FRENCH mobile device manufacturer Crosscall was selected as part of the high-level business delegation accompanying French president Emmanual Macron on his visit to South Africa recently.
Company Vice-President David Eberlé said the delegation would use the visit to discuss business opportunities, establish long-term business relationships and share best practice learnings.
“Our products are ideal for a number of different industries including safety and security, the public sector, mining, agriculture and manufacturing,” said Julien Fouriot, Director for Africa at Crosscall, adding that the company is already corroborating with a number of local industries in South Africa.
“Not only have our products been developed to withstand harsh environments but we are committed to providing a premium after sales service to our customers.”
One of the items on the agenda during President Macron’s visit to South Africa is climate change. Mobile devices – like all electronic devices – take an environmental toll. One way to mitigate this toll is to use them for as long as possible.
France is the first country globally that requires the manufacturers of certain electronic devices to let consumers know how repairable their products are and to give their products a score on a range of criteria.
Although France’s ‘Repairability Index’ won’t be enforced immediately, some companies, including Crosscall, have begun releasing their scores. Crosscall currently ranks number one in the smartphone category in the Repairability Index. The index will ultimately be used to measures and enforce France’s anti-waste law with the intention of creating a circular economy.
In November 2020 the European Parliament voted in favour of developing laws that mandate European Union-wide repairability labelling. Repair advocates agree that France’s Repairability Index represents a good learning opportunity for other countries that can now build on what the French lawmakers have created.
As part of its sustainability drive, Crosscall introduced a three-year warranty on its mobile devices in 2020. The company has also removed plastics from all its packaging, instead packing its products in environmentally friendly, recycled materials. At the same time, it has implemented sustainable supply chain practices.
In addition to South Africa Crosscall already has a presence in Benin, Tunisia, Ivory Coast and Senegal.
“Africa is a major focus area for Crosscall and we see significant opportunities for our mobile devices both in South Africa and Africa, particularly given the robust nature of our products,” said Fouriot, adding that the company was looking forward to exploring the opportunities that arise from President Macron’s visit.
The company’s mobile handsets have been specifically designed for outdoor usage and have a reputation for long battery life and being waterproof.
Earlier this year Crosscall was awarded a tender to provide the French National Gendarmerie and the French National Police with over 200 000 mobile phone devices.
Eberlé said qualities met the stringent requirements of the French National Gendarmerie and the French National Police.
Crosscall’s devices will be delivered with a ‘Google Android Open Source Project’ operating system without any manufacturer or operator overlay which will allow the French authorities to install their own security layer so that their communications are encrypted and secured.
