Clydebank based S3 Interactive Ltd, a market leader in the refurbishment of mobile phones, smart phones and tablets, has been sold to the biggest recycling company in the world, Sims Recycling Solutions.

Founded in 2004, S3i takes end of life mobile phones and other mobile devices like tablets, repairs, refurbishes and resells them to markets all over the globe.

The company employs around 70 in Scotland and Holland and last year processed more 600,000 units with a turnover of around £15 million.

Chief Executive and owner Philip Johnston said:

“S3i has achieved tremendous success on servicing our clients’ needs over the past seven years. We are now at a point that to continue to exceed our clients’ expectations and to grow the business further requires us to enter new markets and Sims provides the perfect platform to achieve this.”

Sims Recycling Solutions is the world's largest electronic and electrical equipment recovery and recycling company and is part of the Dow Jones listed, Sims Metal Management Ltd. Last year the group had a turnover of more than US$6 billion.

Graham Davy, CEO of Sims Recycling Solutions, commented: “We are already a global leader in the recovery of Information Communications Technology such as laptops, desktops and servers. The acquisition of S3i will position Sims Recycling Solutions in the rapidly growing market of mobile devices such as smart phones and tablet computers. The desirable strategic outcome is to leverage S3i’s sector leadership into our existing global operating infrastructure to grow this new vertical channel.”

S3 Interactive Ltd

SIMS