App Spotlight: iScrap

When Tom Buechel bought a scrap yard from his dad eight years ago, he never thought an app would come out of it. “I wanted to bring everything into the digital age – so I started with a website,” Buechel said. “My customers wanted information, but the only new information we could really provide was prices for scraps.” So, Buechel created an easy-to-use app that his customers could pull up on the go to check the closest scrap yards in the area and how their rates compared to others. Scrap yards are an old-school industry, but having an app available to navigate them is a new-school approach, according to Buechel. Buechel still owns the scrap yard, which he says gives him an insider view when developing new features for the app.  How do I get it? The app is available for download on iOS and Android systems for tablets, mobile phones and computers. While Buechel said there have been a lot of requests for expansion, the app is currently only available to the U.S. and Canada. “We don’t want to spread ourselves too thin, and right now our main focus is on getting the two countries well-covered and under control,” Buechel said. How does it work? The main function of the app is to locate scrap yards in a specific area (within so many miles of a jobsite). The app automatically pulls your location and finds the closest scrap yards near you. Users are able to post prices they have received from specific scrap yards, as well as reviews and comments. The app essentially becomes a platform for scrap yard users in the area. Price comparison is the newest feature of iScrap. Scrap prices are optional for scrap yards on the app, so some scrap yards have prices available and some do not. Why do I need it? The app is a one-stop shop for finding the best scrap yard options in your area. Maintaining multiple jobsites becomes even easier than before with the app. Additionally, iScrap produces dozens of informational video each week on the scrap market. How much does it cost? Free for users; scrap yards pay a monthly fee. Current Users: According to Buechel, there are 500,000 to 600,000 users monthly between the app and the website. In the five and a half years since the app was created, there have been 205,000 downloads of the app. Rating: 4 Stars in the App Store For more information, visit iScrap.