The atmosphere is a little less immaculate than in an Apple Store. In a vast building located in an industrial area of Ecouflant, near Angers (Maine-et-Loire), it is however thousands of computers of the apple brand which are stored, ready to join their new owners. But at Okamac, there’s no need to look for the latest MacBook: all the machines available here are refurbished. “This one dates from 2010 and it still works very well, assures Yvan Husson, manager within the Sens Technologies group, owner of Okacac, a white and rather heavy laptop in the hands. It all depends on what you want to use it for, of course. But for most people, that’s more than enough! »
Since 2009, this is the bet of this discreet SME of a hundred employees, which has become a leader in the reconditioning of Apple computers. With the success of second-hand, the start-up gave new life to 60,000 machines last year (and achieved 35 million euros in turnover), and is aiming for 85,000 this year. Distributed to individuals in France and in 17 European countries via several marketplaces, their computers sold “between 30 and 70% cheaper” than new should be present in the four corners of the globe in the coming years. The company has indeed been selected in the French Tech 120 program, which supports digital companies destined to become world leaders in their sector. It should open a branch very soon in Great Britain.
Aesthetic and technical control
In the Ecouflant workshop, between 350 and 400 machines are checked per day. Computers purchased from intermediaries or directly from companies, which have reached the end of their lease or which renew their fleet very (too) regularly. The device is first judged on its aesthetic appearance: nickel, it’s an A, scratches or small pocs will earn it a C. Then, place for a complete technical control, of about ten minutes: webcam, loudspeakers , USB ports, nothing is forgotten… The keyboard is checked key by key, the screen pixel by pixel, while the performance of the battery is measured. “At least a quarter of them do not reach 75% so are replaced,” explains Aurélie Leusiere, the production manager.
Major breakdowns are “minority” we are assured. For the others, the R & D department must constantly find new techniques: “Recently, when a screen has been damaged by the keys, we manage to replace a sheet and not the whole slab”, illustrates Yvan Husson, who does not does not wish to communicate on the return figures. According to customer requests, the keyboards can be translated into another language and the memory increased, if the machine allows it.
Convince the professionals
A “real technicality to meet specific requests”, far from “I clean and I send back”, welcomes Okamac. Boosted by the Agec law which requires public bodies to buy at least 20% refurbished equipment, the company now wants to open up to professionals. “Companies are beginning to have a real environmental awareness and can recognize themselves in our offer,” assures Yvan Husson. Some are happy not to have the latest versions [de systèmes d’exploitation] which are sometimes incompatible with their professional software. However, they will have to be convinced to have a heterogeneous IT infrastructure. »
Okamac also hopes to develop partnerships with higher education establishments in order to offer students equipment at a lower cost.