Episode 106: Jonathan Goodrum, President of Basic Carbide Corp

(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.