Cyculus Leads a New Era in Device Processing

Curious about why Europe lags behind the US in automated phone processing (15% vs 85%)? Hear how one company is bridging this technology gap. 

Fergal Donovan, CEO and co-founder of Cyculus, joins us to discuss revolutionizing phone recycling and refurbishment through automated processing. Drawing from his 25 years of experience in the mobile industry, including significant roles at Motorola, Brightpoint, and PCS Wireless, Donovan explains how Device Processing as a Service (DPaaS) is transforming the European market.  
 
You’ll hear how Cyculus is addressing a critical gap in Europe, where only 10-15% of pre-owned phones are processed using robotics, compared to 85% in the US. Operating from a sustainable, solar-powered facility, Cyculus combines AI-driven technology with precision robotics to provide consistent, high-quality device grading and testing services. For those interested in phone recycling and circular economy initiatives, this episode offers valuable insights into how automation is making device refurbishment more accessible, efficient, and environmentally friendly, particularly for smaller businesses that previously couldn't access such technology. 
 
In this episode: 

(00:00) Introduction and Background: Fergal shares his 25-year journey in the mobile industry, from working at Motorola during the Razr era through distribution roles at major companies, ultimately leading to his focus on sustainability and circularity at PCS Wireless. 

(02:25) DPaaS Origins: Explains how Europe's fragmented business landscape (600+ businesses across 28 countries) led to the development of Device Processing as a Service, aiming to provide widespread access to automation technology for processing pre-owned phones. 

(04:27) Partnership Benefits: Details why Cyculus chose Apkudo, highlighting the advantages of automated solutions including controlled testing environments, consistent grading, high-resolution imaging, and AI-powered assessment capabilities compared to manual processing. 

(12:15) Sustainability Impact: Discusses how Cyculus fits into the circular supply chain by improving device processing efficiency, reducing return rates, and increasing quality of pre-owned devices, while operating from a fully solar-powered facility with heat pump technology. 

(14:43) Certification Goals: Outlines Cyculus's pursuit of key industry certifications including ISO standards, Ecovadis, and potential B Corp certification, along with membership in industry bodies like Eurofast to improve right-to-repair initiatives. 

(16:15) Market Expansion Plans: Reviews strong customer interest in DPaaS from various sectors (insurance, operators, distributors, traders, resellers) and discusses how upcoming European regulations around CE branding and USB-C will impact the market. 

 
Resources:  
Fergal Donovan LinkedIn 
Apkudo LinkedIn 
Apkudo 
Apkudo Podcast