Striking Gold with Out-of-Use Equipment: Network Liquidators Suggests How to Turn Discarded Parts into Dramatic Profits

Business Wire, June 9, 2008

OLDSMAR, Fla. -- Out with the old and in with the new - when your computers, phones and networking equipment get replaced with the latest and greatest technology, what typically happens to the leftovers? More often than not, the equipment is shoved into some sort of storage closet never to be seen again. But you could be sitting on a potential gold mine and not even know it.

"Many department managers do not realize how valuable their older equipment still is and how to properly dispose of it," says Barry Shevlin, CEO of Network Liquidators (http://www.networkliquidators.com), a buyer and seller of high quality pre-owned networking and telecommunications equipment. "The payout could be substantial if managers would take the equipment out of the closet and take advantage of recycling opportunities that yield cash for still usable equipment like with switches and routers."

Shevlin talks about visiting a national financial services company and opening a door to find nearly $100,000 worth of decommissioned networking gear.

"Not many CFOs would turn down that kind of cash," says Shevlin. "The challenge is that few companies have someone in charge of getting rid of their equipment, and most companies are either unfamiliar with disposal options or don't know how to navigate the secondary market."

With millions of dollars invested into new technology every year and 2007 corporate IT expenditures topping $525 billion according to Forrester Research, companies cannot afford to let thousands of dollars in old equipment pile up.

Shevlin offers the following tips to help managers dispose properly of out-of-use equipment:

* Make a green commitment. Remarketing or recycling used technology equipment is one sure way companies can make a green commitment and promote environmental efforts within the workplace.

* Research companies and their reputations. To maximize the value of the out-of-use equipment, the best option is to sell the equipment to a company that is in the business of remarketing that type of equipment.

* Examine potential security risks. Beware of possible minefields associated with casual disposal. You can protect your corporate identity when recycling or selling used equipment by going with a reputable company.

* Consider recycling companies. If the equipment does not have substantial value on the secondary market, the next best option is to find a recycling company that will properly dispose of it. Depending on the precious metal content of the equipment, you may get paid for scrap parts.

* Worst case scenario. You can still recycle equipment that has no value or benefit for you. Recycling companies will pick up out-of-use equipment and properly dispose of it for you for a small fee.

If managers start dusting off old equipment in the closet and learn how to properly dispose of or recycle it, Shevlin believes they will not only benefit the environment, but also gain the potential to "strike gold."