Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery AB (SIT) manufactures gas turbines, conducts service and develop gas and steam gas turbines. The organization is located in Finspång and in Trollhättan with customers positioned all over the world. During later years the service operation has grown in volume significantly, and at the moment the organization returns number of parts for repair and recondition every year. During maintenance of a Customer turbine SIT uses both tools and instruments that when the maintenance is completed are returned to SIT in Finspång. The master thesis has studied the return processes for Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery AB for goods from the Customer site to Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery in Finspång and Trollhättan. The return processes can be divided into three main types: Planned Maintenance, Unplanned Maintenance and Tools and Instruments. The return processes and their adjacent processes have been mapped up in order to receive a picture over the present situation. The study has also summarized the demands from the processes before, during and after the return process. From the summarized demands, 26 actions have been formed that are directed at the return process. The actions have been prioritized and discussed during two seminars with personal with knowledge about the return process from different departments at Siemens. The prioritization and the authors’ own knowledge about the return process have resulted in suggestions for how Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery shall focus their work of improvement. The suggestions have been divided up into three steps so Siemens shall focus on the right action in the right order during the work of improvement. The actions include better communication, a reduced variation, correct hand over between processes and sub processes, change in work routines and an idea regarding necessary information for the process to be able to improve. One of the most important areas is that Siemens need to improve the basic data to be able to manage the returns when the maintenance of the customer turbine is planned. Siemens also needs to be able to carry out information regarding the return to the personal at customer site in a better way. The study has also examined how an internal measurement system would improve the return process. Of 22 measure points the study has suggested 6 measure points to be implemented in the return process that would help Siemens to better control their return process, make it easier to improve and to be able to make conclusions regarding future changes. / Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery AB (SIT) tillverkar gasturbiner och bedriver service av både gas och ångturbiner. Verksamheten har man belägen i Finspång och Trollhättan och kunderna finns belägna i hela världen. Under senare år har Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery AB serviceverksamhet vuxit kraftigt och i dag returnerar företaget en stor mängd delar för reparation och rekonditionering. Vid ett underhåll på kundens turbin används både verktyg och instrument som hyrs ut till underhåll över hela värden och när underhållet är klart ska de returneras till Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery AB i Finspång. Examensarbetet har studerat Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery ABs returprocesser för gods från kundens plats till Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery ABs i Finspång och Trollhättan. Returprocesserna kan delas in i tre huvud typer: Planerade delar, Oplanerade delar och Verktyg och Instrument. Returprocesserna och dess angränsade processer har kartlagts för att få en bild av nuläget, arbetet har även sammanställt kraven utifrån processerna före, under och efter returprocessen. Utifrån kravbilden har 26 åtgärder tagits fram som berör returprocesserna. Åtgärderna har prioriterats och diskuterats på två seminarier med Siemens personal från flera olika avdelningar som hanterar returer. Prioriteringen samt författarnas egen förståelse för processerna har utmynnat i ett förslag till hur Siemens ska gå till väga för att förbättra returprocesserna. Förslagen har då delats in i tre steg för att Siemens ska kunna fokusera på rätt sak i rätt ordning under förändringsarbetets gång. Åtgärderna behandlar bättre kommunikation, minskad variation i utfallet av processerna, korrekta överlämningar mellan processer och delprocesser, förändringar i arbetsrutiner och vilken information som krävs för att processerna ska fungera bättre. Ett av de viktigaste områdena är att Siemens måste förbättra underlaget för returerna när de planerar ett underhåll för kundens turbin. Siemens måste även bli bättre att föra ut information om returen till deras personal på plats hos kund. Studien har även undersökt hur ett internt mätsystem skulle förbättra processen. Av 22 mätpunkter har studien visat att 6 mätpunkter är intressanta för returprocesserna, de skulle hjälpa Siemens att skaffa kontroll på processen, styra mot förbättringar och kunna dra slutsatser om framtida förändringar.

Handling product returns has become a critical activity for organizations as the volume of gods flowing back through the supply chain rapidly increases. Few research studies have published specific empirical data concerning the reverse logistics practices of companies. Information technology and information support has long been recognized as a competitive weapon – capable of enhancing company performance and achieving efficient reverse logistics. Reverse logistics is very unlike the forward, as it is more reactive and also has less visibility. Unlike forward logistics, incoming products from reverse logistics are not tracked broadly because of the lack of information systems resources necessary.The investigated apparel company in this study is operating on the global market and expands their sales twenty per cent each year, resulting in increased pressure in the return flow. To meet this future demands, the return process has to be more efficient and not so time consuming. This study emerged from a case study made at the return department of this apparel company based on a research question. An improvement area was discovered through interviews, internal documents and observations. This area was investigated in existing theories through books and scientific research papers. From the theories and the case study, a hypothesis was created in order to be tested. To strengthen the hypothesis, an experiment was developed and performed at selected retailers and at the apparel company.Research Question Where in the product return process can improvements be made in order to make the information flow more efficient between retailers and an apparel company?HypothesisBy creating a web-based return form, the information flow between retailers and an apparel company will be more efficient, resulting in a more effective and structured product return process.Through the experiment, various factors that strengthen the hypothesis were discovered. For instance, the information flow becomes more effective when retailers have clear guidelines how to send back products and when inserting the information into the computer system before returning. As the apparel company knows what is coming back, the disposition of returned products can be predetermined which will speed up the return process. Shared and available information across various parties facilitate the daily work with better communication. Furthermore, activities that are existing today within the return process can be eliminated which result in more effective product return process. Refund for retailers can be made quicker which result in more satisfied retailers and creates stronger relationships. / Program: Master programme in Applied Textile Management

One of the newest emerging areas of research in supply chain management is ReverseLogistics. It involves all activities related to the flow of products from the customerback to the supplier. In the last decade scholars have developed theories and models,however empirical data is still in its infancy. In response, this paper strives to close thisgap by conducting research to create new knowledge on the first element of reverselogistics, which is the product return process. The main intention of having a returnprocess is to handle returned products efficiently in order to recover value and to savecosts. Therefore, it is a value-adding operation and can become profitable for thecompany.The purpose of this study is to investigate the implementation and perception of thereturn process of Swedish e-retailers. Sweden is considered to be one of the mostmatured e-commerce markets. In addition, e-retailers experience the highest rate ofproduct returns. Together those two factors influenced the decision to dedicate thisthesis to this particular region and industry.Initially, this paper introduces reverse logistics focusing specifically on the productreturn process. An overview of the existing theories and concepts within the returnprocess is presented and summarized, resulting in the creation of the Boomerang ReturnModel. Based on this foundation the questionnaire was created. By cooperating with theSwedish e-retail federation - Svensk Distanshandel, access to the industry was gained toperform a quantitative study.It was found that the empirical data only gives insight into the implementation andperception of the return process of small sized companies. The findings demonstrate thelimited awareness of the importance of an efficient return process. Companies tend toperceive the return process as unimportant instead of value adding. Hence, there is anopportunity for improvements in the Swedish e-retail market. From these findings amodified version of the Boomerang Return Model was created to adjust the initialmodel particularly for small sized companies. The model can be utilized as a theoreticalgroundwork in future research. Additionally, it could also serve as guidance for smallcompanies how to implement an appropriate return process.

<p>One of the newest emerging areas of research in supply chain management is ReverseLogistics. It involves all activities related to the flow of products from the customerback to the supplier. In the last decade scholars have developed theories and models,however empirical data is still in its infancy. In response, this paper strives to close thisgap by conducting research to create new knowledge on the first element of reverselogistics, which is the product return process. The main intention of having a returnprocess is to handle returned products efficiently in order to recover value and to savecosts. Therefore, it is a value-adding operation and can become profitable for thecompany.The purpose of this study is to investigate the implementation and perception of thereturn process of Swedish e-retailers. Sweden is considered to be one of the mostmatured e-commerce markets. In addition, e-retailers experience the highest rate ofproduct returns. Together those two factors influenced the decision to dedicate thisthesis to this particular region and industry.Initially, this paper introduces reverse logistics focusing specifically on the productreturn process. An overview of the existing theories and concepts within the returnprocess is presented and summarized, resulting in the creation of the Boomerang ReturnModel. Based on this foundation the questionnaire was created. By cooperating with theSwedish e-retail federation - Svensk Distanshandel, access to the industry was gained toperform a quantitative study.It was found that the empirical data only gives insight into the implementation andperception of the return process of small sized companies. The findings demonstrate thelimited awareness of the importance of an efficient return process. Companies tend toperceive the return process as unimportant instead of value adding. Hence, there is anopportunity for improvements in the Swedish e-retail market. From these findings amodified version of the Boomerang Return Model was created to adjust the initialmodel particularly for small sized companies. The model can be utilized as a theoreticalgroundwork in future research. Additionally, it could also serve as guidance for smallcompanies how to implement an appropriate return process.</p>

Course: Degree project in logistics, the Business Administration and Economics Programme Authors: Anna Jarenfors and Sissela Järsö Supervisor: Hana Hulthén Examiner: Helena Forslund Title: IPREP: Framework for elimination of an internal return process – A case study at Thule Sweden AB Background: Logistics coordination plays an important role regarding the competitive success of an organization. A company has to eliminate unnecessary processes involved in the supply chain in order to decrease cost and to improve the business. This study focuses on the problems with the internal return process at Thule Sweden AB. Thule Sweden AB has in the last decade had an increased production which have had led to a larger material flow which have impacted the internal return process negatively. The internal return process is, in this study, defined as the process where unused material in production is sent back to the warehouse. Purpose: The purposes of this study is to present suggestions of how the internal return process at Thule can be eliminated and construct a framework of how manufacturing companies can eliminate unnecessary internal return processes. Methodology: The study is a qualitative case study with an abductive approach of the internal return process at Thule Sweden AB. The theories used in the study are found from literature and scientific articles while empirical data has been collected mainly through semi-structured interviews and observations. The selection of interviewees has been based on what knowledge they carry and what responsibility they have in the company. Findings: A process map over the internal return process illustrated three general causes creating an internal return. These were incorrect material delivered to production, incorrect stock balance and leftover material after production. The three general causes found formed the basis of a fishbone diagram which identified seven root causes. The seven root causes presented were, not able to scan the barcode on the pallets, pallet put at incorrect production line, incorrect previous internal return, lack of stock counting at internal return, insufficiency in the material- and production planning, suppliers not able to produce in batch size and no kitting station. Suggestions of how to eliminate an internal return process were presented and the fundamental categories of the framework presented were integration, personnel, routines, environment and planning.   Key words: Internal return process, process elimination, general cause, root cause, framework, manufacturing company / Kurs: Examensarbete i logistik för Civilekonomprogrammet Författare: Anna Jarenfors and Sissela Järsö Handledare: Hana Hulthén Examinator: Helena Forslund Titel: IPREP: Framework for elimination of an internal return process – A case study at Thule Sweden AB Bakgrund: Logistikkoordinering spelar en viktig roll för ett företags konkurrenskraft. Ett företag måste eliminera onödiga processer i en försörjningskedja för att minska kostnader och förbättra verksamheten. Denna studie fokuserar på den interna returprocessen på Thule Sweden AB. Thule Sweden AB har under det senaste decenniet haft en ökad produktion vilket lett till ett större materialflöde som påverkat den interna returprocessen negativt. Den interna returprocesses är i denna studie definierad som den process där oanvänt material i produktion returneras till lagret. Syfte: Syftet med studien är att presentera förslag till hur den interna returprocessen kan elimineras samt att presentera ett ramverk över hur tillverkande företag kan eliminera onödiga interna returprocesser. Metod: Studien är en kvalitativ fallstudie, med ett abduktivt synsätt, över den interna returprocessen på Thule Sweden AB Teorierna använda i studien utgår från litterära källor samt vetenskapliga artiklar medan empirisk data samlats in mestadels från semi-strukturerade intervjuer och observationer. Urvalet av intervjurespondenter har baserats på vilket kunskap de erhåller samt vilka ansvarsområden de har i företaget. Resultat: En processkarta över den interna returprocessen illustrerade tre generella orsaker till det processen. Dessa var fel material levererat till produktion, felaktigt lagersaldo och överblivet material efter produktion. De tre generella orsakerna utgjorde grunden till ett fiskbensdiagram vilket identifierade sju rotorsaker till den interna returprocessen. De sju rotorsakerna var: omöjlighet att skanna streckkoden på pallen, pall transporterad till fel produktionslinje, felaktig tidigare intern returprocess, brist på inventeringsrutiner vid intern returprocess, ineffektivitet i material- och produktionsplaneringen, att leverantörer inte kan producera i batch-storlek samt brist på kittingstation. Förslag på hur den interna returprocessen kan elimineras presenterade och grundstenarna i det ramverk som presenterade var integration, personal, rutiner, omgivning och planering. Nyckelord: Intern returprocess, processeliminering, generell orsak, rotorsak, ramverk, tillverkande företag

Detta examensarbete har genomförts på Schenker Logistics AB där målsättningen har varit att analysera den nuvarande returprocessen och därefter presentera eventuella förbättringsförslag. Den information som ligger till grund för resultatet av detta arbete har införskaffats via observationer och intervjuer med de personer som arbetar i returprocessen. Analysen som utfördes resulterade i att ett flertal brister kunde identifieras i returprocessen. Alla dessa brister bidrog till att komplikationer uppstod vid returhanteringen av gods på Schenker Logistics AB. Några exempel på brister som identifierades är att gods som var i godkänt fysiskt skick, returnerades till Schenker Logistics AB utan angiven orsak till returleveransen. Dessutom dokumenterades inte skadeorsaker hos någon part i försörjningskedjan, vilket bidrog till att Schenker Logistics AB var ovetande om skadans uppkomst samt vem/vad som bidrog till att skadan uppstod. Ytterligare brister som kunde identifieras i returprocessen är att fraktsedlar med ett specifikt nummer ofta försvann, fraktsedlar som är synnerligen viktiga för att Schenker Logistics AB ska kunna hantera returgodset. Vidare identifierades brister i form av omotiverat antal hanteringsställen av returgodset både internt på Schenker Logistics AB men även externt. Detta utgör en risk till att returgodset kommer i kontakt med vanligt gods, men även att det kan uppstå fysiska skador på både returgodset och det vanliga godset. Utöver dessa brister finns det några fler som omnämns och förklaras mer i rapporten. De förbättringsförslag som presenteras i denna rapport innefattar förändringar som kan leda till att returprocessen på Schenker Logistics AB, men även i hela försörjningskedjan, blir mer kontrollerad och hållbar jämfört mot dagens situation. Förutom en halvering av antalet scenarier som uppstår på Schenker Logistics vid mottagandet av returgods, kan dessa förändringar även bidra till kostnadsbesparingar i form av hanteringskostnader och administrativa kostnader hos både Schenker Logistics AB och deras kund Shell. / This examination report has been carried out at Schenker Logistics AB where the objective has been to analyze the current return process and then to present possible improvements. In order to analyze the return process there was a necessity to obtain information of the present situation. The information has been acquired through observations and interviews with persons that work in the return process. The information that was obtained made it possible to analyze the return process. The analysis that was carried out resulted in identification of several shortcomings in the return process. Every of these shortcomings contributed to complications with handling of returns at Schenker Logistics AB. An example of a shortcoming that was identified is that undamaged goods were returned to Schenker Logistics AB without specified reason for the return delivery. Moreover, there was lack of documentation of damaged goods, which contributed that Schenker Logistics AB was unaware of what causes the damages. Additional shortcoming that could be identified in the return process is that waybills with a specific number often disappeared; waybills which are highly important to Schenker Logistics AB in order to handle the returned goods. Furthermore, several unjustified transportations of the return goods took place both internally at Schenker Logistics AB but also externally. This was a risk as the return goods could come in contact with ordinary goods; but also that it could contribute to physical damages on both the return goods and the ordinary goods. In addition to these shortcomings some more is mentioned and explained further in this report. The proposed improvements presented in this report include changes which can highly improve the return process at Schenker Logistics AB, but also in the entire supply-chain. The return process would most likely, after an implementation of the improvements, become more controlled and sustainable compared to today's situation. These improvement proposals can reduce the number of scenarios by half, scenarios that arise at Schenker Logistics AB when receiving the return goods. These changes can also contribute to saving in costs, in form of handling costs and administrative costs, at both Schenker Logistics AB and their customer Shell.

No description available.

<p>Detta examensarbete har genomförts på Schenker Logistics AB där målsättningen har varit att analysera den nuvarande returprocessen och därefter presentera eventuella förbättringsförslag.</p><p>Den information som ligger till grund för resultatet av detta arbete har införskaffats via observationer och intervjuer med de personer som arbetar i returprocessen.</p><p>Analysen som utfördes resulterade i att ett flertal brister kunde identifieras i returprocessen. Alla dessa brister bidrog till att komplikationer uppstod vid returhanteringen av gods på Schenker Logistics AB. Några exempel på brister som identifierades är att gods som var i godkänt fysiskt skick, returnerades till Schenker Logistics AB utan angiven orsak till returleveransen. Dessutom dokumenterades inte skadeorsaker hos någon part i försörjningskedjan, vilket bidrog till att Schenker Logistics AB var ovetande om skadans uppkomst samt vem/vad som bidrog till att skadan uppstod. Ytterligare brister som kunde identifieras i returprocessen är att fraktsedlar med ett specifikt nummer ofta försvann, fraktsedlar som är synnerligen viktiga för att Schenker Logistics AB ska kunna hantera returgodset. Vidare identifierades brister i form av omotiverat antal hanteringsställen av returgodset både internt på Schenker Logistics AB men även externt. Detta utgör en risk till att returgodset kommer i kontakt med vanligt gods, men även att det kan uppstå fysiska skador på både returgodset och det vanliga godset. Utöver dessa brister finns det några fler som omnämns och förklaras mer i rapporten.</p><p>De förbättringsförslag som presenteras i denna rapport innefattar förändringar som kan leda till att returprocessen på Schenker Logistics AB, men även i hela försörjningskedjan, blir mer kontrollerad och hållbar jämfört mot dagens situation. Förutom en halvering av antalet scenarier som uppstår på Schenker Logistics vid mottagandet av returgods, kan dessa förändringar även bidra till kostnadsbesparingar i form av hanteringskostnader och administrativa kostnader hos både Schenker Logistics AB och deras kund Shell.</p> / <p>This examination report has been carried out at Schenker Logistics AB where the objective has been to analyze the current return process and then to present possible improvements.</p><p>In order to analyze the return process there was a necessity to obtain information of the present situation. The information has been acquired through observations and interviews with persons that work in the return process. The information that was obtained made it possible to analyze the return process.</p><p>The analysis that was carried out resulted in identification of several shortcomings in the return process. Every of these shortcomings contributed to complications with handling of returns at Schenker Logistics AB. An example of a shortcoming that was identified is that undamaged goods were returned to Schenker Logistics AB without specified reason for the return delivery. Moreover, there was lack of documentation of damaged goods, which contributed that Schenker Logistics AB was unaware of what causes the damages. Additional shortcoming that could be identified in the return process is that waybills with a specific number often disappeared; waybills which are highly important to Schenker Logistics AB in order to handle the returned goods. Furthermore, several unjustified transportations of the return goods took place both internally at Schenker Logistics AB but also externally. This was a risk as the return goods could come in contact with ordinary goods; but also that it could contribute to physical damages on both the return goods and the ordinary goods. In addition to these shortcomings some more is mentioned and explained further in this report.</p><p>The proposed improvements presented in this report include changes which can highly improve the return process at Schenker Logistics AB, but also in the entire supply-chain. The return process would most likely, after an implementation of the improvements, become more controlled and sustainable compared to today's situation. These improvement proposals can reduce the number of scenarios by half, scenarios that arise at Schenker Logistics AB when receiving the return goods. These changes can also contribute to saving in costs, in form of handling costs and administrative costs, at both Schenker Logistics AB and their customer Shell.</p>

Returer är ett ämne som fått stor uppmärksamhet i dagens modeindustri på grund av ökad medvetenhet om hållbarhet och för att returer utgör en risk för företags lönsamhet. I takt med att e-handeln växt har antalet returer ökat och det blir därför viktigt för företag att rikta resurser mot att förebygga returer. Ett problem företag stöter på är den ökade kostnaden när det kommer till returer då det är svårt att förutse hur stor volym som kommer att returneras. När det kommer till tidigare studier angående returer har dessa fokuserat på returpolicys, returhantering samt hur konsumenters returbeteende ser ut. Däremot finns det inte tillräckligt med forskning om hur företag kan styra konsumenter i returprocessen och hur kommunikationen om returhanteringsprocessen ser ut. Syftet är därför att undersöka hur modeföretag styr konsumenten i returprocessen för att få fler insikter om hur företag kan påverka sina konsumenter att göra färre returer. Det teoretiska perspektivet som undersökningen utgår ifrån är institutionell teori, där begreppen legitimitet, isomorfism och frikoppling har använts som analysverktyg. Studien har en kvalitativ forskningsmetod där materialinsamlingen bestod av semistrukturerade intervjuer och observationer på fyra e-handelsföretag inom modehandeln och sportvarubranschen. Resultatet identifierade tre områden; förebyggande åtgärder, två olika returprocesser samt att returprocessen ger information till köpprocessen som underlättar för konsumenten att ta olika beslut. Vi har i resultatet även analyserat detta i ett fjärde område, vilket är utifrån institutionell teori. De olika förebyggande åtgärder som företag ägnar sig åt är storleksguider, tydlig kommunikation om produkterna, kundrecensioner och returkostnader. De två olika returprocesserna som identifierats är en pappersbaserad returprocess och en digital returprocess, där resultatet visar att företag går mot en mer digitaliserad process. Vi kan även se att returprocessen är ett verktyg många företag använder för att samla in information om sina konsumenter genom olika aktiviteter för att utveckla och underlätta köpprocessen. I diskussionen förklarar vi hur vår forskning är unik i relation till tidigare forskning inom returprocessen. Detta diskuteras utifrån tre olika områden som baseras på resultatet av studien. De tre områdena är; pappersbaserade returprocesser blir digitala, returprocessen underlättar köpprocessen och att förenklade returprocesser leder till fler returer. Slutsatsen med studien är att returprocessen och köpprocessen hänger ihop och kan beskrivas som ett cirkulärt flöde. Detta kan bidra till att företag kan få ökad förståelse av hur viktig returprocessen är för att samla information och lära känna sina konsumenter, vilket ökar lönsamheten för företagen. / Ecommerce returns is a subject that has gained a lot of attention in the modern fashion industry due to the increasing awareness of sustainability and to the fact that returns are a tangible risk to a company's profitability. As the ecommerce is growing, the return margins increase accordingly, and therefore it is important for companies to direct their resources in order to prevent additional returns. A common problem companies encounter is the increased costs when it comes to returns, since it is hard to predict the volume of the returns. When it comes to former studies regarding returns, the focus has been on companies' return policies, the managing of returns and the general behavior of customers when making returns. However, there is not enough research material regarding how companies can guide their customers into making fewer returns, and what the communication about the return process looks like. The purpose of this study is therefore to examine how companies guide their customers throughout the return process to get a better insight into how companies can influence their customers into making fewer returns. The theoretical perspective in this study is based on institutional theory, where the concepts of legitimacy, isomorphism and decoupling were used as analytical tools. The study uses a qualitative research method where the data collection consisted of semi structured interviews and observations from four different ecommerce companies within the fashion industry and sports retail industry. The result of the study identifies three areas of importance; preventive actions, two different types of return processes and finally that the return process gives the companies information about the consumer that is useful to develop the buying process which will, in turn, help the customers decision making. The result also includes an analysis on the three themes with the perspective of institutional theory. Preventive measures that companies use are size guides, communication about the products, customer reviews and return fees. The two different types of return processes that are identified are a paper based return process and a completely digital return process, where the result shows that most companies strive for a digital return process. We can also determine that the return process is a valuable tool for companies regarding collecting data about their customers through different activities for developing and facilitating the buying process. The discussion explains how this study is unique compared to former studies regarding the return process. This is discussed based on three areas regarding the result of the study; paper based returns are becoming digital, that the return process aids the purchase process and that simplified return processes lead to more returns. Our conclusion is that the return process and the purchase process are interrelated and can be described as a circular process. This may contribute to companies' increased knowledge regarding how important the return process is for gathering information about their customers, and getting to know them better, which in all may increase profitability for the companies.

Postnord TPL är en ledande aktör inom 3PL-branschen i Norden. På önskemål av företaget har en studie genomförts av returprocessen för Postnord TPLs största kund inom elektronikbranschen. En effektiv hantering av returprocessen är en viktig del för tredjepartslogistikföretag för att behålla konkurrenskraft på marknaden. Den effektiva hanteringen är grunden för att skapa en returprocess med låga kostnader, hög grad av resursutnyttjande och tillfredsställande av kundens önskemål.  Syftet med studien är att identifiera avvikelser i returprocessen och de bakomliggande orsakerna samt att föreslå förbättringsåtgärder för att reducera avvikelser och effektivisera returprocessen vid Postnord TPL. För att uppnå syftet har författarna genomfört en fallstudie av returprocessen för Postnord TPL. Genom deltagande observationer, processpromenad och semistrukturerade intervjuer med anställda har empiri samlats in för att skapa en förståelse av processen. Empirin har analyserats för att identifiera avvikelser och möjliga förbättringsåtgärder. Analysen i studien identifierade ett antal avvikelser i returprocessen och de bakomliggande orsakerna till att de uppstår. Avvikelserna berörde onödiga förflyttningar, överarbetning, mänskliga fel samt kompetens och kunskap hos nuvarande personal. Författarna har via observationerna och intervjuerna identifierat var avvikelserna uppstår. Ett orsak-verkan diagram har tagits fram för att definiera de bakomliggande orsakerna till avvikelserna. Vidare har författarna genom en analys av avvikelserna och orsakerna formulerat konkreta förbättringsförslag för att reducera eller eliminera avvikelserna. Förbättringsåtgärderna som presenteras är; flytt av processen till samma våning, eliminera dubbelhantering av returer från företag, använda samma system, skapa rörlighetsklassificering av produkter, skapa nya standarder och rutiner, arbeta med förebyggande analyser, implementera PDCA-cykeln och Lean-verktyg för arbete med ständig förbättring samt att skapa tydliga mål för processen. Målet med en implementering av förbättringsförslagen är att reducera avvikelser och därigenom bidra till ökad effektivitet och konkurrenskraft för Postnord TPL. Samarbetet med företaget har varit avgörande för att säkerställa relevansen och genomförbarheten av förslagen. / Postnord TPL is a leading company in the 3PL-industry in the Nordics. At the company's request, a study was conducted on the return process for Postnord TPL's largest customer in the electronics industry. Efficient handling of the return process is a crucial aspect for third-party logistics companies to maintain competitiveness in the market. Efficient management forms the foundation for creating a return process with low costs, high resource utilization and customer satisfaction. The purpose of the study is to identify deviations in the return process and the underlying causes, as well as to propose improvement measures to reduce deviations and create a more efficient return process at Postnord TPL. To achieve this goal, the authors conducted a case study of Postnord TPL's return process. Through participatory observations, process walkthroughs, and semi-structured interviews with employees, empirical data was collected to understand the process. The empirical data was analyzed to identify deviations and possible improvement measures. The study's analysis identified several deviations in the return process and the underlying causes of their occurrence. The deviations involved unnecessary movements, overprocessing, human errors, as well as the competence and knowledge of current staff. Through observations and interviews, the authors identified where the deviations occur. A cause-and-effect diagram was created to define the underlying causes of the deviations. Furthermore, through an analysis of the deviations and their causes, the authors formulated concrete improvement suggestions to reduce or eliminate the deviations. The improvement measures presented include; relocating the process to the same floor, eliminating double handling of returns from companies, using the same system, creating a mobility classification of products, establishing new standards and routines, working with preventive analyses, implementing the PDCA cycle and Lean tools for continuous improvement, and setting clear goals for the process. The goal of implementing these improvement suggestions is to reduce deviations and thereby contribute to increased efficiency and competitiveness for Postnord TPL. Collaboration with the company has been crucial to ensure the relevance and feasibility of the proposals.