In this episode of Rapid Fire Manufacturing, David Turner sits down with Tim Ridderbos, Vice President of Circular Business Development at Shapiro Metals, to explore the future of sustainable manufacturing.
Tim shares his journey from swinging hammers in construction to leading circular business initiatives that help manufacturers recover materials and drive profit with purpose. He explains how recycling is shifting from “scrap” to recycled materials, why culture and training matter on the shop floor, and how innovation and process improvement are reshaping manufacturing across aerospace, defense, and industrial markets.
This conversation dives into the business case for sustainability, the importance of employee engagement, and how every manufacturer can find hidden value in what’s leaving the back door.
00:00 Introduction to Sustainable Manufacturing
05:02 The Journey into Manufacturing
10:16 The Mission Behind Recycling
16:51 Innovations in Recycling Technology
21:04 The Future of Recycled Materials
