Electronics and overhaul: a sustainable alternative

How by training your own people you are no longer looking for technicians, but for enthusiasts

I speak with Wolter de Jong, the COO of JC Electronics.

JC-Electronics is a global player in the field of refurbished electronics. In 17 years, they have developed from a two-man business into a company with more than 250 employees and they have founded their own school.

By: Hans Risseeuw

The biggest nightmare for production companies is downtime. Here JC-Electronics has created a position for itself. They maintain a large stock of parts and have specialized in refurbishing and repairing used parts. Refurbishment is their core business.

 Refurbished roughly translates to 'new second-hand.' These are used products that have been checked and repaired if necessary. Standard critical components are replaced and the product is made as new. JC-Electronics' market consists of manufacturers who use relatively 'old' machines - which run well - but for which the maintenance contract has expired and/or for which the supplier cannot supply any or only limited parts. JC-Electronics keeps these machines running by having an extensive stock of parts on the shelf and offering repairs of old parts.

A clear advantage for the manufacturer is cost savings: repairs and maintenance make the purchase of a new machine unnecessary. Especially when the machine and the production process in general still perform well. But for JC-Electronics, sustainability is an essential part of the business strategy. They are fully committed to refurbishment, repair, circularity and sustainability. Fashion words that are very popular now, but that JC-Electronics has been actively working on for almost twenty years.

Second-hand, repair and refurbished

Wolter does not see an end to the growth yet. His main challenge lies not in technology, but in culture. “Refurbishment and repair needs a huge boost,” says Wolter. We need to get rid of the habit of throwing things away. “You notice that sustainability and circularity have penetrated to management level. But on the work floor it is still a huge challenge to convince people not to throw away broken parts.” And Wolter also knows plenty of examples at management level of companies that throw away entire machines because a process has simply not been devised that focuses on sustainability, circularity and repair. This is unnecessary value destruction.

“Technically we can already do a lot,” says Wolter, “but the biggest challenge lies with marketing, which is cultural.” We have to get rid of the idea that you always have to choose new. Technology makes a lot possible, but the area where JC-Electronics has the most to gain is cultural. Refurbished and repair needs a new story.

A new education model

From 2016, JC-Electronics started its own educational model. The founders of JC-Electronics were bothered by the fact that the level of the student is mainly determined by the subject in which the student is weakest. If you happen to be not very good at a language subject, this will bring down your entire educational level. JC-Electronics came up with a solution for this: setting up a school on its own grounds in collaboration with a ROC. Having its own school offers JC-Electronics the opportunity to focus the curriculum on what they need: electronics. An additional advantage is that they never have to look for technicians. Wolter says openly: “As an electronics industry, we should not fish in each other's pond of technicians, but rather expand the pond. Now JC-Electronics has twenty students per year who are trained at the business school.”

“As an electronics industry, we should not fish in each other's pond of technicians, but rather expand the pond.”

“JC-Electronics is not looking for technicians,” says Wolter, “We are looking for people who can develop a passion for technology.” Age is not important here, everyone is welcome.

The in-house training school is a recognized educational institution where students obtain a recognized MBO diploma. The testing and teaching package are organized by the ROC, but all practical and theory lessons take place on the business park.

“You need courage,” Wolter admits. “The first step is difficult.” But he is fully convinced of the return. The investment will pay for itself. “We started working with a ROC and we have designed the curriculum as much as possible in the field of electronics in combination with compulsory subjects. Then there is still some free space. We filled this in together with the ROC with theory and practice focused on electronics. The result: an accredited MBO education.” Wolter proudly adds: “With this approach, JC-Electronics has become the best training company in the Netherlands.”

During the first year, the students spend their entire time at school - they are already employed by JC-Electronics. The students are present on the company premises five days a week. After the first year they move on to a department at the TD (technical service). And so, from the first year onwards, students progress to more and more practice.

And now, how do you keep the students inside?

“We have very low outflow,” Wolter answers. “Almost no people leave us.” Of course, we have not found a 'golden egg', Wolter admits. But he indicates that he has an idea why the people at JC-Electronics stay and do not work elsewhere after the training. Of course, they can work anywhere with their MBO diploma.

First of all, it is simply a beautiful profession. Secondly, you “contribute” to a better world where sustainability and circularity play a crucial role. And thirdly, JC-Electronics offers good employment conditions. But probably the most important arguments for continuing to work for JC-Electronics are the first and second arguments. You can always earn a little more somewhere else. JC-Electronics offers a bit of autonomy and ownership. And this, according to Wolter, is crucial to retain your people. There is a broken product on the table in front of you and it is up to you to fix it. Tinkering, analyzing and solving is what technicians prefer to do.

Tinkering, analyzing and solving is what technicians prefer to do.

JC-Electronics has been a member of the FHI Industrial Automation trade association since 2018, a network in which all knowledge of industrial automation comes together. Would you like to know which other companies this trade association represents or would you like to read other interesting stories? Then visit the website or sign up for the newsletter.