Shows
A Scrap LifeScrap Expo '25: Maximize Growth, Control Costs and Capitalize on Opportunities | Sep. 17, 2025The fourth annual Scrap Expo in Louisville, KY concluded on September 17th, 2025. "Maximize Growth, Control Costs and Capitalize on Opportunities", was a session on September 17th that featured Brett Ekart, CEO of United Metals Recycling, as moderator, along with panelists Brian Ferguson, CFO of United Metals, Blake Dorsett, president of ShearWorx, and Aldo Jordan, president of The Metals Agency. They discussed strategies for maximizing growth and controlling costs in the metal recycling sector, emphasized the strategic use of third-party services for operational flexibility, specialized processing, and expanded market access. Key strategies also highlighted the importance of leveraging technology (like AI...
2025-10-0157 min
Built to Work PodcastBuilt to Work | Episode 16 | Brett Ekart | United Metals RecyclingOn this of Built to Work, Colin sits down with Brett Ekart, owner of United Metals. They discuss the ins and out of growing a business with an emphasis on servant leadership, hiring the right people, and taking the risk of betting on yourself. Produced by Recycled Media.
2025-09-2942 min
A Scrap LifeA Scrap Life: Episode 118 | The Boardroom | With Nick, Brett and ChadIn this special episode of the Scrap Life Podcast, Chad Ellerbrook sits down with Brett Ekart and Nick Snyder to dive into their early days in the scrap industry. From funny moments to tough lessons, they share the stories that shaped their journey and built the foundation for their success. Tune in for an honest, entertaining look at what it takes to grow in the world of scrap. Produced by Recycled Media.
2025-04-1157 min
A Scrap LifeA Scrap Life: Episode 94 | Generational Courage | Rod Ekart and Jay RobinovitzOn this special live edition of A Scrap Life: Generational Courage, Brett is joined on the ISRI 2024 main stage by his dad Rod Ekart and longtime business partner/friend Jay Robinovitz to have an in depth conversation about family businesses. Produced by Recycled Media.
2024-04-2558 min
CREducation PodcastEpisode 014 - The Intersection of Metal Recycling and CRE with Brett Ekart of United Metals RecyclingBrett Ekart of United Metals Recycling appears in this episode of the TVCRE Podcast. Brett is a go getter! He has made a number of power moves to help grow his family business into a real force to be reckoned with, including a number of commercial real estate plays that he breaks down on this episode. We haven't explored the intersection of this type of business and commercial real estate on the show before, and we hope you enjoy the new approach. If you aren't already following Brett on LinkedIn, you need to be! He posts regularly...
2023-10-1746 min
Betts on the Future2023 Scrap Expo | Exploring Women's Contributions In Scrap Recycling | S01E12Empowering Women in the Metals Recycling Industry: Panel Discussion with Industry Leaders In this engaging panel discussion, metals industry veteran Brett Ekart moderates a discussion with four accomplished women to talk about their career paths in the metals recycling industry. The panelists include Autumn Barnes, Vice President of Trade at United Metals Solutions Group; Shawn Harre, Executive Director at Cimco Resources; Beatriz Landa, Vice President for Novelis North America; and Jennifer Betts, CEO of Magnar Metals. They share their experiences, challenges, and the importance of diversity and mentorship in the industry. The conversation also touches on how to en...
2023-09-2546 min
Born ScrappyBorn Scrappy | S1E6 | With Guest Brett Ekart | Entrepreneurship MasterclassSend us a textIn 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...
2023-09-111h 27
Betts on the FutureBetts on the Future: Special EditionOn this episode of Betts on the Future, Jennifer is joined by Chad Ellerbrock and Brett Ekart to discuss the latest in steel mill consolidation. Produced by Recycled Media.
2023-08-1814 min
Trucking for Millennials2023 Summer Heat Master MixIn this episode of the podcast we wanted to feature some of the hottest clips from the show so far this year! You'll hear a range of logistics professionals give their hot takes and insight forged from the trenches to help you become the best freight professional you can be. It also is tracked to music 🔥 Be sure to scroll through our library of shows featuring these guests in 2023 so far: Chris Jolly Brett Ekart Gretchen Long - Long Money Trucking Michael Lombard Roland Balduc...
2023-06-1944 min
Dirty Scrap The Aluminum PodcastBrett EkartYou will discover how entrepreneurs from different generations have found their passion in scrap recycling and have built successful businesses. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit julioquintero.substack.com
2023-05-2336 min
Trucking for MillennialsRunning Over 40 Trucks and Living a Scrap Life w/ Brett EkartBrett Ekart is a guy who was raised in a family business that started in 1972. His parents took over in 1997, and in 2015 Brett became the third generation taking advantage of the opportunities to continue building the business. In addition to several scrap yards, Brett is running 40+ trucks. In this episode you'll get an inside look into How Brett spends his time as a leader of multiple companies Empowering his employees Working with family and friends Working through failures Favorite books Playing offense Making good people decisions Overcoming the adversity throughout the journey and much m...
2023-02-131h 08
Converter UnknownConverter Unknown: Episode 4 | SEMA Show 2022 Wrap UpOn this episode of Converter Unknown, Nick Snyder, Berry Prescott, Brett Ekart and Jay Milligan sit down to discuss how they felt the 2022 SEMA Show went for Converter Reclaim as well as new converter anti-theft devices.
2022-11-1726 min
Pile of ScrapEp. 66: Managing Your Yard and Your Industry with Jay Robinovitz and Brett EkartAt the ScrapExpo event in Louisville, Kentucky, John Sacco is joined by President and CEO of Alter Trading Jay Robinovitz to discuss all the nuts and bolts of running a facility. The two talk topics across the board such as managing your business’s expenses, investing in spare parts, and preparing for environmental concerns later down the road. Jay and John are then joined by United Metals owner Brett Ekart to tell us how he’s stepped up to help change the narrative of this industry and the kind of motivation it takes to be successful.
2022-09-2157 minA Scrap LifeA Scrap Life: Episode 36 | United Metals 50th Anniversary | Rod Ekart and Ken BullIn this special anniversary episode, Brett sits down to discuss the history of United Metals with two of the men who made it what it is today.
2022-07-0155 min
The IC-DISC ShowEp033: Operating With Strategic Advantage with Brett EkartToday on the IC-DISC Show, we're speaking with Brett Ekart, CEO of United Metals Recycling, a metals recycling and processing company based in Boise, Idaho, and host of the podcast A Scrap Life.
Brett grew up in the recycling industry. He loves its potential, and this life-long engagement has given him a different perspective on the business. Instead of considering it a commodity business, he views it as a customer-service business.
We discuss this idea and the strategies he's successfully used in the scrap and recycling industry, continuously leveraging any unique advantage to get ahead...
2022-06-151h 03A Scrap LifeA Scrap Life: Episode 31 | Jim KeefeOn this episode of A Scrap Life, host Brett Ekart, interviews guest Jim Keefe from Recycling Today about the scrap expo he is organizing and just about the industry in general.
2022-04-2929 minConverter UnknownCATs Corner Episode #15 with Pete Thomas, Brett Ekart and Nick SnyderOn this episode of CATs Corner, Nick and Pete are joined by Brett Ekart to discuss the PGM market and how the war in Ukraine is shifting pricing.
2022-03-1611 min
Recycled IdahoCATs Corner Episode #15 with Pete Thomas, Brett Ekart and Nick SnyderOn this episode of CATs Corner, Nick and Pete are joined by Brett Ekart to discuss the PGM market and how the war in Ukraine is shifting pricing.
2022-03-1611 min
ITAD TalkBrett Ekart pt2 - Podcaster and CEOJeff continues the conversation with Brett Ekart, the CEO of United Metals Recycling and the host of A Scrap Life Podcast. UMR is third generation family business, founded in 1972. Brett has grown the business from thirty to three-hundred employees in his tenure. This is a great conversation about podcasting, loving what you do, green economies, and the challenging logistics of wind-power and electric cars. This is part 1 in a 2 part series on the ITAD Talk Podcast.
2021-11-1822 min
ITAD TalkBrett Ekart pt1 - United Metals RecyclingGuest 13 on the podcast is Brett Ekart. Brett is the CEO of United Metals Recycling, a third generation family business, founded in 1972. He has grown the business from thirty, to three-hundred employees in his tenure. This is a great conversation about opportunity, business development, and putting in the work. This is part 1 in a 2 part series on the ITAD Talk Podcast.
Click here for IT & Itad Podcasting: https://itadit.com
2021-11-1718 minRecycled IdahoMetal Monday #37, September 13th, 2021Two recycling industry veterans, Brett Ekart and Nick Snyder, talk about their weekend shenanigans and scrap metal prices for the week of September 13th, 2021.
2021-09-1307 minRecycled IdahoMetal Monday #36 with Nick and Brett, September 4th, 2021Two recycling industry veterans, Brett Ekart and Nick Snyder, talk about their weekend shenanigans and scrap metal prices for the week of September 4th, 2021.
2021-09-0706 minA Scrap LifeA Scrap Life: Episode 18 | Nick Snyder, Brett Ekart ad Darren DoaneIn this episode of A Scrap Life, Nick and Brett get a chance to sit down with their good friend Darren Doane.
2021-08-1632 minRecycled IdahoTalkin' Scrap #7: A Family Affair with Brett Ekart & Adam Weitsman hosted by Nick SnyderTake a listen as Nick talks with Brett and Adam about family business and how it's intertwined with the scrap industry.
2021-04-0258 minA Scrap LifeA Scrap Life: Episode 1 | Rod and Debbie Ekart from United Metals RecyclingIn this first episode Brett is able to sit down with his parents Rod and Debbie. We are in for a treat as we get to hear some of the history of how United Metals became what it is today. And how this family business is truly living "A Scrap Life"
2020-07-041h 26Recycled IdahoMetal Monday #18 with Nick and Brett, 2020This Monday, June 15th Nick Snyder and Brett Ekart sit down to talk about the price of industrial metals in the market and share their insights about the potential reasons for, and future moves of, metals valuations.
2020-06-1503 min
Pipe Reline SolutionsBrett Ekart and Cassie Jordan for Reline UnknownIn this episode of Reline Unknown, Brett passes the torch to Cassie, who has many years of experience in the field and the industry. We're excited to see where she takes this podcast!
2020-05-0219 minPipe Reline SolutionsReline LIVE with Brett Ekart, CEO of TV PipeDon't forget to watch our webinar on our website: http://tvpipesolutions.com/reline-live/Cassie and Brett discuss what led TV Pipe into the reline industry and why he saw the need to create the TV Pipe Solutions division focused on all things reline. Since the creation of this division, Brett launched Reline Unknown which is a podcast focused on uncovering as much knowledge at possible from anyone around the world who manufacturers, studies, installs or is just interested in the reline market.
2020-04-1031 minRecycled IdahoHustle Harder #1: Dale BeverlinThis month's winner of the #HustleHarder award is Dale Beverlin. Dale's been with United Metals for over 20 years, and has grown in responsibility with the company. Tom Neill, Brett Ekart, and Nick Snyder sit down to talk about Dale in this podcast. Check out the YouTube version by clicking on this link:https://youtu.be/lK_hWwiAwbU
2020-04-0603 min
Pile of ScrapEp. 22: Scrap Recycling vs. COVID-19As 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.
2020-03-2039 min
Money Matters Top Tips with Adam TorresAdam Torres interviews Brett Ekart CEO of United Metals RecyclingAdam Torres interviews Brett Ekart CEO of United Metals Recycling
Follow Adam on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/ for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule.
Apply to be interviewed by Adam on our podcast:
https://www.moneymatterstoptips.com/podcastguest
2020-01-1709 min
Pile of ScrapEp. 14: The Scrap Life – Brett Ekart, United MetalsThe 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.
2020-01-1543 min