In the high-stakes world of Defence & Aerospace, procurement delays aren’t just an administrative hurdle, they are a security risk. When a Tier 1 leader faced a massive hardware refresh involving 400+ data-bearing devices, the standard 6-month vetting process threatened to stall critical MoD contract deadlines.

Surplex stepped in to bypass the bottleneck, delivering a 75% reduction in procurement lead time through our established JOSCAR-registered status.

The Challenge: Compliance vs. Velocity

Our client was caught between a rock and a hard place: the urgent need to decommission sensitive hardware and the rigid, time-consuming “onboarding” protocols typical of the aerospace sector.

The Surplex Solution: JOSCAR Readiness

Our client was caught between a rock and a hard place: the urgent need to decommission sensitive hardware and the rigid, time-consuming “onboarding” protocols typical of the aerospace sector.

  • 1. Immediate Strategic Deployment

    Leveraging our pre-vetted status, we bypassed the 6-month administrative wait. Our team moved from initial enquiry to on-site execution in a fraction of the traditional timeframe.

  • 2. On-Site Data Sanitisation

    To maintain the highest security posture, we deployed mobile technicians to perform Certus Data Erasure within the client’s secure perimeter. By sanitising the assets on-site, we ensured no "live" data ever left the facility.

  • 3. GPS-Tracked Chain of Custody

    Once neutralised, the hardware was transported via our GPS-tracked fleet for secondary processing. Every movement was logged, ensuring a continuous, unbroken Chain of Custody from the rack to the recycling centre.

  • Sector

    Defence & Aerospace

  • Location

    UK Nationwide

  • Assets

    400+ High-Security Data-Bearing Devices

  • Problem

    Standard procurement vetting for new vendors typically takes half a year, time the project didn't have.

"Surplex’s pre-vetted status turned a potential 6-month administrative nightmare into a seamless, high-security operation. They are the go-to for rapid, compliant ITAD."

Head of Procurement, Tier 1 Aerospace Leader

The Results: 100% Compliance, Zero Friction

Our client was caught between a rock and a hard place: the urgent need to decommission sensitive hardware and the rigid, time-consuming “onboarding” protocols typical of the aerospace sector.

Metric
Outcome
  • Lead Time Reduction

    75% faster than traditional procurement

  • Security Standard

    100% data destruction via Certus Software

  • Audit Readiness

    Individual Certificates of Erasure for every asset

  • Compliance

    Full alignment with ISO 9001/14001 and JOSCAR

Why Leading Defence Firms Trust Surplex

In an industry where credentials are as important as the service itself, Surplex provides the “Fast Track” for secure IT disposal. Our JOSCAR registration means we are ready to work when you are with total data security.

Team Meeting 1

Frequently asked questions

Have questions about decommissioning your data centre? We’ve compiled answers to common inquiries to help you understand our secure, efficient, and compliant process. If your specific question isn’t here, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly for a personalised consultation.

As a JOSCAR-registered partner, Surplex has undergone the rigorous pre-qualification required by the aerospace, defence, and security sectors. Because our compliance, financial stability, and security protocols are already validated within the Hellios system, Tier 1 leaders can skip the standard “Stage 2” vetting delay and move straight to project deployment.

Yes. For high-risk or sensitive hardware, we deploy mobile technicians to your site. Using Certus Data Erasure software or physical mobile shredding, we ensure all data is permanently destroyed before the hardware ever leaves your secure perimeter. This eliminates “transit risk” for your most critical assets.

We provide a full, tamper-proof audit trail for every asset. This includes:

  • Individual Certificates of Erasure (detailing serial numbers and BIOS-level confirmation).
  • WEEE Waste Transfer Notes for legal environmental compliance.

Asset Inventory Reports for internal MoD record-keeping. All documentation is available 24/7 via our secure client portal.

Absolutely. Any equipment transported off-site is handled by our GPS-tracked, liveried fleet. This ensures a strict Chain of Custody from the moment the assets are collected to their final arrival at our secure processing facility.

Yes. Our “Surplex Enterprise” service is specifically designed for large-scale upgrades. Whether it is 400+ devices (as seen in our Aerospace Case Study) or entire data centre liquidations, we have the logistical capacity to manage high volumes without compromising security or speed.

Surplex is fully licensed by the Environment Agency and operates under ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) and ISO 9001 (Quality Management) standards. We prioritise the circular economy by refurbishing hardware where possible and ensuring 0% landfill for all non-recoverable electronic waste (WEEE).

Other services we offer

IT and Technology Recycling

Make sure your business complies with all environmental and legal requirements set by law, while also supporting the circular economy. Surplex UK Limited offers thorough, compliant and eco-friendly WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) recycling services throughout the UK, with a focus on IT and technology equipment.

Data Destruction and Sanitisation

Don’t just delete your data – destroy it. Surplex UK Limited provides certified and compliant data destruction and sanitisation services for all digital media, guaranteeing your sensitive information is permanently irrecoverable, on-site or off-site.

Battery & UPS Disposal

Safely dispose of your spent batteries and Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) units. Surplex UK Limited provides compliant and environmentally responsible disposal services for all types of hazardous batteries, ensuring your business meets strict regulations and protects the environment.

Asset Disposal

Surplex UK Limited ensures your IT and Technology Recycling & Data Destruction needs are handled in a way that not only meets your legal obligations, but also your organisational security requirements.

Surplex Enterprise: Large-Scale IT Disposals

Surplex Enterprise is our specialised service designed for large-scale, high-volume IT and technology disposals and upgrades. It’s specifically aimed at data centres and large corporations looking to recoup value from IT assets. All our standard secure and compliant IT asset disposition services are included , but these are specifically tailored to efficiently manage significant volumes of equipment for major organisations.