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In 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 LINKEDIN

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

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

https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy