U-R-G On the Go

Hosted by Grey Door Productions LLC

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Episodes

143

Latest episode

Jan 2026

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EN-US

About the show

An informative podcast for the United Recyclers Group. Each week we will feature an entertaining guest that will share their knowledge and information with you, providing you with tips and tools to help you become a more profitable business.

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60 recent

January 22, 20261 hr 7 min

From Junkyard Roots To Industry Leadership

A great yard isn’t built on luck; it’s built on discipline. We sit down with David Gold of Standard Auto Wreckers to unpack how a third-generation operator navigated expansion, a public roll-up, and an uncommon buyback to rebuild momentum with people, process, and profit at the center. From the early days of turning a “junkyard” into an environmentally responsible recycler to leading industry boards, David shares what still works—and what no longer does—in a market defined by vehicle complexity and tight margins.We dig into the real levers of profitability: protecting your core parts business, saying no to distractions, and using metrics to separate vanity volume from contribution margin. David explains why weekly manager development, hands-on leadership, and ride-alongs translate directly to better dismantling flow, cleaner inventory, and faster customer responses. He also breaks down the tech stack that actually pays off, from URG’s modern web services to a warranty platform that functions like a purpose-built CRM, complete with call recordings, technical bulletins, and expert support to help parts stick and returns drop.Vehicle acquisition remains the heartbeat of a buy-or-die industry, so we explore Green Vehicle Disposal—a marketer’s moat designed by recyclers to route local sellers back to licensed, environmentally credible operations. With national SEO authority, lead capture, and certification, yards see stronger supply, including late-model units they once missed. It’s a practical blueprint for taking back your market from brokers and unlicensed operators while raising community trust.If you care about sustainable growth in auto recycling—recruiting and training people, picking the right tools, and staying laser-focused on the work that pays—this conversation is a field guide. Subscribe, share with a fellow recycler, and leave a review telling us the one distraction you’re dropping this quarter.

January 6, 20261 hr 6 min

Celebrating DJ Harrington’s Legacy In Automotive Recycling

A good goodbye doesn’t end a story—it reveals why it mattered. We gathered with DJ Harrington, the voice who helped shape URG On The Go, to celebrate the lessons, laughs, and leadership that lifted automotive recycling and the people who power it. Amanda shares a deeply personal tribute, Michael steps in with warmth and respect, and DJ opens the playbook that built his legacy: simple phone scripts that win trust, service habits that compound, and a brand—the “Doctor”—that made big ideas easy to remember.We dig into the path from General Motors and the PGA to global stages, and how a few smart choices turned expertise into impact. DJ champions association membership—state groups, URG, ARA—not as a checkbox but as leverage. Show up, learn in the hallways, and switch tables at meals to multiply your network. We talk about cooperation over rivalry, how unified leadership earned mainstream attention, and why this industry’s story is stronger when we tell it together.The conversation lands on education and legacy. The URG Scholarship Foundation opens doors for four-year programs and skilled trades, with applications arriving right after the new year. DJ gets candid about health, shares the moment he chose to pass the mic, and still can’t resist teaching—cue the “Garden for Success” and the twist that turns “drink, swear, steal, and lie” into a pledge to study, serve, and tell the truth. It’s humor with a spine, delivered by someone who believes people are the point.If you care about leadership, branding, and building a community that lasts, this sendoff is a toolkit. Follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a review with your favorite DJ lesson so we can carry the work forward together.

December 28, 20251 hr 6 min

What Happens When Google Can’t Read Your Site

A high-performing recycler website is more than a logo and a phone number—it’s a 24/7 salesperson that turns searches into paid orders. We sit down with Andy Alonso from URG Web Services to unpack how yards across the U.S. and Canada are modernizing outdated sites and unlocking real e-commerce with clean structure, secure hosting, and tools built for this industry.We start with the foundation: WordPress sites powered by the IIS Auto Part Search plugin to surface real-time inventory, accurate pricing, and clear availability. Andy explains why SSL, supported plugins, and reliable hosting matter, and how quiet failures—broken forms, missing images, stale pricing—silently drain revenue. Then we dig into Google Merchant Center and nightly product feeds that force faster indexing, so new parts and updates show up in search sooner, right where buyers are already looking.Mobile-first design takes center stage, with most traffic now arriving by phone. We cover what a frictionless experience looks like: fast search, tap-to-call, streamlined checkout, and clear policies. We also explore video’s growing role, including YouTube walk-around integrations that boost trust and conversions while expanding reach to the web’s second-largest search engine. For SEO, Andy breaks down practical basics—specific H1s, unique titles and meta, and structured data—so search engines and AI systems can actually understand your pages.Looking ahead, the shift to full e-commerce continues as younger buyers skip phone calls and expect to buy in minutes, not wait on quotes. Refreshing design every four to five years, updating content monthly, and integrating orders back into your yard management system keeps operations smooth and customers happy. If you’ve wondered why your site isn’t selling more—or how to future-proof for AI-driven discovery—this conversation gives you a clear roadmap.If this helped, follow the show, share it with your team, and leave a quick review so other recyclers can find it. Ready to modernize your site and sell more parts online? Subscribe and tell us your top upgrade priority.

December 16, 202554 min

How Auto Recyclers Win With Quality, Data, And Fulfillment

Want a real playbook for running a sharper, more profitable recycling operation? We sit down with industry leader and past ARA president Marty Hollingshead to unpack the exact moves that cut returns, speed delivery, and keep body shops coming back. Marty traces his journey from parts puller to owner, then breaks down how consolidation, technology, and shifting buyer behavior reshaped the business—and why the winners pair modern tools with seasoned judgment.We get tactical fast. Marty explains why sales are a byproduct of three upstream drivers: buying the right vehicles, doing thorough and accurate inventory, and running a repeatable process that gets parts shelf‑ready. He lays out how full dismantle, clean presentation, and clear, plain‑English descriptions reduce friction in e‑commerce while competitive pricing and high‑quality images turn “Do you have?” calls into “I see you have” orders. We dig into the number one cause of returns—sloppy selling—and how a culture of proactive disclosure builds trust and slashes costly do‑overs.Fulfillment takes center stage. Using Amazon as the benchmark, Marty shows how operational discipline—location audits, pre‑verified condition, and on‑time delivery—wins the day with collision shops that value reliability as much as price. He shares leadership lessons from hockey about coaching, standards, and choosing respect over popularity, then highlights ARA’s peer‑to‑peer mentoring as a force multiplier for owners who want to level up. The message is clear: evolve, participate, and think two shots ahead. Use technology as a tool, train your people well, and make quality the default, not the exception.Subscribe, share with a fellow recycler, and leave a review to help others find the show. Have questions or want us to cover a specific challenge next time? Send them our way and join the conversation. Amanda and Marty both show their appreciation for DJ Harrington as he announces this will be his last Podcast, he does however promise to jump in from time to time to see how things are going

November 25, 202541 min

How A Blown Engine Became A Business

A blown engine, a rodeo barn, and a dirt lot aren’t the usual ingredients for a thriving auto recycling business—unless you’re David Markham. We sit down with the founder of EAT Partz to unpack how grit, mentorship, and the right tech stack turned a side hustle into a disciplined, growing yard in Middletown, Ohio.We trace the path from that first teardown to buying property, laying gravel, installing racking, and transforming chaos into a location-based, barcode-driven system. David shares how mentors like JC Cahill, Eric Pearson, and Rob Rainwater fast-tracked his learning, why yard tours matter, and how a collaborative industry culture lets the “big dogs” help new operators avoid costly mistakes. Along the way, we dig into the tools moving the needle: PowerLink for operations, URG’s core program for added revenue, and WHI’s eBay integration for stronger listings and cleaner order flow—now streamlined with URG Sales Support to cut tabs and clicks for busy teams.We also get personal about leadership, capital discipline, and balance. David’s week blends yard work, rodeo responsibilities, and family life, all anchored by a simple playbook: invest profits back into capacity, build process before scale, and keep learning every day. Looking forward, we explore where recycling tech needs to go—faster photos, flexible cloud workflows, and changes that respect how different yards operate. The takeaway is clear: automotive recycling is resilient, community-driven, and full of opportunity for operators willing to share, systemize, and evolve.If you enjoyed this story and want more practical insights from the people shaping modern recycling, follow the show, share this episode with a colleague, and leave a quick review so others can find it. Got a takeaway or question we should cover next time? Drop us a note—we’d love to hear from you.

October 31, 202533 min

How URG and OEC Connect Recyclers To 15,000+ Daily Buyers

Shops are buying parts online every day through the TraxCollision platform. We invited Bryan Holzinger from OEConnection to walk through how the new URG and TraxCollision direct integration gets recycled parts in front of 15,000 buyers daily, right at the decision point: online. If you have ever lost a sale due to a slow quoting process, missed emails, or uncertain vehicle fitment, this integration offers a clear path forward with live inventory, parts quoting based on OEM part numbers, and integrated reporting inside your URG portal. We break down the real problems recyclers face: visibility gaps, manual workflows, and margin pressure, and show how to overcome them with a system shops already trust. The data tells a compelling story: $4B annually in parts orders flow through TraxCollision. In the first three weeks of October alone, the URG direct integration resulted in $1.7M in sales with members maintaining a 100% quote response rate. In this episode, you will hear how integrated orders, trim and color details, photos, and reliable delivery ETAs help make shops more confident buying recycled parts and make the order fulfilling process for suppliers faster, without adding busy work. Small yards get a big lift from URG’s tiering system. When your stock is out, the integration automatically sources from your trusted network using your rules for pricing, markups, and delivery days, so you keep the customer relationship and the revenue while offering a much larger virtual inventory. We also share practical steps for how to get connected: provide your customer list for bulk matching, adjust your tier settings quarterly, and use the URG dashboard to track quotes, orders, and trends. Plus, look for upcoming webinars and meet us at the URG Conference in Denver to see the integration workflow live and learn from peers already winning on the platform. Ready to turn demand into dependable revenue? Visit https://go.oeconnection.com/trax-urg-integration to get started. Subscribe, share this episode with your team, and leave a review with the one question you want us to cover next.

October 15, 202551 min

Own the Risk, Keep the Cash: How Recyclers Build Wealth With Reinsurance

Warranties aren’t the enemy of profit—bad accounting and fuzzy reporting are. We sit down with Bret Buike of National Reinsurance to unpack a simple shift that helps automotive recyclers stop bleeding cash on claims and start building a durable revenue stream: move the warranty risk into a reinsurance company you own and pair it with clean, actionable reporting.We walk through the nuts and bolts without the jargon. What does it mean to reserve for 90-day warranties and extended terms? How do you net claims, keep access to cash, and still gain the tax advantages of a specialized entity? Brett breaks down a million-dollar monthly example, shows how to right-size reserves for your cash cycle, and explains why pooled programs and trust-heavy structures held recyclers back. The punchline: you can achieve better tax outcomes at year-end without panic-buying equipment, then start Q1 with cash in hand.Data is the second engine. Together, we outline a practical way to fix credits and codes so refunds, exchanges, defective returns, partial credits, brokered vs in-stock parts, and second-ship freight are accurately captured. With URG’s warranty program and enhanced Pinnacle/Easy Suite reporting, ASE-certified techs triage claims, sales teams get back to selling, and owners finally see true loss ratios by 90-day, 1-year, and 3-year terms. We also dig into upstream insights—auction source, buyer, dismantler, QC—that reveal why certain parts or customers drive outsized failures and how to correct course fast.If you’ve wondered whether your warranty program could be a profit center, this conversation gives you the roadmap: reserve, measure, price, and review every 90 days. Own the risk, keep the cash, and use the surplus to buy cars, reduce debt, or fund growth. If this resonates, tap follow, share with a fellow recycler, and leave a quick review—what’s the one change you’ll make to your warranty process this quarter?

September 15, 202531 min

Boost Your Ebay Sales with WHI

Dave Young of WHI Solutions shares a compelling story about transforming automotive recycling through e-commerce innovation. Having celebrated 31 years with the company, Young's journey parallels the evolution of digital parts sales, particularly since WHI's acquisition by eBay in 2012.What started as a technology gap has blossomed into a game-changing partnership. While WHI excelled at helping sellers list new aftermarket parts on eBay, they lacked specialized tools for the unique challenges of salvage yards. Enter URG (United Recyclers Group), whose industry expertise perfectly complemented WHI's technological capabilities. Together, they've developed solutions that address the specific needs of auto recyclers - from handling fitment data to incorporating mileage, condition, and other crucial details that differentiate recycled parts.The results speak volumes: nearly 60 yards now collectively sell millions in parts monthly through the platform. URG members using WHI Solutions average a 25% revenue increase, with standout performers like Bessler Auto Parts achieving an astonishing 440% growth in just months. This success stems from the dramatic efficiency gains of bulk listing - what once required 30+ minutes of manual work per part now happens automatically at scale.Beyond impressive numbers, Young emphasizes the mutually beneficial relationship that makes this partnership special. "It's good for everybody," he notes, describing the synergy that creates value for WHI, URG members, and parts buyers alike. He particularly values the community atmosphere at URG events, which feel more like "family reunions" than typical industry conferences.For recyclers curious about boosting their digital sales channels, the process starts with a simple 30-minute conversation. WHI representatives work closely with each yard to understand their current operations, management system, and goals before crafting a personalized implementation plan. Experience this partnership firsthand by connecting through URG or meeting the WHI team at upcoming industry events like the ARA conference in Birmingham this October.

September 1, 202535 min

From Body Shop to Recycling Empire: Sherri Smith's Story

Ever wonder how a small-town auto recycling business thrives in today's complex market? Sherri Smith takes us behind the scenes at Smith Auto Inc in Pawnee City, Nebraska, revealing how a field of leftover parts cars evolved into a multi-faceted operation with 26 employees serving a town of fewer than 800 people.What began as a collision repair center in the late 1980s naturally progressed to rebuilding vehicles, which generated parts cars that accumulated until Bob Smith suggested they "start a salvage yard" in 1996. From that humble beginning, they've expanded to include full-service recycling, self-service operations, and scrap metal processing—all while maintaining the family values that form their company's foundation.The secret to their success? Creating a workplace culture where team members feel like family. Their weekly Friday lunches (the only time they close for an hour) bring everyone together for home-cooked meals and conversation. Company outings include employees' families, strengthening bonds beyond work hours. This approach has yielded impressive workforce stability in an industry often challenged by turnover.Technology adoption plays a crucial role in their ongoing evolution. From yard management systems to VIN decoders, texting platforms, and e-commerce solutions, Smith Auto Inc embraces tools that enhance customer service while adapting to changing consumer preferences. As Sherri notes, "People are in different time zones with different work schedules, so they're not always available to talk when we're at work."Looking forward, Sherri acknowledges significant challenges facing the industry—particularly the increasing complexity of vehicle technology that limits part interchangeability and requires specialized reprogramming. Yet their commitment to "constant and never-ending improvement" positions them well for whatever comes next.Whether you're in the recycling business or simply appreciate stories of entrepreneurial grit and adaptation, this conversation offers valuable insights about building a resilient enterprise through community, continuous learning, and unwavering commitment to quality. Subscribe now to hear more inspiring stories from the true voices of automotive recycling!

August 19, 202548 min

Lower Fees, Higher Profits: The Future of Automotive Recycling Inventory

Are excessive auction fees eating away at your profits? Meet the company that's challenging the status quo in salvage vehicle sourcing and putting more money back in recyclers' pockets.When Dan Oscarson walks into a recycling yard and mentions Salvato Auctions' business model, he typically gets two reactions: "You guys must be crazy" immediately followed by "I hope you succeed." After three decades in the industry, including years at IAA, Dan understands why. The salvage auction marketplace has operated as an unchallenged duopoly for too long, with fees steadily climbing to 25-30% of vehicle purchase prices.Salvato Auctions represents a fresh approach – selling insurance vehicles where they sit through a decentralized model that eliminates unnecessary transportation costs and vehicle handling. This streamlined process allows them to guarantee 20-40% lower buyer fees while providing the same quality insurance vehicles recyclers need. Their timed auction format with proxy bidding ends the inefficient practice of monitoring multiple screens all day waiting for vehicles to come up for bid.For smaller recyclers especially, this model could be transformative. The ability to secure inventory without the burden of excessive fees creates an opportunity to compete more effectively with larger operations and consolidators. With digital titles appearing in buyer dashboards within hours of sale and a simplified fee structure, Salvato is addressing the pain points recyclers have endured for years.While currently operating in Texas, Salvato aims to expand nationwide as more insurance companies embrace their model. The company invites recyclers to participate in their growth by registering at salvatoauctions.com/URG, where URG members receive a $100 account credit. Supporting this initiative means contributing to more competition in the marketplace and potentially reshaping how the industry sources vehicles for years to come.