Re-use and fighting to eliminate waste: those are the foundations of the business model developed by SCOP 3. Hosted at the
Montpellier BIC facility, the young company “with a mission” designed a platform and companion mobile application that companies can use to sell a variety of equipment that they no longer use (excluding public works materials). They can also choose to donate their equipment to associations and companies just getting started.
Whereas the concept had not been implemented until now, it represents a huge market.
“Every year, 2.4 million tons of professional equipment ends up as trash in France,” confirms Frédéric Salles, the company’s 47-year-old co-founder. With SCOP 3, he is writing a new chapter in his entrepreneurial story, having sold his company Matooma in July 2019 to the British Wireless Logic Group.
Above all, SCOP 3 implements an idea that he already had when he was still in charge of Matooma.
“At the time, we used to store furniture that we no longer needed, but we really did not know what to do with it, even though it was often nearly new,” he explains.
His company, which signed Montpellier’s “Companies and Neighborhoods Charter”, offered the equipment to associations located in priority neighborhoods, with support from Montpellier Métropole.
This highlights a particularity of professional equipment: with respect to accounting, equipment is
depreciated by the company. As such, a large part of the equipment – from furniture (tables, chairs, cabinets, shelves...) to computers – is often still in good condition and can be used, once depreciated, thus representing a significant competitive advantage.
“It costs ten times less than new equipment,” highlights Frédéric Salles, "but it can also be donated."
Associated with
Sophie Scantamburlo, former financial director of Montpellier-based Cabiron Traiteur, he plans to leverage SCOP 3
to breathe new life into professional equipment that can be reused as-is or refurbished. To do this, the company worked to fine-tune its business model: a monthly no-commitment subscription is set up for companies that would like to sell via the platform. Membership is free for associations. Companies buying equipment have free access, without any subscription or membership conditions.
“Therefore, companies come out ahead whether they sell or make a donation. When they donate, they benefit from a tax reduction of 60% of the amount,” explains Frédéric Salles.
Founded in June 2021, SCOP 3 already has several partners, including the
Septeo group,
Sofradam,
IFEC, and two associations –
Gammes and
Nouas.
The company is preparing for a round of fundraising in order to roll out the concept nationwide. A new challenge for Frédéric Salles, who thanks Montpellier Métropole for its support.
“The Montpellier Métropole team connected us with the associations and has helped promote our project. Their assistance is extremely valuable.”
After Matooma, here goes Frédéric Salles on a new adventure!
