“I saw too many former owners lose their sense of purpose after an exit,” Gerry told me. “I wanted a new challenge — something that kept me close to the contractor world I love.”

That something became Twisted Metal Scrap Co., a fast-growing scrap and refrigerant pickup company that’s improving how contractors handle leftover equipment and reclaimable gas. With active markets in Phoenix, Dallas, and Las Vegas, Twisted Metal is part scrapyard, part logistics firm, part refrigerant supplier, and 100% built with contractors in mind.

Q: What inspired you to start Twisted Metal, and what gap were you aiming to fill in the home services industry?

Gerry:

Twisted Metal was born out of that passion of the contractor world I love. I call it “contractor adjacent.” I’ve been around this industry for 15 years and had always scrapped my own equipment, so I understood the process. I figured I could take what I learned and build a scrap and refrigerant service that actually worked the way contractors needed it to. Reliable, transparent, and profitable.

Q: How does your pickup and recycling process work, and what makes it different from traditional scrap yards?

Gerry:

Our pickup process is built to feel modern and dependable. We integrate directly with platforms like ServiceTitan and Housecall Pro, so when a job is booked, we get automatic alerts—address, time, and service info. No extra phone calls or clunky scheduling.

Most scrap services are unreliable. They show up late or not at all. Pricing is all over the place, payouts are slow, and you never really know what you’re getting. We flipped the script. Clear pricing. Consistent service. Fast payment.

We also educate contractors on the true cost of handling scrap in-house. Your installers are some of the highest-paid people in the company. When they’re loading and unloading scrap, you’re losing money. Our curbside pickup model saves time, protects your margins, and helps you run leaner.

We’re not just a scrap hauler we’re a partner that helps you make better decisions for your bottom line.

Q: You’ve recently expanded into refrigerant sales. What drove that decision, and how is it helping your contractor clients?

Gerry:

Refrigerant was kind of a happy accident. We knew there was opportunity there, but we didn’t realize how wild-west it really was until we got deeper. The reclaim market is a mess with slow testing, unclear payouts, mixed refrigerants that get rejected with zero compensation.

So we invested in infrastructure: testing, consolidation, partnerships with reclaimers, and eventually wholesale. Now we test refrigerant in-house at all three locations, Phoenix, Dallas, and Vegas, and we’re finalizing EPA reclaimer certification so we can process and resell at scale.

That lets us pay contractors quickly, give them clear data on what’s in their tanks, and actually help them monetize refrigerant that would otherwise go to waste. It’s not just an add-on, it’s becoming our biggest profit center and a major value-add for our customers.

Q: With refrigerant shortages and price hikes making headlines, how are you helping HVAC businesses stay ahead of the curve?

Gerry:

We’re creating a closed-loop ecosystem where contractors can scrap old equipment, recover refrigerant, and buy back clean product, all from the same source.

The disposable bottle market is broken bottles are expensive, hard to find, and get thrown away half-full. We’re shifting toward a Canadian-style refill model: 30lb reusable cylinders filled with virgin or reclaimed refrigerant, tested to EPA standards, and priced well below typical distributor markup.

We’re rolling out R-22, 410A, R-32, and 454 blends in refillable bottles over the next 60 days. And by reclaiming refrigerant now, especially 410A as it’s being phased out, we can extend its market life and protect customers with legacy systems from price shocks down the road.

We’re also in talks with Honeywell, EPA, and multiple wholesalers to buy in bulk and help bring stability to a market that’s been anything but.

Q: Are there any stories that stand out where you really helped a contractor out of a bind?

Gerry:

Our entire business model was built on helping contractors when their usual guy didn’t show up. We weren’t trying to replace your main scrap service we just wanted to be the backup owners could count on.

But once people saw how reliable we were thanks to our ServiceTitan integration, real-time alerts, and no-BS communication we became the go-to for a lot of companies.

We get calls all the time like: “Hey, they bailed. It’s the end of the day. I can’t leave this in a gated community overnight.” And we show up. That’s it. No drama. No excuses. That reliability is what earned us preferred status with dozens of contractors.

Q: How do you see the scrap and refrigerant landscape evolving over the next few years, and how should contractors prepare?

Gerry:

We’re entering a new era one driven by eco-regulations, sustainability, and efficiency. The EPA’s AIM Act is pushing the industry toward reusable cylinders, clean reclaim, and tighter refrigerant controls. That’s exactly what we’re building for.

The U.S. tried to ban disposable bottles by 2025, but the rollout got delayed due to industry pushback. Still, the writing’s on the wall. The EPA wants this shift, and we’re helping contractors get ahead of it before it’s mandatory.

We’re also proving that faster testing and faster pay means better behavior. Contractors won’t mix refrigerants if they know they’ll get paid fairly and fast. The service promotes itself when it’s that easy to do the right thing.

This is a sustainable, scalable model that reduces waste, protects margins, and gives contractors the tools they need to thrive in a changing market.

Q: What are some common misconceptions about scrap recycling or refrigerant sourcing that you wish more business owners understood?

Gerry:

People still think this is a “dirty job.” They picture scrapyards and beat-up trucks but behind the scenes, we’re running a highly sophisticated operation.

Just like plumbing or HVAC, it takes serious systems, branding, and operational discipline to do this right. Our employees wear uniforms. Our trucks are clean. Our facilities are professional. And we’re investing heavily in AI for dispatching and pricing, so we can keep driving value for our customers.

Yes, we pick up old units but we do it with the same professionalism you’d expect from any modern trades business. This is not a side hustle for us, it’s a tech-forward, eco-focused logistics company and we’re proud of it.

Q: What’s the best way for contractors to get started with Twisted Metal?

Gerry:

We’ve got three active markets Phoenix, Dallas, and Las Vegas and each one has a dedicated general manager ready to help.

If you’re looking for wholesale refrigerant, visit TwistedRefrigerant.com. We offer R-22 and 410A now, with R-32 and 454 rolling out soon. Pallet and half-pallet orders are available, and we’re expanding weekly.

For curbside scrap pickup, general inquiries, or custom help, you can email me directly at Gerry@CallTwistedMetal.com, or just call 615‑579‑5928.