goodbye to old friends, shared memories in the office, and gathered at the gate to send off the man I call “Mi Gallo.”

Torch cutting has been part of metal recycling for more than a century. See why this old-school skill still matters—and why skilled torch cutters still have an important job in a modern scrap yard.

For 57 years, Comal Iron & Metals has served New Braunfels through faith, hard work, and relationships. This is the story behind the legacy—and the people who built it.

At Comal Iron & Metals, recycling has never been just about metal. It’s about stewardship, people, and the responsibility we carry as a local, family-owned business. In this post, I share why this work still matters—and why we’re committed to doing it the right way, for today and for the generations to come.