Most companies in the IT asset disposition space are relatively new. The industry itself only gained mainstream attention in the early 2000s as businesses started waking up to the risks of tossing old computers in the trash. Altech is different. We've been doing this since 1984 — long before "ITAD" was even a term anyone used, long before HIPAA existed, and long before the world started worrying about e-waste.
This is the story of how a small Houston company built a four-decade legacy around a simple idea: electronics deserve to be handled responsibly, and the businesses that use them deserve a partner they can trust.
Houston, 1984
Altech was founded by Bryan Frazar in Houston, Texas at a time when the personal computer revolution was just beginning to take hold in American offices. IBM had released its first PC just three years earlier. Companies were starting to buy computers in large numbers — and nobody had any idea what to do with them when they broke down or became obsolete. At the time, no ITAD or computer recycler existed in Houston.
Bryan saw an opportunity and a responsibility. Computers contained valuable materials — copper, aluminum, precious metals — that were simply being wasted. They also contained information. Even back then, before the internet, before cloud computing, businesses stored sensitive data on their machines. Throwing those machines away without a thought wasn't just wasteful. It was a liability.
From day one, Altech's mission was clear: recover the value in retired electronics, protect the data on them, and do it all in a way that's good for the environment and the businesses we serve.
Growing With Houston's Industries
Houston is a unique city for a company like Altech. It's home to the world's largest concentration of energy companies, a massive medical center complex, one of the busiest port systems in the United States, and a sprawling network of businesses across every industry. As Houston grew, Altech grew with it.
In the early years, most of our work involved salvaging and reselling used computer parts — a business that required deep knowledge of the hardware itself and strong relationships with buyers around the country. Over time, as technology cycles accelerated and data privacy concerns grew, our services expanded. Resale and remarketing led to secure data wiping. Secure data wiping led to certified destruction. Certified destruction led to the full-service ITAD operation we run today.
Through it all, we stayed in Houston. The Gulf Coast region — its energy companies, hospitals, school districts, and businesses of every size — has been the heart of our customer base.
A Timeline of Growth
1984
Founded in Houston, TX
November 1984 Altech begins operations focused on electronics salvage, resale, and responsible disposal for Houston-area businesses.
1990s
Expanding Services
As personal computers become ubiquitous in offices, Altech expands to handle larger volumes of retired equipment and develops early data sanitization practices.
2000s
Data Security Becomes Central
With HIPAA enacted and data breach awareness growing, Altech builds out certified data destruction capabilities including on-site shredding services.
2010s
Certifications & Standards
Altech achieves R2 certification (later upgraded to R2V3), establishing formal quality and environmental management systems across all operations.
2020s
ISO Certified & Nationwide Reach
Altech earns ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 certifications, serving clients across the Gulf Coast and nationwide while maintaining Houston as its home base.
What Makes Altech Different
There's no shortage of companies that will take your old computers off your hands. What's harder to find is a partner with the experience, the certifications, and the accountability to do it right. Here's what four decades in this business has taught us:
Relationships matter more than transactions. Many of our clients have been with us for years, even decades. They come back not just because we're convenient, but because they know they can count on us to handle their equipment — and their data — with care.
Certifications aren't just paperwork. Our R2V3, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 certifications reflect real operational standards that we live by every day. They're audited regularly by independent third parties. When we hand you a Certificate of Destruction, it means something.
Houston is our home. We're not a national chain with a local office. We're a Houston company, deeply embedded in the Gulf Coast business community. When you call us, you're talking to people who know this city, know its industries, and are invested in getting the job done right.
Looking Ahead
The electronics industry shows no signs of slowing down. Devices are being produced — and retired — faster than ever. The data on those devices is more sensitive than ever. And the environmental impact of mishandled e-waste continues to grow.
After 40+ years, Altech's mission is the same as it was in 1984: handle electronics responsibly, protect the data on them, and do right by the businesses and communities we serve. We're just doing it at a larger scale, with better technology, and with a stack of certifications that didn't exist when we started.
We're proud of where we've been — and excited about where we're going.