by its acceptance, says Ken Sherman, president of IntelliTrans, which provides supply chain solutions. If people don’t buy into a solution, no matter how stellar it is, you won’t gain the bene ts, he adds. Leverage internal expertise. The workers who do the actual refurbishing or remanufacturing often acquire tremendous product knowledge. If, for instance, the legs on one sofa design keep coming off, these employees likely can suggest practical ways to keep this from happening, Toth says. Engage your trade association. Longpre worked with the Bearing Specialists Association, a group of manufacturers and distributors, to form a sustainability task force. “Working with your association is a great way to get ideas,” she says. Address any skepticism. “Keep a level head and use facts and data” to show how a circular supply chain can work, Gagel says. n
By simplifying construction, utilizing new materials, and engineering for disassembly, the components of HILOS shoes can be repurposed for new products at the end of life.
Educate. Brands need to help customers understand the steps needed to repair or reuse their products. Manage the change. One adage states that the effectiveness of a solution is determined by its quality multiplied
Saenz says. Instead, supply chain leaders need to enlist the participation of marketing, nance, and other departments within their organization, as well as their suppliers, distributors, and other business partners.
June 2023 • Inbound Logistics 35
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