Remanufacturing and reverse logistics: key to supply chain growth

Remanufacturing is the process of restoring any used up old parts or parts with defects to its new glory and Reverse Logistics is the transferring of these products or waste from the customers to either remanufacturing or safe disposal. Remanufacturing is very much the recycling of used up parts. For example old used up batteries can be either thrown away or sent back for recycling. By throwing it away the remaining chemicals in the battery will pollute the soil and air. And if it is sent back for remanufacturing through reverse logistics the energy is conserved, raw material is conserved and the pollution is contained. And its not only the batteries that deteriorate nature but almost all man made products has the same effect when thrown away.

Though the word remanufacturing may seem new it is just recycling with a new name and especially used in automotive and other core sectors. Remanufacturing has all the benefits that recycling has. At this modern age where people are more concerned about conserving the planet it is the era of remanufacturing and reverse logistics. Some knowledge about the reverse logistics is starting to develop as it emerged just a couple of decades back. People are realizing that any process or management after the sale of the product involves reverse logistics.

Let us see how the remanufacturing and reverse logistics might serve as a key to supply chain growth. Supply chain is the system that integrates men, material, machines to convert a raw material into finished product and to transfer the finished product from supplier to customer. Since the raw materials are depleting from the surface of the earth at a much higher rate it is time to find out new ways of obtaining and using resources that are limited. Daily a lot of waste materials are thrown away that goes useless to everybody. What if there is a way to use those waste materials again?