ReCellular hires 25, transitions to tablets

ReCellular is turning a transition in the mobile market (tablet computers) into an opportunity to expand its business in Ann Arbor and Dexter. The mobile-device recycler has added 25 jobs in the last year, including 20 jobs at its Dexter industrial facility and five more at its Ann Arbor headquarters. The 21-year-old company now employs 330 people and it's looking for 4-5 interns. "We're on a bit of a hiring spree and added a few jobs since last summer," says Joe McKeown, vice president of marketing for ReCellular. He adds the company plans to add another 25 jobs by the end of this year. ReCellular got its start renting out cell phones when the technology was in its infancy. When cell phones went mainstream and became disposable, ReCellular pivoted its business plan from renting cell phones to recycling them. Today it refurbishes used mobile devices and sells them on  secondary markets. Those that can't be refurbished are recycled. ReCellular now recycles 400,000 mobile devices per month. It's aiming for 600,000 by the end of the year. "We're seeing big growth in the market, particularly in smart phones," McKeown says. "We have also taken on tablet computers." Source: Joe McKeown, vice president of marketing for ReCellular Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.