Manufacturing Council
Marsha Serlin
Marsha Serlin
Founder & CEO, United Scrap Metal
Marsha Serlin is the Founder and CEO of United Scrap Metal. United Scrap Metal has over 4,000 customers from coast to coast. United Scrap Metal employs more than 300 people with facilities that cover over 125 acres in Chicago, IL, Philadelphia, PA and Richmond, VA. High integrity is a hallmark of how United Scrap Metal conducts its business as this extends to every relationship and within every transaction.
A pioneer in recycling, Marsha Serlin has helped to define the industry by identifying value in materials that others throw away, thus allowing her business and that of her customers to thrive.
In 1978, Marsha Serlin founded United Scrap Metal and began building her company with $200 and a rental truck. At that time, Marsha was a divorced single-parent solely responsible for two young children. She saw an opportunity to support her family by gathering scrap from alleys, manufacturers and facilities.
Marsha relentlessly knocked on doors soliciting businesses to acquire customers and develop relationships. United Scrap Metal has received recognition from more than 28 Global, National and local organizations including the Small Business Administration’s, National Subcontractor of the Year, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the Grant Thornton Executive Woman of the Year Award, the Illinois Recycling Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. United Scrap Metal is listed in the Crain’s Chicago Business top privately-held companies, top five women-owned businesses and “Fast Fifty” lists.
Marsha is a member of Board of Directors of the Illinois Manufacturing Association, a member of the Board of Governors of the Chamber of Commerce, The Committee of 200, The Chicago Network, the Economic Club of Chicago, the National Women’s Business Council, the International Women’s Forum, and has served as a Commissioner on the Cook County Commission on Women’s Issues.
In addition to being a successful leader and entrepreneur, Marsha is a philanthropist. Marsha leverages her success by supporting the community and numerous charities while challenging others to get involved by making a difference for those in need.
Marsha is an active partner with Ronald McDonald House Charities. She also serves on the boards of the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the United Way/Community Chest, After School Matters, and the Children at the Crossroads Foundation.
Marsha Serlin’s success and story have been featured in the media including Bloomberg TV, CBS, Rock Center with Brian Williams, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, CNBC, CNN, Forbes, Fortune Small Business, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Nation’s Business, Pink Magazine, the New York Times, Waste News, Modern Metals, and USA Today.
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