Podcast Summary: Supply Chain Now – The Buzz: Insights on Reverse Logistics & Circular Economy
Date: October 10, 2025

Overview

This episode of "The Buzz" on Supply Chain Now, hosted by Scott Luton and Kim Reuter, dives deep into trends and challenges in manufacturing, workforce development, and the emerging importance of reverse logistics and the circular economy. Special guest Rich Bulger—author of “Going Circular” and founder of All Things Circular—offers industry-shaping insights on how reverse logistics is evolving from a cost center into a competitive advantage. Together, the panel explores key news stories, spotlighting investments that shape the landscape, the impacts of potential government shutdowns, and how workforce development must change to support a more sustainable supply chain.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Manufacturing’s Current State and Re-shoring Realities

• Key Data: US manufacturing contributed almost 10% of GDP in Q1 2025, but sector faces a mild contraction (US ISM index), whereas global markets like Thailand and India see modest growth due to shifting supply chains and tariffs.

  • [03:03] Scott Luton: “For first quarter 2025, the industry contributed almost 10% of total GDP. How about that?”
  • [04:02] Kim Reuter: “We are also seeing manufacturing globally shift... That is a direct relationship to these shifts in tariffs, the targeting of the China industry and manufacturing with our higher tariffs specifically for those countries.”

• Reality of Big Investments: Recent high-profile announcements, such as Intel’s $28B investment in Ohio, are not guarantees.

  • [13:42] Scott Luton on Intel delays: “The new plants in Ohio won't open before 2030—or as I would say, if at all. That’s the thing with these massive investments.”
  • [14:02] Rich Bulger: “There’s a lot of things that are easy to say, tough to do…when the economics fall apart, the tune changes.”

2. Supply Chain Vulnerabilities & the Government Shutdown

• Systemic Delays: A US government shutdown can ripple globally, especially impacting compliance, imports/exports, and costs from forced workarounds.

  • [17:26] Rich Bulger: “When you have a supply chain that has a kink in it... the supply of products is used, actually increases the value of used things.”
  • [18:54] Kim Reuter: “We’ve modernized customs a little bit... I think it will be less impactful than we expect. But if you do get pulled on a manual, it’s going to take a while to get that through.”

• Reverse Logistics & Resilience: Reverse flows (returns, reuse) become critical when forward supply is disrupted.

3. Workforce Development and Talent Gaps in Manufacturing

• Trade Skills Shortage: Offshoring led schools to de-emphasize trade education, creating a shortage in skills necessary for reshoring.

  • [23:20] Scott Luton quoting Alan Amling: “One of the unexpected findings in our research was the skills gap in trades, electricians, welders, carpenters, plumbers, masons, etc.”
  • [26:05] Kim Reuter: “You’re going to have to start to learn how to change oil again in high school and sew buttons because that’s what we learned when we were in high school... Just basic trade skills are becoming fewer and fewer.”

• Reverse Logistics Education Gap: The sector lacks formal education—most professionals learn on the job.

  • [23:27] Rich Bulger: “How many people that are doing reverse ever took one formal course on reverse logistics?...At the RLA summit, the best of the best, there was no one that took a formal course.”

4. Circular Economy: From Reverse Logistics to Competitive Weapon

• Shift from Linear to Circular: Linear supply chains focus on minimizing returns; modern models focus on maximizing usable returns (trade-ins, reuse, remanufacturing).

  • [36:39] Rich Bulger: “The barrier to the circular economy is the success of the linear economy. Because in a circular economy, there’s some return programs that you actually want to drive up—think of trade-in.”
  • [38:46] Kim Reuter: “I have made my case for buying secondhand... that’s different than returns. Returns cost a lot of money... and that’s why companies are always trying to drive them down.”

• Tech & Orchestration Platforms: Role of orchestration in streamlining returns, waste reduction, and environmental impact.

  • [30:39] Rich Bulger (on orchestration): “Recycle Global Exchange is an orchestration platform that allows people that have complex footprints to find local recyclers... reporting is exchanged in a consistent way through the platform.”

5. Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• [11:02] Rich Bulger, on his favorite noodle: “If I could have one noodle dish, it would be [my wife’s] lasagna.”
• [36:51] Rich Bulger: “If I spend $100 on a thing and I can get $30 back at the end of the season, well, then I’m only spending $70 on it.”
• [42:47] Kim Reuter on her most talked-about podcast episode: “I think the one that got a lot of traction recently... was I gave my thoughts on what I think is going to happen with the steamship lines and how... take a look at FedEx, DHL, and UPS.”

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Manufacturing Pulse Check & Industry Moves (00:33 – 07:43)
• Intel’s Investment & Skepticism Over Mega Projects (13:42 – 15:44)
• Impact of Government Shutdown on Supply Chains (16:02 – 19:53)
• Challenges in Workforce Development (23:20 – 27:17)
• Reverse Logistics Education and Practice Gaps (23:27 – 25:50)
• Circular Economy & Reverse Logistics as a Weapon (35:13 – 39:34)
• Tech Innovations: Orchestration Platforms (30:39 – 33:48)
• Panelist Featured Projects & Podcast Recommendations (42:15 – 44:44)

Resources Mentioned

• “Going Circular: The Evolution of Reverse Logistics into a Competitive Weapon” — Rich Bulger’s book
• All Things Circular – Podcast and consultancy platform (www.allthingscircular.com)
• The Morning Mood (soon to be renamed to include “Supply Chain”) – Kim Reuter’s podcast
• US Bank Freight Payment Index and EasyPost for supply chain analytics/claims optimization
• Circular Logistics Masterclass

How to Connect

• Rich Bulger: LinkedIn; All Things Circular podcast and masterclass; upcoming episode with Sharia Ramadi of Reconnects on October 22, 2025
• Kim Reuter: LinkedIn; The Morning Mood (YouTube, soon rebranded); expertise in both supply chain and seafood industries

Takeaways

The shift toward reverse logistics and the circular economy isn’t just about sustainability—it’s about making returns, reuse, and remanufacturing a source of profit and resilience. Yet, this evolution exposes major education and workforce gaps. Meanwhile, the supply chain bears witness to highly publicized investments that may or may not materialize, underscoring the need for realism and adaptability. Both Rich and Kim advocate for proactive learning, embracing new technology, and re-investing in skilled trades and circular thinking to future-proof supply chains.

Final challenge, echoed by Scott Luton:
“You got to take one thing you heard here from one of these leaders, put it into practice, share it with your team, do something with it. Deeds, not words—that’s how we keep transforming global supply chain. Forward in reverse, Rich.” (46:26)