Integrating design for remanufacture into the design process: the operational factors

The concept of ‘design for remanufacture’ (DfRem) originates from the understanding that decisions made during the design process may have a considerable effect upon the efficiency and effectiveness of the remanufacturing process. As well as the technical factors relating to DfRem – physical product properties and characteristics – it is also important to determine and explain the operational factors that affect the integration of DfRem into a company's design process. This paper presents the findings from case study research into these operational factors, providing a ‘wider picture’ of DfRem integration. Our case studies of three original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) from the UK mechanical industry sector have led to the identification of significant external and internal operational factors including design priorities, OEM-remanufacturer relationships and designer motivation affecting these companies. The paper then goes on to discuss future work that will contribute towards enabling OEMs to assess their company maturity with regards to design for remanufacture.