Getting your products from the factory floor into your customers’ hands is no easy feat. It involves careful management at every step, from manufacturing and storing to packing and shipping, whilst ensuring maximum efficiency and customer satisfaction. But the journey doesn’t have to end there. By incorporating reworking into your process, you can take your fulfilment to the next level – and boost your bottom line, too.
Reworking is the process of making changes to a product after it has been manufactured. This can involve correcting defects in returned items to get it ready for resale, updating products before sending them out for sale, or combining different items to create a bundle.
At I-Fulfilment, we’ve helped hundreds of businesses across the world make their fulfilment process the best it can be. Returned product reworking, kitting, and bundling can all boost your business offering and bottom line!
Returned Product Reworking
Reworking returns involves fixing products that have been returned by customers due to quality issues. This might mean changing a battery in an alarm, refixing a mop head, or steaming a crumpled garment.
Reworking returns has a lot of benefits:
- Reworking can be a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to discarding defective products. The cost of fixing things is often lower than making new ones, helping you save money while reducing waste.
- It can lead to improvements in product quality and the manufacturing processes. By identifying and addressing common defects, you can take steps to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.
- Reworking returns can help you manage your inventory more efficiently. By repairing and reintroducing returned products into the inventory, your business can reduce the need for new production runs and minimise stockouts.
Product Updates
Some items may need additional work before they’re ready to ship, even if they haven’t been returned. For instance, a dress might need custom embroidery, or a health food supplement might need new labels for different stores in different locations.
Here’s why it’s good to work this into your fulfilment process:
- Offering custom options like embroidery or specific labels adds a personalised touch that customers value, which can justify higher prices.
- Providing unique services can set your business apart from competitors, attracts new customers, and creates opportunities for upselling and cross-selling, boosting overall sales.
- Integrating these services directly into your fulfilment process can streamline operations, reduce reliance on external vendors, and minimises product handling, which helps reduce the risk of damage and errors.
Kitting and Bundling
Bundling or kitting involves grouping multiple products, whether different or identical, into a single package for shipment. For example, a retailer might offer a “spa bundle” that includes a body scrub, face mask, and bath bomb. The bundle itself then becomes one SKU. This is a particularly popular option when creating gift sets during peak season.
Advantages of kitting and bundling:
- Bundling can encourage customers to buy more than they originally planned. By offering a discounted price or a bonus item, you can incentivise customers to purchase additional products.
- Bundling can introduce customers to related products they might not have considered, increasing the average order value.
- When multiple products are bundled together, they can be shipped in a single package, reducing shipping costs and improving efficiency.
- Kitting can streamline inventory management by treating a bundled product as a single SKU, reducing the complexity of tracking individual items.
- Bundles can save customers time and effort by providing a pre-selected combination of products that they might need or want.
Choose I-Fulfilment for Reworking, Bundling, and Kitting
I-Fulfilment is your go-to solution for all things reworking, bundling, and kitting. From creating subscription boxes to making sure your products meet Amazon’s strict FBA standards, we’ve got you covered.
Transparency is our priority. Our exclusive software, BladePRO, allows you to track every step of the process, so you’re always in the loop. Plus, with our ISO accreditations, you can trust that we’re committed to responsible practices.
No matter the size of your business or the complexity of your needs, we’re here to help. Whether you’re a small startup or a well-established brand, our services will be tailored to fit your unique requirements.
Ready to take your fulfilment to the next level? Get a free quote online or call us on 01425 200 222 today!
