Discover the Value of Returns
We bring your entire order-to-cash cycle together under one partner and one platform. That means full visibility, consistent performance, and faster revenue from first order to final payment. Every returned product is a recovery opportunity for revenue and contributes to your sustainability targets. We process these goods end-to-end, applying grading, reconditioning, and product repackaging services backed by qualified in-house teams and a single cloud-based IT platform.
- Faster recovery cycles: Refurbished and reconditioned products move back to resalable inventory sooner, freeing up capital and reducing the time units sit outside your supply chain.
- Reduced obsolescence: Grading-led disposition captures every resalable unit and assigns it to the right channel before value is lost.
- Real-time inventory visibility: One platform tracks every serial number, SKU, and condition code across your entire returns workflow.
- Category-specific reconditioning: Dedicated tech benches and textile reconditioning cells restore A-grade quality at scale for all electronics, medtech, and apparel.
- Secure data handling: Customer data deletion and firmware updates are carried out as part of the automated tech refurbishment process, with every step documented.
- Peak-ready capacity: Multi-user sites scale to handle high return volumes without additional capital investment on your side.
- Environmental reporting: End-of-life disposition and recycling data supports your Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) targets and circular-economy reporting.
Product Rework and Refurbishment Services We Provide
We offer a broad range of product rework and refurbishment services, covering every stage of the returns process from initial inspection to product repackaging and end-of-life management.
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Cosmetic & Functional Inspection
Every returned unit goes through visual, electronic, and functional checks documented in our platform, with each item assessed against defined condition criteria before moving to the next step.
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Grading & Sorting
Returned items are assigned A, B, C, and D condition codes, giving your team a clear picture of resale potential across channels before any reconditioning work begins.
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Repair & Reflash of Technical Goods
Our in-house technical teams carry out automated and manual inspection of returned devices, including data deletion, firmware updates, and software reflashing.
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Textile Reconditioning
Returned garments are restored to resalable condition through sewing, stain treatment, tunnel ironing machine services, and steaming, with reconditioning scope defined per client and product category.
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Loaner Management
We inspect, clean, and reprocess loaner kits across your program, keeping units available in your consignment pool at the point of care.
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Product Repackaging & Kitting
Our product repackaging service applies new boxes, polybags, hang tags, inserts, and multi-item bundles on-site, getting reconditioned products back to resalable condition faster.
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Relabeling & SKU Modification
Where country- or promotion-specific requirements apply, we manage packaging, labeling, and SKU modification through system-driven compliance checks across all labeling requirements.
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Disposition & End-of-Life Management
Goods that cannot be returned to stock are routed through physical inspection and disposition, including scrap disposal and recycling through certified partners.
Industries We Serve
From consumer electronics to apparel and medical equipment, we bring category-specific expertise and proven processes to every industry we serve.
We handle high-volume return flows for apparel and lifestyle brands, including textile reconditioning, garment-on-hanger processing, and grading programs that capture every resalable unit. Our single- and multi-user sites scale during peak seasons without disruption to your operations.
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Success Stories from Our Clients
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For more than ten years, Arvato has been our reliable partner in shaping our supply chain. With Arvato‘s expertise and commitment, we have overcome complex challenges, created seamless customer experiences and successfully maintained our leading position in the market.
Oliver Gerz Vice President SCM, Telekom Deutschland -
Arvato convinced us with its in-depth automation and process expertise. In addition, they were willing to invest in future-proof automation technology that supports our fast volume growth and increasing client demands. Scalability and flexibility of our fulfillment partner are critical to our success — and we found that with Arvato.
Henri Colijn Senior Director Operations EMEA, HARMAN International -
Efficient logistics is one of the most important pillars for any omnichannel retailer. With the new and state-of-the-art logistics center in Hamm, we have reached a decisive milestone in linking store business and online store in the DACH region even more closely — also and especially to the benefit of our customers and suppliers.
Sander van der Laan CEO Douglas Group
Product Rework Services in Six Steps
Each returned product is inspected, graded, and prepared for its next destination. Here's how we manage product rework and refurbishment from the moment a return is initiated.
- Step 1 | Returns Registration: Before a product reaches us, end customers register their returns through our online returns portal. This pre-registration means every inbound unit is already identified and reason-coded before it arrives at our fulfillment center.
- Step 2 | Receipt & Booking: On arrival, units are physically received, scanned, and booked into our cloud-based IT platform. Each product is matched against its pre-registered return data and routed to the next step based on pre-defined disposition logic.
- Step 3 | Inspection & Grading: Cosmetic, functional, and technical checks are carried out against condition criteria. Each unit receives an A, B, C, or D grade, determining its disposition path to refurbishment, resale, return to vendor, or end-of-life management.
- Step 4 | Rework & Reconditioning: Returned units go through the appropriate rework and reconditioning process for their product category, including automated and manual inspection, data deletion, firmware updates, textile reconditioning, and cleaning or reprocessing where applicable.
- Step 5 | Product Repackaging & Labeling: Refurbished units are repacked to your specifications, with correct inserts, hang tags, manuals, and country-specific labels applied, across both build-to-stock and build-to-order configurations.
- Step 6 | Return to Stock or Vendor: Reconditioned units are booked back into inventory and made available for resale across your channels. Units that cannot be recovered are routed to disposal through certified partners, with full documentation provided.
