7/25/2019 An Exploratory Analysis of Reverse Logistics in Flanders

1/2

Title: An Exploratory Analysis of Reverse Logistics in Flanders

This paper empirically investigates reverse logistics in a leading European logistics region inorder to assess both its actual size and status and its future outlook and potential growth. In

order to do so, the authors analyze a cross-section of companies from a variety of industriesin Flanders. Flanders is a prime location for European istribution !enters "E!# and

logistics facilities "!ushman and $akefield, %&&'#, hosting more than ()& E!*s "i.e. anaverage density of ( E!*s per +&&km#. Flanders constitutes therefore an appropriate

region to conduct this study.

Reverse logistics has become the focal point of many improvement initiatives, even

for non-prot organiations !Reyes and "eade, #$$%&'

Recell(lar !)))'recell(lar'com&, a rm that smartly retrieves val(e from mobile

phones by reman(fact(ring them, being a ma*or player in )hat is estimated to be +-

of the mobile phone mar.et' !/(ide et al', #$$+&'

A 011 2'3'-based st(dy estimated that reverse logistics costs amo(nted to fo(r

percent of all

the logistics costs in the co(ntry, or half percent of the 2'3' /45 !Rogers and

Tibben-Lemb.e, 011&' This )o(ld amo(nt to 6%%'# billion in #$$% !)))'bea'gov&'

everse logistics has been gaining attention in the logistics and management literature /everal bookshave been published on the challenges and opportunities of reuse and reverse logistics programs

"/tock, +00%1 2opicky et al., +00(1 /tock et al., +003#

esearch on reverse logistics management has predominantly relied on normative 4uantitativeresearch methods, covering network design production planning, and inventory management topics

"Fleischmann et al.1 +0051 ekker et al., %&&61 ubio et al., %&&'#.

7usiness aspects and case studies on reverse logistics have also been reported in a wide range

of industries, concerning a variety of recovery options "see 8uide and van $assenhove,

+0001 e 7rito et al., %&&)1 Flapper et al., %&&)#.

ogers and Tibben-9emke "+003# defined reverse logistics as :the process of planning, implementingand 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 ofrecapturing value or proper disposal;.

E

7/25/2019 An Exploratory Analysis of Reverse Logistics in Flanders

2/2

>ost recently, according to the everse 9ogistics ?ssociation "%&&'#, reverse logistics deals not onlywith returns processing but also with repair, customer service, parts management, end-of-life

manufacturing and order fulfillment.

everse logistics as all physical and administrative processes related to the movement of trading and

packaging materials from the point of use to the point of manufacturing, encompassing collection,

inspection, disassembly, re-processing andor disposition of returned items. "/ven @erstrepen, Frans!ruiAssen, >arisa B. de 7rito and $out ullaert#