The hidden value in reverse logistics.

(From Bangkok Post)

Reverse logistics has often been viewed as the unwanted stepchild of supply chain management. It has been tolerated as a necessary cost of business, described as a regulatory compliance issue, or seen as a "green" initiative.

But more companies are now seeing reverse logistics as a strategic activity _ one that can enhance supply chain competitiveness over the long term. Over the next few weeks, we will present excerpts from an extensive article by Diane A. Mollenkopf and David J. Closs in which they present four ways that reverse logistics can have a positive financial effect.

Reverse logistics is part of a broader supply chain management process called returns management. This includes all activities …