Reverse Logistics is the process of planning, implementing, and controlling the efficient, cost effective flow of raw materials, in-process inventory, finished goods and related information from the point of consumption to the point of origin for the purpose of recapturing value or proper disposal.
Reverse Logistics is the set of activities that is conducted after the sale of a product to recapture value and end the product’s life-cycle. It typically involves returning a product to the manufacturer or distributor or forwarding it on for servicing, refurbishment or recycling. Reverse logistics is sometimes called aftermarket supply chain, aftermarket logistics or retrogistics.
People also use the term called as “milk run” which means you are planning for a cluster of sites and you collect all the equipment as part of the reverse logistics run.
This is a broad term, but most proactively it is the process of inventory control and distribution. It means identifying when products are out of the way or end their life at the point of sale, then sorting them into the right allocation to ensure that they find their way to the right customer for reuse, recycling/disposal, or whatever else may be appropriate.
Reverse Logistics Management often includes some form of returns management which could serve as an element in reducing risk for retailers through handling returned goods with care and planning returns back onto retail shelves as soon as possible. Extending product lifecycles by encouraging customers to use rental plans can also go a long way in keeping things sustainable and profitable.
reverse logistics is a type of supply chain management that moves goods from customers back to the sellers or manufacturers. Once a customer receives a product, processes such as returns or recycling require reverse logistics.
Reverse logistics start at the end consumer, moving backward through the supply chain to the distributor or from the distributor to the manufacturer. Reverse logistics can also include processes where the end consumer is responsible for the final disposal of the product, including recycling, refurbishing or resale.
Organizations use reverse logistics when goods move from their destination back through the supply chain to the seller and potentially back to the suppliers. The goal is to regain value from the product or dispose of it. Worldwide, returns are worth almost a trillion dollars annually and have become increasingly common with the growth of ecommerce.
The objectives of reverse logistics are to recoup value and ensure repeat customers. Less than 10% of in-store purchases are returned, compared to at least 30% of items ordered online. Savvy companies use reverse logistics to build customer loyalty and repeat business and to minimize losses related to returns.
Reverse logistics can be defined as managing returned or salvaged items. In other words, it is the opposite of traditional logistics, which focuses on getting new items to customers and markets. However, reverse logistics is just as important as its traditional counterpart since it allows businesses to reduce waste and cut costs by relocating and recycling damaged items.
Furthermore, this process can also help companies manage recalls or deal with environmental concerns by properly disposing of hazardous materials. Ultimately, reverse logistics enables companies to achieve a more efficient, sustainable supply chain and remains an essential aspect of modern business operations.
informative!