The Cutting Edge of Going Green: Across the Yard with Rob Forbes, EAB Tool Company S04EP14

If you’re running a retail yard or building centre, you don’t have time for trends that don’t translate to the bottom line. This episode is about a model that has quietly delivered for nearly 50 years. Rob Forbes built Exchange-A-Blade Tool Company on a straightforward idea: contractors bring in used blades, get credit, and leave with remanufactured ones on the spot. No waiting. No landfill. Just a system that keeps jobs moving and brings customers back through your doors. In this episode, you’ll hear how the exchange model creates repeat traffic and gives dealers a clear, simple answer to “what do we do with used blades?” You’ll learn why in-store service still matters in a world of automated ordering and drop shipping. Rob also shares what decades of housing cycles have taught him about staying steady when construction slows and demand shifts to DIY. We also dig into what sustainability looks like when it’s tied to performance and profitability. From robotic manufacturing to recycling carbide shavings down to the last particle, this is about running lean, competing with global brands, and doing it as a Canadian company. If you care about margin, loyalty, and building a business that holds up through the ups and downs, this conversation is worth your time. Enjoy the show! Links: Supply-Build Canada: https://supplybuild.ca/ Rob Forbes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-forbes-08846b352 EAB Tool Company: https://www.exchangeablade.com/ Sponsor info: This episode of Across the Yard is brought to you by HELI Canada – Giving Canadian Business a Lift. Discover dependable material handling solutions at heliforklift.ca.