What Is the Tech Care Industry?
The tech care industry is made up of businesses that “take care” of technology after it’s sold. This includes:
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Tech support – helping people set up and troubleshoot devices.
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Tech repair – fixing issues and extending device life, reducing e-waste by keeping products in use longer.
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Tech reuse – refurbishing and reselling used electronics into the secondary market.
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Tech recycling – responsibly disposing of end-of-life devices and recovering valuable materials.
Together, these services support, repair, refurbish, and recycle technology every day in communities across the country, making tech care one of the most important drivers of sustainability and circular economy growth.
A Brief History of the Tech Care Industry
The modern tech care industry began in the early 2000s when many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) closed their local warranty and support centers and shifted to centralized mail-in service. This left a major gap in local communities—one that independent repair entrepreneurs quickly filled.
By the 2010s, thousands of independent tech repair shops had opened across the U.S., creating a thriving local repair economy. Today, it’s estimated that more than 35,000 independent tech repair and support businesses operate nationwide.
The industry’s early foundation came from the cell phone repair boom, which led to national chains such as CPR – Cell Phone Repair, uBreakiFix, and iCracked. While these brands (now owned by insurance providers) represent only a fraction of the market, independent repair shops remain the backbone of the tech care industry.
Tech Refurbishing and Reselling
At the same time, the tech refurbishing and resale sector took off. Returned and used devices flowed into the reverse logistics industry, where refurbishers restored them for resale. Independent repair shops also began refurbishing and reselling devices on a smaller scale, creating new revenue streams.
Specialized refurbishers emerged as well—such as companies focused on repairing broken smartphone LCD assemblies in bulk. This niche market connected directly with independent repair shops that supplied damaged parts.
The Rise of Tech Recycling
As technology consumption exploded, entrepreneurs recognized that devices contained valuable metals and reusable components. Tech recycling companies began harvesting parts and materials, supplying both raw resources and affordable replacement parts for repair businesses.
With the growth of state e-waste laws in the late 2000s and 2010s, tech recycling expanded rapidly, becoming an essential part of responsible technology management.
The Tech Care Ecosystem
By the late 2010s, the industry had evolved into a circular economy, where tech support, repair, refurbishing, and recycling all connected and relied on each other. Today, this interconnected network forms the foundation of the tech care industry, keeping millions of devices in circulation, reducing e-waste, and creating economic opportunities in local communities.
Read more about the industry on of Tech Care Blog at: Tech Repair Blog
Join the TCA as a Member of the industry at: TCA Membership
A Brief History of the Tech Care Industry
The modern tech care industry began in the early 2000s when many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) closed their local warranty and support centers and shifted to centralized mail-in service. This left a major gap in local communities—one that independent repair entrepreneurs quickly filled.
By the 2010s, thousands of independent tech repair shops had opened across the U.S., creating a thriving local repair economy. Today, it’s estimated that more than 35,000 independent tech repair and support businesses operate nationwide.
The industry’s early foundation came from the cell phone repair boom, which led to national chains such as CPR – Cell Phone Repair, uBreakiFix, and iCracked. While these brands (now owned by insurance providers) represent only a fraction of the market, independent repair shops remain the backbone of the tech care industry.
Tech Refurbishing and Reselling
At the same time, the tech refurbishing and resale sector took off. Returned and used devices flowed into the reverse logistics industry, where refurbishers restored them for resale. Independent repair shops also began refurbishing and reselling devices on a smaller scale, creating new revenue streams.
Specialized refurbishers emerged as well—such as companies focused on repairing broken smartphone LCD assemblies in bulk. This niche market connected directly with independent repair shops that supplied damaged parts.
The Rise of Tech Recycling
As technology consumption exploded, entrepreneurs recognized that devices contained valuable metals and reusable components. Tech recycling companies began harvesting parts and materials, supplying both raw resources and affordable replacement parts for repair businesses.
With the growth of state e-waste laws in the late 2000s and 2010s, tech recycling expanded rapidly, becoming an essential part of responsible technology management.
The Tech Care Ecosystem
By the late 2010s, the industry had evolved into a circular economy, where tech support, repair, refurbishing, and recycling all connected and relied on each other. Today, this interconnected network forms the foundation of the tech care industry, keeping millions of devices in circulation, reducing e-waste, and creating economic opportunities in local communities.
Read more about the industry on of Tech Care Blog at: Tech Repair Blog
Join the TCA as a Member of the industry at: TCA Membership
