Electronics Refurbishment Processes

Can a robot tell if a speaker is distortes? REBORN doesn’t think so and here’s why. In the race to automate electronics refurbishment, French company REBORN is taking a different path: doubling down on human expertise. In an interview with Numériques, the company revealed why it prefers skilled technicians over machines and how this human-led approach sets it apart in the refurbished smartphone market. Every day, up to 3,000 devices pass through REBORN’s hands-on process. Data wiping, software updates, functional testing and repairs are all done manually. “Robots might check for functionality, but only a technician hears subtle flaws or sees nuanced defects,” says Sylvain Dermineur, head of refurbishment. Phones undergo a 54-point diagnostic, covering everything from screen sensitivity to battery performance. Human intuition decides when to replace a component, especially for Apple iPhones, which represent 80% of REBORN’s stock. The same hands are responsible for disassembling devices, fitting parts (original or high-quality compatible), and grading aesthetics – based on touch, light and experience, not machine logic. Once repaired and graded, devices are boxed in recycled packaging and sent to Fnac, Orange, or ELECTRO DEPOT. Only 5% are rejected for resale, and even those are salvaged for spare parts. REBORN’s people-first philosophy has earned it France Qualité Service and #RecQ certifications. #refurbishment #smartphonequality #reborn #humanexpertise #appleiphone #circulartech #euregulation #secondarymarket

How I Built #Ionotronics Technologies – A Startup Success Story... When I joined Ionotronics Technologies in January 2019 as a founding team member, I stepped in with a clear vision: to create a scalable, process-driven B2B ecosystem for repair and refurbishment services—starting with LED TVs, set-top boxes, and other consumer electronics. At the time, leading domestic and global brands faced a common challenge: defective LED TVs lying idle in their service warehouses, with limited options beyond cannibalizing them for spare parts. I identified this as an opportunity to offer a cost-efficient, sustainable alternative, and proposed a structured solution: 🔧 Repair Optimization: Restore defective LED TVs by targeting PCBA faults, backlight failures, and even open cell or glass-related defects. 📊 Yield Targeting: Commit to a 65% recovery rate with fully functional units, verified through PDI and delivered in fresh packaging. 🔁 Service Swap Utilization: Enable customer service teams to use refurbished units for swap programs—improving turnaround and satisfaction. 🧩 BER Handling: The remaining 35% of non-repairable units were processed for spare part cannibalization with unique spare part codes, packaging, and traceability—building the OEM’s parts inventory systematically. 🌱 E-waste Management: Ensure responsible disposal of plastic and waste through authorized certified vendors, maintaining the OEM’s compliance and sustainability logs. Through this model, we onboarded top clients including SKYWORTH, TCL, Amazon, Flipkart, Xiaomi India, OPPO India, Hisense India, Vu Technologies, Havells India Ltd and several others—proving that solving the right customer problem with end-to-end ownership can build lasting trust and commercial success. Between 2019 and 2024, we scaled operations to 2 dedicated repair factories and 3 EMS manufacturing facilities in Greater Noida. This was made possible by: Deep operational competencies A customer-centric approach And most importantly, the trust and backing of key stakeholders—including investors and industry partners who believed in my vision and execution capability. This journey reflects more than entrepreneurship—it’s about creating systemic value, driving accountability, and building something that lasts. #StartupSuccess #StartupIndia

Thinking about buying refurbished tech? You’re not alone - Amazon, eBay, and Walmart all sell it. But here’s the part most people miss: The seller matters just as much as the device. Refurbishing isn’t just wiping it down and boxing it up. If it’s done right, it follows a 4-step process that ensures quality: 1. Asset Tracking → Every device is tagged with a unique ID. → Its full history is recorded - from intake to resale. → Specs, condition, and handling should all be registered. 2. Functional Testing → External parts should be checked for power and any missing parts. → Functionality of internal parts are tested using specialist software. → RAM, drives, screen condition, GPU, Wi-Fi - all must pass. 3. Cosmetic Grading → The condition of components need to graded by specialised technicians. → Grading meets strict standards of each platform (e.g. Amazon, eBay). → This ensures you know exactly what you're buying. 4. Redeployment → The OS is reinstalled and configured. → Devices are listed, ready for end-users. If you’re thinking of going refurbished: It’s cost-effective and reduces e-waste. But make sure you’re buying from a seller who does it right. Ask about their process. Ask about their standards. Because great equipment starts with great handling. Drop us a message if you need an ITAD partner for your equipment. Repost to help others in your network.