Phone recycling firm strikes gold

Ossett-based Telecom Supplies Recycling (TSR) will recondition thousands of phones for Ramsdens, the UK’s largest pawnbroker, in a deal set to significantly increase TSR’s £3m annual turnover.

TSR, based at Enterprise Business Park, will provide a weekly collections service for 130 Ramsdens branches under the contract.

TSR co-owner Matt Townend said: “While Ramsdens may be better known for their gold and silver-buying services, mobile phone recycling is a growing part of their business.

“Ramsdens is a very prestigious account and our biggest by some margin so we are absolutely delighted to be working with them.

“Through Ramsdens, we now have a constant supply of phone recycling outlets across large areas of England, Scotland and Wales, securing our position in the market with our buyers.”

TSR was set up two years ago by Mr Townend and Mark Beveridge, and now recycles thousands of phones every month for UK customers and partners in Ireland, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, Finland and Dubai.

The firm has also struck recycling deals with clients including Microsoft, Pickerings Lifts, Kier, Carillion, police forces and estate agency Savills.

And the company is looking to expand into larger warehouse facilities in West Yorkshire. Mr Townend said: “There’s plenty of room to dramatically increase the numbers we have achieved so far. An ever increasing number of corporate organisations are realising the benefits of recycling their phones.

“It’s our job to win their custom by ensuring we provide them with a market-leading service. There’s a huge corporate industry and we can see some big opportunities ahead. As with most start-ups, it has certainly been a challenge but we are excited and driven by that challenge. Our reward is providing a service that customers tell us they find difficult to get elsewhere.”