As we get more and more emerged into the Coronavirus pandemic, there are many questions being asked within the scrap industry. John Sacco invites medical professional Dr. Vip Dev and the biggest names in scrap such as Brett Ekart from United Metals Recycling, Sean Daoud from PNW Metal Recycling, Matt Kripke from Kripke Enterprises, Andrew Lincoln from Lincoln Recycling, and Nathan Frankel from Advanced Steel Recovery to give us the inside scoop on the availability of virus testing and how the scrap industry remains in operation through the slowing of production and business closures.

Basic necessities have been wiped from the shelves since the outbreak of the Coronavirus has stirred up panic in our communities. Toilet paper, water, and even certain meats – gone. John Sacco sits down with us to discuss the absurdity the World has been going through the past few days and how improving communication between production companies and consumers can positively affect these circumstances.

With the ISRI convention being officially cancelled and having a daughter overseas spending the semester abroad after an announcement of a European travel ban, John Sacco is starting to feel the panic of the novel Coronavirus. Having uncertainty about what this virus means for our economy and others in the industry, John advises us to remain calm.

Update: Due to the ongoing developments of the novel Coronavirus ISRI, including the WHO pandemic declaration and the many state-of-emergency declarations around the country, ISRI cannot go forward with ISRI2020 this April. However, this podcast episode still highlights the benefits of attending an ISRI National Convention. We hope to see you at ISRI2021 in San Diego!

If there’s one thing the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) is known for, it’s their conventions. Chuck Carr, mastermind behind the industry’s biggest event of the year, talks with John Sacco about the significant benefits ISRI’s conventions can bring to your business. Although networking is number one on that list, the keynote speakers and the educational programs make it a guarantee that this event won’t disappoint.

Are you sick and tired of the countless regulations being put on your yard that are implemented by elected officials who know nothing about the industry? John Sacco is, which is why he’s decided to tell us what we need to do to get our voices heard so that we can properly inform the public and control the message about what it is we do.

Sierra’s Recycle Everything Balers (REBs) are known for getting the job done both quickly and efficiently. However, achieving such high standards wouldn’t be possible without the help of a combined 60 years of experience in the business. John Sacco packs up and heads to Jesup, Georgia, home to Sierra’s manufacturing plant, to meet with General Manager Emory Olds and Head Technician of Sierra’s Two-Ram Balers Randy Hanson. Here, these guys talk specifics on the design and engineering of the World’s leading line of two-ram balers.

Pile of Scrap host and former Chairman of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) John Sacco travels to Washington, D.C. to sit down with old colleague and ISRI President Robin Wiener to gain some insight into the industry and inform listeners of the positive influences that ISRI has had across the board. ISRI has made monumental impacts for its members and the industry as a whole in terms of saving the environment and bettering the economy which, according to Robin, is sure to continue in the many years to come

Jason Schenker is back! John Sacco invites one of the most accurate financial forecasters and futurists in the world to kick back, relax, and enjoy some homemade pizza and steak at his home in Bakersfield, California. But first, Jason sits down to answer a few of the many questions that have been asked about the state of our economy including the important effects the Wuhan Coronavirus has on scrap and global markets, how the science of economics directly impacts the 2020 Presidential election, and even the repercussions of “wish recycling.”

As a home away from home, Indiana has held a special place in host John Sacco’s heart thanks to the Lewis family. Holding a 30-year-long friendship with Mike Lewis, President of Lewis Salvage Co., the two friends were able to talk about the growth of Lewis Salvage, what the future holds for Mike’s son, Cary, leading the company into the next generation, and the importance of maintaining close friendships in the industry.

The recycling industry is notorious for family-owned businesses and United Metals Recycling is no different. Starting from the time Brett Ekart was watching cartoons in his grandpa’s office all the way to graduating with his MBA, he always knew scrap was in his blood. As the third generation Ekart to own United Metals, based in Boise, Idaho, Brett joins Pile of Scrap to talk about the incredible journey he’s had in becoming CEO and how the generations before him have helped pave the way to the successful business it is today.