TRC Skinz(TM): A Journey of Innovation and Excellence
TRC Skinz(TM) has a rich history spanning over 25 years, marked by continuous innovation and a commitment to excellence. The journey began in 2001 under the banner of Dolphin Technology, where we first experimented with skins for refurbishing IBM ThinkPad 770 laptops. These early attempts involved using black vinyl, but the material quality and lack of industrial cutters posed significant challenges1.
Fast forward to 2010, we shifted our focus to spray painting as a refurbishment technique. This method provided better quality compared to vinyl, which often peeled off quickly due to poor material quality. We built our own spray booth and became proficient in spray painting, even offering it as a service1.
In 2015, we ventured into the printing and car wrapping business with a company called Wraptastic LTD, exposing us to high-quality materials like 3M Dinoc. This experience led us to revisit the idea of using skins for laptop refurbishment. We discovered that wrapping laptops with Tier 1 materials was faster and more efficient than spray painting1.
Initially, we faced challenges with colour matching, as manufacturers required large minimum orders and long turnaround times. Also as they only used computer scanners to do colour matches they could never get very close. However, by leveraging our own printers and expertise, we achieved superior colour matching with quicker turnaround times. This breakthrough allowed us to implement skins more effectively in our refurbishment process1.
A pivotal moment came when a spray-painting incident highlighted the limitations of the method. The inconsistency in colour matching due to manual mixing and spraying led us to fully transition to using skins. This decision was driven by the superior consistency, safety, and cost-effectiveness of skins compared to spray painting1.
When we started The Refurb Company 2022 to 2024, we focused on research and development to perfect our skinning design and production process. We realized that certain materials from even reputable manufacturers like 3M had limitations, such as the 3M matte black material, which easily became dirty and scratched. Our R&D efforts led to the development of robust, high-quality skins that outperformed spray painting in every aspect1.
Today, TRC Skinz(TM) stands as a leader in the refurbishment industry, offering perfect colour matching, corporate branding, and bespoke designs. Our skins provide a superior look and feel, with a 3-year warranty against peeling or fading. We have the capacity to produce 3,000 skins per day, ensuring flexibility and maximum ROI for our customers1.
Our philosophy of "Think Global, Refurbish Local" aligns with our commitment to sustainability and quality. By using skins, we eliminate the need for laptops to be transported across countries for refurbishment, reducing our carbon footprint and supporting local economies1.
TRC Skinz(TM) has come a long way from its humble beginnings, and we continue to innovate and lead the industry with our cutting-edge solutions. We are proud of our journey and excited about the future as we strive to provide the best refurbishment services and products to our customers1.
Benefits of Skins over Spray Painting:
- Perfect Colour Matching: We can achieve perfect colour matching and recreate patterns like those on Surface laptops or the carbon fibre effect on Dell laptops. This allows our customers to refurbish only what needs to be refurbished, ensuring minimal difference between a skinned laptop and a Grade A+ original laptop1.
- Recreation of Safety Marks and Symbols: We can recreate all safety marks, wording on palm rests, and symbols on the sides when making our side skins. This is not easily achievable with spray painting, providing a superior look and feel1.
- Corporate Branding and Custom Designs: We can easily apply corporate branding or any designs on lids or even trackpads. This flexibility is unmatched by spray painting1.
- High Production Capacity: With the ability to produce 3,000 skins per day, we can handle bespoke work and provide customers with choices between original colour smooth finishes or ruggedized textured finishes with anti-scratch technology1.
- 3-Year Warranty: We offer a 3-year warranty against peeling or fading on all our skins, which is not available with any paintwork service1.
- No Special Equipment Required: Our skinning process does not require special equipment, making it more accessible and cost-effective1.
- Flexible Refurbishment: Our system allows for last-minute refurbishment decisions, maximizing ROI by only refurbishing laptops that need cosmetic improvements1.
- Superior Longevity: Unlike spray painting, which often involves only one coat and lacks durability, our skins incorporate multiple layers of high-quality materials, ensuring long-lasting results1.
- Health and Safety: Skins eliminate the health and safety issues associated with spray painting, such as exposure to harmful chemicals and the need for expensive spray booths1.
- Sustainability: Skins align with our "Think Global, Refurbish Local" philosophy, reducing the need for laptops to be transported across countries for refurbishment, thus lowering our carbon footprint1.
Analogy: Analogue vs. Digital Mobile Phones
Just as analogue mobile phones were eventually superseded by digital phones, spray painting in the refurbishment industry is being replaced by skins. Skins offer superior quality, consistency, and efficiency, much like how digital phones revolutionized communication. With over 2,000 colour matches and designs, TRC Skinz(TM) is at the forefront of this transformation, providing the best solutions for laptop refurbishment1.