Episode 24: Ryan Falco

What does it take to grow from an outsider in the automotive recycling industry into the president of a major multi-location operation? In this episode of **ARA Unscripted**, Vince sits down with **Ryan Falco, President of Aesop Auto Parts**, for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, consolidation, operational improvement, relationships, and the future of automotive recycling. Ryan shares how the 2008 downturn unexpectedly changed his career path, eventually leading him from the family boat business into automotive recycling. He talks candidly about the mistakes he made as a young leader, the mentors who shaped him, and why vulnerability and listening have become central to the way he leads today. The conversation also dives into Aesop's experience with private equity and consolidation, the margin pressures facing recyclers, and how lean principles, Kaizen, daily stand-ups, employee engagement, and value-stream mapping have transformed operations. Ryan shares one example where a facility increased dismantling from roughly 140 vehicles per month to more than 220 without adding employees or overtime. Vince and Ryan also discuss succession planning, employee ownership, AI, recycled parts and collision repair, and why—even as technology changes the business—relationships remain one of the automotive recycling industry's greatest strengths. And yes, there's also an explanation for why Vince appears to be missing the top of his head for part of the episode. Sponsored by AXE Payments AXE Payments is changing credit-card processing for automotive recyclers with a transparent, no-fee, no-contract approach, free equipment, and technology designed for the industry. **Ron Matthews – VP of Automotive** Call or text: **(401) 640-3015**  Ryan Transcript Full with Ads Automotive Recyclers Association Running an automotive recycling business isn't getting any easier. ARA membership provides training, safety and environmental compliance resources, member discounts, advocacy, and access to a nationwide network of professional automotive recyclers.  Chapters **00:00** Introduction — and Vince's camera problem **01:29** Sponsor: AX Payments **02:32** Meet Ryan Falco **04:49** From the family boat business to automotive recycling **08:46** Falling in love with the recycling industry **11:08** Ryan's drive to lead and grow **14:57** From fear-based leadership to vulnerability **20:19** Selling Midway and joining Aesop **21:18** Consolidation, private equity and today's margin squeeze **24:12** Discovering lean operations **25:33** Kaizen and continuous improvement **27:25** Why daily stand-ups changed the business **31:01** Employee engagement and listening **33:10** What's next for industry consolidation? **34:06** Surviving the margin crunch **35:04** Selling more parts from every vehicle **37:14** Why the people make this industry different **40:31** Mentors, leadership and getting on stage **43:09** Walking into a newly acquired facility **45:19** Reducing returns through value-stream mapping **49:27** Prioritizing problems and creating accountability **51:43** Divine intervention, family and career **54:59** ARA Membership **55:42** Ryan's involvement with URG **57:47** Auto Parts Search and new technology **58:38** What Ryan says to critics of consolidation **1:02:16** Selling a family business and succession planning **1:03:29** Could employee ownership be an alternative? **1:04:48** Aesop's geographic footprint and parts trading **1:07:42** How Aesop manages purchasing and operations **1:11:49** Visiting facilities—and the helicopter stories **1:15:29** Family and the next generation **1:17:45** Ryan's outlook on AI **1:20:32** Industry mentors and Bill Stevens **1:22:38** Industry consolidation and major-market speculation **1:26:00** Why automotive recycling feels like family **1:28:10** Leadership mistakes, apologies and relationships **1:31:41** Ego, continuous improvement and giving back **1:36:11** Repairing the relationship with collision repair **1:40:04** The opportunity for independent collision shops **1:41:47** Vehicle affordability and recycled parts **1:43:01** Closing thoughts