"Companies collect these used cartridges from consumers, refill them and sell in the name of refurbished cartridges."
I've seen that, but in most cases they were identified as refurbished by third parties, so I wouldn't call them counterfeited. Some of them are pretty good and probably help the environment. Some are pretty bad, though. Poor quality ink that clogs the nozzles.
Hi Dan: Point well taken. I've actually struggled with "Reverse Logistics" versus "Aftermarket Services" even though the two aren't the same thing. It is true that there are many steps involved in the process, including collection and disposal. I used to view "reverse logistics" as another name for managing excess inventory, but that's not accurate either. Just a thought: vague names are a function of the times: if it doesn't fit in a tweet, (or in our case, a headline) nobody talks about it.
I agree with what you have written, with an exception that I'll say is a fuzzy definition of Reverse Logistics. It's not your fault. It's catchy. It is a two-word phrase with many possible meanings and my opinion is that it's being used in many differing ways. If it is really recycle and reuse, that is one thing. If it is "let us manage post-EOL left-overs to maximize profit", it could be slightly different. I've always disliked vague and catchy phrases that can mean many different things to many people. There are lots of companies jumping on the "Reverse Logistics" bandwagon....it's catchy...it's trendy sounding....and there is demand for pieces of the possible definitions. To me, that's a warning sign of vagary in action.
I recently came to know about this kind of counterfeiting occurring with used printer cartridges and toners. Companies collect these used cartridges from consumers, refill them and sell in the name of refurbished cartridges. Apparently, there's a large number of companies involved in this business especially in the third-world countries. I'm sure the same is going on for several electronic components as well.
I'm kinda glad these counterfeiters helped to precipitate the effort to recover and recycle old parts. Sounds like a happy ending stemming from some otherwise unhappy events.
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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