Electronics Recycling

Maxus Technology Corp., Morgan Hill, Calif., has completed its previously announced acquisition of asset recovery service prodicer and electronics recycler UDT Korea Corp.

UDT Korea, which represents a strategic expansion of Maxus Technology Corp.’s global asset management business, will be operated as a stand-alone business as part of the Maxus Technology eWaste Solutions Group. Terms of the cash transaction were not disclosed. The transaction is to be satisfied through an issuance of Maxus Technology common stock.

Privately owned UDT was founded in 1996 and has grown to become one of Asia’s leading electronic scrap recyclers, supplying customers worldwide with high-quality new and refurbished components, computer parts and accessories. Its annual revenue exceeded $2 million for its fiscal year ending December 2003. UDT Korea is an industry leader in technology destruction services, providing secure and complete destruction of highly sensitive proprietary technology, according to a release from Maxus.

"We are excited about the synergies between Maxus Technology and UDT Korea," says David Smith, CEO of Maxus Technology Corp.

"This acquisition is consistent with our growth strategy to expand and build on our eWaste and asset recovery solutions in the international marketplace. The UDT Korea management team has extensive knowledge in e-waste and asset recovery throughout the Pacific Rim. This will be invaluable as we accelerate our efforts to further penetrate global markets with Maxus Technology processes and methodologies," adds Smith.

Company Develops Circuit Board Recycling System

Northeast Surplus & Materials LLC, Syracuse, N.Y., has developed a new circuit board recycling system.

According to a press release, the patent-pending system "efficiently and safely recovers reusable parts and metals from discarded circuit boards." Jim Moltion, president of Northeast, says the "depopulator" system removes more than 300,000 parts during a normal 40-hour workweek using one operator. He adds that the system uses little energy and leaves virtually nothing to landfills.

Some electronics recyclers take a more labor-intensive approach, using hotplates and hair dryers to separate these parts, Moltion says. "That’s an expensive, messy process that unnecessarily exposes workers to toxic fumes."

The development of the system was made possible through the New York State Energy Resource Development Authority (NYSERDA) in 2000 as part of its Environmental Products Development Program, which assists in the development of products and systems designed to treat, process or reuse waste products using less energy in the process. NYSERDA provided funding in the amount of more than $230,000, with the overall project cost totaling more than $460,000.

ReCellular Inc., a collector, reseller and recycler of used wireless phones and accessories based in Dexter, Mich., has announced the opening of a new cell phone refurbishing facility in Fort Worth, Texas. The plant will bring roughly 150 new jobs to the Fort Worth area.

The 50,000-square-foot plant will offer a broad range of advanced refurbishing capabilities, including painting, programming and flashing, as well as contract repairs on all makes of cellular handsets. ReCellular reports that the plant will offer improved turnaround time for cell phone servicing and shorter processing schedules for refurbished wireless devices resold in the U.S. and abroad, with the ability to refurbish and repair from 45,000 to 50,000 phones monthly.

"This plant, which complements the continuous growth taking place at our Michigan headquarters, allows us to provide a combination of support services that is unique in the industry," Charles Newman, president of ReCellular Inc., says. "We look forward to the opportunities this facility will provide for us and our customers."

ReCellular’s expects to employ nearly 150 people within the next three months at the plant, with at least 40 jobs expected to be technical positions.