• Since 2009, the Angevin company of a hundred employees has specialized in the refurbishment of Apple computers.
  • In strong development, it wishes to open up to companies and envisages an international development.

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), thousands of computers of the apple brand 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," says Yvan Husson, manager in the Sens Technologies group, owner of Okamac, a white laptop and quite heavy in his hands. It all depends on how you want to use it, of course. But for a majority of people, it's more than enough! »

Since 2009, it has been the bet of this discreet SME of a hundred employees, which has become a leader in the refurbishment of Apple computers. With the success of second-hand, the start-up gave a new life to 60,000 machines last year (and achieved 35 million euros in turnover), and aims for 85,000 this year. Distributed to individuals in France and 17 European countries via several marketplaces, their computers sold "between 30 and 70% cheaper" than new should be present in the coming years around the world. The company has been selected in the French Tech 120 program, which supports digital companies destined to become world leaders in their sector. It is due to open a branch in Great Britain very soon.


An 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, at the end of their lease or which very (too) regularly renew their fleet. The device is first judged on its aesthetic appearance: nickel, it is an A, scratches or small pocs will earn it a C. Then, place to a complete technical control, about ten minutes: webcam, speakers, USB ports, nothing is forgotten ... The keyboard is checked key by key, the screen pixel by pixel, while battery performance is measured. "At least a quarter of them do not reach 75% so are replaced," explains Aurélie Leusiere, the production manager.

The big breakdowns, they are "minority" it is assured. For 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," says Yvan Husson, who does not wish to communicate on the return figures. Depending on customer requests, keyboards can be translated into another language and memory increased, if the machine allows it.


Convincing professionals

A "real technicality to meet specific requests", far from "I clean and I return", welcomes Okamac. Boosted by the Agec law, which requires public bodies to buy at least 20% of 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," says Yvan Husson. Some are glad they don't have the latest versions [of operating systems] that are sometimes incompatible with their business software. However, they will have to be convinced to have a heterogeneous computer park. »

Okamac also hopes to develop partnerships with higher education institutions to offer students the opportunity to equip themselves, at a lower cost.

  • Tech
  • Computer
  • Apple
  • Angers
  • Maine-et-Loire
  • Pays de la Loire
  • French Tech