Is it just me, or does it feel like 2023 went by faster than any other year so far? I turned 50 this year, that’s more than 30 years in the telecoms business, starting out as a Saturday lad aged 16, at Dixons, Hanley (Branch 50) loving technology and sales immediately and ever since! What a journey, from there to setting up my own small phone shop in the late 90’s, and then launching TMT First as a mobile phone configuration company back in 2006. 17 years later I’m still enjoying the journey, the challenges and opportunities that come our way almost every day. Long may that continue.
It has been another busy, yet extremely rewarding year which started with us attracting national media coverage. It followed my calls for a nationally recognised apprenticeship to be set up to upskill the next generation of mobile phone repair technicians which we have been at the forefront of bringing to fruition.
Following a recent visit in December from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) I’m delighted to say that the ‘Digital Device Repair Technician Apprenticeship’ is in its final stages of Government approval, and we hope that it will launch in early 2024.
Our bespoke TMT First Training Academy, of course, continues to operate here and we are looking forward to recruiting the next generation of technicians and operational team members at TMT First.
Our team across the business continues to expand with key appointments in strategic areas to build on the incredibly diverse group of people, skills, expertise and experience already in place.
We take great pride in our accomplishments this year, notably that we have been awarded Apple Independent Repair Provider Status (IRP) Participating in the Apple Independent Repair Provider program means we have completed a rigorous accreditation process which includes our team of engineers gaining the relevant product certifications. It also means that we will have access to genuine Apple parts, sourced from Apple and use Apple diagnostics, tools and processes to make sure Apple product repairs are completed to the highest standards. Finally having the ability to officially repair both Samsung and Apple devices, the two largest smartphone manufacturers in the world, makes 2024 look even more exciting.
Special thanks this year to Samsung for trusting us to innovate, test, and expand the limits of what’s achievable in device repair. The results of our persistent dedication over the years have been extraordinary for all parties. Our customers first and foremost benefit from more cost-effective repairs, requiring fewer replacement components. Devices that were beyond economical repair in the past, are now cost effective to repair. The environmental impact has been substantial too, with batteries and frames being saved in 1000’s of devices per month as we continue to ramp up this groundbreaking new repair technology usage.
This year (in no particular order) we have also:
- Repaired even more mobile devices – over 8500 per month at our busiest times. We actually process 250,000 devices and accessories every year.
- Obtained both our ISO 14001 (International Standard for Environmental Management Systems) and ISO 45001 (International Standard for Health and Safety) certifications. This achievement adds to our long-standing ISO 9001 certification, which we have held since 2009.
- Gained Cyber Essentials Certification.
- Continued to push the boundaries with new repair technology which has meant that mobile devices can be repaired more cost effectively and more sustainability.
- Continued on our mission to plant a million trees by 2032 through our partnership with Ecologi – for every device we have repaired we will plant a tree.
- Raised over £5000 for our chosen charity of the year, the Douglas Macmillan Hospice.
- Sponsored the Midlands Climate Expo for the second year running – as well as speaking at the event with keynote speaker TV presenter Chris Packham.
- Sponsored Staffordshire Business and Environment Network’s Annual Networking Event and was honoured to be chosen as the new Chair of this organisation.
- Our achievements have further enhanced our trophy collection – we received four nominations at the Keele University ‘Breaking the Mould’ Awards, securing victories in the Going for Growth Award and the Collaboration of the Year Award, the latter being a special selection by the university. Additionally, I had the honour of being recognised as Entrepreneur of the Year in both the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce awards and the Staffordshire University Business Awards. More recently, we have been acknowledged as the regional winner in the Entrepreneur of the Year, Game Changer Business Award category by the British Chambers of Commerce – achievements that I deeply cherish and am truly honoured by.
- We were also shortlisted in the Best Secondary Market Provider and Best Service and Repair Provider in the 2023 Mobile News Awards – note to self – must try harder here in 2024!
We wouldn’t have been able to achieve any of this without the fantastic team at TMT and I want to thank them ALL for their hard work and dedication in 2023.
We are looking forward to building on our successes this year and what 2024 can mean for TMT First. All that leaves me to say is – here’s to a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.
Adam Whitehouse
Founder and Chair