Message from the Publisher

We are preparing for the largest RL event in Europe in Rimini, Italy, May 21st - 23rd, 2014. We will have over 300 RL and Reman Professionals in attendance with over 40 exhibitors. Networking will be an unsolicited theme throughout the conference from our RLA Community that gives everyone updates in the palm of your hand to one another’s schedules & receptions. Don’t miss out on the plant visit of an Italian car manufacturer!

As the Executive Director of the Reverse Logistics Association I am constantly being asked about best practices and case studies. Best practices are very hard to come by because most people don’t want to share their best practices. Besides, it varies so much from process to process and company to company. One thing that we collect a lot of information on is lessons that people have learned over the years.

In this month’s RL Magazine Edition you’ll see multiple stories of people expressing lessons learned over time. We hope that you’ll take time to read our cover story on the RL challenges that the United States government saw in Afghanistan both in supporting and returning equipment supplies from that region of the world.

One of the challenges facing everyone is trying to understand what solutions there are for all processes. One of the tools for companies that are often time overlooked is our process of request for information (RFI). We label it RL Quote and we don’t mean for it to be a hidden secret but it seems to be. RL Quote is a tool for you to find solutions for your company and what’s new from other companies that could be a great benefit to you.

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Also make sure you look at our scheduled events this year. Many of you are not taking advantage of the exhibit space that we have for our members, which is included in your membership fees. This week in Atlanta Georgia over 750 exhibitors along with over 20,000 Logistics professionals will be meeting at the hi-tech center. I think it would make a great opportunity for you to visit with the clients there. But we have the same thing occurring in Paris, London and Chicago in the coming months. So make sure you look at our schedule at www.RLAshows.org

Best Regards, Gailen Vick, Founder & Publisher www.RLA.org

Gailen Vick founded the Reverse Logistics Association in 2002. His market research found that over $750 billion was being spent annually on Reverse Logistics in North America alone! Uncovered where thousands of 3rd Party Service Providers (3PSP) that provided services to OEM/ODM, Branded and Retail companies! Additional research showed that there wasn\\\'t any common thread between any of the 3PSPs other than competition. There just wasn't a forum for the OEMs, ODMs, Branded and Retail companies to discuss best practices for Reverse Logistics. In January 1996 Gailen was re-introduced to the Service Logistics sector. This process in the supply chain industry was taking advantage of 3PL improvements. Many products were being sent to a depot and setting untouched instead of being repaired and sent back to the field. This new sector was just evolving into a formal industry where major cost saving were being realized. Gailen turned his focus to the'repair services' industry and managed Business Development at Sequel, PCS, Inc and later at Magnetic Data Technologies, LLC until the successful acquisition by Solectron (aquired by Flextronics) in the spring of 2002. These companies supported major OEMs and 3PLs such as UPS, 3Com, Iomega, Dell, HP, Compal, Toshiba, Sun Microsystems, Hitachi, Panasonic, Apple, Mitsubishi, Imation, Gateway, Kinpo, Bizcom and many others. With 40 years experience in aftermarket supply chain, engineering, manufacturing and marketing, Gailen's RL knowledge is a resource to companies across all industries. Prior to founding Reverse Logistics Association, Gailen served on the executive staff of several 3PSP companies. Most of these companies were in the computer and telecommunications industries which made for an enjoyable learning experience in business management for Gailen. His career started at Diablo Systems in 1974 as an EE & expanded to senior marketing & sales positions at Shugart, Fujitsu and Seagate. His experience at Xerox, Seagate, and Fujitsu along with business involvement at many trade conferences has allow Gailen to work hand and hand with many of today\\\'s Executive Management and has thus made him a resource to his colleagues. Early in his career as a Regional and National Sales Manager, Gailen managed several Service Centers, but on January 1996 he joined Sequel after leaving the Disc Drive Industry. Reverse Logistics (even though it wasn\\\'t called that until much later) was just starting to be outsourced and a formal industry was evolving at that time. EDUCATION Mr. Vick studied Electrical Engineering at Chabot College & Chapman University. Tutored by IBM and Xerox file technology engineers while studying at night, Gailen reached the position of Senior Engineer at Shugart Associates before transferring to the Marketing department. PERSONAL Mr. Vick was born Tennessee where the importance of an individual\\\'s word carried as much weight as a contract. After six years in the Navy (and while going to college in the evenings) Gailen started at Diablo Systems in 1974 and started his career in Electrical Engineering. Gailen changed his career path in 1980 (while at Shugart Associates) to Sales in order to provide for his growing family. He held several senior management positions in the disk drive industry, with companies such as Fujitsu, Priam, Conner Peripherals, Seagate and Avatar. As Gailen retired on July 30, 2016, he stays fit by taking long trips on his recumbent bicycle, but his favorite sport is racquetball. Since all of his 8 children are raised, and to overcome the empty nest syndrome, family history research,volunteering with the Boy Scouts of America and at his Church which is his favorite pastime. He stays busy with his wife Stella of 49 years visiting their 32 grandchildren!