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RLA Conference & Expo
RLA Conference Las Vegas - Great Success!
 The fact that Reverse Logistics is on the rise during this economic downturn was readily apparent at the 6th Annual RLA Conference & Expo. The event held in Las Vegas on February 3-5, 2009 was very well attended with over 1,200 registered attendees but even more important was that nearly 600 companies were represented. Companies such as Dell, Procter & Gamble, Canadian Tire, Toshiba, Microsoft, Sears, TomTom and Amazon.com showed up to learn about available solutions, meet with potential business partners and exchange best practices. The complete list of the companies that participated is available on the Event Attendees page.
 Activities began on Sunday with the RLA Football Party held at Studio 54. Great food, a great game, great networking opportunity, plus a special appearance, thanks to Round2 Technologies, by former Pro-Bowl quarterback Jeff Blake, made for a very memorable occasion. Monday offered the RLA Charity Golf Tournament benefitting "Kids on the Move." A fun time was had by all. Tuesday offered workshops and RLA Industry/Focus Committee Reports.
On Wednesday, the Keynote address was presented by Kevin Winneroski, VP of Secondary Markets at Best Buy Company. Six tracks of speaker sessions and panel discussions filled the afternoon.  The Exhibit Hall was also open where manufacturers and retailers found many solutions for their RL needs among the participating exhibitors and sponsors. The day ended with a spectacular reception hosted by AT&T ConnecTech with entertainment provided by Faux Collins.
"As first time attendees to the conference, we were very impressed. The content of the presentations and the networking possibilities exceeded our expectations," said Dennis Desrochers, VP Business Development, Precision Camera & Video Repair, Inc.
Thursday morning began with the Keynote address by William Pollock, VP-Principal Analyst at Aberdeen. Additional sessions and panel discussions filled the remainder of the day right up to the closing remarks by Jeremy Vick and the Lucky Draw.
 Conference presentations are available to all RLA members for free download. Click Here
Attendee Survey
RLA C&E Las Vegas '09 Attendee Survey
We thank all of you who have filled out the evaluation survey for the Las Vegas 2009 Trade Show. We have gathered some great data, but we can always use more! For those who have held off, please send us your comments. As an Association, we exist to provide you with the best resources and reverse logistic information possible. Your feedback will make RLA events better.
Click Here to complete attendee survey for a chance to win an iPod or Bluetooth headset.
New RLA Members
GENCO Supply Chain Solutions recently joined or renewed their Platinum Level RLA Membership.
Micro Product Distributors, Inc., ATC Logistics & Eectronics, Glezco recently joined or renewed their Gold Level RLA Membership.
Inflatable Packaging, Inc., Rehrig Penn Logistics, OneLife Digital, Round2 Technologies, Inc., Inflatable Packaging, Inc., ServoTerra.com, BBB International, Flash Global Logistics, Inc., CVE, Inc., United Radio Inc., Bigston Corporation, Liquidity Services, Inc., Feba Electronics, Consumer Product Services, LLC, Advanced Technical Services, Precison Camera & Video Repair, Inc., PRC Industries, Inc., eBay, Gamestop Inc., DTR Technologies, LLC, KW International, Inc. each recently joined or renewed their Silver Level RLA Membership.
RLA Members can display the RLA membership logo on their website. Membership provides passes to RLA events and access to RL Quote and conference presentations. Go online for a complete list of membership benefits.
New RLA Staff
Sean Abley joined RLA as Director, Seminars and Speaker Relations.
David Blakely joined RLA as Event Sales Account Executive (Western US / Canada / Asia).
Industry Insight
What to Do When a Derailed Economy Keeps Customers Home
by Joe King
 Value Recovery Strategies Help Reign in the Excess
It's a fact. The derailment of the economy is keeping customers home. As the government recently reported, the GDP shrank at an annual rate of 6.3 percent in the 4th quarter of 2008 mostly due to unsold goods - as any shopper can see first-hand when encountering deep discounts at the mall. Excess inventory is affecting supply chains and will surely continue to do so in the coming months, leaving you with excess product hanging around as unwanted as the proverbial holiday fruit cake.
Demand forecasting is a difficult science and can be problematic for manufacturers even under the best of planning circumstances. Inherent forecasting difficulties combined with the fact that many manufacturers and retailers perform inventory planning as early as six months ahead of time, mean that chances are projections will come in too high. Full Article
RL Quote
A Free Service to OEMs, ODMs and Retailers
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.
The 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 RFIs.
RFIs will be posted in the coming weeks, be sure to check back regularly. RL Quote provides OEMs, ODMs and Retailers a way to connect with 3PSPs. Get details at RL Quote.
On The Move in Reverse Logistics
DEX, a leading supply chain solutions provider for high-tech industries, announced today that Jerry Kohnke, former Executive Vice President of Logistics and Distribution at UPS, has joined DEX as Senior Vice President and General Manager of DEX Services Northeast, and Dennis Cain, formerly of Solectron, has come aboard as Director, Supply Chain Services.
In his new role at DEX, Kohnke will have operational responsibility for the ISO-certified facility and maintain DEX's reputation for outstanding service.
At DEX, Cain will be responsible for leveraging and delivering solutions using the DEX portfolio of services, software, and engineering.
Former FedEx Kinko's executives Ken May and Bill Doherty have landed back in Memphis as partners at reverse logistics provider Warehouse86 Ventures LLC. Memphis native May, who previously served as president and CEO of FedEx Kinko’s Office and Print Services, will serve as chairman of Warehouse86. Doherty, former vice president of U.S. operations for the eastern division for FedEx Kinko’s, will take over CEO duties for Warehouse86.
MaintenanceNet, Inc., the leading provider of extended warranty and maintenance contract management services, recently announced that Fritz Hesse, a technology industry veteran with experience as both an entrepreneur and a high-level executive at such well known organizations as Intuit Inc. and J.D. Edwards, has joined the privately held company as Vice President of Operations.
Cycleon, the only dedicated provider of pan-european reverse logistics solutions and part of Reverse Logistics Group (RLG), recently announced the appointment of Ernst W. Hoestra as COO, Cycleon. In this role, Hoestra will be mainly responsible for the Procurement and Operation of the postal and logistical services, the acquisition of new customers into the Cycleon System, Key Account Management and the Operation and Development of IT Systems.
Touchstone Wireless, the leading handset remanufacturer in North America recently announced the expansion of their leadership team. Touchstone President Allen Hurley has assumed additional responsibilities that include driving the company’s growth, diversity of the company’s customer account base, and the commercial success of the business. Brian Itterly, former CEO, will be assuming an advisory role to the Touchstone Board of Advisors. Pete Skarzynski has been named SE VP of Client Services. Skarzynski is responsible for leading interface to Touchstone’s customers, including wireless carriers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in providing reverse logistics and repair services.
Two other members of Touchstone’s leadership team have also assumed additional responsibilities. Rick Hurley, COO, will primarily focus on driving improved quality, efficiency and productivity from Touchstone’s repair facilities. He is also responsible for supply chain management and information technology. CFO David Hunter will be responsible for all financial and administrative functions, as well as human resources management.
RLA Workshops
RLA Workshops are highly-focused, two-hour sessions presented by Reverse Logistics experts and held around the world in conjunction with the RLA Conferences and Expos!
The workshops cover topics that are pertinent to OEMs, Retailers, Branded Companies and Third Party Service Providers. Topics include "Determining the Hidden Costs of Reverse Logistics," "Service Parts Management Strategies" and "WEEE and RoHS Updates Create New Opportunities for Recycling Revenue." The next workshops will be held in Amsterdam on June 16, 2009. Check this link often as we are adding speakers and topics.
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Keynote Summary
 The Wednesday keynote speech was presented by Kevin Winneroski of Best Buy. Kevin examined the process of turning Reverse Logistics in the retail business from a cost center to a profit generating opportunity. He addressed five major topics; first, the opportunities available and the overall goals to satisfy share- holders, customers, vendors and employees. He then looked in more detail at the customers, who they are and their motives for buying secondary products. Kevin moved on to supporting the vendors through a true partnership and Best Buy's acquisition of Dealtree. Finally, he speculated on the future of Reverse Logistics: How product will be touched less often; the increase in the number of consumers interested in secondary products; short term increases in product availability coupled with much leaner inventory management in the longer term; and how consolidation and aggregation of core capabilities will occur.
 In his Thursday keynote speech, William Pollock of Aberdeen Group took an in-depth look at the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that distinguish Best-in-Class companies, strategies and systems used to manage the reverse logistics supply chain. He began by looking at the Strategic Service Management Framework and then moved onto his major theme - the results of the Aberdeen Group Q1 2009 Reverse Logistics Benchmark Report. Bill examined some key factors associated with best-in-class performance including the pressures driving reverse logistics, strategic actions, capabilities, enablers and performance differentiators of the best-in-class. He went on to discuss opportunities for improvement, the tools used by best-in-class, and maximizing revenue in the reverse logistics supply chain. He concluded with a set of recommendation for actions to be taken by industry laggards, average performers and best-in-class.
International Forum for Reverse Logistics
Feature Article
Driving Returns in the Reverse Logistics Service Chain
by Bill Pollock and Sumair Dutta
 The current volatile global economic climate has yielded a number of life-changing results for people all around the world, as well as for businesses of all types, sizes and market focus. Every day we seem to be bombarded with more bad economic news that affects our lives, our businesses and the customers to whom we sell our products and services. There seem to be no truly good outcomes from this economic turmoil in the immediate term, but most experts agree that the prospects for longer-term growth may actually be a bit stronger once we come out of the current economic crisis.
However, there may actually be some good news with respect to the industry in which we serve, albeit in kind of a back-door sort of way. It seems that the current economic climate has brought to the forefront a vital process and function that is otherwise too often overlooked in the lifecycle of a product--the reverse component. Full Article
RLA Conference & Expo Amsterdam 2009
Dorint Amsterdam Airport Hotel
June 16-18, 2009
 Join us for Europe's Premiere Reverse Logistics Event! Companies from throughout Europe as well as many other international delegates will be in attendance. ODMs and OEMs will be looking for 3PSPs that can manage Reverse Logistics in Europe, along with identifying solutions for Asia and the Americas.
Starting Tuesday with Workshops on a variety of subjects including Best Practices: Lean Repair and Reverse Logistics Trends and Eco-Efficiency. Wednesday and Thursday will have keynote addresses followed by sessions presented by RL professionals, leading academics and also panel discussions.
Call for Speakers. Nominate reverse logistics thought leaders to speak at our Amsterdam event! There are many benefits for session speakers and panel participants.
We are expecting over 500 attendees and more than 25 exhibitors! More info.
Warranty Benchmark Tracker
 A cost effective method to benchmark company warranty costs across industry sectors. Most OEM and Retailers are outsourcing at an accelerated rate and they are looking for RL solutions from 3PSPs to create best practices and a stronger bottom line than ever before.
All manufacturers strive to reduce operational costs and increase profits without hindering customer satisfaction. Understanding how your warranty costs compare with your peers (and hence identify potential cost saving opportunity) can involve costly benchmark studies. The Reverse Logistics Association has partnered with MGH Consulting Ltd to produce the Warranty Benchmark Tracker; a cost effective way to provide an up-to-date and comprehensive review of warranty costs and warranty reserves across multiple high technology sectors.
The Warranty Benchmark Tracker is available free to Platinum and Gold members and at a discount for all other members. Full Article
To order your copy of the Market Tracker, Click HERE
Two New RLA Industry Committees
 Two new industry committees have been created at Reverse Logistics Association and we are calling out to our members for your support to join them.
Automotive: This committee has an opportunity to provide solid solutions for difficult issues currently hitting the world's automotive industry. A core group of focused members and an experienced Chairperson will gather data and case study material across the industry, they will perform targeted surveys to establish reverse logistics trends and will be able to present what they find at our Conferences and Expos around the world. This is a wonderful opportunity for our members to make a difference in an industry that has been hit hard by the world economy.
Sporting Goods: Sport has a universal appeal the world around. With this huge industry focus comes specific reverse logistics challenges. The Sporting Goods Committee will be driven by an opportunity to give consumers the best reverse logistics service possible. Reverse logistics operations in this industry impact individuals at a personal level, and organizations that get the Reverse Logistics processes right will have the greatest growth during difficult economic conditions. This committee will use data and research information to highlight opportunities, and the members of this committee, including the Chairperson will have a specific desire to present solutions, information and best practice methods to the Sporting Goods industry around the world.
Join a Committee.
IT Committee Survey
 The Reverse Logistics Association is conducting an IT Trends Survey to assess how various technologies are impacting reverse supply chain operations. The goals of the survey are:
- to benchmark uptake of technology by companies that perform reverse logistics
- to identify technologies as potential competitive enablers or threats in RL
- to identify market opportunities for service and software vendors in RL
Click HERE to complete the survey and to enter a drawing to win a digital camera and other prizes. For more information, please visit the RLA IT Committee page.
Article Reprint
Originally published in IndustryWeek - March 23, 2009
Remote Service: Optimizing Spare Parts Inventory for Manufacturers
by Brian Anderson and Tim Andreae
 The service business can provide as much as 50% of a company's revenue and a disproportionately high contribution to profit.
Manufacturers have long been focused on keeping costs low -- but in tight economic times, cutting costs becomes even more important. Although many companies focus on head count reduction as a way to reduce costs, others -- such as Gerber Scientific -- are optimizing processes. Investing in process improvement delivers the needed short-term gains, and continues to bring benefits to the company when the economy improves. Full Article
Bringing RLA Seminars to You
 As educators, practitioners, reverse logistics experts, or whatever the label might be, in order to steer the course of today's economic challenges we need good commercial practices to make that happen. Companies need to have a place where specific information and targeted companies can present and exchange ideas about their solutions in a way that is direct and specific.
Reverse Logistics Association has that vehicle for companies to connect. Retailers, OEMs, Branded Companies and 3PSPs all can gather at a strategic venue, with actionable solutions being presented at sponsored Conferences, Seminars and Workshops around the world.
To address challenging travel constraints RLA can come to you, if you as a 3PSP have an operation that you wish to highlight to a client in a region that is not currently posted as a planned event, then get in touch with us at RLA and we can create an opportunity for you. If you want to nominate a specific Retailer, or OEM, ODM to be a speaker let us know about it and we can help create that opportunity for you as well.
Our point is this, RLA exists for you. Use our services, share with us your ideas, and sign up to participate at our events as a speaker and start to share in the benefits of the Reverse Logistics Association.
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