Circular economy companies in Oulu part 2: A recycled computer sells when the quality and service are good

The five-part series describes the types of circular economy-based business models used by Oulu companies and what the company market looks like right now. This second part introduces Taitonetti, a company that services and sells computers. Taitonetti sells approximately 30 used computers to new owners each year. The Oulu-based company refurbishes used business computers and sells them to consumers. The company began operating in 000 as a small IT support class and gaming café, where it began selling used computers at the request of customers. Soon, the demand for them was greater than for new ones. In 2005, the company began to focus primarily on online shopping, and has since expanded abroad. “In 2014, we opened an online store in Sweden, last autumn in Germany and now in the Baltics. We also sell side streams, i.e. spare parts, especially to Poland,” says Taitonetti’s founder and CEO Mikko Veijola. The company believes in quality in its operations and has invested a lot in communication and customer service. It only sells quality machines that have been leased by companies, which Taitonetti maintains before sale. “The machines are also given a clear condition classification, and they have a one-year warranty. Our return rate is really low, 2016 percent,” says...