Returns

The centralised returns processing site at Manningtree can handle returns for those publishers and customers who are engaged within the Industry Returns Initiative (IRI) and also supports those who remain outside this process, to provide a comprehensive returns service.

The returns handling service presents real benefits to customers, who now have the capability of packaging returns for our client publishers serviced by the Group into a single consignment. Not only does this allow customers to achieve significant savings in their carriage costs, but it also reduces the cost of the overall supply chain.

The site procedures include: 

• Pre-booking a delivery slot into the site
• Scanning books at the work station for quantity correctness
• Quality Control checks to ensure the books are of the required standard to return to pristine stock
• Intelligent tote cycling system to provide a speedy return to pristine stock
• On-site, secure shredding equipment and a cost-effective conveyor system to support the pulping activity
• Local bulk storage area
• Area to undertake added value book processing activities

With effect from 1 February 2005 the site implemented the Industry Returns Initiative (IRI) as a further service offering to our client publishers. The returns department offers a service to accommodate both IRI returns and continues to provide the standard service for those publishers and customers who remain outside the Initiative.

IRI Returns:
Under the IRI process requests to return are sent direct to TBS using electronic means and are subject to industry agreed parameters, which are built into our Vista software computer programs.

The automated and BIC compliant returns system includes all of the IRI functionality, such as non-conformance returns and red/green box RANs.

For overstock returns it uses the average weighted price to calculate the value of credits, replacing the various credit calculation methods in place at present.

The new process has a number of benefits:

• The length of time taken from the point of requesting permission to return to receiving credit, is greatly reduced
• Much less working capital is tied up in returns that are being processed
• There are time saving benefits for publishers' accounts staff matching credits and resolving issues and disputes over debit and credit notes, and for booksellers, from a reduction in physical handling and associated paperwork