Meet John Catalano Jr. (Junior), co-owner of Bionic Auto Parts and new URG Board Member, as he shares about his family-owned and operated business, founded in 1976 by John and Tony Catalano Senior.
Now a 15-acre facility, Bionic continues to grow under Junior and his cousin Anthony, with a recent expansion in Wisconsin.
“It started out on a small piece of property of about three acres. Over time, they just kept growing it, buying property, building the business, buying more cars, building more racks until it erupted into this massive 15-acre facility located in the heart of Chicago,” he recalled.
Junior highlighted the importance of hands-on involvement, multilingual skills in sales, and data in modern auto recycling. “We’re a clean, organized, and tech-driven industry, evolving with data and automation.”
He also discusses the value of state and national associations for networking, the tech-driven nature of the industry, and the need for loyal, well-supported employees. “Being involved in state and national associations is crucial. It’s not just about networking—it’s about learning and staying ahead of industry trends.” Junior also relayed the importance of hiring and keeping good employees. “It’s key! At Bionic, we value loyalty and strive to create a supportive work environment.”
“The future of automotive recycling is exciting, with electric vehicles and data-driven automation paving the way for new opportunities.” Junior concludes, emphasizing the benefits of consulting groups like Profit Team Consulting as well as encouraging industry participation at events like URG and ARA. “Joining consulting groups like Profit Team Consulting has been a game-changer for us. It’s all about improving operations and boosting profitability. We saw the benefits of networking at all the conferences and met great people. Attending the URG conferences over the years has been huge part of our success.”
Don’t forget to tune in to the U-R-G On the Go Podcast to listen to the full interview!
