Even though transportation planning itself is not a long-term strategic decision, it is largely influenced by other long-term strategic decisions concerning the infrastructure [6], like the network-centralization or the capacity-planning. Battery transportation is heavily regulated and requires many safety measures. Therefore, it is one of the main cost drivers of battery remanufacturing, so it should be optimized for efficiency. Different options for battery transportation management will be evaluated more closely in a future article.
There are several strategic decisions to make when establishing an efficient reverse supply chain for EVB remanufacturing. As the detailed network specifications obviously depend on the already existing supply network, close analysis is needed to exploit economies of scale.
As the company that takes the pioneering role in the combined management of a forward and reverse supply chain for EVBs will have a competitive advantage in the future, it is advisable to start planning as soon as possible.
Sources:
[1] Östlin, J., Sundin, E. & Björkman, M., 2008. Importance of closed-loop supply chain relationships for product remanufacturing, International Journal of Production Economics, Vol. 115, pp. 336 – 348.
[2] Klör, B., Bräuer, S. & Beverungen, D., 2014. A Business Process Model for the Reverse Logistics of Used Electric Vehicle Batteries
[3] Fleischmann, M., 2003. Reverse logistics network structures and design. In: V. Guide & L. Van Wassenhove, eds. Business Aspects of Closed-Loop Supply Chains. s.l.: Carnegie Bosch International Management Series, Vol. 2, pp. 117-148.
[4] Fleischmann, M., Krikke, H. R., Dekker, R. & Flapper, S. D. P., 2000. A characterisation of logistics networks for product recovery, Omega, Vol. 28, pp. 653-666.
[5] ACC, 2022. ACC. [Online] Available at: https://www.acc-emotion.com/about-acc [Accessed 26.10.2022].
[6] Fleischmann, B., Meyr, H. & Wagner, M., 2015. Advanced Planning. In: H. Stadtler, C. Kilger & H. Meyr, eds. Supply Chain Management and Advanced Planning. 5th ed. Heidelberg: Springer Texts in Business and Economics, pp. 71-95.