Reading: Wisetek opens new recycling centre at Suttons Business Park

Wisetek, a leader in IT asset disposition (ITAD), reuse and data destruction services, has officially opened its new UK headquarters in Reading.

The new offices and recycling centre at Suttons Business Park were opened by Wisetek managing director Dennis Frize, alongside dignitaries from Thames Valley Chamber and UK Department of International Trade.

Wisetek said: "We live in a world driven by new technology, but as IT server hardware, PCs, laptops, mobile devices, storage drives and other tech accessories become obsolete, how do SMEs, larger businesses and data centres cost-effectively dispose of equipment and/or re-use these redundant IT assets, and importantly ensure that their data is secure and GDPR compliant?  How should local businesses plan their tech buying in early 2019 to create business value and savings in the longer run?

"For context, the UK recently announced a new circular economy strategy to combat the UK’s waste problem. By the end of 2020, the Government will consult on changing the waste electrical & electronic equipment (WEEE) initiative to incentivise more sustainable product design from producers and to increase recycling.  The outcomes will affect technology producers and businesses.

"In the run-up to 2020, there are already several measures that Reading-based businesses and IT teams can proactively lead on. Aside from contributing to Britain’s wider strategy, a solid IT procurement and disposal strategy can be created to be more cost effective and secure in the long run, especially when you consider the potential of the ITAD market."

Revenue forecasts for the SME and enterprise UK ITAD market during 2019 are valued at US$718.2 million and are expected to increase to US$765.9m (2020) and US$1,240.7 million (2027). ITAD in this case includes computers, laptops, mobile devices, peripherals, storage, servers and network equipment.

Comparatively, UK data centre ITAD market revenue forecasts differ.  They are valued at US$637.6 million (2019) and are expected to increase to US$679.7 million (2020) and US$1,091 million (2027). In this case, data centre ITAD includes data sanitation and destruction, remarketing and resale and recycling.

Awareness and use of these services is low despite government mandates, but this is set to change, said Wisetek.

Back row: Dennis Frize, MD, Wisetek UK. Front row: Deirdre McPartlin, UK head of Enterprise Ireland; the mayor of Wokingham Borough, Cllr John Kaiser; Sean Sheehan, CEO, Wisetek