Adding sustainablity to Irish phone ecosytem, Alan Eyre, Fónua, Mintplus

What is your own background briefly?

Currently I am the Sales & Marketing Director for Fónua and its subsidiary business Mintplus.ie.

I would consider myself as a telecoms industry veteran having spent nearly 30 years working exclusively in the mobile phone industry. I started working during the mobile phone boom in the 90’s for a large UK based mobile distribution business called The Caudwell Group which at its peak was the largest mobile distributor in Europe.

My role took me to 8 different countries over a 12-year period working with a number of service providers and networks implementing specialised fulfilment services. Eventually, my travels brought me to Ireland for an opportunity with Fónua. I have since been settled in my role for the last 14 years.

Fónua is the largest mobile phone distribution business in Ireland working with some of the largest businesses in the telecoms industry including Vodafone, Carphone Warehouse and Tesco Mobile. Fónua’s subsidiary business Fónfix is Irelands only fully manufacturer accredited mobile phone repair centre and handles most of the warranty and out of warranty repairs for the Irish market.

Does it seem like a logical background to what you do now?

Absolutely, my experience of working in a number of countries, with several different customer types across a very broad segment and channel base has meant that I am very adept at devising and delivering solution-based, value-added and efficient services. In a fast-paced, dynamic technology industry this experience has also provided me the tools to continually be developing our service offering and product set to match the ever-changing industry trends.

How was the last 12 months? What were your big wins?

For Fónua, the last 12 months have been very positive, despite a general overall market decline in the volume of mobile devices being shipped in Ireland. We have seen growth through some of our key initiatives focused on diversifying our business.

We have seen our repair centre, Fónfix become Irelands only fully accredited repair centre which has meant a significant growth in volume and revenue as we have onboarded a number of new customers. This has resulted in Fónfix establishing itself as the preferred partner for all the major telecom retailers and networks in Ireland.

We have launched several new initiatives aimed at delivering direct to business and direct to consumer services including:

Mintplus.ie – a premium pre-owned (recycled) mobile phone direct to consumer web offering

Fonfix.com – Fónfix Express direct door to door pick up, repair and return service direct to consumer

Fónua for Enterprise – offering a full device lifecycle management solution direct to business, enabling them to manage their staff mobile fleet

How are you managing during these corona times?

During the challenging lockdown period we have seen all of our key retail channels closed for business and move swiftly to an online-only offering. This meant that we had to react quickly to our customers changing environment and at the same time advance our own key initiatives. There are several key actions we have taken during this period:

Mintplus.ie – we have expanded our range of products to not only offer a broader range of pre-owned devices but also to include a range of new products aimed at improving peoples experience of working from home. These include:

Smart home/ smart office range

Headphones, AirPods and speakers

Fitness and smart wearables

Fonfix.com – we fast tracked a new web solution for consumer repairs. Launched at the start of April, we can now offer a direct pick-up service to the consumers front door. We can have the phone repaired and returned with 24 hours within the Dublin area and within 48 hours outside of Dublin. This service means that anyone experiencing problems with their mobile can get it repaired without leaving their home. This service includes warranty repairs, meaning anyone can check if they are eligible for a free repair (in warranty) by using our simple warranty checker on Fónfix.com.

Fónua for Enterprise – we have developed a solution for our business partners to support their staff working from home. We are shipping devices direct to the staff members home to ensure that they not only stay safe but are able to operate effectively from their home offices. We have also extended out the direct repair service for anyone who is having technical issues with their device.

Why sustainability is a focus for Mint+?

Sustainability is a key focus for Mint+.ie because we feel we can make a difference by having a positive impact on the environment and encourage our customers to do the same. The statistics tell us that electronic waste (e-waste) accounts for over 70% of the toxic waste globally.

At Mintplus.ie we handle a large volume of used handsets through various buyback and trade-in schemes. Our aim is to maximise the opportunity to recycle and refurbish these devices and avoid these units becoming part of this 70%.

Our goal is to give these units a second life but at the same time give customers confidence that if they invest in a Mint+ premium device they are getting a quality product that delivers value for money. This means that with every Mint+ phone we put out into the market; our customers can expect the following:

It has passed our 30-point technical inspection

It has passed our cosmetic quality control

It is SIM free and will work on any network, just pop in your current SIM card

It is backed up by local support as we are based in Dublin

It is backed by our 1-year Fónfix warranty

It is competitively priced, offering significant savings against a new device

On top of this, our customers have the knowledge that they are having a positive impact on the environment. The phone has been recycled,  the packaging has been minimalised and we have removed the accessories from the pack as the statistics tell us that 70% of all households already have more than one charger, so by offering this as an optional extra we are supporting a further reduction in e-waste.

What are the Future eco plans for Mint+?

At Mintplus.ie we will continue to drive the eco message over the next few months and beyond.  We are currently working on a number of initiatives to make Mintplus.ie even greener. These include:

Transitioning our packaging to be made from 100% recycled material with zero plastic.

Introduction of a complete range of Eco-friendly cases that are

Fully compostable

Fully biodegradable in landfill conditions

Fully biodegradable in ocean conditions

Removing chargers and cables from our packs and making eco -friendly options available as an added extra.

Why do you think it is such a powerful idea?

I think the fact that Mint+ allows our customers to own top brands such as Apple and Samsung with the latest technology at a fraction of the cost of a new device is a huge attraction for anyone. In addition, they are purchasing with peace of mind that there is a reputable business behind Mintplus.ie. This is backed up by our 1-year warranty. And finally, everyone who purchases a Mint+ phone has the reassurance that they are making a positive contribution to the environment.

How can people find out more about you personally & your work?

If anyone has an interest in any of our products or services, they can get in touch with me via LinkedIn or through Fónua.com

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