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Dalis Garzón

Jul 10
0
high-volume processing

Why your company needs a reverse logistics partner in Latin America

By | Reverse Logistics Association | No Comments

Not all ITAD providers are created equal—especially when it comes to mastering high-volume processing of retired equipment for secondary markets. A global scope is essential to successfully remarket the retired assets of top-tier OEMs. Below is a look at the top three benefits of working with a provider of sustainable supply chain solutions with a strong Latin American presence.

What are the most important factors to consider in high-volume processing?

1.      Certifications

When it comes to end-of-life IT asset management in the United States and abroad, no question is as important as: Are you R2-certified? As you’re well aware, the R2 Standard is the leading global certification standard for the electronics reuse and recycling industry.

Since the R2 certification cannot be acquired without also being fully compliant with ISO 9001, OSHAS 18001, and ISO 14001, the R2 Standard provides evidence your prospective partner adheres to the strictest international standards for electronics recycling, data security, and worker health and safety. But since each processing center is certified individually, the follow-up question needs to be: Are all your facilities certified?

2.      Local market expertise

An ITAD provider with an extensive network of industry contacts in Latin America is essential to successful high-volume processing and remarketing. Your partner should recognize and tailor remarketing strategies based on the unique business culture in each country. Long-standing relationships with the local customer base and experienced sales teams on site are key to creating a solid foundation for intelligent product redeployment. You need a partner who takes the time to visit contacts and cultivate relationships for the purpose of building broad, sustainable sales channels that allow high-volume sales without triggering an adverse market reaction.

Inquire whether your prospective partner speaks not only the language of your target customers, but also understands what drives local market demand. A Spanish-language website further demonstrates a commitment to meeting the unique needs of Latin American buyers.

3.      Inventory and shipping control

Don’t miss out on the buoyant secondary markets in Latin America because your current partner does not have the bandwidth, connections, or expertise to securely process, remarket and recycle high volumes of product. A few variables for international shipping that are critical to a successful transaction, include in-depth knowledge of:

4.      Market pricing

Not all markets in Latin America will yield the same asking price. For example, you will likely be able to command a higher price when negotiating with a prominent reseller in one region, than a less frequent buyer in another. Selecting a partner with a strong working knowledge of the country-specific markets in Latin America is a must to close the deal and maximize your profit margin.

The Bottom Line

Global operations make a difference when remarketing obsolete IT equipment in Latin America. By selecting a trusted R2-certified ITAD partner that possesses the attributes above, you can facilitate your high-volume processing and pave the way for smooth shipment of products to this all-important region.

Mainstream Global, Inc., headquartered in Lawrence, Mass., owns and operates ISO 9001, 14001, OHSAS 18001 and R2 certified processing centers in the United States, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil.  With over 19 years of directly servicing and re-selling assets from top-tier manufacturers, Mainstream Global is the recognized expert.  Our partners rely on us for compliance, security, professionalism, and brand protection, all while providing the best returns and prioritizing global environmental standards. 

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Jul 03
0

Only one North American company has five R2-certified sites in Latin America

By | Reverse Logistics Association | No Comments

R2-certified sites in five Latin American countries open up host of opportunities for Mainstream Global partners.

 

One of the most common questions prospects ask us is: Are you R2-certified?

Responsible companies want to ascertain their remarketing and recycling partner shares their commitment to the global environmental, and worker health and safety standard for the electronics refurbishing and recycling industry.

Our answer to the R2 question is a resounding “yes”— but there’s more to the story.

Mainstream Global has, over the past few years, worked tirelessly to certify all of our processing facilities at multiple sites in Latin America, an unprecedented achievement for a North American company in the reverse logistics space. While others have attained an R2 certification for a single site, only Mainstream Global boasts R2-certified facilities in five Latin American countries, including Peru, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Argentina.

Why is being R2-certified important to our customers?

It builds trust.

Assurances of compliance mean nothing without the verification of a certification. The R2 Standard puts us and our customers on the same page. They know the certification backs up our words. Every single site has gone through the rigorous, multi-step process of becoming certified in accordance with SERI, the housing body and ANSI-accredited Standards Development Organization. The process is labor-intensive and includes numerous audits, documentation, training and a commitment to excellence by all the employees from the top down.

As a result, our processing centers in the United States and Latin America work exactly the same way. That consistency and commitment to a standardized global process eliminate haphazard decision-making and create a reliable operation that you can trust.

It opens up larger markets.

If concern about the lack of R2-certified facilities has made you hesitant to capitalize on IT asset remarketing in Latin America, you have reason to reevaluate. Mainstream Global’s multi-site certifications open up resale opportunities on a scale unavailable until now.

Our long history in this all-important region has helped us develop deep, local connections, legal and environmental expertise, and a wide distribution network. We know what drives the sale of product in each country. With the addition of our R2-certified processing centers, we can remarket your end-of-life assets in a swift, environmentally compliant, and financially sensible manner across a range of markets — and across borders — where demand is high.

It’s environmentally responsible.

Consider SERI’s mission: “SERI works to create a world where electronic products are reused and recycled in a way that promotes resource preservation; the well-being of the natural environment; and the health and safety of workers and communities.”  Working with an R2-certified partner is the only way to fool-proof your organization against costly mishaps and ensure your IT assets will be disposed in an environmentally responsible manner.

It fosters continuous improvement.

Resting on your laurels is never an option when it comes to the R2 Standard. From the moment we became officially certified our compliance team works diligently to ensure we exceed all the regulations of certification. This includes weekly trainings and refresher classes for all employees on every aspect of safety and process. In addition, third-party surveillance audits are common at Mainstream Global, we are prepared and welcome audits of all our facilities at any time. The result is a well-run organization with a firm eye on process improvement.

Want to learn more about how our Latin American footprint can benefit your organization? Contact us today.

Mainstream Global, Inc., headquartered in Lawrence, Mass., owns and operates ISO 9001, 14001, OHSAS 18001 and R2 certified processing centers in the United States, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil.  With over 19 years of directly servicing and re-selling assets from top-tier manufacturers, Mainstream Global is the recognized expert.  Our partners rely on us for compliance, security, professionalism, and brand protection, all while providing the best returns and prioritizing global environmental standards. 

Solutions

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Dec 19
0

ISO 45001 – Why the New Standard Matters

By | Reverse Logistics Association | No Comments

With support and input from more than 70 countries, the 2018 release of the ISO 45001 standard was highly anticipated worldwide.

ISO 45001, by definition, “is an International Standard that specifies requirements for an occupational health and safety (OH&S) management system, with guidance for its use, to enable an organization to proactively improve its OH&S performance in preventing injury and ill-health.”

Mainstream Global is pleased to announce that all of our facilities in North and Latin America are on the transition from OHSAS 18001 certification to ISO 45001 certification.

Transitioning from OHSAS 18001 to ISO 45001

As ISO 45001 is adopted, OHSAS 18001, the previous occupational health and safety standard followed by Mainstream Global and others committed to worker safety, will be replaced.

Both standards focus on occupational hazards and risks to workers. They also offer resources and objectives to support the safety needs of employees.

While there are many similarities between OHSAS 18001 and the new ISO 45001, there are also some key differences that make ISO 45001 the standard of the future.

Key Changes in IS0 45001

Most notably, the ISO 45001 shares the same “high level structure” as other ISO standards like the ISO 9001 (which deals with quality management systems) and the ISO 14001 (environmental management systems). As part of the ISO family of standards, the common structure — with shared terms and definitions — facilitates improved integration of the multiple management systems within an organization.

The ISO 45001 also focuses heavily on a leadership commitment to health and safety concerns. While many organizations have employed safety overseers under OHSAS 18001, organizations will be placing even stronger emphasis on leadership to actively engage with and be accountable for the occupational health and safety management system under the ISO 45001. The new standard is, therefore, less about “risk control” and more about a top-down approach to safety.

Company Commitment to Occupational Health and Safety of Our Workers

The OHSAS 18001 certification process for Mainstream Global was rigorous: it took approximately 18 months from the planning stages to implementation in all locations. Throughout that time, we weaved the expectations of the standard into the daily operations of the business, allowing the certification standards and our standardized procedures to become one. It was also a great challenge because at the same time we implemented 4 standards together ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001 and R2.

The benefits to our employees are obvious — they know they belong to an organization that cares about them and their safety. When employees feel valued, their commitment to the organization grows and is shown in their work and how they care for the needs of the customer.

The goal of the OHSAS 18001 as well as ISO 45001 certification — like with our R2 certification — was never about “getting certified,” but rather about communicating our company’s commitment to international standards; in this instance, the health and safety of our workers. ISO 45001 certification is an assurance to you that our company values our people as a guiding principle of our business.

Adherence to Best Practices

In the electronics reuse and recycling industry, consistency and accountability is key. International standards such as ISO 45001, and the standardized procedures based on them, ensure that you are partnering with a global remarketing partner that adheres to best practices on a daily basis.

Solutions

Read more:

To Turn Excess Inventory into a Revenue Stream, You Need a Remarketing Partner: What to Look For

Why Working with a R2-Certified Supply Chain Partner is So Crucial

This is Mainstream Global – Your Edge in Reverse Logistics