Why Is Remanufacturing More Successful in the United States Than in Sweden

Abstract

Remanufacturing can be defined as a process of rebuilding a product, during which: the used product is cleaned, inspected and disassembled; defective components are replaced; and the product is reassembled, tested and inspected again to ensure it meets or exceeds newly manufactured product standards. Hence, remanufacturing would not only promote the multiple reuse of materials, but it would also allow for upgrading the quality and the functions of products steadily, without manufacturing completely new products and throwing away used ones. Remanufacturing is often seen as an environmentally sound way of salvaging the resources that are put into products when shaped. The methodology used was to study literature about American and Swedish remanufacturers. In this study, different kinds of success factors for remanufacturing were identified. Secondly, a qualitative research study was performed through visits to remanufacturers and to universities performing remanufacturing research. The interviews show that there are multiple reasons why remanufacturing is advantageous in the United States. These reasons are also dependant on what type of remanufacturing case that is considered. The potential sources identified for remanufacturing success potential in the USA compared to Sweden were cultural behaviour, closeness to a secondary market and a greater focus on price.