How Spare Parts Give Products a Longer Life
A broken wheel or a cracked tabletop and the whole piece of furniture ends up in the container. That's often how it looks. Every year, millions of tons of furniture are thrown away across Europe. At AJ Products, we want to stop waste by making spare parts available from day one. "Our goal is to make it easier for our customers to take care of their furniture through smart solutions that help each product last longer", says Sustainability Manager Anita Falkenek.
When a piece of furniture breaks, the consequences are often bigger than they need to be. Rather than repairing a wheel or replacing a tabletop, the whole product is discarded. The result is huge amounts of waste: across the EU alone, ten million tonnes of furniture and equipment are thrown away every year - 80 to 90 per cent of which is buried or incinerated.
At AJ Products, we want to change that. Last year, we added 727 new spare parts to our range, compared with 427 the year before. In total, there will soon be 4,000 parts available to order, from gas cylinders and office chairs to wheels for forklift trucks.
‘From a sustainability perspective, we need to take better care of our resources, particularly materials. Our products are not disposable; they are designed to be repaired and maintained for a long life. That’s where spare parts become essential,’ says Anita Falkenek.
Smart components extend product lifespan
The work happens on several levels. First, we respond directly to customer requests: someone needs a new lever, wants to replace a glide or is missing screws, and these parts are sent out promptly. At the same time, spare parts are integrated into product development. When a new office chair is designed, wheels, cylinders, and other essential components are planned from day one, ensuring they are available throughout the product’s life.
“We’ve had a component-focused approach for a long time, but we’re expanding it to cover more and more areas. If a desk top breaks, the customer can order a replacement separately. It’s a shame to replace an entire product when only one part is worn,” says Ola Alfredsson, Product Information Manager.
The same principle applies to making more wear parts available directly on our website. Batteries, wheels, and covers can be ordered by customers themselves - no need to go through customer service.
“The aim is to offer spare parts for all products where it makes sense,” adds Ola Alfredsson.
Customers and the climate benefit from a longer lifespan
Interest from our customers is growing. The public sector increasingly demands circular solutions - sometimes requiring suppliers to carry out on-site repairs, other times to manage used furniture. Even at the EU level, there is a push to reduce the growing mountain of discarded furniture each year.
In some industrial sectors, the principle of repair over replacement has long been established.
"In addition to the fact that the terminology has evolved and we now talk about circular solutions, the key difference is that more products and areas are covered, and there is a clearer link to climate impact", notes Anita Falkenek.
Research supports this approach. A study from RISE shows that repairing and renovating furniture instead of replacing it can reduce climate impact by 20–40 %.
In practice, it can be as simple as replacing a locker door rather than discarding the entire unit – an action that saves almost 140 kilograms of CO₂ equivalents compared with buying a new locker.
Economic and environmental advantages of repairing
Customer demand is also shaping our approach. Some are aiming for sustainable certifications for their interiors, while others see the clear cost benefits of repairing rather than replacing - an idea that becomes increasingly important as raw material prices rise. For AJ Products, spare parts not only extend the lifespan of products but also strengthen the relationship with the customer.
“For the individual customer, it's an economic advantage. For us, it’s a way to show that we take responsibility. We want our products to be used for as long as possible, and for our customers to know that we support them throughout the entire lifecycle,” says Ola Alfredsson.
Kontorsstol HURRAY
£425.00
This is reflected in practical solutions. For example, the HURRAY office chair that we launched last year can be upgraded with new covers instead of being discarded. Similarly, worn wheels on the RAPID pallet truck can simply be replaced.
"We listen to our customers and develop products to meet their needs. Sometimes a small spare part can make a big difference. What matters is creating a process that makes it easy for customers to extend the lifespan of their products", says Ola Alfredsson.
