Tips from Amsterdam

by Paul Rupnow

The best place to learn best practices is from other Reverse Logistics Professionals. The Reverse Logistics Association Amsterdam 2007 Conference had a full agenda of top notch professionals who shared their challenges, successes, experience and wisdom. The linked article provides a summary of the tips they provided to assist you in improving your Reverse Logistics operations.   Full Article

Returns Management Process and Software Maturity Model:
The Five Levels of Operational Maturity

This paper provides a blueprint for evaluating software solutions that have the potential to assist organizations in meeting their returns objectives. Given the heightened interest in the marketplace today regarding reverse logistics and returns management, this model can serve as a useful tool in objectively identifying and evaluating solution alternatives.

Download this white paper to learn the 5 levels of process maturity, and how your company stacks up.

White Paper made available by ClearOrbit.

ClearOrbit, CH Robinson, Test Technology and Blue Raven Technology became Silver Level RLA Members recently. NVC Logistics and Sea View Technologies joined at the Professional Level.

RLA Membership provides passes to RLTS events and access to RL Quote and conference presentations. Go online for a complete list of Membership Benefits.

Dave Mabon has joined GENCO as Chief Customer Officer. In his new role, Mabon will be responsible for enhancing existing and new customer relationships across GENCO's diverse business units and developing strategies that grow the company from $700 million to $1 billion by 2010. Mabon comes to GENCO with more than 18 years of logistics sales and marketing experience, most recently directing sales, marketing and business development for Kuehne + Nagel's U.S. Contract Logistics unit.

DecisionOne Corporation recently announced that Kathryn Alexander has rejoined the technology support services company as Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing. In this role, Ms. Alexander has responsibility for implementing the company's sales direction focusing on selling and marketing through channel and alliance partners to support commercial and government enterprises.

Brightpoint, Inc. recently announced that Endre Kadas has been appointed as the new General Director of Brightpoint Russia (a Brightpoint subsidiary). Prior to Brightpoint, Endre established Nokia's channel management in Russia and was responsible for go-to-market planning and management.

Aviall, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Boeing Company recently announced that Ed Dolanski has been appointed Senior Vice President, Operations, for Aviall Services, Inc. Prior to Aviall, Dolanski was vice president, Mission Support, for Raytheon's Network Centric Systems (NCS) business.

Dolanski assumes the role previously held by Charley Kienzle, who has filled the newly created position of Senior Vice President, Business Development and Boeing integration. Kienzle will be responsible for the company's new business (supplier) development efforts.

Did you know that OEMs, Retailers and 3PSPs post jobs on the RLA website? Be sure and check out the Industry Job Postings Celestica, Data Exchange Corp., Kyocera and more. If you are a reverse logistics professional, bookmark this page and visit often.

Not all positions within a particular company are listed. If you are interested in a higher or lower level position, consider contacting the point person to see what other positions are available.

Reverse Logistics Is Not Your Father's Oldsmobile—It's More Like BASF!

by William K. Pollock

The Reverse Logistics policies and practices that support the services organizations of today are not the same ones that supported their predecessors as recently as 10 years ago. Much has changed, as new technology and communications tools make it easier to conduct business, all while customers have become much more knowledgeable about the numerous after-sales service and support options available to them. As a result, Reverse Logistics now has a far more important impact on such key business areas as profitability, growth and customer satisfaction.   Full Article

The Fourth Annual Reverse Logistics Assocation Conference & Expo in Asia-Pacific will be held on October 2-4, 2007 at the Le Meridian Hotel in Singapore.

Companies from the South Pacific, Asia and many other international delegates will be in attendance. ODMs and OEMs will be looking for 3PSPs that can manage Reverse Logistics in North America and Europe, along with identifying Service Logistics solutions for the Far-East.

Starting on Tuesday with Pre-Conference Workshops and continuing on Wednesday and Thursday with the Conference Sessions and Exhibition. The workshops include "Determining the Hidden Costs of Reverse Logistics," "Dell Case Study - Customer Experience in Reverse Logistics" and "Design for Value Recovery."

The Conference kicks off on Wednesday with the Keynote Address delivered by Kerry Mok, SVP, Strategy & Marketing and Service Logistics, Asia Pacific, DHL Exel Supply Chain. Sessions by RL Professionals, leading academics and panel discussions will follow.

Speaker and Panelist positions are still open. There are great benefits for speaking or participating on a panel. Also, it is never too late to make a good decision. So exhibit now to showcase your products and services at RLTS Singapore 2007!

The "NEW" Post RFI Button makes it easier than ever to post an RFI. One click takes you right to the data entry screen -- complete the form, submit and it's posted. It's as simple as 1-2-3.

RL Quote is available for all manufacturers and retail companies at no cost. 3PSPs that are members of RLA can respond to these RFIs:

• RFI ID 97 - North America - Large retail company looking for 3rd party to recycle shopping carts.
• RFI ID 96 - North America - Service provider for in-home a service for CE products and white goods.

RL Quote provides OEMs, ODMs and Retailers a way to connect with 3PSPs. With RL Quote a manufacturer or retailer can send out RFIs anonymously to our worldwide database of suppliers, screen through the 3PSP responses and narrow down the prospects.

Get details at RL Quote.

• RLTS Singapore 2007 - October 2-4, 2007
• Warehousing Education and Research Council- Benchmark NOW! - Chicago, IL - October 3-4, 2007
• RL Seminar - Austin, TX - October 17, 2007
• E-Scrap 2007 - Atlanta, GA - October 24-25, 2007
• RL Seminar - Columbus, OH - November 13, 2007
• RL Seminar - San Jose, CA - December 5, 2007