In episode 502 of the Misfit Social Podcast, Tungco CEO Cliff Nance sits down with Markus Ewecker, Managing Director of Tungco GmbH and HSS GmbH, to explore two decades of tungsten carbide recycling excellence across Europe. Recorded on-site at EMO Hannover, this conversation reveals how Tungco’s European operations have evolved from that first handshake in Prague back in 2003 into one of the continent’s most sophisticated tungsten procurement and recycling networks. Markus shares the real story of building a tungsten supply chain that spans from Germany to the Middle East, the advantages of having an in-house laboratory that delivers analysis results in 48 hours instead of two weeks, and what it takes to navigate the complex regulatory environment of European metals recycling.
The journey from supplier to team member to managing director embodies Tungco’s “Whatever it Takes” philosophy. Markus joined the Tungco family officially in 2013, and since taking the helm as Managing Director of Tungco GmbH in 2022, he’s built a powerhouse team alongside his wife Jolanda and key colleagues Serdal Akibinar and Kerstin Bente near Düsseldorf, Germany. In 2025, Markus added Managing Director of HSS GmbH to his responsibilities following Tungco’s strategic acquisition, expanding the company’s high-speed steel recycling capabilities. His approach to tungsten procurement mirrors Tungco’s core values: relationship-driven, detail-oriented, and always focused on delivering exceptional service to both suppliers and customers across the global tungsten carbide industry.
Throughout the conversation, Markus and Cliff dig into the practical realities of international tungsten recycling. From explaining why German regulations require 12 months of paperwork just to move into an existing warehouse, to sharing how Tungco’s procurement team identifies tungsten carbide opportunities at stainless steel scrap yards across Europe, Markus provides rare insight into the operational complexities of global heavy metals trading. The discussion touches on everything from the differences between tungsten carbide and high-speed steel applications to how trade shows like BIR and ITIA serve as crucial networking hubs for the specialty metals industry. He also highlights the success story of Jimmy Greene, Tungco’s Ireland-based team member who transitioned from plant manager to procurement specialist and now sources material from locations as far-reaching as the Middle East.
What makes this episode particularly valuable is its authentic exploration of team dynamics and cultural adaptation in a global business. Markus reflects on his journey mastering English through daily business interactions, the importance of DISC personality profiles in building diverse procurement teams, and why “learning by doing” remains his core philosophy. He credits Harry Stender as the misfit who brought him into the Tungco family, embodying the podcast’s theme of celebrating people who don’t fit the conventional mold but drive extraordinary results. As Tungco continues expanding its European footprint with the HSS GmbH acquisition, Markus’s leadership exemplifies how the company balances aggressive growth with the relationship-first approach that’s defined Tungco for over 55 years.
Listen to the full episode to hear Markus’s insights on navigating international tungsten markets, building high-performance teams across cultures, and what’s next for Tungco’s European operations. Whether you’re in the tungsten industry, interested in global supply chain management, or curious about how family-owned businesses scale internationally while maintaining their soul, this conversation delivers actionable insights wrapped in the honest, no-nonsense style that makes Tungco different.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Tungco’s European operations began with a 2003 meeting in Prague between Markus Ewecker, Harry Stender, and Tungco Founder and current Chairman, Steve Nance
- In-house laboratory capabilities at Tungco GmbH deliver tungsten analysis results in 48 hours compared to industry standard of 7-14 days
- German regulatory environment requires approximately 12 months of paperwork and approvals even to move into existing warehouse facilities
- European tungsten procurement volumes are comparable to North American operations, though material sources and quality types differ by region
- Stainless steel scrap traders throughout Europe often have tungsten carbide material in their yards, creating cross-selling opportunities
- Trade shows like BIR, ITIA, and EMO Hannover serve as critical networking hubs for global tungsten industry connections
- DISC personality profiling helps build diverse, high-performing procurement teams with complementary skill sets
- Tungco’s Ireland facility closure and relocation to Germany led to successful career transition for plant manager Jimmy Greene, who now sources material from locations including the Middle East
- European and North American operations generally work independently, with occasional internal material swaps to solve specific customer needs or navigate tariff situations
- “Learning by doing” remains the core philosophy for skill development, language acquisition, and business growth across Tungco’s global operations
FEATURED GUESTS:
Markus Ewecker – Managing Director, Tungco GmbH (since 2022) and HSS GmbH (since 2025)
Markus joined Tungco as a supplier in 2003 and became an official team member in 2013. He leads Tungco’s European tungsten carbide and high-speed steel recycling operations alongside his wife Jolanda and team members Serdal Akpinar and Kerstin Bente near Düsseldorf, Germany.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
- Cliff Nance – CEO, Tungco
- Jolanda Ewecker – Team member, Tungco GmbH
- Serdal Akpinar – Team member, Tungco GmbH
- Kerstin Bente – Team member, Tungco GmbH
- Jimmy Greene – Procurement Specialist, Tungco Ireland
- Harry Stender – Industry veteran and Markus’s mentor
- Steve Nance – Founder and now Chairman, Tungco
