Supply chain optimization by means of product packaging reuse: a case study

The current work shows the application of reverse logistics in the supply chain of a multinational company wich distributes mass consumption products focused on re-utilization of packaging boxes, and increase of storage capacity and product transportation. Based on the methodologies developed, there is a model developed in multinational company of consumer products dentered on the OTB, PMBOK and Lean Six Sigma methodologies. This model has been successfully implemented in: Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Colombia. The execution includes the following stages: identifying which products or stock keeping units in the warehouse can be standardized, designing packaging prototypes of packages or boxes that can be reused from the manufacturers of raw materials until the finished product and that can be used for reuse in packaging of other similar products, quality tests are executed in order to ensure the strength and longevity of the boxes. As a result of its implementation, an increase of financial efficiency was obtained for the company in case, , reducing its logistics costs in comparison with the sales revenues by around 8%, as well as a significant improving of its environmental management.