dell supply chain management case study

Dell: The Business Case for a Sustainable Supply Chain

Executive Summary > Introduction > The World’s Largest Electronics Takeback Programme > Closed-Loop Recycled Plastic Supply Chain > Challenges in Transitioning to a Closed-Loop Recycling System > Natural Capital Accounting > Prognosis >

Executive Summary

Business Background

Dell is one of the world’s largest computer manufacturers and technology companies. It became a private company in 2013 through an acquisition by Silver Lake Partners, a private equity firm, and Michael Dell, the founder and CEO of Dell. Dell offers a wide range of IT hardware, software products and services. [1] Its clients include numerous governments, large enterprises, small businesses and consumer markets. Dell also markets third-party software and hardware. In particular, Dell is known for its direct sales and customisation model, as well as for its innovative supply chain management.

Ecosystem Pain Point

E-waste is the world’s fastest-growing waste stream, with a relatively low recycling rate overall (approximately 15% globally). [2] Rapid technology innovation and ever-shortening product lifespans contribute to the increase of e- waste. Of the components that comprise e-waste, gold, copper and plastic content dominate the material value of e-waste material. [3] Plastic, in particular, is overabundant in landfills.

Responsible e-waste disposal is important from an environmental perspective, but it also makes good business sense. It harnesses “untapped potential to create a more efficient and sustainable product ecosystem” and reduces dependence on fossil fuels, which have fluctuating prices. [4]

One of the solutions to e-waste disposal is to gather and use recycled plastic in products. Although recyclers have made technical progress in recent years, it remains challenging for companies to source a sufficient supply of high-quality postconsumer recycled plastic that meets the technical, economic and aesthetic requirements of ICT product manufacturers

Business Strategy

Dell has taken a full lifecycle approach to change its production, use and disposal of plastic. The company’s product design, in particular, emphasises the ease of repair and recyclability from the start. Dell also continuously looks for ways to incorporate sustainable materials, such as recycled plastic, into products and packaging. Dell’s Global Takeback programme makes it easier for customers to dispose of old electronics. For products beyond repair or reuse, Dell offers free recycling for consumers, as well as convenient, secure and compliant solutions for larger customers.

Performance

The Dell Recycling programme has recovered 1.76 billion pounds of electronics since 2007. Since mid-2014, the programme’s closed-loop recycled plastic supply chain has used plastics recovered from recycled computers to create nearly 5,000 tonnes of new parts for more than 90 products across millions of units. Through collaboration with TruCost, Dell has taken a multi-capital approach to quantify the natural capital benefits of the closed-loop model. It has also explored the possibility of measuring the social impact associated with this approach. This collaborative work identified financial and environmental savings.

The next step for Dell is to scale the programme and to recycle a larger number of different materials through the programme. As Dell looks to the future, expanding collection capacity in developing countries represents a new front.

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[1] “Dell Inc. at a Glance,” Company Profile, Vault.com. Link . [2] GreenBiz, GreenBiz Group Inc . Link . [3] C.P. Baldé et al., “The global e-waste monitor,” United Nations University , 2015. Link . [4] Anya Khalamayzer, “How Samsung, Dell are reinventing IT products,” GreenBiz , 9 December 2016. Link .

Introduction

About the Company

Dell is one of the world’s largest computer manufacturers and technology companies. The company sells a wide range of IT hardware, software products and services for enterprise, government, small business and consumer markets. [5]

As a privately held company, Dell has the freedom to pursue a longer time horizon and to commit to changing its company resource use. The principle of efficiency is central to the Dell business model and informs the company’s approach to resources, sourcing and waste management. In particular, Dell is also known for its innovative supply chain management.

Dell’s commitment to efficiency has prompted the company to take on the timely challenge of disposing of e-waste. This case study outlines Dell’s contribution to responsible e-waste disposal through the use of circular economy and closed-loop ecosystems. Attempts to develop a sustainable supply chain represents one key initiative, among others, to maximise efficiency for Dell and its customers.

E-waste, discarded electrical and electronic equipment, is the world’s fastest-growing waste stream. [6] Rapid technology innovation and ever-shortening product lifespans contribute to the increase of e-waste. [7] If e-waste continues to proliferate at current rates, experts caution that the problem will worsen in the future. According to a United Nations University report, the amount of global e-waste reached 41.8 million tonnes in 2014, and the total amount of global e-waste may hit 50 million tonnes in 2017, the report warns. [8] To compound matters, e-waste has a low overall recycling rate, which means that unwanted equipment remains unused.

Responsible e-waste disposal is not only important from an environmental perspective, but also makes good economic sense. [9] As an example, the material value of global e-waste was estimated to be 48 billion Euros in 2014 alone. [10] Leveraging this underutilised resource opens up vast “untapped potential to create a more sustainable, efficient product ecosystem.” [11]

The circular economy takes the traditional, linear model of “take, make and dispose” — which moves products from design to factory to consumer to landfill — and bends it into a more efficient closed-loop ecosystem. [12] Unwanted, used electronics can be taken back for refurbishment and then resold on the secondary market. Products beyond repair, or those that are no longer economical to repair, are recycled to allow for precious and scarce materials to be recovered. Recycled content can either be incorporated into the design and manufacturing of new products or sold out to the market for others to use.

Research shows that approximately 30% of consumers have technology products lying around the house unused, and half of consumers are unsure of what to do with their old electronics. [13] According to Dell, similar situations exist with businesses warehousing old equipment.

Takeback options make it easy for a wide variety of customers to dispose of their old electronic products in a responsible manner. This measure ensures that unwanted electronics get reused or, if at the end of life, properly recycled.

Plastic is one of the most useful and important materials in modern society. It is popular in computers due to its durability, ease of fabrication into complex shapes and electrical insulation qualities. [14] However, plastic recycling remains challenging and, as a result, the material constitutes a major contributor to landfills. The production of plastic also uses a substantial amount of fossil fuels. Manufacturing plastics from fuel is resource intensive, requires large amounts of energy and releases relatively high levels of CO2 emissions in the process. Recent research has shown that our current use of plastics will become unsustainable if we do not take steps to improve recycling and reduce plastics’ usage.

Using secondary, recycled plastic as feedstock for new computers presents one possible solution. With the fast pace of innovation and product upgrades in the ICT sector, recycled content can reduce the environmental toll of manufacturing with virgin materials. The circular economy and the development of secondary raw material markets are high on the European agenda. Nevertheless, it remains challenging to find a sufficient supply of high-quality postconsumer recycled plastics that meets the technical, economic and aesthetic requirements of ICT products manufacturers. [15]

In response, Dell is taking steps towards creating a “circular” supply chain. Increased volatility in commodities and growing pressure on resources have alerted Dell to the necessity of rethinking materials and energy use. [16] In 2013, Dell committed to putting a total of 50 million pounds of recycled materials back into its products by 2020. The company reached this goal in the beginning of 2017 and is continuing to scale its efforts.

For Dell, sourcing postconsumer recycled plastics from the market and building a new, stable closed-loop supply chain for plastics from used electronics collected through takeback programmes present viable and affordable alternatives to using virgin materials. Rather than focusing exclusively on individual challenges, Dell has taken steps to approach their supply chain from a broader, systemic perspective. Jennifer Allison, Director of Supply Chain Sustainability at Dell, summarises the company’s current business strategy:

We’re talking about systems — not just products, programmes or initiatives. Looking at the whole system is when change begins to make a significant difference. Technology is a great tool for measuring and analysing systems, understanding processes and identifying inefficiencies.[17]

In this way, Dell takes a whole ecosystem view of its product lifecycles. This approach is transforming the design of products and services. Dell’s lifecycle approach aims to keep viable products and parts in circulation for longer periods of time. It also harnesses global efforts to reuse, refurbish and resell products and parts to extend their lifetimes and to recycle them at end of life.

Product design emphasises ease of repair and recyclability from the beginning. Dell also looks continuously for ways to incorporate sustainable materials, such as recycled plastic and reclaimed carbon fiber, into products and packaging. [18]

[5] “Dell Inc. at a Glance,” Company Profile, Vault.com.   Link . [6] Center for Security Studies. Link . [7] C.P. Baldé et al. [8] James Rubin. “E-Waste: The circular economy’s achilles heel,” edie newsroom , 26 June 2015. Link . [9] Irene Kitsara, “E-Waste and Innovation: Unlocking Hidden Value,” Wipo Magazine , June 2014. Link . [10] C.P. Baldé et al. [11] Anya Khalamayzer. [12] GreenBiz, GreenBiz Group Inc. [13] “Switched on to Value,” WRAP Report , November 2014. Link . [14] “Plastics: Key Materials for Innovation and Productivity in Major Appliances,” American Plastics Council. Link . [15] “Best Practices in Recycled Plastic,” DigitalEurope , August 2016. Link . [16] “Best Practices in Recycled Plastic,” DigitalEurope. [17] Lisa Arnseth, “Full Circle,” Institute for Supply Management , October 2016. Link . [18] “Dell on the Circular Economy,” March 2016. Link .

The World’s Largest Electronics Takeback Programme

Dell has the world’s largest electronics takeback programme, which spans across 83 countries and territories. The programme has recovered approximately 800,000 tonnes of electronics since 2008. For commercial customers, Dell offers a full-spectrum of logistics and disposal capabilities via the Asset Resale and Recycling Service. Current capabilities include data security, on-site shredding, recycling and full traceability reporting. Dell also makes it easy for individual consumers to recycle by partnering with freight companies to provide free mail-back recycling of Dell-branded equipment. In many countries, the programme will even pick up used equipment from a customer’s home. [19]

Another programme designed to make the recovery of obsolete electronics easier and more accessible is the Dell Reconnect Partnership with Goodwill, a not-for-profit organisation committed to helping people become independent through education and training. The Reconnect Programme allows people to drop off any brand of used electronics to more than 2,000 Goodwill locations across the United States. Dell Reconnect accepts any brand of computer equipment in any condition from consumers and provides free recycling services. [20]

Dell returns all proceeds to Goodwill in order to help support Goodwill’s mission of putting people to work. [21] By participating in this initiative, customers simultaneously help protect the environment, benefit the community and receive a receipt for tax purposes. In this way, the programme helps both the costumers and the business.

The donated equipment has value as a whole system, as parts and sometimes as raw materials such as metals, plastics and glass. [22] If the equipment can be refurbished, Goodwill sells it. If not, the end-of-life product is sent to Wistron, one of Dell’s recycling partners, for asset recovery in the United States. Metals such as tin, gold and tungsten are re-sold in the commodities market. To complete the closed loop, plastics are sorted and shipped to China, turned into pellets and mixed with virgin plastics for use in new Dell products. [23]

[19] “Dell Recycling,” Dell Inc. . Link . [20] GreenBiz, GreenBiz Group Inc. [21] ‘About Us,” Goodwill Industries International, Inc. . Link . [22] Dell Reconnect – How It Works,” Dell Inc. . Link . [23] Mike Hower, “Dell cuts e-waste with recycled carbon fiber,” GreenBiz , 23 October 2015. Link .

Closed-Loop Recycled Plastic Supply Chain

Dell’s 2020 “Legacy of Good” sustainability plan set the goal of incorporating 50 million pounds of post-consumer recycled-content plastics and other sustainable materials into Dell products by 2020. [24] Dell met this target ahead of schedule in early 2017.

In 2014, Dell launched its closed-loop recycled plastics supply chain to accelerate progress against their goal of using 50 million pounds of sustainable materials. Since then, the company has used more than 10.5 million pounds of closed-loop plastics in new products. As a result, Dell now offers over 90 products made with closed-loop recycled plastics. These products include flat panel monitors, desktops and all-in-one computers.

Run in conjunction with various supply chain partners, the programme consists of collecting, recycling and using e- waste to make new Dell products. [25] It begins with sorting plastics out of the various takeback streams, further processing them and then sending them to a manufacturing partner in Asia. The plastics are then melted down and moulded into new parts and computer components, thereby creating a closed-loop system. [26] The whole process – from the time the equipment is received for recycling to the time the plastics are back in a customer’s hands as part of a new product – takes just under six months.

The closed-loop system also provides businesses with a price more stable than the cost of virgin materials, which fluctuates with the price of oil. It also reduces the company’s dependence on environmentally costly virgin materials. Furthermore, by reusing plastics already in circulation, Dell cuts down on e-waste, reduces carbon emissions and helps drive a circular economy for IT. The closed-loop process yields an 11% lower carbon footprint as compared to using virgin materials. [27] The closed-loop plastics supply chain delivers products that are better for the environment, which is increasingly what Dell customers demand. [28]

Dell’s leadership in recovering and reusing plastic from used computers constitutes an integral step in transitioning the larger electronics industry toward a circular economy. Louise Koch, Corporate Sustainability Lead in EMEA for Dell, describes the impetus for initiating a closed-loop system:

Dell’s programme is driven by both an effort to improve efficiency – a principle that goes back to its founding ethos and business model – as well as a commitment to reducing environmental impact. [29]

The use of closed-loop plastics may create a demand for plastic from used computers and thereby increase the level of plastic recycling from electronics. This, in turn, generates new jobs and opportunities for those in the nascent industry, all while staying true to Dell’s founding principles.

[24] “Best Practices in Recycled Plastic,” DigitalEurope . [25] Mike Hower. [26] Lisa Arnseth. [27] “Dell 2020 Legacy of Good Plan,” Dell Inc. , Link . [28] “Dell’s Closed- loop recycling process,” Dell Inc . Link . [29] Louise Koch (Corporate Sustainability Lead for Europe, Middle East and Africa), personal communication.

Challenges in Transitioning to a Closed-Loop Recycling System

In transitioning from a “take-make-dispose” linear supply chain to a circular supply chain, Dell has had to overcome a number of hurdles. It continues to experience four key challenges in the following areas:

Supply-side

Regulation and geographic

Demonstrating benefits to costumers

Technical Challenges

One of the biggest challenges that Dell faced with the closed-loop recycling was identifying which types of plastic can be incorporated back into new products. As Scott O’Connell, Director of Environmental Affairs for Dell, puts it, “When dealing with plastics, getting the properties equivalent or better to virgin materials isn’t easy…But this is a challenge we’ve been able to overcome with engineering know-how.” [30] Dell worked with partners to test different approaches. Testing revealed that, due to mechanical and aesthetic considerations, the blend of recycled-content with virgin plastic produces the best outcomes.

Supply-side Challenges

Another challenge involves establishing a reliable closed-loop supply chain. As O’Connell describes, “We had to make sure that we had sufficient volume of product coming in to be able to yield enough plastics to put into a mainstream Dell product.” [31] Supply of products and plastic derives from Dell’s own sources, which adds a greater degree of insight and security. However, for the closed-loop recycling to work and scale, Dell needs a security of supply, which can be difficult to attain with fluctuating numbers of products collected through takeback. Shrinking form factors—the fact that there is less plastic per item recycled as electronics become smaller—further complicates the situation. Hence, Dell needs to continue to drive increasing participation in takeback programmes, while at the same time exploring other means of acquiring recycled-content materials.

Regulation and Geographical Challenges

Transporting materials poses an additional challenge. Dell customers are all over the world, which means takeback initiatives must accommodate the global scale. Materials need to be collected in sufficiently dense amounts to make shipping to a centralised processor worth the economic and environmental costs. This involves logistics, regulations and other considerations. In Europe, for example, closed-border regulation inhibits transportation of electronic waste and, at present, makes it unfeasible for Dell to set up a branch of their closed-loop supply chain there.

Demonstrating the Benefits to Customers

The final challenge for Dell is to demonstrate the benefits of closed-loop recycling to customers. Ultimately, these products look and perform identically to those made from virgin materials. Dell must communicate the value proposition to customers by highlighting the amount of recycled content in the final product, the closed-loop nature of the materials and the benefits to the customers’ own sustainability goals.

Performance Global Takeback and Closed-Loop Recycling Programme

Since 2008, Dell has taken back more than 1.76 billion pounds (nearly 800 million kg) of used electronics and, since mid-2014, when Dell launched the closed-loop plastic recycling programme, it has created nearly 5,000 tonnes of plastics from recycled computer parts. Dell has saved more than USD 1 million from this process, and the carbon footprint of circular plastics is 11% smaller as compared to the manufacture of virgin plastics. Dell now uses circular plastics in approximately 90 products across millions of units globally.

[30] Scott O’Connell (Dell, Director of Environmental Affairs), interviewed by Mike Hower, “Dell cuts e-waste with recycled carbon fiber,” GreenBiz , 23 October 2015. Link . [31] Ibid.

Natural Capital Accounting

Together with TruCost, Dell has done an evaluation to understand the gains from moving away from virgin plastics. One of the most useful ways for companies to account for these risks is to quantify the environmental impacts generated by their activities—internal operations, upstream supply chain and downstream product use and disposal—and then convert those impacts into monetary values. [32] The monetary value helps identify the value not captured in traditional financial markets and incorporates these considerations into decision-making. [33]

Dell quantified the greenhouse gas emissions savings derived from using closed-loop plastic and expanded it in the following ways:

Measured the net benefit for environmental impacts of the closed-loop plastic, compared to traditional plastic.

Valued the environmental net benefit in terms of natural capital—the stock of natural resources that makes human life possible and upon which businesses rely to produce goods and services.

Scaled these benefits to larger applications, including utilising closed-loop plastic across many of Dell’s product lines.

Prepared a framework for incorporating social and financial impacts into the net benefit valuation in the future. [34]

The evaluation demonstrated the environmental benefits of closed-loop recycled plastic usage. Findings showed that “Dell’s closed-loop plastic has a 44% (USD 1.3 million annually) greater environmental benefit compared to virgin ABS plastic.” [35] In particular, increased computer recycling lessened environmental impacts. The research found that recovering and recycling the used plastics from computers minimised “human health and ecotoxicity impacts” and reduced the overall “emission of hazardous substances.” [36]

In addition to quantifying the environmental benefits of closed-loop recycling systems, Dell has also begun to incorporate social impact metrics into its valuation framework. [37] Emergent strategies such as analysing activities for their use of social and human capital, will likely present an area for further refinement and application in the future. [38] At present, Dell is combining both environmental and social impact metrics into its process in order to help tackle the challenge of responsible e-waste disposal.

[32] Dell, Dell Inc. . Link . [33] Ibid. [34] Ibid. [35] “Valuing the net benefit of Dell’s more sustainable plastic use at an industry-wide scale,” Trucost , September 2015. Link . [36] “Valuing the net benefit of Dell’s more sustainable plastic use at an industry-wide scale,” Trucost , September 2015. Link . [37] Ibid. [38] Ibid.

On a global scale, there is still huge potential to scale up circular resource streams in the IT sector and beyond. Only 10% of the plastics produced today are recovered – and more than 50% end up in landfills.

Dell has increased the use of recycled materials (both closed-loop and traditional postconsumer recycled plastics) in new products and Dell plans to continue to scale the programme.

As Dell continues to scale the current programme, it will look to expand into reclaiming and reusing other materials. Dell has already had success with using reclaimed carbon fiber for products and are currently using recycled ocean plastics for packaging.

Dell will also look at how ocean plastics or other solutions can be used with products.

Dell will continue to measure social impact using the same methodology, updating models for collection totals to follow form-factor trends. It will report progress annually, building on this total toward a cumulative 2 billion pounds by 2020. [39]

Dell continues to lead conversations with governments and industry partners about recycling and circular loops on a global scale. Dell is open to innovative collaborations with even more customers, partners and governments in the coming years. Dell sees particular opportunities in creating partnerships in developing countries to strengthen this ecosystem.

Dell’s takeback programme presents a compelling example of the potential of circular economy and closed-loop systems to contribute to responsible, mutual business practices. Looking towards the future, creating closed-loop recycling programmes in developing countries represents a new frontier. Recycling products in the countries from which they are recovered brings skilled jobs, creates industry and strengthens the local economy. [40] Using its proven abilities to leverage partnerships and government relationships to create the infrastructure needed for new programmes, Dell can continue driving a culture of recycling in communities around the world. [41] As Dell’s programme example highlights, collaborative approaches have the potential to create both financial and environmental savings for corporations and costumers on the global scale.

[39] “Dell 2020 Legacy of Good Plan,” Dell Inc. , Link . [40] Ibid. [41] Ibid.

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About This Case Study

First developed for the 2017 Forum by the Mutuality in Business Research Team. The web text is based on the case study written by researchers at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford . The views of the authors and/or the University are distinct from other content on this website.

Based on research by the Mutuality in Business Research Team, Saïd Business School. With contributions from Louise Koch, Dell and Stephen Roberts, Dell. Edited by Justine Esta Ellis.

Authors’ Note

This is a descriptive case study, based on publicly available materials as well as on the information shared by the company described. This case study is not meant to provide critical analysis of the literature or information used to develop it. All errors and omissions are the authors’ own.

About This Series

The businesses featured in these case studies share a commitment to objectives beyond purely financial performance, as well as a serious intent to implement mutual practices through new forms of ownership, governance, leadership, measurement and management.

Please note: The header photograph is illustrative and does not directly portray the subject matter. Some editorial changes have occurred during the process of converting the paper from the PDF version above into this web page version.

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Dell’s Supply Chain Model: 7 Powerful Insights into the Future of Efficiency

Table of Contents

I. introduction.

Hold on to your seats and brace yourself for an exciting journey into the intricate world of supply chain management ! Today, we’re zeroing in on Dell Technologies, a name that’s no stranger to any of us. A titan in the tech industry, Dell’s array of nifty gadgets has long been captivating consumers worldwide. But behind every captivating device lies an intricate ballet of processes, strategies, and people that often remains unseen. These behind-the-scenes maneuvers, collectively known as the supply chain, are the true unsung heroes of any product’s journey.

You see, the supply chain is essentially the backbone of any product-based company, dictating everything from production costs to customer satisfaction and brand reputation. When done right, it can pave the path to success and market dominance. Dell, as we’ll uncover, is a shining example of this power.

In this article, we’ll pull back the curtain on Dell’s supply chain , examining the nuts and bolts of its operations. We’ll delve into the evolution of Dell’s supply chain, the unique strategies they’ve adopted, and the transformative role technology plays. Along the way, we’ll glean insights from their response to supply chain disruptions and draw valuable lessons from their innovative practices.

So buckle up, sit tight, and get ready for a thrilling deep-dive into the fast-paced world of Dell’s supply chain management!

II. Understanding Dell’s Supply Chain Management

When it comes to understanding the intricacies of Supply Chain Management ( SCM ), imagine orchestrating a massive, worldwide relay race. Each participant, from raw material suppliers to manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and finally, the end customer, must pass the baton smoothly, without dropping it. This crucial relay race is what keeps a company’s wheels turning and its products flowing.

Now, onto the big fish we’re tackling today: Dell’s SCM. Dell has successfully disrupted the traditional SCM model with its unique ‘Direct-to-Customer’ approach. Picture this: Instead of a confusing maze of intermediaries and tangled processes, Dell’s supply chain is more like a superhighway – swift, streamlined, and straightforward.

At the very core of Dell’s SCM lies a principle that’s as simple as it is revolutionary: Make it personal. Instead of churning out one-size-fits-all gadgets, Dell goes the extra mile to customize products based on individual customer preferences. The result? A computer that’s not just a tool, but a reflection of the user’s needs and personality.

What makes this system even more interesting is Dell’s clever use of a just-in-time manufacturing approach. This strategy cuts down on unnecessary storage and inventory costs. Instead, products are built to order, using components that arrive just in time for assembly.

Finally, Dell has pushed the envelope by bringing its suppliers physically closer to its manufacturing hubs. This proximity allows Dell to foster stronger relationships with its suppliers, ensuring better coordination and swift problem resolution.

From this comprehensive analysis, it’s clear that Dell’s SCM isn’t just about moving products from Point A to Point B. It’s a finely tuned system that combines customer focus , smart strategies, and close supplier relationships to deliver value at every step of the product’s journey.

III. The Evolution of Dell’s Supply Chain

Just as great wines mature with age, Dell’s supply chain has been refined and perfected over time, making it a powerful force in the tech industry. It wasn’t a sudden transformation but a journey characterized by strategic shifts and game-changing decisions.

In the early stages, Dell, like many other companies of its time, relied on a traditional supply chain model. The manufacturing process began long before any customer placed an order, following forecasted demands. However, Dell soon realized that this model was a road laden with inefficiencies, chiefly in the form of excess inventory and the risk of unsold products becoming obsolete.

In a bold move that redefined industry norms, Dell adopted a unique Direct Model in the mid-1990s. This strategy, designed to eliminate middlemen, connected Dell directly with its customers. The model was based on a simple yet powerful idea: why build computers that might sell when you can build computers you know will sell?

Thus began Dell’s journey towards a build-to-order and direct-to-customer strategy. It effectively addressed the issue of inventory costs, as computers were now assembled based on actual customer orders, not forecasts. Dell also implemented just-in-time manufacturing, where components would arrive exactly when needed, further reducing inventory costs.

Another significant evolution was Dell’s initiative to create supplier hubs near their assembly plants. This move not only sped up the production process but also allowed for better collaboration and problem-solving between Dell and its suppliers.

In recent years, Dell’s supply chain has continued to evolve, leveraging the power of digitization and AI to enhance its efficiency. With these tools, Dell can now forecast demand with pinpoint accuracy, improve its logistics, and deliver an even more personalized experience to its customers.

From its humble beginnings to its current state-of-the-art supply chain, Dell has consistently stayed ahead of the curve, setting the pace in an ever-changing, dynamic tech landscape. It’s a testament to Dell’s vision and its unwavering commitment to meet its customers’ needs while maintaining efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

IV. Benefits of Dell’s Supply Chain Model

Dell’s unique approach to supply chain management is the secret sauce behind its market prowess. It’s akin to a well-oiled machine that drives significant benefits across the board. From cost-efficiency to customer-centricity and innovation, the pay-offs of Dell’s model are as varied as they are impressive.

One of the most standout advantages is the model’s cost efficiency. You know what they say about a penny saved being a penny earned, right? Well, Dell’s mastered the art of penny-pinching in all the right ways! Their just-in-time approach and the direct-to-customer model drastically cut down on storage and inventory costs. Why pile up expensive warehouses with products when you can build them just in time, based on actual customer orders?

And speaking of customers, they’re the real winners in Dell’s supply chain model. Dell’s approach to supply chain puts customers in the limelight, crafting each product to their unique needs and preferences. It’s like having a personal tech genie, ready to make your gadget wishes come true! And let’s face it, who doesn’t like the sound of that?

But the benefits of Dell’s supply chain model don’t stop at cost savings and customer happiness. The model also fosters a culture of innovation and adaptability, essential ingredients in the fast-paced tech industry. It’s like having a built-in radar that constantly scans for changes and swiftly adapts to meet them head-on. This agility has helped Dell stay ahead in the game, continuously reinventing its products to match the evolving needs of its customers.

Lastly, let’s not forget how Dell’s supply chain model gives the company a competitive edge. By directly connecting with customers and maintaining efficient operations, Dell has carved out a strong position in the market, a vantage point that many competitors find hard to match.

In a nutshell, Dell’s supply chain model is the golden ticket that balances efficiency, customer satisfaction, innovation, and competitive advantage. And that, folks, is no small feat in today’s challenging business landscape.

V. Dell’s Supply Chain in the Era of Digital Transformation

If you thought Dell’s supply chain couldn’t get any more cutting-edge, then brace yourself for another wave of innovation! The digital transformation era has rolled in, and Dell is surfing the wave like a true champ. With digitization and AI now reshaping industries, Dell’s supply chain is evolving to keep pace, transforming into a data-driven dynamo ready to push boundaries even further.

Let’s break down the role of digitization in Dell’s supply chain. Picture a network of digital threads weaving through every stage of the supply chain, from production to delivery. These threads enable real-time monitoring and data analysis, paving the way for more efficient, transparent operations. Need to track the journey of a product? No problem. Want to streamline your logistics? Piece of cake. With digitization, Dell’s supply chain becomes a crystal-clear panorama, where each process is visible, trackable, and optimizable.

Now, let’s throw AI into the mix. Artificial Intelligence , with its ability to process and analyze vast amounts of data, becomes a valuable ally in Dell’s supply chain. AI helps Dell forecast demand more accurately, reducing the risk of overproduction or stockouts. It can predict potential disruptions and recommend preventive measures. In essence, AI is like the supply chain’s crystal ball, foreseeing what lies ahead and helping Dell plan accordingly.

One shining example of AI in action is Dell’s Automated Workload Deployment. This feature, powered by AI, can customize a computer based on a customer’s needs in record time. This level of customization would have been unthinkable a few years ago but is now a reality, thanks to AI.

In the era of digital transformation, Dell’s supply chain is emerging as a model of innovation. It’s not just about embracing new technologies; it’s about harnessing them to enhance efficiency, personalize customer experiences, and adapt to a rapidly evolving market.

As we venture into the future, one thing is clear: With digital transformation as its compass, Dell’s supply chain is steering the company towards uncharted territories of innovation and success.

VI. Case Study: Dell’s Response to Supply Chain Disruptions

To truly appreciate the strength of Dell’s supply chain, let’s turn our attention to how it responds to disruptions. As the old adage goes, it’s not the calm but the storm that truly tests a sailor’s skill. For Dell, these “storms” have come in various forms, from the Asian financial crisis in the late ’90s to the global COVID-19 pandemic in the 2020s.

During the Asian financial crisis, Dell showcased its remarkable agility and adaptability. While many competitors were caught off-guard, suffering from excess inventory and reduced demand, Dell managed to stay afloat. Thanks to their direct-to-customer and just-in-time manufacturing approach, they were able to swiftly adjust to the changing market conditions, reducing production and avoiding the risk of holding obsolete inventory.

Fast forward to the COVID-19 pandemic, a time of unprecedented disruption for global supply chains. Companies worldwide grappled with a multitude of challenges, from factory shutdowns to logistics bottlenecks. In the face of such adversities, Dell’s supply chain stood resilient.

Dell’s proactive measures, backed by its data-driven approach, allowed the company to navigate this crisis with remarkable agility. Advanced analytics tools helped Dell anticipate potential disruptions and reconfigure their supply chain accordingly. They ramped up communication with suppliers to stay informed about any potential disruptions, and their close supplier relationships paid off in ensuring continuous supply even during challenging times.

Perhaps one of the most impressive aspects was Dell’s commitment to its customers. Despite the upheaval, the company continued to deliver personalized products, maintaining high standards of customer service and satisfaction.

These case studies underscore how Dell’s robust supply chain, characterized by its agility, adaptability, and customer-centric approach, has been key in weathering supply chain disruptions. It’s a testament to their strategic foresight, innovative practices, and unwavering commitment to delivering value to their customers.

VII. Lessons from Dell’s Supply Chain Model

From Dell’s fascinating journey through the realms of supply chain management, there’s a treasure trove of lessons to be learned. These lessons aren’t just academic theories; they’re practical insights gleaned from Dell’s real-world experiences, ready to be applied in any business context.

First up is the power of a customer-centric approach. Dell has shown us that putting customers at the heart of the supply chain isn’t just good ethics; it’s good business. By customizing products based on individual customer preferences, Dell has been able to stand out from the competition and build strong customer loyalty. So the lesson here? Know your customers, cater to their needs, and they’ll reward you with their loyalty.

Next is the importance of innovation and agility. In a dynamic business environment, change is the only constant. Dell’s supply chain has remained resilient and competitive by constantly innovating and adapting to market changes. Whether it’s shifting from a traditional model to a direct-to-customer approach or embracing digital transformation, Dell has been quick to adapt and innovate. The lesson? Stay nimble, embrace change, and never stop innovating.

The role of close supplier relationships is another crucial lesson from Dell’s supply chain. By creating supplier hubs and fostering strong supplier relationships, Dell has been able to ensure better coordination, faster problem-solving, and continuous supply. This highlights the importance of viewing suppliers not as mere vendors but as valuable partners in your business journey.

Lastly, Dell’s supply chain teaches us the value of leveraging technology. From using analytics for demand forecasting to harnessing AI for customization, Dell has adeptly used technology to enhance its supply chain efficiency. This is a powerful reminder for businesses to embrace the digital era and use technology as a tool to drive efficiency and innovation.

In a nutshell, the lessons from Dell’s supply chain model can serve as valuable guideposts for any business striving to build an efficient, resilient, and customer-centric supply chain. And in today’s competitive business landscape, these lessons are more pertinent than ever.

VIII. Success Stories from Dell’s Supply Chain Management

Story 1: Navigating the Asian Financial Crisis

In the late ’90s, the Asian financial crisis sent shockwaves across global markets. Many tech companies, caught off-guard, faced significant losses due to excess inventory and plummeting demand. However, Dell’s unique supply chain model came to its rescue. Leveraging its direct-to-customer and just-in-time manufacturing approach, Dell swiftly adjusted to the changing market conditions. They scaled down production to avoid holding onto obsolete inventory, thereby effectively navigating the financial storm.

Story 2: Overcoming the COVID-19 Pandemic Challenges

The COVID-19 pandemic posed a daunting challenge to supply chains worldwide. From factory shutdowns to logistics bottlenecks, companies found themselves grappling with unprecedented disruption. Dell, however, with its robust supply chain, managed to stay resilient. By leveraging advanced analytics, they could anticipate potential disruptions and swiftly reconfigure their supply chain. Their close relationships with suppliers ensured a continuous supply, even in such trying times. Despite the upheaval, Dell maintained high standards of customer service and satisfaction, reflecting the strength and resilience of its supply chain.

Story 3: Reducing Inventory Costs

For years, Dell struggled with high inventory costs, a common pain point in the tech industry. However, the introduction of their direct-to-customer model and just-in-time manufacturing approach brought about a dramatic change. By building computers based on actual customer orders rather than forecasts, Dell managed to significantly reduce its inventory costs. This strategic shift not only improved Dell’s bottom line but also increased its agility and responsiveness to market changes.

Story 4: Enhancing Customer Satisfaction

When Dell shifted to a customer-centric supply chain model, it resulted in a dramatic increase in customer satisfaction. By customizing products based on individual customer preferences, Dell began offering a personalized experience that set it apart from competitors. This commitment to customer satisfaction not only resulted in repeat business but also enhanced Dell’s reputation as a customer-focused company, driving its market growth and success.

Story 5: Embracing Digital Transformation

As the digital era dawned, Dell seized the opportunity to enhance its supply chain management. They harnessed the power of AI and analytics, using these tools to improve demand forecasting, streamline logistics, and offer an even more personalized customer experience. For instance, Dell’s Automated Workload Deployment, powered by AI, can customize a computer based on a customer’s needs in record time. These digital advancements have positioned Dell at the forefront of the tech industry, ready to tackle future challenges and opportunities.

IX. Conclusion

Stepping back to admire the grand tapestry of Dell’s supply chain, it’s clear that it’s more than just a business process. It’s a strategic masterpiece, a blend of innovation, customer-centricity, and agility that has catapulted Dell to new heights in the tech industry.

Over the years, Dell has refined and perfected its supply chain model, pioneering a direct-to-customer and just-in-time manufacturing approach that has redefined industry norms. These strategic shifts have not only driven significant cost efficiencies but have also put customers at the heart of the supply chain, offering them a personalized and engaging experience.

But what truly sets Dell apart is its unwavering commitment to innovation. From its early decision to eliminate middlemen to its recent embrace of digitization and AI, Dell has consistently stayed ahead of the curve. It has proven that in a world where change is the only constant, the ability to adapt, innovate, and evolve is critical.

It’s worth noting, too, that Dell’s supply chain is not just about its own success. It’s a story of resilience in the face of challenges, from the Asian financial crisis to the global COVID-19 pandemic. These experiences underscore the importance of a robust supply chain in navigating disruptions and maintaining business continuity.

As we draw lessons from Dell’s supply chain model, it becomes clear that it’s a goldmine of insights for any business striving for efficiency, resilience, and customer-centricity. Whether it’s the importance of a customer-centric approach, the value of close supplier relationships, or the power of digital transformation, these lessons can serve as valuable guideposts in our own business journeys.

In conclusion, Dell’s supply chain is more than just a success story; it’s a testament to the power of strategic foresight, customer focus, and innovation in driving business success. It’s a reminder that in today’s dynamic business landscape, a robust and efficient supply chain can indeed be a game-changer. As Dell continues to push boundaries and redefine norms, there’s no doubt that its supply chain will remain a pivotal part of its journey, steering the company towards uncharted territories of success and innovation.

KEY CONCEPTS

What is unique about Dell’s supply chain model?

Dell’s model is unique for its direct-to-customer and just-in-time manufacturing approach, which reduces costs and enhances customer satisfaction.

How did Dell respond to the Asian financial crisis?

During the crisis, Dell swiftly adjusted its production to avoid holding obsolete inventory, successfully navigating the financial storm.

What role has digitization played in Dell’s supply chain?

Digitization allows real-time monitoring and data analysis, enabling Dell to enhance its supply chain’s efficiency and transparency.

How did Dell handle the COVID-19 pandemic’s supply chain challenges?

Dell used advanced analytics to anticipate disruptions and reconfigure their supply chain, ensuring continuous supply and customer satisfaction.

How has Dell’s supply chain model benefited the company?

The model’s cost efficiency, customer-centricity, and agility have significantly contributed to Dell’s market growth and success.

What lessons can businesses learn from Dell’s supply chain model?

Key lessons include the importance of a customer-centric approach, embracing change and innovation, fostering strong supplier relationships, and leveraging technology.

How does Dell use AI in its supply chain?

Dell uses AI to improve demand forecasting, streamline logistics, and offer more personalized customer experiences.

What impact has Dell’s supply chain model had on customer satisfaction?

By offering customized products based on individual customer preferences, Dell’s supply chain model has significantly enhanced customer satisfaction.

How did Dell’s supply chain model help during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Dell’s robust supply chain, backed by data-driven measures, helped maintain business continuity and high standards of customer service during the pandemic

What role do suppliers play in Dell’s supply chain model?

Suppliers are viewed as valuable partners, with strong relationships ensuring better coordination, faster problem-solving, and a continuous supply.

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24 Dell: The Business Case for a Sustainable Supply Chain

• Published: March 2021
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The computer manufacturer Dell runs the world’s largest electronics take-back programme. It has recovered more than 800,000 tonnes of electronics since 2008. In the case of individual consumers it partners with freight companies in retrieving equipment from consumers’ homes and partners with Goodwill, a not-for-profit organization that seeks to make people independent through education and training, in running 2,000 locations across the United States where consumers can drop off any brand of used electronics. The article points to the commercial as well as the environmental savings resulting from the recycling programme and describes the process by which Dell has been able to achieve this.

Introduction

Dell is one of the world’s largest computer manufacturers and technology companies. The company sells a wide range of IT hardware, software products, and services for enterprise, government, small business, and consumer markets. 1 As a privately held company, Dell has the freedom to pursue a longer time horizon and to commit to changing how it uses its resources. The principle of efficiency is central to the Dell business model and informs the company’s approach to resources, sourcing, and waste management.

Pain Points in the Ecosystem

Dell’s commitment to efficiency has prompted the company to take on the timely challenge of improving e-waste disposal throughout its business.

E-waste, that is, discarded electrical and electronic equipment, is the world’s fastest-growing waste stream. 2 Rapid technology innovation and ever-shortening product lifespans are contributing to the increase of e-waste. 3 According to a United Nations’ University report, the amount of global e-waste reached 41.8 million tonnes in 2014. 4 To compound matters, e-waste has a low overall recycling rate, which means that unwanted equipment remains unused.

Responsible e-waste disposal is not only important from an environmental perspective, but also makes good economic sense. 5 Vast amounts of gold, for example, exit the economy due to low recycling rates, but increasingly there is an opportunity to recapture that value, as a tonne of computer motherboards contains more gold in it than a tonne of gold ore. In terms of scale, the material value of global e-waste was estimated to be €48 billion in 2014 alone. 6 This underutilized resource has a vast ‘untapped potential to create a more sustainable, efficient product ecosystem’. 7

The circular economy takes the traditional, linear model of ‘take, make, and dispose’—which moves products from design to factory to consumer to landfill—and bends it into a more efficient closed-loop ecosystem. Unwanted used electronics can be taken back for refurbishment and then resold on the secondary market. Products beyond repair, or those that are no longer economical to repair, are recycled to allow for precious and scarce materials to be recovered. Recycled content can either be incorporated into the design and manufacturing of new products or sold for others to use.

Research shows that approximately 30 per cent of consumers have technology products lying around the house unused, and half of consumers are unsure about what to do with their old electronics. 8 According to Dell, similar situations exist with businesses warehousing old equipment. Take-back options make it easy for a wide variety of customers to dispose of their old electronic products in a responsible manner. This measure ensures that unwanted electronics get reused or, if at the end of life, properly recycled.

Plastic is one of the most useful and important materials in modern society. It is popular in computers due to its durability, ease of fabrication into complex shapes, and electrical insulation qualities. 9 However, plastic recycling remains challenging and, as a result, the material constitutes a major contributor to landfills and to nonpoint source pollution—pollution from many different sources. The production of traditional plastics also uses a substantial amount of fossil fuels. Manufacturing plastics from fuel is resource intensive, requires large amounts of energy, and releases relatively high levels of CO 2 emissions in the process. Recent research has shown that our current use of plastics will become unsustainable if we do not take steps to improve recycling and reduce plastics’ usage.

Using secondary, recycled plastic as feedstock for new computers presents one possible solution. With the fast pace of innovation and product upgrades in the ICT sector, recycled content can reduce the environmental toll of manufacturing with virgin materials. The circular economy and the development of secondary raw material markets are high on the European agenda. Nevertheless, it remains challenging to find a sufficient supply of high-quality post-consumer recycled plastics that meets the technical, economic, and aesthetic requirements of ICT products manufacturers. 10

In response, Dell is taking steps towards creating a ‘circular’ supply chain (see also Interface, Chapter 25 ). In addition to environmental concerns, the increased volatility in commodities and growing pressure on resources have alerted Dell to the business necessity of rethinking materials and energy use. 11 In 2013, Dell committed to putting a total of 50 million pounds weight of recycled materials back into its products by 2020. The company reached this goal at the beginning of 2017 and is continuing to scale its efforts.

For Dell, sourcing post-consumer recycled plastics from the market and building a new, stable closed-loop supply chain for plastics from used electronics collected through take-back programmes present viable and affordable alternatives to using virgin materials. Rather than focusing exclusively on individual challenges, Dell has taken steps to approach their supply chain from a broader, systemic perspective. Most recently, this has included expanding its efforts to also address precious metals, such as gold. Jennifer Allison, director of supply chain sustainability at Dell, summarizes the company’s current business strategy:

We’re talking about systems—not just products, programmes, or initiatives. Looking at the whole system is when change begins to make a significant difference. Technology is a great tool for measuring and analysing systems, understanding processes, and identifying inefficiencies. 12

In this way, Dell takes a whole ecosystem view of its product life cycles. This approach is transforming the design of products and services. Dell’s life-cycle approach aims to keep viable products and parts in circulation for longer periods of time. It also harnesses global efforts to reuse, refurbish, and resell products and parts to extend their lifetimes and to recycle them at the end of life.

Product design emphasizes ease of repair and recyclability from the beginning. Dell also looks continuously for ways to incorporate sustainable materials, such as recycled plastic and reclaimed carbon fibre, into products and packaging. 13

The Take-Back Programme

Dell has the world’s largest electronics take-back programme, which spans more than seventy-five countries and territories. The programme has recovered approximately 800,000 tonnes of electronics since 2008. For commercial customers, Dell offers a full-spectrum of logistics and disposal capabilities via the Asset Resale and Recycling Service. Current capabilities include data security, on-site shredding, recycling, and full traceability reporting. Dell also makes it easy for individual consumers to recycle by partnering with freight companies to provide free mail-back recycling of Dell-branded equipment. In many countries, the programme will even pick up used equipment from a customer’s home. 14

Another programme designed to make the recovery of obsolete electronics easier and more accessible is the Dell Reconnect Partnership with Goodwill, a not-for-profit organization committed to helping people become independent through education and training. The Reconnect Programme allows people to drop off any brand of used electronics to more than two thousand participating Goodwill locations across the United States. Dell Reconnect accepts any brand of computer equipment in any condition from consumers and provides free recycling services.

Dell returns all proceeds to Goodwill in order to help support Goodwill’s mission of putting people to work. 15 By participating in this initiative, customers simultaneously help protect the environment, benefit the community, and receive a receipt for tax purposes. In this way, the programme helps both the customers and the business.

The donated equipment has value as a whole system, as parts, and sometimes as raw materials such as metals, plastics, and glass. 16 If the equipment can be refurbished, Goodwill sells it. If not, the end-of-life product is sent to Wistron, one of Dell’s recycling partners, for asset recovery in the United States. Metals such as tin, gold, 17 and tungsten are re-sold in the commodities market. To complete the closed loop, plastics are sorted and shipped to China, turned into pellets, and mixed with virgin plastics for use in new Dell products. 18

Closed-Loop Recycled Plastic Supply Chain

Dell’s 2020 ‘Legacy of Good’ sustainability plan set the goal of incorporating 50 million pounds weight of post-consumer recycled-content plastics and other sustainable materials into Dell products by 2020. 19 Dell met this target ahead of schedule in early 2017.

It started with the launch of Dell’s closed-loop recycled plastics supply chain in 2014. Since then, the company has used more than 9,750 tonnes of closed-loop plastics in over 125 products. These products include flat-panel monitors, desktops, and all-in-one computers.

Run in conjunction with various supply chain partners, the programme consists of collecting, recycling, and using e-waste to make new Dell products. 20 It begins with sorting plastics out of the various take-back streams, further processing them, and then sending them to a manufacturing partner in Asia. The plastics are then melted down and moulded into new parts and computer components, thereby creating a closed-loop system. The whole process—from the time the equipment is received for recycling to the time the plastics are back in a customer’s hands as part of a new product—takes just under six months. The closed-loop system also provides businesses with a price more stable than the cost of virgin materials, which fluctuates with the price of oil. It also reduces the company’s dependence on those environmentally costly virgin materials. Furthermore, by reusing plastics already in circulation, Dell cuts down on e-waste, reduces carbon emissions, and helps drive a circular economy for IT. The closed-loop process yields an 11 per cent lower carbon footprint than a process using virgin materials, 21 and creates products that are better for the environment, which is increasingly what Dell customers demand. 22 Dell was also the first PC manufacturer (January 2018) to use recycled gold from e-waste in its products. Working with the data analyst TruCost, it found that this closed-loop process can cause 99 per cent less environmental damage and avoid $1.6 million in natural capital costs per kilogram processed (US$3.68 million for the pilot project alone) when compared to gold mining. The same study showed closed-loop process can avoid 41 times the social impacts of gold mining.

Dell’s leadership in recovering and reusing plastic from used computers constitutes an important step in moving the larger electronics industry towards a circular economy. Louise Koch, corporate sustainability director in EMEA for Dell, describes the impetus for initiating a closed-loop system:

Dell’s programme is driven by both an effort to improve efficiency—a principle that goes back to its founding ethos and business model—as well as a commitment to reducing environmental impact. 23

The use of closed-loop plastics may create a demand for plastic from used computers and thereby increase the level of plastic recycling from electronics. This, in turn, generates new jobs and opportunities for those in the nascent industry, all while staying true to Dell’s founding principles.

Challenges in Moving to a Closed-Loop Recycling System

In moving from the traditional take–make–dispose linear supply chain to a circular supply chain, Dell has had to overcome a number of hurdles.

One of the biggest challenges that Dell faced with the closed-loop recycling was identifying which types of plastic can be incorporated back into new products. As Scott O’Connell, director of environmental affairs for Dell, puts it, ‘When dealing with plastics, getting the properties equivalent or better to virgin materials isn’t easy…But this is a challenge we’ve been able to overcome with engineering know-how.’ 24 Dell worked with partners to test different approaches. Testing revealed that, due to mechanical and aesthetic considerations, a blend of recycled-content with virgin plastic produces the best outcomes.

Another challenge involves establishing a reliable closed-loop supply chain. As O’Connell describes, ‘We had to make sure that we had sufficient volume of product coming in to be able to yield enough plastics to put into a mainstream Dell product.’ 25 Supply of products and plastic derives from Dell’s own sources, which adds a greater degree of insight and security. However, for the closed-loop recycling to work and scale, Dell needs security of supply, which can be difficult to attain with fluctuating numbers of products collected through take-back. Shrinking form factors—the fact that there is less plastic per item recycled as electronics become smaller—further complicate the situation. Hence Dell needs to continue to drive increasing participation in take-back programmes, while at the same time exploring other means of acquiring recycled-content materials.

Transporting materials poses an additional challenge. Dell customers are all over the world, which means that take-back initiatives must accommodate the global scale. While Dell has a small closed-loop plastics supply chain in Europe already and is exploring ways to scale in other geographies, materials need to be collected in sufficiently large amounts to make shipping to a centralized processor worth the economic and environmental costs. This involves logistics, regulations, and other considerations. In some cases, even the definition of the material being moved can affect the viability of closed-loop efforts: is recycled plastic labelled as waste or a raw material, for example?

The final challenge for Dell is to demonstrate the benefits of closed-loop recycling to customers. Ultimately, the products look and perform exactly the same as those made from virgin materials. Dell must communicate the value proposition to customers by highlighting the amount of recycled content in the final product, the closed-loop nature of the materials, and the benefits to the customers’ own sustainability goals.

Performance

Since 2008, Dell has taken back more than 1.76 billion pounds (nearly 800,000 tonnes) of used electronics and since mid-2014, when Dell launched the closed-loop plastic recycling programme, it has created nearly 5,000 tonnes of plastics from recycled computer parts. Dell has saved more than $1.8 million from this process, and the carbon footprint of circular plastics is 11 per cent smaller than that associated with the manufacture of virgin plastics. Dell now uses circular plastics in approximately 125 products across millions of units globally.

Together with TruCost, Dell has completed an evaluation to understand the gains from moving away from virgin plastics. One of the most useful ways for companies to assess the risks associated with new initiatives is to quantify the environmental impacts generated by their activities—internal operations, upstream supply chain, and downstream product use and disposal—and then convert those impacts into monetary values. 26 The monetary value helps identify the value not captured in traditional financial markets and incorporates these considerations into decision-making. 27

Findings showed that Dell’s closed-loop plastic has a 44 per cent ($1.3 million annually) greater environmental benefit than virgin ABS plastic. 28 In particular, increased computer recycling lessened environmental impacts. The research found that recovering and recycling the used plastics from computers minimized ‘human health and ecotoxicity impacts’ and reduced the overall emission of hazardous substances. 29

Dell has also begun to incorporate social impact metrics into its valuation framework. 30 Emergent strategies such as analysing activities for their use of social and human capital are likely to be an area for further refinement and application in the future. 31 At present, Dell is combining both environmental and social impact metrics into its process in order to help tackle the challenge of responsible e-waste disposal.

On a global scale, there is still huge potential to scale up circular resource streams in the IT sector and beyond. Only 10 per cent of the plastics produced today are recovered—and more than 50 per cent end up in landfills.

Dell has increased the use of recycled materials (both closed-loop and traditional post-consumer recycled materials) in new products and plans to continue to scale the programme.

As Dell continues to scale the current programme, it will look to expand into reclaiming and reusing other materials. Dell has already had success with using reclaimed carbon fibre for products and is currently using recycled ocean plastics ink made from captured diesel emissions for packaging.

Dell will also look at how ocean plastics or other solutions can be used with products.

Dell will continue to measure social impact using the same methodology, updating models for collection totals to follow form-factor trends. It will report progress annually, building on this total toward a cumulative 2 billion pounds by 2020. 32

Dell continues to lead conversations with governments and industry partners about recycling and circular loops on a global scale. Dell is open to innovative collaborations with even more customers, partners, and governments in the coming years. Dell sees particular opportunities in creating partnerships in developing countries to strengthen this ecosystem.

Dell’s take-back programme presents a compelling example of the potential of circular economy and closed-loop systems to contribute to responsible, mutual business practices. Looking towards the future, creating closed-loop recycling programmes in developing countries represents a new frontier. Recycling products in the countries from which they are recovered brings skilled jobs, creates industry, and strengthens the local economy. 33 Using its proven abilities to leverage partnerships and government relationships to create the infrastructure needed for new programmes, Dell can continue driving a culture of recycling in communities around the world. 34 As Dell’s programme example highlights, collaborative approaches have the potential to create both financial and environmental savings for corporations and customers on a global scale.

‘Dell Inc. at a Glance,’ Company Profile, Vault.com, http://www.vault.com/company-profiles/computer-hardware/dell-inc/company-overview .

Center for Security Studies, http://isnblog.ethz.ch .

Baldé, C.P., Forti V., Gray, V., Kuehr, R., Stegmann, P. The Global E-waste Monitor – 2017, United Nations University (UNU), International Telecommunication Union (ITU) & International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), Bonn/Geneva/Vienna.

Rubin (2015).

Kitsara (2014).

Baldé et al. (date).

Anya Khalamayzer.(2017) “8 Ripple Effects of the Circular Economy in 2017”, Greenbiz, https://www.greenbiz.com/article/8-ripple-effects-circular-economy-2017 .

‘Switched on to Value,’ WRAP Report, November 2014, http://www.wrap.org.uk/sites/files/wrap/Switched%20on%20to%20Value%2012%202014.pdf .

‘Plastics: Key Materials for Innovation and Productivity in Major Appliances,’ American Plastics Council, http://infohouse.p2ric.org/ref/11/10437.pdf .

‘Best Practices in Recycled Plastic,’ DigitalEurope , August 2016, http://www.digitaleurope.org/DesktopModules/Bring2mind/DMX/Download.aspx?Command=CoreDownload&EntryId=2276&language=en-US&PortalId=0&TabId=353 .

‘Best Practices in Recycled Plastic,’ DigitalEurope .

‘Full Circle’, Institute for Supply Management, October 2016—Lisa Arnseth interview with Jennifer Allison.

‘Dell on the Circular Economy’, March 2016, http://i.dell.com/sites/content/corporate/corp-comm/en/Documents/circular-economy-0316.pdf .

‘Dell Recycling,’ Dell Inc., http://www.dell.com/learn/us/en/uscorp1/dell-environment-recycling .

‘About Us,’ Goodwill Industries International, Inc., http://www.goodwill.org/about-us/ .

‘Dell Reconnect—How It Works’, Dell Inc., http://www.dell.com/learn/us/en/uscorp1/corp-comm/how-it-works-reconnect .

www.dell.com/gold .

Hower (2015).

‘Dell 2020 Legacy of Good Plan’, Dell Inc., http://i.dell.com/sites/doccontent/corporate/corp-comm/en/Documents/2020-plan.pdf .

‘Dell’s Closed-Loop Recycling Process’, Dell Inc., https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjdkPqots7TAhXhKsAKHde7AF0QFggoMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fi.dell.com%2Fsites%2Fdoccontent%2Fcorporate%2Fsecure%2Fen%2FDocuments%2FClosed-LoopRecyclingfull.pdf&usg=AFQjCNHzBL-F4ooKUkKnDSbgyHG8CLRzQ&sig2=bKIXDKjRA1YoWSQgh4H5yg .

Louise Koch (Corporate Sustainability Lead for Europe, Middle East and Africa), personal communication.

Scott O’Connell (Dell, Director of Environmental Affairs), interviewed by Mike Hower (Hower 2015)

Dell, Dell Inc., http://www.dell.com/en-us/ .

‘Valuing the Net Benefit of Dell’s More Sustainable Plastic Use at an Industry-Wide Scale’, Trucost, September 2015, http://i.dell.com/sites/content/corporate/corp-comm/en/Documents/circular-economy-net-benefits.pdf .

‘Dell 2020 Legacy of Good Plan,’ Dell Inc., http://i.dell.com/sites/doccontent/corporate/corp-comm/en/Documents/2020-plan.pdf

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Dell: Roadmap of a Digital Supply Chain Transformation

Dec 16, 2021 | News

By Dr. Inma Borrella, Dr. Maria Jesus Saenz, and Dr. Elenna Revilla

The case illustrates the process that allows a company to successfully implement a digital transformation strategy in its supply chain. It provides a powerful illustration of Dell Technologies Inc.’s strategic decisions and how the company influenced different steps in its digital transformation.

This case is suitable for graduate- and executive-level courses on strategy, operations, supply chain management, or digital transformation. Ideally, students should have had some exposure to formal supply chain management and processes before discussing this case. After working through the case and assignment questions, students will be able to

• examine the importance of aligning a common vision among different areas of the company, particularly considering the intrinsic challenges in a giant and diverse enterprise;
• identify new business opportunities and value propositions behind the implementation of digital capabilities as a necessary component of a supply chain strategy;
• understand the value of three digital transformation pillars: transparency, predictive analytics, and automation;
• identify the key incentives that drive the digitalization of the supply chain;
• explore the process that a large established company with legacy systems and complex operations follows to start its digital supply chain transformation;
• explore how to implement digital tools on supply chain operations to create value, by integrating capabilities, processes, and key actors; and
• discuss the challenges that organizations face in achieving digital transformation.

Check out the latest case study publication on Dell’s roadmap towards digital supply chain transformation.

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Case study: Dell—Distribution and supply chain innovation

Read the highlights

• Cutting out the middleman can work very well.
• Forgoing the retail route can increase customer value.
• Re-examine & improve efficiency for process/operations.
• Use sales data and customer feedback to get ahead of the curve.

In 1983, 18-year-old Michael Dell left college to work full-time for the company he founded as a freshman, providing hard-drive upgrades to corporate customers. In a year’s time, Dell’s venture had $6 million in annual sales. In 1985, Dell changed his strategy to begin offering built-to-order computers. That year, the company generated $70 million in sales. Five years later, revenues had climbed to $500 million, and by the end of 2000, Dell’s revenues had topped an astounding $25 billion. The meteoric rise of Dell Computers was largely due to innovations in supply chain and manufacturing, but also due to the implementation of a novel distribution strategy. By carefully analyzing and making strategic changes in the personal computer value chain, and by seizing on emerging market trends, Dell Inc. grew to dominate the PC market in less time than it takes many companies to launch their first product.

No more middleman: Dell started out as a direct seller, first using a mail-order system, and then taking advantage of the Internet to develop an online sales platform. Well before use of the Internet went mainstream, Dell had begun integrating online order status updates and technical support into their customer-facing operations. By 1997, Dell’s Internet sales had reached an average of $4 million per day . While most other PCs were sold preconfigured and pre-assembled in retail stores, Dell offered superior customer choice in system configuration at a deeply discounted price, due to the cost-savings associated with cutting out the retail middleman. This move away from the traditional distribution model for PC sales played a large role in Dell’s formidable early growth. Additionally, an important side-benefit of the Internet-based direct sales model was that it generated a wealth of market data the company used to efficiently forecast demand trends and carry out effective segmentation strategies. This data drove the company’s product development efforts and allowed Dell to profit from information on the value drivers in each of its key customer segments.

Virtual integration: On the manufacturing side, the company pursued an aggressive strategy of “virtual integration.” Dell required a highly reliable supply of top-quality PC components, but management did not want to integrate backward to become its own parts manufacturer. Instead, the company sought to develop long-term relationships with select, name-brand PC component manufacturers. Dell also required its key suppliers to establish inventory hubs near its own assembly plants. This allowed the company to communicate with supplier inventory hubs in real time for the delivery of a precise number of required components on short notice. This “just-in-time,” low-inventory strategy reduced the time it took for Dell to bring new PC models to market and resulted in significant cost advantages over the traditional stored-inventory method. This was particularly powerful in a market where old inventory quickly fell into obsolescence. Dell openly shared its production schedules, sales forecasts and plans for new products with its suppliers. This strategic closeness with supplier partners allowed Dell to reap the benefits of vertical integration, without requiring the company to invest billions setting up its own manufacturing operations in-house.

Innovation on the assembly floor: In 1997, Dell reorganized its assembly processes. Rather than having long assembly lines with each worker repeatedly performing a single task, Dell instituted “manufacturing cells.” These “cells” grouped workers together around a workstation where they assembled entire PCs according to customer specifications. Cell manufacturing doubled the company’s manufacturing productivity per square foot of assembly space, and reduced assembly times by 75%. Dell combined operational and process innovation with a revolutionary distribution model to generate tremendous cost-savings and unprecedented customer value in the PC market. The following are some key lessons from the story of Dell’s incredible rise:

1. Disintermediation (cutting out the middleman): Deleting a player in the distribution chain is a risky move, but can result in a substantial reduction in operating costs and dramatically improved margins. Some companies that have surged ahead after they eliminated an element in the traditional industry distribution chain include:

• Expedia (the online travel site that can beat the rates of almost any travel agency, while giving customers more choice and more detailed information on their vacation destination)
• ModCloth (a trendy virtual boutique with no bricks-and-mortar retail outlets to drive up costs)
• PropertyGuys.com (offers a DIY kit for homeowners who want to sell their houses themselves)
• iTunes (an online music purchasing platform that won’t have you sifting through a jumble of jewel cases at your local HMV)
• Amazon.com (an online sales platform that allows small-scale buyers and sellers to access a broad audience without the need for an expensive storefront or a custom website)
• Netflix (the no-late-fees online video rental company that will ship your chosen video rentals right to your door)

2. Enhancing customer value: Forgoing the retail route allowed Dell to simultaneously improve margins while offering consumers a better price on their PCs. This move also gave customers a chance to configure PCs according to their specific computing needs. The dramatic improvement in customer value that resulted from Dell’s unique distribution strategy propelled the company to a leading market position.

3. Process and operations innovation: Michael Dell recognized that “the way things had always been done” wasn’t the best or most efficient way to run things at his company. There are countless examples where someone took a new look at a company process and realized that there was a much better way to get things done. It is always worth re-examining process-based work to see if a change could improve efficiency. This is equally true whether you’re a company of five or 500.

4. Let data do the driving: Harnessing the easily accessible sales and customer feedback data that resulted from online sales allowed Dell to stay ahead of the demand curve in the rapidly evolving PC market. Similarly, sales and feedback data were helpful in discovering new ways to enhance customer value in each of Dell’s key customer segments. Whether your company is large or small, it is essential to keep tabs on metrics that could reveal emerging trends, changing attitudes, and other important opportunities for your company.

See additional learning materials for distribution .

Summary: Dell combined operational and process innovation with a revolutionary distribution model to generate tremendous cost-savings and unprecedented customer value in the PC market.

Read next: customer discovery: identifying effective distribution channels for your startup.

Strickland, T. (1999). Strategic Management, Concepts and Cases . McGraw Hill College Division: New York.

Should startups build distribution channels or sell products directly?

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Dell Has ‘The World’s Best Supply Chain,’ Top Execs Say

Dell Technologies’ top executives say the company navigated the ongoing supply chain shortages thanks to some of the best talent and technology partnerships in the industry.

Dell Technologies’ top executives touted the $101 billion PC and infrastructure giant’s supply chain capabilities and ability to accurately tell Dell partners what’s in stock and when it could be delivered, which has become a “durable competitive advantage.”

“We have undeniably the world’s best supply chain organization and leadership in the industry,” said Chuck Whitten, co-chief operating officer at Dell, during a session at Dell Technologies World this week. “The last couple of years, it’s also been the combination of that with our product teams being able to qualify what was available so that we can meet customer needs.”

Whitten (pictured above) said Dell is providing clear signals for customers and partners of its supply chain availability. “Meaning if a customer asked us for a specific spec. We say, ‘That’s not available. Here is what is available.’ That is a real advantage,” he said.

[Related: Michael Dell On ‘Embracing Developers’ And Multi-Cloud Future ]

Megan Amdahl, senior vice president of Partner Management and Enterprise Sales, for Insight, one of Dell’s largest global partners, said the industry-wide struggles with hardware procurement, pricing, and giving partners notice when items were not available, gives Dell partners a distinct advantage.

“Dell has just consistently stood out through the pandemic with much stronger and quicker lead times across their broad portfolio,” she said. “But also, when they give an estimated ship date to the clients, they pretty consistently hit it. So that’s something Dell is going to be remembered for a lot of years. There’s something to be said about such a strong reliability in the supply chain and you know that took a ton of work on their behalf to be so well positioned for it.”

Michael Dell: ‘Supplier Partners Think Of Us As A Permanent Customer’

Whitten along with CEO Michael Dell and Jeff Clarke, vice chairman and co-chief operating officer at Dell Technologies, touted the company’s supply chain during a session at Dell Technologies World 2022 today in Las Vegas.

As the global COVID-19 pandemic spread across the globe causing major supply chain issues for nearly the entire IT industry, Dell stood ahead of the pack due to its tight and longstanding partnerships.

CEO and founder Michael Dell said one reason the Round Rock, Texas-based company has been able to better navigate parts constraints, are the long business relationships it has with component makers.

“Our scale and relationships have been there for decades,” Michael Dell said. “In many cases, these supplier partners think of us as a permanent customer because we’ve been there for a long time. You think about the edge and it’s kind of an interesting use case for the future. All of the public clouds together have 600 data centers. There are 7 million cellular base systems in the world. Every single one of those is in the process of becoming a multi-access edge computing data center.”

Clarke, who led Dell’s effort to ensure the company’s supply chain didn’t collapse over the previous 26 months, said the next sourcing challenge comes as the company begins to push CPUs and storage out to the edge of the network.

“The edge is about getting computational resources, CPUs, and storage out to the edge of the network or at the base of all these cell towers. That’s a supply chain scale, and service scale issue. I like our chances when that happens. I think we can do that better than anybody.”

Dell Technologies World in Las Vegas runs from May 2 to May 5. Here is CRN’s full coverage of Dell Technologies World 2022 .

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