RLA 2025: Reverse Logistics Master Class Sneak Peek

The annual RLA Conference & Expo is right around the corner. But with so much happening before and at the upcoming event, we want to highlight an exciting course taking place right at RLA 2025. It’s the  Master Class Essentials: From Reverse Logistics to Business Innovation. The course is going to be all about reverse logistics from industry experts Rich Bulger, Peter Evans and Deborah Dull. We’ve talked to Rich to get a sneak peek into the Master Class.

So much industry conversation revolves around the circular economy now.

• “How can we extend a product’s lifecycle to drive more revenue?”
• What are ways to reduce our environmental impact through resale or circular product lines?”
• “What technology and strategies do we need to maximize profitability via a Circular Logistics model?”

If your business has discussed these areas, then this Master Class is for you. Triage Partners is sending our team to the Master Class to take notes from these top experts and gain insights from the expert hosts. Here’s everything you need to know about the must-attend event:

Why Should I Care About Reverse Logistics?  

The concept of a “circular economy” was once considered unsustainable. Business leaders scoffed at the idea of recycling products, resale-as-a-service, shared resources/assets, or other models that challenged conventional production-to-consumer flows.

Fast forward to a few decades later, and the reverse logistics success stories are piling up:

• Verizon’s trade-in program lets you return old smartphones, tablets, and other devices in exchange for credit toward new purchases.
• Cox Automotive, with its family of brands, is pioneering reuse within the auto industry.
• Patagonia offers programs for customers to turn in items for store credit and then resell them at a lower price.

Reverse logistics isn’t just another theory to question the status quo. It is a proven method of driving innovation in businesses and entire industries. It’s also becoming increasingly expected by the marketplace:

• While topline retail sales were estimated at $5.2 trillion for 2024, sales returns were around $890 billion.
• The secondary retail market is booming → in fact, the US Secondary Market has projections as high as $800B.
• Customers are becoming increasingly environmentally conscious and frugal with their spending; they seek more sustainable and cost-friendly options.

If you’re considering integrating reverse logistics into your operations or planning to do so but need added guidance, the Master Class has you covered.

Master Class Essentials: From Reverse Logistics to Business Innovation  

So what can you expect from the Master Class? Let’s break it down.  

This isn’t a typical training session and Q&A panel. It’s a multi-day class condensed into three hours — focusing on the essentials.

Co-taught by reverse logistics experts (including ones who literally wrote the book on the circular economy), the class is packed with actionable insights you can apply immediately after the RLA Conference when you’re back in the office. They’ll also use real-world case studies to showcase how businesses turned strategy into action — successfully implementing Circular Logistics.   

The Master Class focuses primarily on use cases for apparel, retail, automotive, and electronics industries. You’ll learn about the foundation of reverse logistics planning like:

1. How to identify second and third customers in a product’s lifecycle, uncover who’s buying after the initial sale, and what they need.
2. Methods to extend value beyond the initial sale and design programs that keep products in use longer.    
3. Strategies for optimizing returns, resell value, re-commerce operations, and advancing circularity to innovate and drive success.

And we couldn’t have asked for a better panel to lead the way:

Rich Bulger: Author of Going Circular and a pioneer in reverse logistics. With his Army experience and passion for eco-friendly product transfer strategies, Rich has led successful circular programs for Verizon, Cisco, and RecirQ. He’s continuing his commitment to logistics excellence as a Partner with Capital Growth Partners.

Peter Evans: Managing Partner and CSO of McFadyen Digital and now Senior Advisor, Enterprise Strategy at Captial Growth Partners, Peter brings 20+ years of experience in identifying, framing, assessing, and communicating (and disrupting) marketplace trends. Peter is a recognized leader and instructor in the world of platform strategy.

Deborah Dull: Founder of Circular Supply Chain Network and author of Circular Supply Chains: 17 Common Questions. Deborah has been a leader in supply chain logistics — supporting organizations like Zero100, GE Digital, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Genpact, and Microsoft.

The Master Class Sounds Great, But What’s In It for Me?  

The Master Class offers a key to unlocking new growth in channels you may have thought were not possible. Logistics and business leaders can expect to learn actionable strategies on how to:

• Partner with circular tech companies specializing in circular platforms, resales-as-a-service, returns management, secondary marketing, and other reverse logistics models
• Fuel profitability by leveraging recommerce marketplaces
• Lower unwanted returns (while increasing desired returns) via a circular sales strategy
• Convert reverse logistics from a cost center to a revenue generator.

Knowledge isn’t the only value you’ll take away from the Master Class. Thanks to our class sponsors, attendees will also be gifted two books to help you continue your learning journey.

Going Circular: The Evolution of Reverse Logistics into a Competitive Weapon (written by presenter Rich Bulger)

Circular Supply Chain: 17 Common Questions (written by presenter Deborah Dull)

And last (but certainly not least), you’ll walk away with a Certificate of Completion from the NEX Academy. This affirms your attendance and completion of the From Reverse Logistics to Business Innovation Master Class, delivered by the presenters.