The "Need for Speed" in Reverse Logistics

One of the best opportunities for profit in your reverse logistics operations is available in the area of asset disposition. One of the best ways to enhance the disposition value of your refurbished goods is through speed. The “Need for Speed” should be one of your top 3 objectives in your Reverse Logistics processing operations.

Many high tech companies, processing high value returns, are often letting significant profit evaporate into thin air by not focusing enough attention on speed. There is a huge opportunity to recover significantly higher values from your returned assets by paying close attention to the impact of time on the disposition value of your rapidly depreciating returned goods.  Read more...

A Strategic Assessment of Transportation Services

Transportation services represent one of the largest line item service expenditures within the global economy in general, and the Reverse Logistics Industry specifically. This market has been the focus of extensive study and research by our firm. We estimate the market for Third Party Transportation services in support of Reverse Logistics activities within North America represents a $2.6 Billion opportunity in 2005. This market is forecast to experience a 15 % growth rate over the next three years.  Read more...

Lean and Six Sigma

Lean simply put means speed. So how do we combine Lean Manufacturing with Six Sigma Quality. Lean will not be able to bring a process under control, Six Sigma will not improve the speed of a process nor reduce invested capital. Traditionally we measured factory/equipment utilization. Modern business will now focus on all slow processes. These will typically be the processes that are most expensive. A lean process can be thought of one that’s adds value 25% of the time. The key is to eliminate wasted time, effort, and material. The focus must be on only things that add value. We can not afford the luxury today to have activities that add no key value. Non-value add work is a terminal drain on resources.

Use Lean to speed up slow processes, use Six Sigma to reduce variation, together they are your continuous improvement processes.  More info...

Updated Regulatory Information

Additional information has been added to the RLA Regulatory Page including overviews of California SB20/SB50, WEEE & RoHS Directives and more.

Reverse Logistics Association offers consulting services to assist you or your team through the WEEE & RoHS compliance process; from identification to analysis of products, components, and materials through a recommended course of action for compliance.  More info...

Gain valuable information, network, and stay competitive by attending a Reverse Logistics Workshop and Seminar. These one-day events offer interactive content and discussion on topics pertinent to branded companies, OEMs, retail and 3PSPs along with others interested in gaining a competitive edge. The day is filled with interactive presentations focused on key industry issues and knowledge training on specific subjects. By offering information at a “C” level (CEO, CFO, etc.) and at a detailed content level, this event is valuable for CEOs, CFOs, operations and services managers, professionals, and engineers. Spend the lunch hour discussing issues with OEMs, 3PSPs, attendees and presenters. Share best practices and make contacts in the reverse logistics business. Learn about subjects such as; RFI, RFQ, Contracts and Statements of work, Hidden Costs in Reverse Logistics, Sarbanes-Oxley and the Process of Outsourcing. Concerned about the new requirements on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) or Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances (RoHS)? If so, attend a Reverse Logistics Association workshop and seminar!

2005-2006 Schedule

Forward Thinking on Reverse Logistics

Reverse logistics manages inventory that flows “upstream” —back toward a source—to capture value otherwise lost or under-realized. Often considered the “forgotten stepchild” of supply chain planners (who tend to plan supply chains that deploy forward) poorly managed reverse logistics can be costly, and those costs can be extremely hard to discover.

Rules-driven avoidance management and gate keeping are essential to reducing costs in reverse logistics operations. But even though most ERPs are capable of rules-driven avoidance management and gate keeping reverse logistics, many companies don’t take the time to set ERPs up properly. As a result, mis-labeled, unacceptable, or non-labeled inventory is put-away and lost to possible resale because the ERP is simply unaware that it exists.  Read more...

Image Microsystems Joins the Reverse Logistics Association with Multiyear Agreement

Image Microsystems announces a multiyear agreement to participate in the RLTS global events, including Las Vegas, Amsterdam and Singapore.

The RLTS conference attendees will be able to register on site through an Image Microsystems sponsored kiosk and surf the web wirelessly through a unique demonstration of IT sustainability using only refurbished PC technology. Image Microsystems will utilize technology pioneered in its joint-venture with Lessnetworks of Austin, TX to establish Austin as the “Free-est Wi-Fi City” in the world through donation of refurbished computers and technology.
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