Reverse Logistics
DHL Supply Chain provides reverse logistics for a number of areas for life sciences and healthcare customers:
- returned product
- recalls
- reusable packaging media
- temperature monitoring devices and traces
- rotating kits (for example instrument and implant kits for medical devices)
- design of reverse logistics solutions encompasses: data gathering on customer requirements
- drivers for the process: end user requirement business opportunity cost or environmental benefit
- developing the processes.
Supply Chain
- Receive and sort goods
- Storage at multi-user warehouse
- Order preparation and despatch
- Arrange collection and return
- Quarantine returned items
- Log product and await instructions
- Inspect reusable packaging and release for use
Service Level Excellence
- Improved control of products during return / recall activities from collection through to destruction through accurate tracking activities
- Improved kit utilisation through efficient returns processes including cleaning, checking and replenishment
- Improved quality and regulatory control through licensed GMP facilities, processes and documentation
- Reduced environmental impact through low usage of disposable one-time packaging
- Reduced packaging costs through implementation of reusable media with unique identification and tracking
- Reduced costs of returns through use of coordinated control of transportation charges, customs clearance and taxes
Product Specifics
DHL designs specific reverse logistics services for customer needs. Examples include:
-
inbound inspection, unique number identification and tracking of reusable packaging
- provision of return envelopes and Airway Bills (AWBs) for monitors and packaging
- construction of instrument kits, unique number tracking, despatch, arrangement of returns, cleaning, checking and replenishment of items, release for despatch
- management of customer returns including logging, quarantine storage and inspection
- support for product recalls including despatch data, arranging collections and quarantine storage and destruction.