Driving circular manufacturing with data-driven reverse logistics at KMWE

From linear processes to circular thinking

Where traditional manufacturing focuses on producing and delivering products, circular manufacturing introduces a new dynamic. As Pepijn Rinzema, Project Manager Innovation Lab at TMC, explains: “Companies are normally only pushing out products. Now all of a sudden they’re getting a lot of stuff back.”

Within KMWE, this shift revealed a key challenge. Although a large amount of data was available, there was limited insight into where repair and reuse projects were positioned within the logistics chain. Jochem Langendonk, responsible for KMWE’s operations, reflects on the situation: “Petter’s project was started because we had insufficient insights into where repair and reuse projects are located in the logistic chain.”

Turning data into actionable insights

During his graduation internship at TMC, Petter Lind worked on addressing this challenge by developing a Power BI dashboard that enables KMWE to monitor and manage their reverse logistics process based on real-time data.

He explains the core of the solution: “Right now, the only way they can really look into the process is by looking in the factory themselves, instead of at the data. While they have a lot of data.”

By translating this data into a clear and accessible dashboard, teams can now make decisions based on insights rather than observation alone. “I created the dashboard so they can manage the process while looking at the data, instead of looking themselves,” Petter adds.

Improving performance and predictability

The impact of this solution is already visible within KMWE’s operations. By gaining insight into actual repair lead times, teams are better equipped to identify delays and optimise processes. Levi de Laat, Operational Planner at KMWE via TMC, highlights the added value: “To me, the added value of reverse logistics is to reduce lead times. If there is a long lead time item that doesn’t need to be repaired, the dashboard shows us what the lead time of the repair was, and we can really try to solve it and make the lead time as quick as possible.”

At the same time, the dashboard enables the supply chain team to better anticipate incoming return flows. This leads to more accurate forecasting and improved planning across the organisation. Looking ahead, the ambition is to further develop these capabilities. Pepijn outlines the vision for the future: “The ideal situation would be a dashboard in which you see exactly what the lead time would be if you make a new build, and what the lead time is if you remanufacture parts coming from the field. In other words, which parts are almost end of life, and how can you do predictive maintenance in a structured way, making it possible to advise the client on the best approach.”

Learning by doing

For Petter, the project provided valuable experience in a real-world environment. Beyond the technical solution, it offered the opportunity to develop professional skills in a business context.

“I learned how to work in a real company,” he says. “How to keep in contact with clients, how to align with everyone involved, and how to work in a real team instead of a school environment.”

This reflects the strength of TMC’s Entrepreneurial Lab, where young talent contributes to real industry challenges while accelerating their own development.

Enabling the circular transition

At TMC, the focus is on enabling and accelerating the transition towards circular manufacturing. This is achieved by combining technological expertise with a clear understanding of the skills required to drive change.

Pepijn adds: “We want to contribute to this circular manufacturing industry by enabling and accelerating the transition.” He explains that enabling comes from solutions such as dashboards and redesigned logistics flows, while acceleration is driven by having the right people with the right skills in place.

This case at KMWE shows how data and talent come together to address one of the key challenges in circular manufacturing. What started as an internship project has evolved into a fully operational solution that is now actively used within the organisation.