Sims Recycling Solutions has expanded its asset recovery business into mobile devices with the purchase of a U.K. recovery firm.

Sims increased its recovery efforts with the purchase of S3 Interactive Ltd. (S3i), aScotland-based leader in the recovery, repair and refurbishing of devices such as smart phones and tablet computers. The U.K. company specializes in recovering end-of-life and defective mobile devices from manufacturers' warranty and non-warranty service providers.  These devices are then repaired, data-wiped and refurbished, before being sold globally, Sims said in a news release.

"We are already a global leader in the recovery of information communications technology such as laptops, desktops and servers,” said Graham Davy, chief executive officer of Sims Recycling Solutions. “The acquisition of S3i will position Sims Recycling Solutions in the rapidly growing market of mobile devices such as smart phones and tablet computers. The desirable strategic outcome is to leverage S3i's sector leadership into our existing global operating infrastructure to grow this new segment."

S3i was founded in 2004 and will continue to be run by its owner, Philip Johnston, and its management team.