Born Scrappy

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In this masterclass, I'm joined by John Sacco. John was the first real content creator in our industry and is a massive advocate for recycled materials.

John grew up in the recycling world and is currently the owner of Sierra International. Over the past few years, while hosting the podcast A Pile of Scrap, as well as creating the docuseries Repurposed, John has become the face of our industry.

In this episode we chat about:

·        How he became the most prolific advocate and lobbyist for recycled materials

·        Three things we can start doing today to help our industry

·        The things we should stop doing immediately

·        Why it's important to post on social media

·        What it means to be an advocate

·        And so 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.

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). 

Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 8 rugby coach. YPO member. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Chief dog walker. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion.

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In this episode, I'm joined by Chris Greenfield. Chris is the Vice President at American ingot maker, The Federal Metal Company. While Chris wasn’t born scrappy, you wouldn’t think that’s the case.

In this episode we chat about:

• Why your competitors aren't your enemy
• How to find out if a buyer is trustworthy
• The characteristics of a top supplier
• When a "no" isn't really a "no"
• Staying stoic 
• And so 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.

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). 

Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 8 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/

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In this episode, I'm joined by Rick Dobkin. Rick is the chief commercial officer at Shapiro Metals and has been in the metal recycling industry for about 35 years now.

In this episode we chat about:

·        How he got out of a bind when they couldn't sell their stock

·        The need to always develop new partners

·        Why listening is a key skill when trading 

·        Getting through the tough times 

·        Not becoming complacent

·        Being purpose-driven

·        And so 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.

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). 

Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 8 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/

Send us Fan Mail

In this Masterclass, we focus on marketing for metal recyclers with Jen Betts. Jen has taken the industry by storm over the last few years, and you can see her on stage at most events you go to. 

You may also know Jen as host of the metal recycling podcast, Betts on the Future. Her experience in metals and her passion for marketing are a great combination for our industry, and I always have a great time chatting to her.

In this episode we chat about:

·        Why social media marketing is like eating your vegetables

·        Marketing to attract your next great hire

·        Top 3 marketing tips for metal recyclers

·        Marketing on the global stage

·        How to take on the big guys

·        Educating the masses

·        And so 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.

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). 

Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 8 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/

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, I chat to Autumn Barnes. Autumn has been trading metal for almost 25 years now and spent 20 of them at Sims.

As the Director of North American Containerized Ferrous Trading, she currently holds the role of Vice President of Trade at the United Metal Solutions Group. 

In this episode we chat about:

• Mentorship 
• Surprise shipments
• Picking up the phone
• Honouring your agreements
• Collaborating with competitors
• And so 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.

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). 

Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 8 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/

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, I chat to Matt Kripke. Matt has been the owner and operator of the metal recycling company Kripke Enterprises for almost 30 years now.

Not only does Kripke Enterprises run their own metal recycling facilities, they also have a coil sales division in Tennessee, as well as a trading office based out of Florida.

In this episode we chat about:

•Why a lose-lose can be a win in the long run
•Bringing solutions instead of problems
•Conferences and collaboration
•The case for using a broker
•The power of a heads up
•Firing your customers
•And so 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.

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). 

Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 8 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/

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, I chat to Michael Pawlowski.

Michael is Founder and Chairman of the Oryx Stainless Group.

Oryx has been trading for over 25 years and they are currently one of the largest buyers of stainless in the world.

In this episode we chat about:

·        How to sell when the markets are down

·        How to become a better trader 

·        Being careful who you choose

·        Why trading is like marriage

·        Knowing your counterparty

·        And so 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.

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). 

Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 8 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/

Send us Fan Mail

In this week’s episode, I chat to Brett Ekart about Entrepreneurship.

Brett is one of the most well-known personalities in the metal recycling industry.

But Brett’s strength isn’t only in scrap metal. He is a serial entrepreneur owning businesses like United Metal Recycling, TV Pipe Supply, United Hauling, Tire Reclaim, United Storage, Recycled Media, Copper Reclaim and more. 

He also hosts two scrap-related podcasts, A Scrap Life and Recycled Idaho.

In this extended episode, we discuss things like:

• What’s better than a lemonade stand to learn about business
• What things can and cant be taught
• Why failing is so important
• Why unlike sport, we can all win
• And so 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.

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). 

Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 8 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/

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, I chat to Tom Bird. Tom has been in the metal recycling industry for pretty much all his life, starting in the family business while still in school. 

Up until a few months ago, he was President of the BIR and he's held many senior roles in the industry, including Managing Director at Sims. He has recently started a new metal recycling venture, Enicor.

In this episode we chat about:

• When the markets start to go, there’s no point in messing around
• You can’t punch somebody at the bottom of a ruck anymore
• Forcing people into corners isn’t going to work
• If you don’t buy it right, you’ve got a problem
• Don’t assume anything – do your homework
• Fridge Mountain and Car Everest
• 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.

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). 

Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 8 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/

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, I chat to Jurgen Van Gorp. Jurgen has 23 years experience in metal recycling and currently holds the position of portfolio manger of raw materials for Aurubis Group. 

He’s also a member of the Non-Ferrous Board of the BIR and is an active speaker and panelist at various recycling conferences globally.

In this episode we chat about:

• When to walk away from a short term gain
• The inaugural Born Scrappy boxing bout
• Advice that has stuck for 23 years
• The times they are a-changin’
• You have to work for it
• 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.

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). 

Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Under 8 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/