Rebound’s Sustainability Strategy: Reverse Logistics, a Key Element

With Climate change a daily news item with floods, fires, droughts, etc., it is clear why sustainability is on the strategic agenda of every CEO and board globally.

All Industries face similar challenges that contribute to global warming and the damage this is causing to our planet.

In fashion, fast fashion especially, unequivocal data shows that landfill sites are ever-filling with hardly worn clothing. With the industry so proficient at manufacturing and supply chain that it can produce clothes at low prices, consumers increasingly consider these items as consumables with disastrous environmental impacts.

The food industry has known for years that while some countries worldwide are at starvation levels, others (primarily Western) are throwing food away due to a sell-by date, a miss shaped vegetable or buy one get on free, to mention a few reasons. This waste is not only a human tragedy but an environmental one as well when considering the resources to produce it.

The Electronics Industry has its part to play in achieving sustainability, including component manufacturers, distributors and equipment manufacturers (OEM & CEM). As in other industries, there will be strategies to reduce power consumption, waste, and carbon footprint, achieved in many different ways.

As expected, Rebound Electronics incorporates all the above elements into our Sustainability Strategy. Notable also is our deep dialogue with our clients, suppliers, and service providers to share and implement best practices in these areas.

One key Sustainability Strategy that Rebound focuses upon is Reverse Logistics, or RL for short.

What is Reverse Logistics?

• The process of moving goods from their typical destination for the purpose of capturing value, or proper disposal. A resource taking one step back in the supply chain.

How does Reverse Logistics address sustainability?

• Rebound offers a solution that aligns with our client’s values. This leads to reduction in the need for perfectly usable product being scrapped. The manufacturer of these have consumed materials (often scarce/rare earth) and energy to produce, transport, and manage.
• While another company elsewhere in the world can use this same product, consequently, as the supply chain becomes more sophisticated, it will help reduce the production of more of this product.
• Worldwide semiconductor’s annual revenues are $575bn. If just 0.1% of this were sent to scrap, this would equate to $575m every year. If just 1% were sitting in excess, that’s $5.75bn.

Since Semiconductors only represent a share of what goes into Electronic Equipment, i.e., connectors, Emech, displays, etc., we can quickly multiply the value of scrap excess many times over when considering all materials.

How does Reverse Logistics work?

• Building a collaborative network of companies aiming to reduce/eliminate slow-moving/excess/obsolete/scrap, achieving a mutual benefit between sellers and buyers.
• Sharing predetermined relevant information.
• Identifies parts in slow/excess/obsolete/scrap.
• Identification of parts required by the buyer.
• Transaction of parts from seller to buyer. Both seller and buyer companies benefit; simultaneously, it minimises the time consumed by outsourcing the work to Rebound.
• Utilising our Reverse Logistics system built upon Rebound’s Global Trader platform, including data intelligence, sourcing, IT, logistics, supply chain, and quality inspection procedures.

Benefits to Clients in Addition to Sustainability

    Selling Client

1. Reduced inventory value
2. Greater inventory turns
3. Frees up cash.
4. Improved working capital
5. Reduced warehouse space management cost
6. Invest freed up monies in areas that generate greater returns 

Purchasing Client

1. Enable production to continue/reduce line stops
2. Attractive pricing/ Cost reduction
3. Solution orientated supply chain

Stefan Mason, COO, commented:

“Rebound has been operating an unbranded version of Reverse Logistics since its founding 20 years ago. It, therefore, has much experience to draw from. Sustainability is high on my agenda, the board’s, and every department within the company. Given the combination of three critical factors, we identified Reverse Logistics as a vital element of sustainability.

Our unique position in the Supply Chain

We see clients requirements worldwide

Our core strategy

Clients are our Total Focus

Our Culture

We are nimble, flexible, fast, and creative in developing bespoke solutions to meet client needs.

In the last 18 months, we have invested significant management, time, resources, and investment to profoundly upgrade our solution, which shows in the increased number of clients we are helping.”

If you would like to know more about Rebound’s Reverse Logistics department, you can visit our webpage here, or contact our team using the below details:

E: reverselogistics@reboundeu.com

T: +44 (0) 1635 744508