- Since 2009, the Angevin company with a hundred employees has specialized in refurbishing Apple computers.
- In strong growth, it wants to open up to companies and plans to develop internationally.
The atmosphere is a little less immaculate than an Apple store. In a large building located in the industrial area of Ecouflant, nearbyAnger (Maine and Loire), although thousands of computers from the Apple brand remain in storage, ready to join their new owners. But at Okamac, there’s no need to look for the latest MacBook: all machines are available here Updated. “It’s from 2010 and it still works well, assures Yvan Husson, manager of Sense Technologies Group, owner of Ocacak, with a white and heavy laptop in hand. It all depends on what you want to use it for. But for most people, it’s more than enough! »
Since 2009, it has been the race of this prudent SME with a hundred employees, which has been at the forefront of computer refurbishing. Apple. With the success of Second Hand, the start-up gave new life to 60,000 machines last year (and achieved a turnover of 35 million euros), and is aiming for 85,000 this year. Distributed to individuals in France and 17 other countriesEurope In many markets, their computers are sold “30 to 70% cheaper” than new, and should be in the four corners of the world in the coming years. The company has actually been selected in the French Tech 120 program, which supports digital companies to become world leaders in their field. It should open a branch in Great Britain very soon.
Aesthetic and technical control
At the Ecouflant workshop, 350 to 400 machines are checked per day. Computers purchased from intermediaries or directly from companies that have reached their lease term or renew their fleet frequently (too often). The device is first judged on its aesthetic appearance: nickel, which is an A, scratches or small pocs it gets a C. Then, space for a complete technical control, about ten minutes: webcam, loudspeakers, USB ports, nothing is forgotten. … is checked by keyboard key, screen pixel by pixel, during performance Battery measured. “At least a quarter of them don’t reach 75% and are therefore replaced,” explains Aurelie Lucier, product manager.
We promise that major breakdowns are “in the minority”. For others, the R&D department must constantly find new techniques: “Recently, if a screen is damaged by keys, we replace a sheet, replace the whole slab”, explains Yuan Husan, who did not do that. I would like to contact on the returned figures. According to customer requests, if the machine allows, the keyboards can be translated into another language and the memory can be increased.
Convince the experts
A “genuine technology to meet specific demands”, away from “I clean and send back”, welcomes Okamak. Raised by Age Act Public systems must purchase at least 20% of refurbished equipment, and the company now wants to open it up to specialists. “Companies are starting to have real environmental awareness and can identify themselves with our offer,” promises Yuan Husan. Some people are happy that there are no more recent versions [de systèmes d’exploitation] Sometimes incompatible with their professional software. However, they must be confident of having a heterogeneous IT infrastructure. »
Occamack It also hopes to form partnerships with higher education institutions to provide equipment to students at low cost.
