Excellent idea! I agree, it has to be easy for companies to implement, read, and analyze. Nothing is ever as simple as it seems, but I think any process that can kill two birds with one stone (1. establish compliance and 2. ensure disposal/cut off counterfeit supplies) fits the bill. The trouble is all these compliance audits are developed in silos and there are never cross-functional checkpoints where two parties can see they are really trying to accomplish the same thing. It doesn't even have to be evident to the end user that disposing of this stuff is even connected to anti-counterfeiting efforts. All they need to know is that it gets done. And doesn't cost them a whole lot more $$$
Barbara,
If a company had an auditable feedback system where there was a record of all of the goods they produced by model number and date of recycle activity, then the goal could look like a reverse book-to-bill ratio. In other words, for the year 2000, we produced 50,0000 dispoasable widgets of model number XXX, and our recycle number for the year 2000 of XXX was 40,0000, then the "P" (produced) to "R" (recycled) ratio is 5:4. This means XXX which was designed to last maybe 6 months maximum before throw-away were either still in unopened packaging, or hit the land fill and bypassed the collection for recycle process. The higher the R:P, the better the company is managing their recycle program. Now, having said that, I know there are dozens of issues with this "too simple" proposal, but it may be a concept worth exploring. Don't just put green labels on products, but state your R:P ratio and maybe consumers could drive the process with their purchasing power vote.
This is all great stuff, but there are several points contained in here worth "underlining:" a plan of action and a price spec for the collection and disposal of obsolete devices. There has been a lot of discussion and alerts about counterfiets this week, and I'm not sure the industry really understands that most of this stuff comes from old boards and rejects. Making sure the stuff gets destroyed would cut off a big source of supply and protect OEMs as they are accountable for their products in the first place
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
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Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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