Question

If you were designing and implementing a reverse logistics process for you firm, what are the key factors you would consider for implementation and why? (have a firm and explain the characteristics of your firm (20%), explain reverse logistics (20%), provide at least three key factors (30%) and explain why (30%

Answer 1

The firm that I have chosen is the package delivery and supply chain management chain. The firm has its international operations in its core competency of package delivery and SCM. The characteristics of my firm are:

1. International operations

2. Adjusts to the economy

3. Flexible courier service

4. Quick delivery of products

5. Value for money

6. Exceptional customer experience

Reverse logistics refers to all the operations that is related to the reuse and recycle of the products and materials. Unlike a regular supply chain, the products are moved from the end-user upstream to the service providers for the purpose of capturing value or proper disposal of waste. The benefits of reverse logistics are:

• It reduces environmental pollution
• Reduction in material cost- Reusing the pieces of old materials or recollecting them would considerably reduce the material costs.
• In recall incidents- Sometimes companies are faced with the crisis to recall the manufactured products. In such cases, reverse logistics play a major role in proper disposal of those products without harming the environment.

The key factors that influence the implementation of reverse logistics are:

1. Global competitiveness- To combat competition, RL is used as a strategy to compete in the global market.

2. Regulatory measures- The regulatory measures imposed by the government might pave way for RL.

3. Economic and strategic measures- RL implementation is used as strategic measures to overcome crisis such as 'recall' of the products.

To conclude, my firm which is an international courier company uses Reverse Logistics (RL) to minimize the environmental impact. In the RL implementation, the consumers are allowed to reuse the boxes to ship their item which reduces the overall material costs and save the environment.