Retail hardware recycler launches locally

UK distributor, OpalTec, has brought its refurbished barcode hardware business to Australia.

The company's sales strategy is based on the premise that used components will sell for 50 per cent less than new product. It relies on its dealers to then offer value-added services, including software integration, while providing technical support.

The company's new Adelaide office has been established by industry veteran, Stephen Marodi, who has 17 years experience in the data capture industry.

Marodi said he was hoping to replicate the successful strategy of its UK parent company that had seen its annual turnover reach $15 million from start-up in 1999.

"There is really nobody in Australia interested in buying or on-selling used products or refurbishing," he said.

Marodi has moved quickly to establish a 50 dealer network in Australia and New Zealand, while also forming alliances with LogicaCMG and Fujitsu.

Stock for the Australian subsidiary is being brought in from the UK as well as procured locally to service its dealer channel.

"Our data capture brands are Symbol, Intermec, Zebra, Teklogix, Denso and whatever other products are available from manufacturers but we are brand independent," he said.

POS till brands dealt with include IBM, NCR and TEC.

"Warranty issues are dealt with from Adelaide so we have removed that from the dealers," Marodi said. "If they have an issue with products they send the units back to us and we automatically dispatch a replacement unit."

He said the company was looking to distribute to every Australian capital city and New Zealand, and was actively seeking resellers in the bar code and point of sale industries.