In 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 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 LINKEDIN

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

Hi! 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 19
FEATURING GUEST ALDO JORDAN

In 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 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 LINKEDIN

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

In 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 LINKEDIN

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

In today's episode, I’m joined by Garrett Tracey.

Garrett is the former Chief Operating Officer and Chief Commercial Officer at Sims Brothers Recycling, and has recently gone on his own and started Recycling Revenue Partners.

Garrett is a super knowledgeable guy and there is heaps to be learned from his years of experience.

In today’s episode we talk about:

👉 The truth about tech vs relationships

👉 Making your money on the buy

👉 Why your buyers should visit

👉 Turning your inventory

👉 Being consistent

👉 And 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 LINKEDIN

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

In today's episode, I’m joined by Pablo Colucci.

Pablo is the Founder and Managing Director of US-based brokerage firm Compass Metal Trading.

Pablo started out young, scrappy and hungry. He said "yes" to all the opportunities that came his way. And he transitioned from ops to trading, from employment to ownership.

His story inspired me, and I think you might find that too.

In today’s episode we talk about:

👉 The truth about tech vs relationships
👉 Making your money on the buy
👉 Why your buyers should visit
👉 Turning your inventory
👉 Being consistent
👉 And 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 LINKEDIN

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

In today's episode, I’m joined by Vishal Jatia.

Vishal is the owner of Greenland, a third generation family-owned trading company.

Vishal is one of the most recognisable figures at every conference and seems to be buying from every metal recycler in the world. You'll never hear a bad thing about him, And for good reason. He's a great guy and a pleasure to do business with.

In today’s episode we talk about:

• Changing industry perceptions
• Navigating regulatory change
• The power of a handshake
• Knowing your consumers
• The 3 Cs of partnership
• And much more!

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 LINKEDIN

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/

In today's episode, I’m joined by Sean Daoud.

Sean started out as a scale operator and has worked his way up through the ranks to become the Vice President, Treasurer, Director and Shareholder at PNW Metal Recycling.

Last year he was awarded the ISRI (ReMA) Young Executive of the Year and he was recently elected as the Secretary/Treasurer of ReMA - congrats Sean!

He has over 15 years of industry experience, an MBA in Finance, and is an all-round great guy.

In today’s episode we talk about:

• Combining data and gut feel
• Being boots on the ground
• Managing key person risk
• Leading by example
• Financing growth
• And much more!

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 LINKEDIN

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/

In today's episode, I’m joined by Atilla Widnell.

Attila is the Founder and Managing Director at Navigate Commodities.

Navigate Commodities monitors commodity supply chains in real time through the use of satellites. This means they know what size stockpiles are in any yard at any time.

They can monitor production at steel mills, analyse metal flow in specific regions, and so much more.

In the show, we talk about why this info is helpful, how to stay ahead of the curve, how to use this info to make better decisions. Is this even legal? And so much more.

In today’s episode we talk about:

• Using data to drive decision-making
• Embracing technological change
• Why satelite data is so powerful
• Staying ahead of the curve
• If this data is legal
• And much more!

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 LINKEDIN

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/

In today's episode, I’m joined by Osama Nadeem.

Osama is the Director of Ferrous at Better Deals, a large broker in Pakistan. Better Deals are a very well respected agent, and I personally have dealt with Osama for almost 15 years.

In today’s episode we talk about:

• Doing what it takes to ship on time
• Optimising your trading strategy
• Why greed is dangerous
• Why we offer firm
• And much more!

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 LINKEDIN

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/

In today's episode, Born Scrappy host Stu Kagan and his wife and business partner Lisa join John Sacco for a candid convo about their latest recycled metals venture, Buddy.

Buddy is a relationship-led recycled materials marketplace built for scrappies, by scrappies. And it launched recently at ISRI 2024, where this episode was recorded.

In today’s episode we talk about:

• Starting over in a new country
• Building a metal recycling co
• Making hard decisions
• Dealing with setbacks
• The Buddy launch
• And so much more!

If you liked this episode, you can hear more from John Sacco on Pile of Scrap wherever you get your podcasts.

YouTube - @SierraInternationalMachinery

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4zlieQqEd8AUlMe0NpteZo?si=a24ac961e9514a78

Apple - https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=1473656821

To find out more about John Sacco:

https://sierraintl.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-sacco-8a8a1b10

To find out more about Buddy:

www.tradebuddy.io

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 LINKEDIN

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/