Some fifteen French SMEs, all operating in the refurbishment of various types of equipment, came together in Paris on September 24 to launch APRES, the Association des Professionnels du Réemploi des Equipements et Services.

The founding members validated the association’s operating principles, and signed an ethical charter on the quality of their processes and the sincerity of their commitment.

The APRES association campaigns for better recognition of reconditioned equipment, from the end of the equipment’s “first life”, right through to calls for tender open to reconditioned products.

Re-use companies all face a number of common challenges, from the resistance of some manufacturers to supplying parts and consumables, to purchasing departments whose procedures too rarely include reconditioned equipment.

The anti-waste law currently in the process of being validated is an opportunity to promote the reuse sector and raise awareness of the need to change habits and integrate the ecological dimension at all levels of companies, administrations and citizens alike.

In addition to a shared business model, member companies work together to develop synergies synergies, from regulatory intelligence and logistics to commercial and technical cooperation.

The association currently has 15 members, from various regions of France, and is keen to integrate new companies sharing the same values and ambitions.

Its executive committee is made up of :
– Chairman: Tony Duburcq, CEO of Codeo Group,
– Vice-President: Laure Bonnin, Co-Founder and CEO of Matmond,
– Treasurer, Franck Caron, CEO of Codeco System,
– Secretary, Céleste Nourissat, Codeo CSR Manager,
– Vice-President Communications, Thierry Boucard, Chairman and Founder, Exatec Group