Scrap Life Podcast – Generational Courage with Cole and Coleman
Brett: Here we are with another Scrap Life podcast. I haven’t done a Generational Courage episode in a while, and these are probably my favorite ones. I really enjoy doing them in person, so I’m excited to be here in South Carolina with Cole and Coleman at United Catalyst Corporation (UCC). Finally, I can check this state off my list. Thanks for taking the time, guys!
Cole & Coleman: Thanks for having us! We appreciate it.
Young Leadership in the Scrap Industry
Brett: I always love being in a room with guys that remind me of myself. What you guys have going on here is really impressive—a mix of the older generation (no offense, Becky and Tim, love you guys!) and a younger generation pushing the envelope and taking things to the next level. That’s how we built our business—young guys wanting to grow. I have a real appreciation for what you’ve built.
How Cole and Coleman Met
Brett: How did you two meet?
Coleman: We met in 2019 at Clemson. He was dating a girl, I was dating a girl, and they were best friends. I always tell people I got the better end of the breakup because I got Cole. We’re not with those girls anymore, but we’ve maintained our friendship.
Cole: Yeah, when we first met, I didn’t like him. Thought he was a bit of a know-it-all. But we were forced to hang out, and I started to really like the guy. Now, he’s more like a brother.
Brett: So, Cole, what was your first impression of Coleman?
Cole: Pretty much the same. He was a cop at the time, and I was like, “This dude’s a narc.” But at least I got him to the dark side—scrap!
Coleman: Yeah, my family was like, “You went from being a cop to buying converters? What happened to you?”
Career Transitions and Backgrounds
Brett: So, Coleman, you went from law enforcement to scrap?
Coleman: Yeah, I worked for SLED (South Carolina Law Enforcement Division) while going to Liberty University online. Became an agent, but I realized law enforcement wasn’t for me. I pivoted to sales at Kiawah and eventually wanted to get out of Charleston. That’s when I hit up Cole, and now I’m here.
Cole: He’s being modest—he was one of the youngest SWAT team leaders in the state, a sniper, and a fugitive tracker. Now, every converter company needs someone who can legally carry a gun and knows what criminals look like. Just saying, we’re not the place to try to rob.
Family Business and Growing Up in Scrap
Brett: Cole, you’re second-generation in this business?
Cole: Yep, three generations in the building. My granddad started in exhaust repair. My dad worked for him until my granddad had to let him go because the business was struggling. My dad got into picking up converters and eventually started UCC in 1992, with just a Ford truck and a route.
Building the Business and Overcoming Challenges
Brett: What was it like taking over in leadership?
Cole: My dad made me work every job—custodian, warehouse, shears, sweeping. Now, after two years in leadership, I understand what it takes to run this place. My role today as CTO is all about technology, but in a company like ours, that means I touch every department.
Coleman: My focus is sales—getting converters through the door. Cole has the big ideas, and I make sure we execute them.
Surviving Market Highs and Lows
Brett: You guys experienced the high of 2020-21 and then the market downturn. What was that like?
Coleman: It was a rollercoaster. We went from not being able to keep up with demand to watching the market crash, losing a third of our supply and a third of our margins overnight.
Cole: It forced us to get lean and smart. Our sales team had to fight for everything, and now they’re stronger for it.
Brett: Any lessons learned?
Cole: The biggest lesson? You can always take more than you think. You hit what you think is your limit, and then you realize you can keep pushing. We came out of it better than ever.
Technology and the Future of Scrap
Brett: How do you see AI and technology changing the scrap industry?
Cole: It’s going to transform everything. The work one admin could do in a day, AI can do five times over. We built the United Ecosystem—a VIN-to-converter database that tells you exactly what you have before you buy a car. The first version flopped because we built it for the wrong audience, but we learned and refined it. Now, it’s a game-changer.
Brett: What about automation?
Cole: Scrap is harder to automate because of the variability in materials. But companies like AMP Robotics are working on AI-powered waste sorters. It’ll take time, but it’s coming.
Company Culture and Leadership Philosophy
Brett: What’s the key to running a successful company?
Coleman: It’s about people. We hire for character, not just resumes. Our best salespeople weren’t traditional sales guys—a comedian, a basketball player, and a politician. But they had the drive and work ethic.
Cole: We used to hire based on tests and resumes. Now, we hire people with something to prove. That shift has been huge for us.
Final Thoughts on the Future
Brett: What’s next for UCC?
Cole: We want to simplify and elevate the converter industry’s reputation. We’re here for the long haul and want to dominate the market through innovation and trust.
Coleman: We want UCC to be the name in converters—the company people trust because of the level of service and integrity we provide.
Brett: That’s an awesome vision. Thanks, guys. I look forward to seeing what you build.
Cole & Coleman: Thanks, Brett. We appreciate it!