News Guide

HOBI International Inc., a global leader in the IT asset disposition, management, resale, remarketing and recycling of IT and mobile phone assets, marks its 20th anniversary today. Since 1992 HOBI has provided comprehensive solutions for the re-marketing and environmentally responsible recycling of electronic assets as a leading IT asset disposition and electronics recycling company serving Fortune 1000 clients across North America.

As a bootstrap start-up, HOBI International began operations in Chicago in February 1992. The company later incorporated in Illinois in September 1992 as a privately held corporation. HOBI was an outgrowth of a small firm, which focused on the retrieval and resale of electronic components and environmentally sound recycling of midrange and PBX phone equipment. HOBI expanded this idea to include complete environmental disposition of post consumption, manufacturing and mixed electronic surplus and scrap.The company also pioneered a process for the disposition of electronics focused on the maximization of economic return and the elimination of potential environmental liability, which has led to the processing of more than 15 million pounds of IT equipment and more than 4 million mobile phones a year.

“For 20 years we have provided ITAD services of the highest quality, reliability and scalability. We have built a company dedicated to creating customer value and satisfaction,” said Cathy Hill, HOBI CEO.“But just as important is our dedication to a value structure that honors employee relationships, the integrity of individuals, and total dedication to excellence and compassion. We have been fortunate to be associated with such a combination of technology, skills, people and customers.”

In 1993, in an effort to better serve nationwide contracts, HOBI expanded its operations to include a facility in Dallas, Texas. HOBI quickly recognized the need for an information technology system that would meet the needs of the rapidly expanding electronic recycling industry. In 1995, HOBI commissioned the development of a complete, integrated database system that would allow the tracking of client assets from the client's site through all processing steps. This system, along with HOBI's talented staff, have allowed the company to meet the needs of a wide range of clients from electronic manufacturers, leasing companies, insurance companies and many others.

“During the last two decades, we have established ourselves in the ITAD industry by growing to meet the needs of our clients,” said Craig Boswell, HOBI President. “By expanding our service offerings and providing unsurpassed customer service, we are proud to be a best-in-class ITAD provider with 20 years of experience and stability.”

In 2006, HOBI was certified as ISO-14001 maintaining the highest level of environmental tracking and compliance.Both of the company’s facilities received the Responsible Recycler’s (R2) certification in 2010. In 2011, Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for North America Information Technology Asset Disposition positioned HOBI as an industry challenger and received high marks for:

• Mobile Device Services -- While HOBI is a full-service ITAD service supplier, its Mobile Device services group has a strong focus on the resale and recycling of cellular assets, processing over 4 million cell phones annually.
• Innovative Solutions -- Hobi developed its own robust NIST 800-88 compliant erasure technology (HOBI Shield) for traditional hard drives, as well as for cell phones and tablet devices.
• Client Oriented -- Customer feedback indicates key HOBI strengths are its responsiveness, flexibility, and management accessibility.

To learn more about HOBI International, visit HOBI.com.

Key Milestones in HOBI’s History:

1992 - Bootstrap launch in Chicago
1993 - Dallas office opened
1996 - Initial ERP deployment
1998 - Launched cellular phone services division
2002 - Expanded to 80,000 sq. ft. in Dallas
2004 - Initial deployment of HOBI Shield (a proprietary data erasure software)
2006 - Expanded to 60,000 sq. ft. in Chicago
2007 - Received ISO-14001 Certification
2007 - Expanded to 100,000 sq. ft. in Dallas
2008 - Cell phone production capabilities reach 50,000 units per month, IT capabilities double
2010 - R2 Certification in both facilities
2011 - Cell phone refurbishment capabilities deployed
2011 - Cell phone repair/refurbishment offered as service
2011 - Recognized in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for IT Asset Disposition

About HOBI International
HOBI International, Inc., is a leading asset management and electronics recycling company serving Fortune 1000 clients. HOBI’s IT services group focuses on corporate IT, data and telecommunications infrastructure, providing resale and re-marketing, data erasure and data destruction, recycling, environmental and compliance reporting, de-installation services, and logistics management. HOBI’s Mobile Device services group focuses on the resale and recycling of cellular assets.Our client list includes 3 of the 4 national wireless operators in the US and 4 major device OEMs, and many recycling partners that trust us to maximize the value of their cellular assets while protecting sensitive corporate or client data.An R2 and ISO14001 certified firm, HOBI leads the electronics recycling industry in best practices for recycling and commodities recovery. Learn more at http://www.HOBI.com.