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Cliff's Notes

Cliff's Notes

Written by: Cliff Nance
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 Born and raised in Madisonville, Kentucky, Cliff Nance grew up in the tungsten trade — learning the business from the plant floor up to the CEO’s chair. As a second-generation “scrapie” with a global perspective, Cliff brings curiosity, candor, and decades of experience in tungsten reclamation and recycling to every conversation.

On Cliff’s Notes, Cliff sits down with innovators, industry leaders, and thinkers from around the world to talk about the forces shaping manufacturing, metals, and modern business. From technology and sustainability to leadership and legacy, every episode explores what it means to build something that lasts.

Whether it’s a deep dive into the recycling industry or a story about grit, family, and the future — Cliff’s Notes is where real conversations happen with the people moving the world forward.

Theme song written and performed by Adam Howell.Tungco, Inc Economics Leadership Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Episode 107: Brice Littlepage, Managing Director, North America at Tungco

    Episode 107: Brice Littlepage, Managing Director, North America at Tungco
    Jan 7 2026
    What does recruiting elite basketball players have in common with building a world-class tungsten recycling team? More than you'd think.In this episode of Cliff's Notes, CEO Cliff Nance sits down with Brice Littlepage—Tungco's North American Managing Director and former Associate Head Coach for Operations at Florida State University—for a conversation about recruitment strategy, company culture, and what the tungsten industry can learn from Division 1 athletics.Recording from Helsinki, Finland during a business trip, the conversation covers Brice's systematic approach at Florida State used to identify and recruit top basketball talent—and how those principles could transform hiring practices in the metal recycling industry.IN THIS EPISODE:🏀 How college basketball programs identify prospects as young as 12-13 years old• Building relationships over 4+ years before commitment• The systematic process of nurturing thousands of prospects down to 5-15 final candidates• Why being "first" to connect matters in recruitment🔧 Translation to the Tungsten Industry• How Tungco's current recruitment compares to D1 athletics• The difference between transactional hiring and relationship-based talent acquisition• Creating intentional, multi-touchpoint recruitment processes• Why you're recruiting an "ecosystem," not just a candidate📊 Predictors of Success in Tungsten Operations • Why military veterans excel in tungsten recycling operations• The "multi-hat" challenge: identifying who can handle diverse responsibilities• The importance of personality assessments and practical evaluations• Building better screening tools before making offers🏢 The Campus Visit Strategy• How Florida State created orchestrated official visit experiences• Applying the same intentionality to manufacturing facility tours• Recruiting the whole person: family, relocation, community considerations• Making your tungsten operation shine for top talent👶 Supporting People Through Life Transitions • Discussion of Tungco's paternity leave policy• The connection between supporting employees' personal lives and professional performance• Why "if your home's good, family's good, then you can be a good employee too"💡 KEY INSIGHTS:"Without the people, you're nothing. You are a brand. You have an operation, but really you're nothing." - Brice Littlepage"Florida State does it way earlier in comparison, more intentionally. I mean, you might have four or five visits before you ever commit.""Every time we get someone that's got military experience, they are almost excited to rip out SOPs or update SOPs.""At the end of the day, the decision needs to be theirs in a way. But some people are just going to make a decision with their family. And so if you're not pleasing everybody and you're not winning everybody over, you're probably not getting them."Theme song written and performed by Adam Howell.ABOUT THE GUESTS:Cliff Nance is CEO of Tungco, a global leader in tungsten carbide reclamation and raw feed supply. As the son of Tungco founder Steve Nance, Cliff has filled many roles over 24 years—from the plant floor to VP of Operations to his current position. His passions are faith, family, and community.Brice Littlepage serves as Managing Director of North America at Tungco. He previously spent eight years at Florida State University, progressing from video coordinator to Director of Basketball Operations to Associate Head Coach for Operations. He brings Division 1 talent acquisition expertise to the tungsten recycling industry. Brice and his wife are expecting their first child in late 2025.ABOUT TUNGCO:Tungco isn't just processing tungsten—they're reclaiming it, refining it, and giving it a second life, just like they've done with the company itself, generation after generation. Built in backyards and barns by hands that understood both hard work and heavy metal, Tungco has grown into a global supplier operating locally.Tungco specializes in tungsten carbide reclamation and raw feed supply to tungsten carbide suppliers and consumers. As a global leader in the tungsten recycling industry, Tungco supplies truckload quantities of material to consumers who recycle and produce new tungsten products. The company serves oil and gas, machining, thermal spray, aerospace, energy, healthcare, automotive, and manufacturing industries worldwide.Mission: Provide exceptional service and deliver high-performance tungsten products through abiding relationships, sustainable global sourcing, and robust financial practices.Philosophy: "Whatever it Takes" - We weigh every pound of material with care, settle every quote with integrity, and pick up the phone when others hide behind emails. We're global suppliers who operate locally, relationship builders who play the long game, and metal movers with soul.CONNECT WITH TUNGCO: Website: www.tungco.com Email: tungco@tungco.comSUBSCRIBE to Cliff's Notes for weekly insights from the...
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    33 mins
  • Episode 106: Jonathan Goodrum, President of Basic Carbide Corp

    Episode 106: Jonathan Goodrum, President of Basic Carbide Corp
    Dec 17 2025
    (00:00:00) Introduction
    (00:03:05) Misfit Social Podcast & Evan's Respect
    (00:03:31) Basic Carbide: 44 Years of Excellence
    (00:05:49) The February 2024 Acquisition Story
    (00:07:53) Sintering Process: From Chalk to Diamond-Hard
    (00:09:09) Quality Control & Microscopy
    (00:10:07) Mirror Polish & Complex Geometries
    (00:12:15) Mutual Respect & Friendship

    In this heartfelt episode of Cliff's Notes, Cliff Nance sits down with Jonathan Goodrum, President of Basic Carbide Corporation, for an intimate conversation about family business, tungsten carbide manufacturing excellence, and the relationships that define the tungsten recycling industry.
    Jonathan "Johnny Cavs" Goodrum shares his remarkable journey from working at Basic Carbide since age 14 to leading the company through 44 years of innovation and growth. Discover the American dream story of the Goodrum family and learn how Basic Carbide became a fully integrated tungsten carbide manufacturer after their strategic February 2024 acquisition.

    In this episode, you'll learn:
    • The intricate process of tungsten carbide manufacturing - from isostatic pressing to sintering to mirror-polish finishing
    • How tungsten carbide transforms from a "chalk-like" green state into one of the hardest man-made materials
    • The role of cobalt and nickel binders in creating diamond-hard tungsten carbide components• Quality control processes using 200X and 1500X magnification microscopy
    • Strategic vertical integration in tungsten carbide manufacturing
    • How family values and multi-generational leadership shape business success
    • The importance of relationships over transactions in the metals industry

    Jonathan opens up about becoming a father to Baby Ari (turning 2 in October) and how fatherhood has transformed his perspective on life and business. He shares touching stories about his late mother's impact on everyone she met and the deep respect between the Nance and Goodrum families built over decades in the tungsten industry.

    This episode offers valuable technical insights for tungsten industry professionals including tungsten recyclers, carbide manufacturers, scrap dealers, and anyone using tungsten carbide products in oil and gas, aerospace, automotive, manufacturing, medical, or military applications. Whether you're sourcing tungsten carbide scrap, looking for secondary tungsten materials, or interested in precision manufacturing processes, this conversation delivers practical knowledge and industry context.

    Cliff and Jonathan discuss the challenges of COVID-era labor shortages, the evolution of customer demands from preform blanks to fully finished components, and how strategic acquisitions can solve supply chain integration problems. They also share laughs about luxury Loro Piana shoes, discuss Cliff's son Evan's respect for Jonathan, and even joke about creating a "tungsten tequila" together.
    Basic Carbide Corporation, founded in 1981, specializes in complex geometry tungsten carbide preforms and precision-finished components for demanding applications. With dedicated manufacturing facilities for both cobalt binder and nickel binder materials, plus high-volume pressing capabilities, Basic Carbide delivers exceptional quality, competitive pricing, and industry-leading lead times.

    Tungco is the premiere global leader in tungsten recycling and tungsten carbide reclamation. For over 50 years, Tungco has specialized in tungsten carbide scrap reclamation and secondary tungsten raw material supply, serving industries worldwide with a "Whatever it Takes" commitment to customer service and relationship-first business practices.

    Connect with Tungco at www.tungco.com for tungsten carbide scrap recycling, tungsten powder procurement, tungsten alloys, and comprehensive tungsten reclamation services across our global divisions: 74 Alloys, Tungco Powder Procurement (TPP), Tungco GmbH, HSS Recycling, Lineage Metallurgical, and Cuda Grit.

    This is Cliff's Notes - where authentic conversations happen between industry leaders, innovators, and the people who make tungsten move. Every episode explores the human side of the metals industry, the stories behind the metal, and the relationships that define success in global tungsten markets.

    Theme song written and performed by Adam Howell.

    Hosted by Cliff Nance of Tungco — where hard work meets honest talk about leadership, innovation, and what it takes to build something that lasts.
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    14 mins
  • Episode 105: William Parry-Jones, Founder of Wolfram Advisory

    Episode 105: William Parry-Jones, Founder of Wolfram Advisory
    Dec 10 2025
    (00:00:00) Introduction
    (00:00:23) Launching Wolfram Advisory
    (00:01:17) Current Market Conditions & Supply Challenges
    (00:01:53) Understanding the Global Tungsten Market
    (00:02:55) China's Export Controls & Import Surge
    (00:03:33) Three Theories on Supply Reduction
    (00:04:31) End-of-Life Mines in China
    (00:05:00) Cost Curves & Byproduct Production
    (00:06:41) Future Mining Projects & Solutions
    (00:07:36) William's Engineering Background
    (00:08:06) Career Journey: London to Vietnam
    (00:09:41) Cliff's "University of Hard Knocks"
    (00:10:20) Family Life & Work-Life Balance
    (00:11:37) Industry Talent Retention Challenges
    (00:12:06) Building Strong Teams in Tungsten

    In this episode of Cliff's Notes, Cliff Nance sits down with William Parry-Jones, founder of Wolfram Advisory, to discuss the rapidly evolving tungsten market and critical supply challenges facing the industry.

    William shares insights from his impressive career journey—from studying materials science and aerospace engineering at Imperial College London to spending 10 years in physical metals trading in the City of London, followed by six and a half years with Masan Resources in Vietnam as part of the largest non-Chinese tungsten producer. Now, as an independent consultant, William is helping companies navigate market entry, market segmentation, and the complex dynamics of the global tungsten supply chain.

    Key topics covered:
    • The current tungsten market boom and supply squeeze
    • China's dominant role (80-83%) in global tungsten production
    • The 30% drop in Chinese tungsten exports following February 2025 export controls
    • China's simultaneous 30-40% increase in tungsten imports
    • End-of-life mine challenges and declining primary production in China
    • The shift from byproduct tungsten to higher-cost mining operations
    • Rising production costs due to improved environmental and safety standards
    • Future mining projects in Zimbabwe, Kazakhstan, and Central Asia
    • The opaque nature of the tungsten market and data reliability challenges
    • The impact of critical raw materials demand on industry talent retention

    William also opens up about his personal life, including his recent marriage, his 20-month-old daughter Florence, and the transition to running his own advisory business.

    This episode provides essential market intelligence for anyone involved in tungsten recycling, critical materials sourcing, or strategic metals procurement.

    Theme song written and performed by Adam Howell.

    Hosted by Cliff Nance of Tungco — where hard work meets honest talk about leadership, innovation, and what it takes to build something that lasts.
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    13 mins
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