ARA Unscripted

Episode 13: Shannon Nordstrom

Most people in the automotive recycling industry know Shannon Nordstrom as the President of the Automotive Recyclers Association, the owner of Nordstrom’s Automotive, or the voice behind the nationally syndicated Under the Hood radio show. But this conversation goes much deeper than titles. In this episode of ARA Unscripted, Shannon talks about growing up on a South Dakota dairy farm, how his family built Nordstrom’s Automotive through multiple generations of change, and what leadership, faith, responsibility, and service really look like over the long haul. We also dive into: • The origins of Under the Hood • Building a nationally syndicated automotive media brand • The evolution of the recycling industry • Why adaptability matters more than ever • Industry leadership and giving back • Family business dynamics across generations • What Shannon believes the future of automotive recycling looks like This ended up being less of an interview and more of an honest conversation about legacy, entrepreneurship, and building something that lasts. ⸻ Sponsored by Yard Smart If you’re tired of being locked into contracts or being told you need all new equipment, check out Yard Smart — the yard management platform built for self-serve yards. • No contracts • Use your current hardware • Integrated credit card processing available • Retail + scrap point of sale • Native admissions process in one system One of the things recyclers consistently say about Yard Smart is how responsive they are. If your suggestion makes sense, they’ll build it. Learn more or book a demo: https://yardsmartapp.com [https://yardsmartapp.com] Mention this episode and they’ll waive the setup fee and give you your first month free. Offer valid for one year from the episode air date. ⸻ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro — Who Is Shannon Nordstrom? 00:51 Sponsor — Yard Smart 01:34 Growing Up in the Automotive Recycling Industry 06:07 The Nordstrom Family Story & Dairy Farm Origins 09:03 Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Family Legacy 20:57 Service, Leadership & Giving Back 23:19 Faith, Responsibility & Perspective 31:45 Building Nordstrom’s Automotive Into a Modern Operation 43:12 Industry Change & Adapting to New Markets 56:36 Why the Repairable Vehicle Business Changed 57:09 The Origins of Under the Hood Radio 58:14 Building a Nationally Syndicated Radio Show 01:17:11 Turning Under the Hood Into a Media Business 01:28:42 Leadership Lessons & Industry Relationships 01:42:30 The Future of Automotive Recycling 01:54:18 Family, Legacy & Multi-Generation Business 02:03:01 Shannon’s Mother’s Book & Preserving Family History 02:08:44 Final Thoughts ⸻ Subscribe for more conversations with the people shaping the automotive recycling industry. #AutomotiveRecycling #AutoRecycling #ARAUnscripted #ShannonNordstrom #UnderTheHood #RecycledParts #SalvageYard #AutomotiveIndustry

Episode 12: Chris Daglis

Most recyclers think they need more cars. Chris Daglis says you need to get more out of the ones you already have. In this episode of ARA Unscripted, Chris shares real-world insights from decades in the industry—covering everything from insurer partnerships and missed revenue opportunities to how AI is reshaping operations inside the yard. If you’re serious about improving your business, this is one to watch. ---------------------------------------- Chapters: 00:00 – “You’re Not Losing Cars… You’re Losing Value” 02:10 – From Collision Shop to Parts Pioneer 08:00 – The Shift That Changed Everything 13:00 – “Break Your Own Business First” 17:00 – The Insurance Deal That Shook the Industry 24:00 – Industry Backlash & Real Pressure 31:30 – Leaving the Family Business & Starting Fresh 40:00 – What Hasn’t Changed in 30 Years 49:00 – The Biggest Missed Opportunity in Recycling 56:30 – Why You’re Throwing Away Valuable Parts 01:01:00 – AI: What’s Real vs What’s Hype 01:07:00 – The 40% Missed Call Problem 01:13:00 – Using AI to Increase Sales 01:20:00 – Embedded vs Fragmented AI 01:30:00 – Training, Data, and Better Decisions 01:40:00 – Where the Industry Is Headed ---------------------------------------- Sponsored by YardSmart Learn more: yardsmartapp.com/schedule-a-demo [http://yardsmartapp.com/schedule-a-demo] ---------------------------------------- Subscribe for more conversations with the people shaping the auto recycling industry.

Episode 11: Benny Cunningham

In this episode of ARA Unscripted, we sit down with Benny Cunningham of Cunningham Brothers Auto Parts to explore how the auto recycling industry is evolving—and where the biggest opportunities lie ahead. From the early days of family-run yards to today’s complex supply chains, Benny shares insights on OEM partnerships, core programs, and why recyclers are uniquely positioned to solve some of the industry’s biggest challenges. This conversation goes beyond parts—it’s about how auto recyclers can shift from selling inventory to delivering solutions, adapt to changing demand, and capture untapped market opportunities. ---------------------------------------- This episode is brought to you by YardSmart—a yard management system built specifically for self‑serve yards and the people who run them. Book a demo at yardsmartapp.com/schedule‑a‑demo [http://yardsmartapp.com/schedule‑a‑demo], email info@yardsmartapp.com [info@yardsmartapp.com], or call (888) 906‑9273. Mention this ad and YardSmart will waive the setup fee and give you your first month free. (offer expires 1 year from this episode air date.) ---------------------------------------- 🔑 Key Topics Covered in This Episode: * The evolution of the auto recycling industry * How OEM partnerships are changing the game * The “void” opportunity in recycled auto parts * Why chain of custody and VIN-level tracking matter * The rise of electronics and complex parts * How recyclers can increase margins and capture more value * The future of digital parts selling and VIN-based systems ---------------------------------------- ⏱ Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:27 Building a Recycling Business From Scratch 05:10 The Power of Relationships in Auto Recycling 08:20 How the Industry Has Evolved Over Time 12:05 The Call That Changed Everything (AER Story) 15:40 The Core Program: A $100M Opportunity 20:10 Chain of Custody & VIN-Level Traceability 24:05 From Parts to Solutions: Working with OEMs 28:15 The “Void” Opportunity Explained 33:05 Flipping the Parts Pyramid 37:10 Why Recyclers Are Leaving Money on the Table 41:20 The Real Problem: Not Listening to Customers 45:05 KarKey & the Future of Parts Selling 49:10 Margin Compression & Industry Pressure 52:00 The Parts “Pandemic” & Supply Chain Gaps 55:10 The Biggest Mistake: Slow Adoption 58:00 Why the Future of Auto Recycling Is Strong ---------------------------------------- 💡 Why This Episode Matters: Auto recyclers are sitting at the center of a major shift in the automotive industry. As supply chains tighten and vehicles become more complex, the role of recycled parts—and the businesses that supply them—is becoming more critical than ever. This episode breaks down where the industry is heading and how recyclers can position themselves to win. ---------------------------------------- 🔗 Learn More About ARA: https://www.a-r-a.org/ [https://www.a-r-a.org/] ---------------------------------------- 👍 If you found this valuable, make sure to: * Like the video * Subscribe to the channel * Share with someone in the industry ---------------------------------------- #AutoRecycling #UsedAutoParts #CircularEconomy #AutomotiveIndustry #OEM #SupplyChain #ARA #AutoRecyclers

Episode 10: Paul D'Adamo

In this episode of ARA Unscripted, Vince sits down with industry icon Paul D'Adamo, “Pauly D” for an honest, engaging conversation about leadership, reinvention, and finding purpose along the way. From a shy kid turned public speaker… to building, cleaning up, and selling an auto recycling business… to becoming a national voice for safety during the Takata airbag recall, Paul shares the moments, mentors, and missteps that shaped his journey. They talk about customer service, associations, succession, the power of storytelling, and why curiosity and gratitude matter more than having a perfectly planned path. This episode is packed with lessons for recyclers, leaders, and anyone navigating change—because life, and careers, are rarely a straight line.

Episode 9: Scott Robertson

In this episode of ARA Unscripted, Vince sits down with Scott Robertson—past ARA president and lifelong automotive recycler—for a candid conversation about the evolution of the industry, today’s economic pressures, and what lies ahead.