Born Scrappy

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Born Scrappy I sit down with Michael Lion, Former Owner of Philipp & Lion and Former Consultant & Chairman at Sims Metal Management, for a masterclass in what really happens when it all goes wrong and what you can learn from it.Michael's career is one of the industry's most extraordinary stories. He entered the business at 17, built Philipp & Lion into one of the world's largest non-ferrous scrap traders, pioneered copper trade routes into China in the late 1970s, and operated at a scale most traders only read about.Then in April 1991, it all came crashing down. What followed was years of rebuilding and the lessons he brought into an 18-year career at Sims Metal Management, where the controls he put in place got every penny back through the global financial crisis.This isn't theory. These are lessons bought at enormous personal cost, shared with the kind of honesty that only comes from someone with nothing left to prove.In this episode, we talk about:👉 The worst week of Michael's life👉 Keeping your eye on the ball👉 Ego: A trader's worst enemy👉 Friendship vs being friendly👉 Nobody's too big to fail👉 Recognising your risks👉 And more!Whether you're just starting out or decades into the game, this episode will change how you think about risk, trust, and what it means to stay sharp when everything is going your way.Born Scrappy.Brought to you by Buddy.The only all-in-one platform for buying, selling, and managing scrap metal.Built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?28 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing…I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand.I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I built THE killer scrap app, Buddy - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Kids rugby coach. YPO member. Founder. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Committed Stoic. Aspiring cowboy.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Born Scrappy I sit down with Jonathan Ross from John Ross & Sons Ltd., and his son Alex Ross, VP of Ops and Sales. Recorded live at ReMA 2026, this is a candid, unfiltered conversation about what it actually takes to bring the next generation through a fifth-generation family business the right way.Jonathan has spent decades building one of Canada's largest and most respected metal recycling operations. A company now in its fifth generation, which puts it in rare company. Alex came up through the yards at 12 years old, studied accounting and finance at McGill University, and is now stepping into leadership having earned it from the ground up. Together they represent one of the most compelling succession stories in the industry.This episode goes beyond the feel-good family narrative. It's an honest look at the dynamics of working alongside your father, the philosophy behind earning respect before authority, and what the next generation is already bringing to the table that the previous generation didn't see coming.In this episode, we talk about:👉 Starting from the ground up👉 Balancing speed with patience👉 Earning respect before authority👉 Running a family business together👉 What the next gen brings to the table👉 And more!Whether you're thinking about bringing your own kids into the business, or you're the one being brought in, this episode is full of honest, practical wisdom from people who are living it.Born Scrappy.Brought to you by Buddy.The only all-in-one platform for buying, selling, and managing scrap metal.Built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?27 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing…I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand.I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I built THE killer scrap app, Buddy - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Kids rugby coach. YPO member. Founder. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Committed Stoic. Aspiring cowboy.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy

Send us Fan MailIn this week’s episode, I chat to Lenny Formato, Co-founder of Empire Metal Trading. A third-generation recycler out of New York, Lenny has lived and breathed this industry from a young age. From riding trucks as a kid to building a business that’s still evolving today.We cover everything from persistence and patience in deal-making to the power of going “all in” when it really counts. Lenny shares stories that only come from decades in the game, including the deals that took years to land, lessons from starting again in his mid-40s, and why backing yourself matters more than ever.We also get into the importance of collaboration across the industry, staying involved in trade associations, and how relationships, not just transactions, are what keep this business moving forward.This one’s full of real, hard-earned insights for operators who are in it for the long game.In this episode, we talk about:👉 Building partnerships that last👉 Going all in on big decisions👉 Showing up consistently👉 Playing the long game👉 The future of scrap👉 Gut feel vs tech👉 And much more!Born Scrappy.Brought to you by Buddy.The only all-in-one platform for buying, selling, and managing scrap metal.Built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?27 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing…I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand.I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I built THE killer scrap app, Buddy - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Kids rugby coach. YPO member. Founder. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Committed Stoic. Aspiring cowboy.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy

Send us Fan MailIn this week’s episode, I chat to Andy Golding, Chief Strategy Officer & Partner at Kripke Enterprises and incoming ReMA Chair.This one’s a proper masterclass on attracting young talent, and more importantly, what to do once you’ve got them.Andy shares how the industry needs to rethink some of its oldest habits if we want to stay relevant. From moving away from the “everyone must start in the yard” mindset, to hiring for specialization and actually trusting people to do what they’re good at.We also get into how Kripke has built a brand that people genuinely want to be part of — not just customers, but employees too. Because if you want better people in your business, you need to give them something worth joining.There’s a lot in here for anyone trying to build a stronger team, keep good people, and future-proof their operation.In this episode, we talk about:👉 Moving beyond old-school hiring👉 Marketing as a talent magnet👉 What attracts young talent👉 Coaching over managing👉 Letting people fail safely👉 Building real culture👉 And much more!If you’re trying to build a team, attract better people, or figure out what the next generation actually wants… This is a must-listen.Born Scrappy.Brought to you by Buddy.The only all-in-one platform for buying, selling, and managing scrap metal.Built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?27 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing…I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand.I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I built THE killer scrap app, Buddy - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Kids rugby coach. YPO member. Founder. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Committed Stoic. Aspiring cowboy.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I host a live panel discussion diving deep into one of the biggest forces shaping the scrap industry right now: Tariffs, trade policy, and global market dynamics.Joined by industry experts, the panel unpacks what’s actually happening beneath the headlines, covering recent tariff changes, shifting trade flows, and the real-world impact on recyclers, traders, and operators.From 10% global tariffs to 50% steel and aluminum duties, and everything in between, this conversation cuts through the noise to focus on what really matters for scrappies on the ground.In this episode, we talk about:👉 What happens when rules change overnight👉 Why compliance is getting heavier👉 Freight, conflict, and rising costs👉 How traders are managing risk👉 Who tariffs are really helping👉 What’s coming next👉 And much more!If you’re buying, selling, or moving metal across borders, this is a must-listen to understand the current climate and what might be coming next.Born Scrappy.Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?27 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing…I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand.I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I built THE killer scrap app, Buddy - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Kids rugby coach. YPO member. Founder. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Committed Stoic. Aspiring cowboy.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I sit down with Amy Hinton, North American Scrap Editor at Fastmarkets. We break down one of the most misunderstood parts of our industry. How prices actually work.If you’ve ever questioned where scrap prices come from, how they’re formed, or whether the market is being “played”… this is the episode for you.Amy pulls back the curtain on how price reporting agencies operate. From sourcing real transaction data to filtering out noise, bias, and market positioning. We dig into the mechanics behind pricing, but more importantly, what you as a scrappy should actually be paying attention to.We also get into what really moves the market. From geopolitics and currency to supply and demand fundamentals and the often-overlooked role of psychology and sentiment.In this episode, we talk about:👉 Market psychology vs fundamentals👉 Transactions vs bids vs offers👉 TBD deals and index pricing👉 What actually moves prices👉 How pricing agencies work👉 The hierarchy of data👉 And much more!This is a masterclass in understanding the forces behind the numbers, so you can make better decisions on the ground.Born Scrappy.Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?27 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing…I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand.I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I built THE killer scrap app, Buddy - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Kids rugby coach. YPO member. Founder. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Committed Stoic. Aspiring cowboy.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy

Send us Fan MailIn this week’s episode I chat to Ryan Fogelman, Fire Protection Consultant at Fire Rover, about one of the biggest risks facing scrap yards today. Fires.Ryan has spent the last decade helping recyclers protect their facilities from devastating fires caused by lithium-ion batteries and other hidden hazards in the recycling stream. What was once an occasional problem has rapidly become a global issue affecting yards of every size.We break down why fires are becoming more common, what operators can realistically do to reduce the risk, and how early detection and preparedness can make the difference between a small incident and a catastrophic loss.In this episode, we talk about:👉 Layered fire protection👉 Why fires are increasing👉 Contamination in the feed👉 Early detection and response👉 Hidden batteries in electronics👉 Pile management and yard setup👉 And much more!If you care about protecting your people, your yard, and your business, this episode will give you practical ways to think about prevention, detection, and response.Born Scrappy.Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?27 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing…I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand.I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I built THE killer scrap app, Buddy - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Kids rugby coach. YPO member. Founder. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Committed Stoic. Aspiring cowboy.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy

Send us Fan MailIn this week’s episode I chat with John Sacco, former President of Sierra International and former Chairman of ReMA. John has been one of the most influential voices in the recycling industry for decades, helping shape both the culture of Sierra and the broader narrative of our industry.After recently transitioning out of the business he helped build, John reflects on what comes next and why he’s still deeply committed to pushing the recycling industry forward. From brand building to industry storytelling, this conversation is a masterclass on how recyclers can reshape the way the world sees what we do.John shares the story behind building one of the most recognizable brands in the industry and explains why changing the narrative around recycling is more important than ever.In this episode, we talk about:👉 Tell your story with your phone👉 Changing recycling’s narrative👉 Social media winners & losers👉 Community initiatives matter👉 Consistency over perfection👉 Your yard is content👉 And more!If you care about how your company is perceived by customers, your community, and the next generation, this conversation might change how you think about brand in our industry.Born Scrappy.Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?27 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing…I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand.I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I built THE killer scrap app, Buddy - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Kids rugby coach. YPO member. Founder. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Committed Stoic. Aspiring cowboy.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Born Scrappy, I sit down with Bob Alvarez, President at Shapiro Metals, for a true masterclass on the art of buying scrap into a yard.Bob didn’t grow up in scrap, but over the past decade he’s helped shape Shapiro into one of the most sophisticated industrial recyclers in the U.S. With over 120 years of legacy behind the company, Bob shares how they’ve evolved beyond commodity buying to become a high-value service partner to manufacturers.We unpack how to win tons without just winning on price… how to identify the right customers… and why curiosity, experimentation, and culture matter more than spreadsheets alone.In this episode, we talk about:👉 Curiosity as a sales tactic👉 Service over commodity👉 Protecting your margin👉 Plan. Do. Check. Act.👉 “Add value” thinking👉 Honoring your word👉 And more!If you buy scrap direct from industry or want to start, this episode is packed with insight you can apply immediately.Born Scrappy.Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?27 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing…I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand.I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I built THE killer scrap app, Buddy - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Kids rugby coach. YPO member. Founder. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Committed Stoic. Aspiring cowboy.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Born Scrappy I sit down with Evan J. Schwartz, Chief Innovation Officer at AMCS Group, to demystify technology and understand its practical application in the scrap metal industry.Evan has spent 35+ years across resource-intensive industries and now sits at the forefront of innovation at AMCS, operating across 80 countries. His job? Spot what’s coming next and help companies adopt it without blowing themselves up in the process.With all the buzz around tech right now, this episode is a masterclass in cutting through the hype.In this episode, we talk about:👉 Turning data into cash👉 Agentic automation👉 Data over gut feel👉 Cloud resilience👉 Practical AI use👉 Why ERPs fail👉 And more!If you’re a scrappy trying to future-proof your business, then don’t miss this one. Because over the next 10 years, the companies that use data to make better decisions will win.Born Scrappy.Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?27 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing…I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand.I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I built THE killer scrap app, Buddy - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Kids rugby coach. YPO member. Founder. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Committed Stoic. Aspiring cowboy.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Born Scrappy, I sit down with Craig Weber, Vice President of Global Recycled Scrap at Metal Exchange, for a masterclass on how scrap prices are really set.Craig has spent 30 years at Metal Exchange. He’s lived and worked in Zurich, Shanghai, and Singapore, building a global view of spreads, hedging, risk, and market structure that very few in our industry truly understand.We break down what “spot,” “forward,” and “hedge” mean in practice. We talk about how LME and COMEX influence pricing, why volatility has changed forward contracting, and what happens when suppliers don’t understand the risk behind a hedge.In this episode, we talk about:👉 Diversifying your buyers👉 Understanding spreads👉 Managing contract risk👉 Practical hedging👉 LME vs COMEX👉 Market volatility👉 And more!Whether you buy or sell, this episode will sharpen how you think about pricing and risk.Born Scrappy.Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?27 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing…I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand.I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I built THE killer scrap app, Buddy - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Kids rugby coach. YPO member. Founder. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Born Scrappy, I sit down with Steve Zusman, Vice President and Co-Owner of Metro Metals, for a masterclass on navigating market consolidation in the scrap industry.Steve brings decades of experience to the table - from growing up in a family-run yard to overseeing multiple business divisions including scrap, real estate, and garbage transfer across the Pacific Northwest.We talk about the real forces behind consolidation, what it’s like competing with the corporates, and how private operators can still win with strategy, discipline, and heart.In this episode, we talk about:👉 What’s actually driving consolidation👉 Rising insurance & compliance costs👉 Capital pressure on smaller operators👉 Why disciplined growth matters👉 Preparing properly for M&A👉 And more!Whether you’re a one-yard hustler or a regional player, this episode will help you rethink how to survive and thrive in today’s market.Born Scrappy.Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?27 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing…I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand.I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I built THE killer scrap app, Buddy - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Kids rugby coach. YPO member. Founder. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy

Send us Fan MailIn this week’s masterclass episode, I sit down with Neil Byce, Owner of CW Companies, Vice Chair of ReMA, and future Chair of the association.Neil built one of the fastest-growing scrap companies in the U.S., with 15 yards and counting. But he’s done it the hard way, by learning what breaks when you scale fast.This episode is a deep dive into the shift from being a hands-on owner running a good yard, to building a high-performance business that can scale, sustain, and succeed without you in the room.In this episode, we talk about:👉 Recognizing the signs you’ve outgrown your systems👉 Scaling people before you scale problems👉 Leadership lessons during rapid growth👉 Why letting go is key to leveling up👉 Moving from hustle to process👉 And more!If you’re a scrappy leader trying to grow your yard the right way, Neil’s insights are absolute gold.Born Scrappy.Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?27 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 11 football coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn this season opener, I sit down with Steve Deacon, Chief Commercial Officer at EMR Group, for a masterclass on margin… where it’s made, where it’s lost, and how to take control of it across your operation.Steve shares stories from his 20+ years in the industry, including starting out in a North Philly scrap yard, building and selling his own business, and ultimately taking on leadership roles across the US and now UK. We explore the art and science of margin: why it’s about much more than pricing, where it leaks away quietly, and how well-run yards build culture and systems to protect it.If you’re looking to sharpen your commercial thinking and spot the margin killers in your business, this episode is for you.In this episode, we talk about:👉 The #1 place margin disappears in your yard👉 Why “grade creep” can quietly kill your profits👉 How to stop data overload from paralyzing your team👉 Managing position like a trader (even if you’re a single yard)👉 Why culture eats equipment for breakfast👉 And more!Born Scrappy.Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?27 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 11 football coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn this week’s episode, I sit down with Nathan Workman from Pure Aluminum. We explore the future of aluminum and the lessons he’s learned from over a decade in the industry.Nathan started his career at Kaiser Aluminum, where he worked in casting, logistics, and metals trading before making the leap to Franklin Metals and Pure Aluminum. Today, he’s helping launch Pure Aluminum’s new secondary facility, rolling out an ERP system, and using data and AI to make smarter, faster trading and operational decisions.We dive into his journey from atmospheric science graduate, aka weather buff, to aluminum trading pro.In this episode, we talk about:👉 Lessons learned from trading and negotiations👉 Using AI and data to drive smarter operations👉 Culture, empowerment, and leadership👉 Building partnerships that last👉 And more!Born Scrappy.Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?26 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 10 football coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn this week’s episode, I chat with Michael Sciaba, General Manager of Allied Recycling Center. He’s one of the most hands-on, grounded operators in the game!Michael’s journey started young, working in his family’s construction business before pivoting to metal recycling in his teens. By 21, he was running the day-to-day operations. Today, he leads a thriving, self-funded business known for transparency, trust, and long-term thinking.Since taking the helm in 2010, he’s driven company growth, implemented strategic facility upgrades, and built a culture where operators and customers win together. And, yes… the man can cook! Just ask anyone who saw him dominate on John Sacco’s Table Scraps.In this episode, we talk about:👉 Turning competition into an opportunity to improve your operation👉 Using transparency to lock in customer loyalty👉 Using data to buy smarter and sell sharper👉 The role of culture in keeping great people👉 And much more!Born Scrappy.Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?26 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 10 football coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn this week’s episode, I chat to Becky Proler, President of SCR Recycling and a powerhouse in the metal recycling world.Becky’s family is credited with inventing the "Prolerizer," the first automobile shredder, a revolutionary innovation in metal recycling. And she’s still innovating today.We cover her decades-long journey from hand-sorting metal as a kid, to building a thriving shredding and processing operation in Houston, to pushing the boundaries of what AI can do for alloy separation.Becky shares what it’s like being a woman in a male-dominated industry, what she’s learned about leadership and trust, and why you should never stop buying, no matter what the markets say.In this episode, we talk about:👉 Building a business that values loyalty and grit👉 Why technology alone won’t save the industry👉 Why “never stop buying” is rule #1 in scrap👉 Adding value in a world of shifting alloys👉 And much more!Listen to the full episode, wherever you stream your podcasts.Born Scrappy.Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?26 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn this week’s episode, I chat to Jim Keefe, Executive Vice President of GIE Media and the driving force behind Scrap Expo - one of the most operator-friendly events in the metal recycling industry.Jim shares his 30+ year journey in the business, how he stumbled into the scrap world, and how Scrap Expo was born out of a clear need. Hands-on demos and direct connection for scrappies of all sizes.From running a publishing house to building one of the most action-packed events in the space, Jim’s story is a testament to building with intent and solving real problems.In this episode, we talk about:👉 Why Scrap Expo attracts ops teams and CEOs alike👉 How live demos are turning lookers into buyers👉 Reaching recyclers outside the big associations👉 Why 2025 is Scrap Expo’s biggest year yet👉 And much more!Listen to the full episode, wherever you stream your podcasts.Born Scrappy.Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?26 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn today’s episode I chat to Ryan Weinstein, Vice President of M&M Recycling.He’s a second-generation scrappy who literally grew up in the yard, and now oversees four locations including a shredding facility.Ryan blends old-school hustle with modern tools, from running dispatch to rolling out new software. He’s got deep knowledge from the yard floor to the global market, and has a clear vision for the future of the industry.In this episode, we talk about:👉 New tools in an old-school game👉 Building a business that cares👉 Doing what you say you’ll do👉 Why service beats pricing👉 And much more!Listen to the full episode, wherever you stream your podcasts.Born Scrappy.Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?26 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn this week’s episode, I chat with Bill Sulak, President of Ferrous Processing and Trading.Bill’s journey into scrap wasn’t planned, but once he walked through the gates as a scale operator in a three-piece suit, he was hooked. Two decades later, he's leading one of the most respected operations in the industry.Bill shares his views on leading from the ground up, why the best training happens in the yard, and how to build and maintain meaningful trading relationships. We dig into the importance of customer diversification, what 2008 taught him, and why adding real value is the key to long-term success.In this episode, we talk about:👉 Building talent from the ground up👉 Avoiding risk with buyer spread👉 Leading during market swings👉 Tracking operating costs👉 Planning for key exits👉 And much more!Listen to the full episode, wherever you stream your podcasts.Born Scrappy.Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?26 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I chat to Sarah Swilsky, President at Potomac Metals, and Sam Padnos, Trader at PADNOS.Two different paths. Two different companies. One honest conversation.Sarah and Sam reflect on growing up in the industry, stepping into leadership, and what it means to shape a business that reflects your values. If you're building something that lasts, this one's for you.We talk about:👉 Strategy beyond spreadsheets👉 Family dynamics in scrap👉 Leading with intention👉 Culture as a choice👉 Letting go to grow👉 And much more!Listen to the full episode. Wherever you stream your podcasts.Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?  26 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing…I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn this week’s episode, I chat with Vishal Jatia, Owner of Greenland Inc., and Aldo Jordan, President of The Metals Agency.These two industry veterans have traded through the wildest of market swings—and they’re here to talk about the strategies that help scrappies not just survive but thrive in volatile conditions.We dive into:👉 Navigating global logistics disruptions👉 Adapting to shifting Chinese tariffs👉 Strategic pivots when exports collapse👉 Why relationships and real-time info matter👉 The risk of putting material on water👉 Domestic vs export playbooks👉 And much more!Whether you’re moving 10 containers a month or just starting to think globally, this episode is a crash course in how to keep your edge in uncertain times.Listen to the full episode. Wherever you stream your podcasts.Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?26 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn this week’s episode I chat to Andrew Lincoln, VP/GM at Lincoln Recycling and Recycled Materials Associtaion (ReMA) Director-At-Large. He’s a third-gen recycler and together with his brother Jeremy, they have continued to grow the core business while expanding into brokerage and remote interior demolition services across the US.Andrew is also a reality-TV sensation, featuring in both seasons of John Sacco’s acclaimed Table Scraps. While some would argue that the International Team was robbed in season 2, Andrew’s Team OG did take home the trophy.In this episode, we talk about:👉 Having a fail fast philosophy👉 ⁠Capturing relationship data👉 ⁠⁠Why small gestures matter👉 ⁠Weight estimation pitfalls👉 ⁠And much more!Listen to the full episode. Wherever you stream your podcasts.Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?26 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn this week’s episode I chat to Eds Harding, 3rd generation and Vice President of Operations at Harding Metals. Eds went straight from college into the family business and has never looked back. Not only is he the ReMA New England Chapter President, but he was recently named ReMA’s Young Executive of the Year - congrats Eds!In this episode, we talk about:👉 When no deal is your best deal👉 Sweating your software👉 Customer diversity👉 Unsung hero’s👉 And more!Listen to the full episode. Wherever you stream your podcasts.Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?26 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn this week’s episode I chat to Jessica Alexanderson, known to many in the industry as “Scuba Jess”. Jess started out in shipping with Evergreen, where she was responsible for helping scrappies ship their recycled metal around the world. In her free time, Jess cleans up the ocean on her diving expeditions.Jess has always been passionate about the environment and when the opportunity presented itself, she transitioned into educating the net generation of recyclers. She partnered with Brad Rudover of Detroit Scrap and educator Shaziya Manji Jaffer to publish their first kids book, The Girl Who Recycled A Million Cans.They have since published a second book, A Recycling Adventure To The Scrapyard, and are about to publish their third kids book on recycling, Recycled Lava.Just this week Jess launched an NGO, The Recycling Society, to help students learn how recycling works, raise funds for their schools, and take real action to create lasting impact in their schools and communities.Jess’ mission is one that every single scrappy can get behind, and if you don’t know about all the great work she is already doing, I hope that after listening to this episode that you buy in hook, line and sinker!If you ever see Jess at an industry event, you absolutely have to meet her in person. She is a ray of sunshine and brings exactly the energy and enthusiasm we need to inspire the next generation!In this episode, we talk about:👉 Teaching the next generation👉 The 2 million cans contest👉 ⁠heavy metal elementary👉 ⁠The recycling society👉 ⁠Recycled Lava👉 ⁠And more!Listen to the full episode. Wherever you stream your podcasts.Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?26 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn this week’s episode I chat to Tyler Adams, COO of SA Recycling. Tyler was born scrappy and has emerged into one of the most forward-thinking leaders in our industry today. He started boots on the ground, degree in hand, and was given permission to fail. The way he thinks about leadership, culture, finance, and operations is steeped in intergenerational wisdom, deep personal experience, and a willingness to challenge the status quo.In this episode, we talk about:👉 Building in diversity and optionality👉 Understanding your margins👉 Where data meets gut feel👉 Believing in your team👉 Uncovering talent👉 And much more!Listen to the full episode. Wherever you stream your podcasts.Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?26 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn this week’s episode, I chatted to Brian Shine (CEO at Manitoba Corporation), Sam Desai (VP at RM Metals) and international trade attorney Camelia Mazard (Partner at Doyle, Barlow & Mazard).This episode was recorded at the recent ReMA Joint New Jersey, Mid-Atlantic, & New York Chapter Atlantic City Meeting. It was my first time attending their chapter event, and it definitely won’t be the last time! I’ve added it to my list of must-attend annual events and if you’re doing business or looking to break in to the region, then so should you.The panelists shared their experiences, challenges, and the strategic adaptations needed to navigate the unpredictable trade landscape we currently find ourselves in.In this episode, we talk about:👉 Importance of incoterms👉 Free trade vs fair trade👉 The case for lobbying👉 Taking the loss👉 And more!Listen to the full episode. Wherever you stream your podcasts.Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?27 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I chat to Atilla Widnell, Founder & Managing Director of Navigate Commodities.Navigate Commodities monitors commodity supply chains in real time through the use of satellites. They monitor production at steel mills and analyse metal flow in specific regions.We discuss the latest developments in the steel industry, particularly focusing on China's recent National People's Congress and its implications on global steel markets. This episode is a deep dive into understanding the major forces shaping the global steel industry and what to expect in the coming months.In today's episode, we talk about:👉 Chinese capacity cuts👉 Structural reforms👉 Global steel market complexity👉 The situation in turkey👉 And much more!Listen to the full episode. Wherever you stream your podcasts.Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?26 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I chat to Dr. Salam Sharif, the Chairman of Sharif Metals Group, one of the largest scrap metal exporters in the Middle East. Dr. Sharif is the former Chairman of BIR, the Founding President of the BIR, and the Director of Advocacy for the Dubai Recycling Business Group at the Dubai Chambers.He's a civil and metallurgical engineer, with an executive MBA and a doctorate degree in Engineering and Economy. There are few people in this industry as experienced, educated and accomplished as Dr Al Sharif.In today's episode, we talk about:👉 Getting your hands dirty👉 Competing strategically👉 Acting early in a crisis👉 Creative partnerships👉 And much more!Listen to the full episode. Wherever you stream your podcasts.Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?26 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I chat to Brian Shine, CEO of Manitoba Corporation, Chairman of the Canadian Association of Recycling Industries (CARI) and a former Chairman of the Recycled Materials Association (ReMA).With all the turbulence around tariffs, this is a point in time conversation where we explore how the latest US and retaliatory tariffs are impacting metal recyclers and consumers across the US, Canada and Mexico, and how they may be impacted in the long term if this is the new status quo.In today's episode, we talk about:👉 The long terms impacts👉 Supply chain resilience👉 Consumer capacity👉 Trade associations👉 And much more!Listen to the full episode. Wherever you stream your podcasts.Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?26 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I chat to Andy Cohen, Vice President of Raw Material Purchasing and Sales at Metal Conversions. More importantly for this episode, Andy is Event Chair for REMA's The Show 2025 taking place this May in San Diego.Andy has been in the scrap metal industry for nearly two decades and has attended countless ReMA events and held various different roles as part of ReMA. He’s introducing whole lot of new things to this year’s event and is looking to break all the records!Whether you’re a regular at the annual event, or you’re thinking about going for the first time - this episode is for you!In today's episode, we talk about: 👉 What to expect at The Show 👉 VIP tickets and after parties 👉 The Safety First Plaza👉 Keynote speakers👉 And much more! Listen to the full episode. Wherever you stream your podcasts.Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?26 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I chat to Amy Hinton, North American Scrap Editor for Fastmarkets.She has her finger on the pulse when it comes to price reporting and has become a familiar face in the industry.Amy has a background in both financial services and journalism, and holds a Masters degree from University of Bath.In today's episode, we talk about:👉 The impact of new tariffs👉 The winners and losers👉 Domestic mill capacity👉 New trading lanes👉 And much more!Listen to the full episode. Wherever you stream your podcasts.Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?26 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn this episode I chat to Zohra Shroff, Director of Operations at Sealink International.Zohra has been in the freight game for 20 years and let's just say she knows a thing or two!In today's episode, we talk about:👉  Strategies to reduce shipping costs  👉 Freight forwarders vs going direct 👉 Common shipping mistakes👉 Freight outlook for 2025👉 And much more!Listen to the full episode. Wherever you stream your podcasts.Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?25 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I chat to Jonathan Ross, Vice President at John Ross & Sons, a large metal recycler in Eastern Canada. The company has 14 yards, including a large auto shredding operation, and a very impressive cable granulation plant. Jonathan is a fourth generation metal recycler, and by the sounds of it, there'll be a lot more generations running this company in the future.  In today's episode, we talk about:👉 When markets crash👉 Capital purchases👉 Going direct👉 Buying right👉 And more!Listen to the full episode. Wherever you stream your podcasts.Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?25 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I chat to Adam Schaffer, AVP of International Trade and Global Affairs at the Recycled Materials Association (ReMA).He has over 15 years of experience in trade policy, government relations, and international affairs, with a focus on the metal and recycling industries, including as Director of Trade and Economic Policy at the American Iron and Steel Institute.He has a Master of Public Policy from George Washington University and a BA in International Studies.Who better to walk us through the potential impacts of the new US administration's policies on the recycling industry?!In today's episode, we talk about:👉 International environmental treaties👉 Supply chain resilience👉 Export restrictions👉 Retaliatory tariffs👉 And much more!Listen to the full episode. Wherever you stream your podcasts.Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?25 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I chat to Kristen Hildreth, AVP of Government Relations and Strategic Partnerships at ReMA.Drawing on her extensive policy expertise from the National Conference of State Legislatures, Kristen provides a front-row perspective on the expected impact of the newly elected Trump administration on the metal recycling industry. This is a two-part series, with the focus of this week's episode on how these changes could affect the US domestic market. In today's episode, we talk about:👉 Possible funding rescissions👉 Anticipated policy changes👉 Likely regulatory rollbacks👉 New trade regulations👉 And so much more!Listen to the full episode. Wherever you stream your podcasts.Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?25 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn today's episode, I chat with Dave Klein, Senior Vice President of Nonferrous Marketing and Trading at Alter Trading, one of the largest privately owned metal recyclers in the US with over 75 locations across the country.He has spent the better part of three decades in the metal recycling industry, and has years of hard-won wisdom from his experience.In today's episode, we talk about:👉 Buying against today's price👉 Learning from your failures👉 Honoring your contracts👉 Taking it slowly👉 And more!Listen to the full episode. Wherever you stream your podcasts.Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?25 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn today's maintenance masterclass, I chat with Justin Trentadue.Justin is Vice President of Operations at Coastal Waste and Recycling in Florida, but more related to this special episode, he's also the founder of Uptime PM, an innovative tech solution for vehicle and plant maintenance management.Justin is a problem solver and is currently solving a problem he has experienced first hand as a scrappy.In today's episode, we talk about:👉 Flaws in the current maintenance reporting process👉 Having a middle person handling the noise👉 When red flags fall on deaf ears👉 The value of data👉 And much more!Listen to the full episode. Wherever you stream your podcasts.Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?25 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn today's episode, I chat with Abhijay Goenka. He is the Vice President of Steelbro International, the Co-Chair of ReMA's Young Executives Council and is on the Young Traders Committee at the BIR.Abhijay has an MBA from Wharton and a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Accounting from NYU Stern. He is the perfect example of the very impressive next generation coming into the industry!In today's episode, we talk about:👉  Why brokers are investment bankers👉  Understanding both sides of a trade👉  Collaborating with competitors👉  Thinking long term👉  And much more!Listen to the full episode. Wherever you stream your podcasts.Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?25 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn today's episode, I chat with Andy Golding. He is the friendliest face at every conference you'll attend, and he also knows a thing or two about metal recycling!He was the VP of Sales and Marketing at Kripke Enterprises for 16 years, and is now their Chief Strategy Officer. He's also the incoming chairman of ReMA.In today's episode, we talk about:👉  What forges relationships👉  Humour in marketing👉  Texting is for friends👉  Assessing the vibe👉  And much more!Listen to the full episode. Wherever you stream your podcasts.Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?25 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn this week's episode, I chat with Marc Schupan, the CEO of Schupan & Sons. The business was started in 1968 and it has remained a family business all this time and now employs over 600  people.Marc has spent 50 years in the metal recycling industry and has been recognised in the industry and beyond for his extraordinary achievements. He was shortlisted as a national finalist in the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in 2022 and he won the prestigious Harbour Aluminum Gene Greenberg Award for the world’s top aluminum executive in 2023.In today's episode, we talk about:👉  Timeless lessons passed down👉  The need to insure and hedge👉  Making a difference👉  Leading with ethics👉  And much more!Listen to the full episode. Wherever you stream your podcasts.Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?25 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailBorn Scrappy x Mike’s Mic.Live from Scrap Expo 2024.With special guest Seth Alter.In this special episode, which was recorded live at Scrap Expo, we bring you the first ever collaboration between Born Scrappy and Mike's Mic.Michael Goldstein and I got to talk about all things metal recycling. We also had the pleasure of being joined on the stage for some of the show by our good friend, Seth Alter.In today's episode, we talk about:👉  What makes for a well-run yard👉  Creating a safety-first culture👉  Internal communication👉  Retaining talent👉  And moreListen to the full episode. Wherever you stream your podcasts.Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?25 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn today's episode, I'm joined by Nidhi Turakhia. Nidhi is the CEO and Partner at Allied Alloys and the Vice President at Titan Metals Corporation.She has an MBA, a double bachelor's degree in Economics and Spanish, a real estate certificate,  and a yoga teaching certificate. There's not much Nidhi can't do!  In today's episode, we talk about:👉  Why blending is like baking a cake👉  Data-driven decision making👉  Relationships👉  Being agile👉  And moreListen to the full episode. Wherever you stream your podcasts.Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?25 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn today's episode, I'm joined by Joel Fogel, Executive Vice President at Cohen Recycling.Cohen has been around for more than 100 years and is a fourth generation metal recycling business. Although Joel wasn't there from when it started in 1924, he's been there for almost a third of its time and was definitely born scrappy!In today's episode, we talk about:👉 Operations vs commercial👉 Internal collaboration👉 Being afraid of tech👉 The art of pivoting👉 And more!Listen to the full episode. Wherever you stream your podcasts.Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?25 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn today's episode, I’m joined by Sandy Brooks.Sandy is Vice President of Finance at SA Recycling, the largest privately owned metal recycler in the US.Sandy has been an integral part of SA's growth, from 17 to over 140 recycling facilities.Sandy started her career at Ernst Young, was CFO of four companies, had her own accounting and tax practice, and wrote a tax guide.She's currently chair of ReMA's Audit Committee, sits on the ReMA National Board, and is President of its West Coast chapter.In today’s episode we talk about:👉 Cleaning up your asset list👉 Factoring tax into a sale👉 The right time to sell👉 Staging for a sale👉 And more!Listen to the full episode. Wherever you stream your podcasts.Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?25 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn today's episode, I’m joined by Cliff Nance.Owner and CEO of Tungco Inc. Companies. Not only is Tungco Inc a global leader in the tungsten recycling industry. They have a world-class culture and are customer-obsessed.It's no secret that Cliff likes to work hard and play hard. He even has his own gastropub, The Crowded House 🍻 And he plays the guitar and drums too!In today’s episode we talk about:👉 Creating a team culture👉 Building competitors👉 Mastering your craft👉 Just saying yes👉 Cybersecurity👉 And more!Listen to the full episode. Wherever you stream your podcasts.Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?25 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn today's episode, I’m joined by Beatriz Landa.As the VP of Metal Procurement and Recycling for Novelis North America, she holds one of the most influential roles in recycled aluminium.Not only is she a big player in our industry, she also has an MBA and played professional soccer. She's an all round overachiever!In today’s episode we talk about:👉 Planned growth & opportunities👉 New sources of revenue👉 Partnering for success👉 Scrap Champions👉 Landfill mining👉 And moreBorn Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?25 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn today's episode, I’m joined by David Dodds.David is the owner operator and CEO at Sackers. Sackers is a UK based metal recycler operating a shredder as well as a copper granulation plant.He was born scrappy and has decades of experience under his belt.In today’s episode we talk about:👉 Making money on the buy👉 Avoiding the blame game👉 When pricing matters👉 Modelling for capex👉 And much moreBorn Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?25 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailHi! I'm Stu Kagan, welcome to Born Scrappy.My goal is to spark more industry collaboration through sharing the experiences and learnings of industry greats through my podcast.So if you are a scrap metal exporter and you're ready to up your game by standing on the shoulders of giants - this one's for you!SEASON 2 | EPISODE 19FEATURING GUEST ALDO JORDANIn today's episode, I’m joined by Aldo Jordan.Aldo is President at The Metals Agency and has spent 20 years in the industry, from commercial purchasing and commercial sales to operations and international logistics.For 12 years, he worked for metal recycling giant Schnitzer Steel in various executive management positions, most recently as Director of Non-Ferrous Sales.Not only is Aldo highly experienced in global B2B metal recycling commodity trading, he also holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and an MBA from Loyola University in Chicago.In today’s episode we talk about:👉 Understanding your material quality👉 Having a personal board of advisors👉 Giving your buyer a heads up👉 Making money on the buy👉 Credit insurance👉 And much moreBorn Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?25 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Send us Fan MailIn today's episode, I’m joined by Tim Ridderbos.Tim is the GM of Circular by Shapiro, and was previously the Director of National Accounts for there. So he definitely knows how to look after our recycling customers!He's learned how to make a customer a client for life by adding huge value through sustainability reporting, and he gives us some great tips we can implement immediately.In today’s episode we talk about:👉 Where to begin with sustainability👉 Why it won’t happen on zoom👉 Looking beyond commodities👉 Educating your customers👉 Navigating the wild west👉 And so much more!Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace built for scrappies, by scrappies.https://www.tradebuddy.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?25 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing...I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. No small feat in a country where people are outnumbered 4:1 by sheep (spoiler alert: sheep don’t produce much metal waste).I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I took all of my experience as an operator and trader and leveraged that to build THE killer scrap app, Buddy. That’s right - built for scrappies, by scrappies.Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 9 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.COME SAY HI ON LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/