Born Scrappy
Born Scrappy
Stu Kagan
Persistence, Partnerships, and the Future of Scrap with Lenny Formato
44 minutes Posted Apr 15, 2026 at 1:00 pm.
Meet Lenny Formato
Scrap Roots In NYC
Austin And The Crane
Starting Empire Metal
Burn The Boats Mindset
Three Years Early Breakfast
Why Associations Matter
Volume Vs Margin
Your Partners Keeps You Honest
Best and Worst Equipment
Move Scrap Fast
Tech and Next Gen
Data Over Gut Feel
Future Yard Safety
Choosing Partners Wisely
Getting to Know Lenny
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Send us Fan Mail In this week’s episode, I chat to Lenny Formato, Co-founder of Empire Metal Trading. A third-generation recycler out of New York, Lenny has lived and breathed this industry from a young age. From riding trucks as a kid to building a business that’s still evolving today. We cover everything from persistence and patience in deal-making to the power of going “all in” when it really counts. Lenny shares stories that only come from decades in the game, including the deals that to...