Page 55 from: Recycling International July issue | 2022 + TOP 100!
55recyclinginternational.com | July/August | 2022
Adam Minter (USA)
Minter comes from a Minnesota scrap-
yard family and has made it his life’s
work to document the ins and outs of the global
recycling industry. Having lived in Singapore for
years, he is very familiar with developments in the
Asian market. Minter writes articles and columns
for Bloomberg and travelled the world for his best-
seller ‘Junkyard Planet’. The book was followed by
‘Second Hand, Travels in the New Global Garage
Sale.’
Brandi Harleaux (USA)
Harleaux took over the family business
South Post Oak Recycling in Houston,
Texas having learned about buying and processing
ferrous and non-ferrous metals from her parents,
who started the company in 1994. She returned to
the company ten years ago after a detour: studying
psychology and analysing leadership DNA of suc-
cessful organisations. After getting her PhD, she
was hired to boost business development at Walt
Disney. She is now applying her know-how to the
world of scrap. This was cemented by being cho-
sen as ISRI’s director at large and winning the
Houston International Trade Development
Council’s 2021 Rising Star Award.
Gary Champlin (USA)
Previous ISRI chair heads a family owned tyre recycling business
in ‘fly-over state’ Kansas. Five million scrap tyres pass through his
hands each year. Champlin Tire Recycling services six US states. It also man-
ufactures park benches and picnic tables.
Managing director Gary Champlin (left) has been in the recycling business
since 1992. Recycling is a business of relationships and recyclers could not
see themselves working in any other sphere, he observes. ‘I feel exactly the
same way about our family’s recycling business. The sense of accomplish-
ment is shared by the entire family and not just as an individual performing
at work. The success of a family business will be enjoyed beyond the busi-
ness itself.’
58
59
Giulio Airaga (South Africa)
The youngest member of the Airaga family (right) took over the
business from his father last summer. He joined the e-scrap recycler in
Johannesburg in 2015, serving as marketing manager. His mission was clear:
to future-proof the company. This took him to many TV and radio studios,
earning the nickname ‘The Voice of Desco’. Airaga, who effectively grew up
on site, says he owes a lot to his father, Costa. ‘From a young age he told
me: “My ceiling is your floor”. His reasoning is, I’ve brought you to this
level, now you’ve got to take it from here to reach new heights.’
Mir Mujtaba (UAE)
Mujtaba is a well-known figure in the global scrap metal scene.
More than 30 years ago, he moved from India to Dubai to start
his own scrap business sourcing the Middle East and north-east Africa and
selling to end-users across India and beyond. In the past three decades, the
entrepreneur and owner of Jupiter Metal Trading has seen the Gulf region
develop into a major economic hub attracting investors from around the
globe. Mujtaba has seen ups-and-downs with, unsurprisingly, 2020-21 being
a significant ‘down’ due to the pandemic. Mujtaba is president of the
Bureau of Middle East Recycling.
57
56
Wareerath Akkalatham (Thailand)
Akkalatham is a tough businesswoman who started her own scrap
metal company Trident Steel near the Thai coastal town of
Pattaya. Her company operates at two locations that rely on a mix of Asian
and European shearing, baling and handling equipment. Akkalatham says
she keeps her eyes wide open to follow trends in the global market and has
invested in proven solutions developed by Italian firm Danieli. This equip-
ment will help expand Trident Steel’s operations in the coming years.
55
Simon and Lynette Westgaard (New Zealand)
Another best practice from Down Under. What started with one
man, a truck and a big mobile phone 30 years ago is today a
100% family owned and operated business handling 50 000 tonnes of mate-
rials with the ambition to ramp up to 100 000 tonnes in the coming years.
Business is challenging, with steel scrap pricing going up and down. ‘We are
lucky to have a new powerful shear to convert materials into cashflow every
day.’
Running a family business sometimes feels like one big adventure: ‘You all
get excited with new developments and . It’s fantastic to have the next gen-
eration bring their ideas and energy to the table.’
40-65_top100.indd 55 07-07-2022 09:04
