Learn what leading organizations value

1. Maximize Supply Chain Value
Through Superior Service,
Scale, and Results
LiquidityServices.com

2. Page 2
Table of Contents
Introduction 3
About the Survey 4
Superior Service 5
Superior Scale 8
Superior Results 10
Conclusion 12

3. From equipment sitting idle in warehouses to returned goods and excess
inventory, every organization has surplus. Traditionally, the management of
this surplus – known as the reverse supply chain – has been a burden for
organizations. Today, however, the reverse supply chain has become a $150
billion and growing industry that presents tremendous opportunities for forward-
thinking organizationsi
. Tapping their reverse supply chains, organizations can
transform surplus into maximum value that supports strategic initiatives. But
should they do it alone?
Since the reverse supply chain is, by definition, a non-core function for most
organizations, your enterprise likely lacks the time and resources required to
build, implement, and manage a high-performing program for your surplus assets
or inventory. The ideal solution is often to select a trusted partner to handle this
area. The right partner will maximize total value across your reverse supply chain
while requiring little time and effort from your organization, freeing up resources
to focus on your forward-flow business.
What do leading organizations value most in a surplus asset management
partner? And what specific traits should your organization look for in a partner
to ensure it can provide a high-impact surplus asset program that meets your
goals? Liquidity Services’ latest survey of investment recovery and reverse supply
chain professionals sought to answer these questions.
Introduction
Page 3
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https://www.liquidityservicesinc.com/company/news/media-coverage-details?title=best-practices-for-asset-management-to-achieve-competitive-advantage

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Maximize Supply Chain Value Through
Superior Service, Scale and Results
About the Survey
Liquidity Services is a global solution provider in the reverse supply chain that possesses the world’s largest marketplace
for business surplus, with nearly three million registered buyers and counting. Every quarter, we survey a global network of
reverse supply chain and investment recovery professionals to gain a deeper understanding of their needs and priorities.
We use this information to continually provide superior service to our clients while helping organizations improve their own
reverse supply chains.
Our most recent outreach surveyed nearly 150 professionals to discover what they value most in a surplus asset
management partner. Respondents came from a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, energy, transportation,
and retail.
Our survey yielded an important finding. Leading organizations have high
standards for their surplus asset management vendors, desiring providers
that maximize total value across their reverse supply chains by providing
superior service, scale, and results. It’s not enough for partners to sell
surplus for high recovery. They must provide superior service that helps
clients make informed, sustainable decisions; mitigate risks; and generate
results that are meaningful and measurable. Through superior scale, they
must simplify clients’ operations and enhance productivity globally. And they
must provide superior results that maximize return and velocity across
clients’ reverse supply chains. Not coincidentally, our survey also found that
many organizations (42%) are dissatisfied with their current reverse supply
chain vendors, and that these dissatisfactions were directly related to the
providers’ failures to deliver appropriate levels of service, scale, or results.
By partnering with a vendor that excels in these areas, your organization will
experience a high-impact program that operates as effectively as your core
business. And you will vault ahead of competitors that are settling for less.
Read on to discover why leading organizations value superior service, scale,
and results in their reverse supply chains and how an expert partner can
deliver this.
Survey Overview
• Nearly 150 Respondents
• 20 Questions
• All Major Industries Represented
Leading organizations
desire providers that
maximize total value
across their reverse
supply chains
by providing superior
service, scale,
and results

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Maximize Supply Chain Value Through
Superior Service, Scale and Results
Superior Service
“Service” may sound vague, but leading organizations have specific ideas of what superior service entails in the reverse
supply chain. To deliver truly remarkable service, surplus asset management providers must offer high levels of partnership,
expertise, and oversight that empower clients to make informed, sustainable decisions and mitigate risks across their
reverse supply chains.
Partnership Ability
An expert surplus asset partner delivers intelligent, high-impact solutions
by leveraging its knowledge, consultative ability, and flexibility. Leading
organizations highly value all three of these traits in a partner.
90% of our survey respondents value a provider with knowledge and
expertise in the reverse supply chain. Since the reverse supply chain is a
non-core function, your organization needs a partner that’s professional,
experienced, and has a history of client success. Look for a provider that taps
its perspective and knowledge of industry best practices to build and manage
a high-impact surplus asset program.
Organizations also appreciate consultative service – 82% of professionals find
this trait important in a provider. The reverse supply chain is less predictable
and more complex than the forward supply chain. Organizations need
providers that understand their business and work closely with them to
solve their toughest surplus asset challenges. Seek a partner with dedicated,
experienced client teams that provide consultative service across your
reverse supply chain. And look for a provider that’s in it for the long haul,
interested in forging a long-term strategic partnership rather than making a
quick sale.
Leading organizations also desire partners that customize programs to their
specific needs (nearly 80% of respondents deemed this important). Every
client’s reverse supply chain is different, and a “one size fits all” approach is
not usually effective. Make sure your provider works closely with you from
the start to develop a tailored program aligned with your industry, asset
mix, and strategic goals. Your provider should also have the experience and
capabilities necessary to execute a customized approach.
of our survey
respondents value
a provider with
knowledge and
expertise in the reverse
supply chain
of professionals value
partners that provide
consultative service

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Maximize Supply Chain Value Through
Superior Service, Scale and Results
Risk Mitigation
Another critical element of service is a provider’s ability to mitigate risks
and address compliance issues in the reverse supply chain. 70% of survey
respondents deemed this important, and 19% even said it was their top
challenge when managing surplus.
If handled without expert compliance support, the reverse supply chain
is fraught with potential risk. For instance, many countries have laws
restricting sales within specific asset categories or to certain countries,
individuals, and entities. Sensitive assets such as electronics must be
wiped before being sold. And illicit buyers – including ex-convicts or known
terrorists – must be carefully screened out to ensure they don’t purchase
your surplus.
Look for a partner that provides a full suite of compliance services to
protect your business and reputation from all risks associated with
managing, valuing, and selling surplus. An expert provider will use proven,
industry-standard data wiping processes to ensure your surplus assets are
never sold containing confidential information. It will also provide buyer
vetting services to make sure your assets aren’t sold to the wrong buyers.
Moreover, your partner’s buyer agreements should adhere to all applicable
export controls and economic sanctions regulations, ensuring your surplus
will be sold in compliance with all international laws.
of our respondents
want providers to
miitigate risks and
address compliance
issues in the reverse
supply chain

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Maximize Supply Chain Value Through
Superior Service, Scale and Results
Sustainability Support
Sustainability is a priority for organizations, and forward-thinking
enterprises are implementing sustainability initiatives that reduce energy
use, emissions, and waste. Yet many survey respondents feel their
providers aren’t measuring up in this area, as 45% are neutral or not
confident about their provider’s ability to support sustainability practices.
A well-managed reverse supply chain is sustainable by definition, since it
entails getting the maximum use out of assets and inventory rather than
disposing of them. Your partner should support your sustainability efforts
by maximizing the use of surplus through efficient one-touch or low-touch
resale and redeployment. Also make sure your partner is committed to
environmentally-friendly disposal of unsold surplus, diverting this material
from landfills and helping to protect our planet.
of organizations are
neutral or not confident
about their provider’s
ability to support
sustainability practices
Your partner should support your sustainability
efforts by maximizing the use of surplus through
efficient one-touch or low-touch resale
and redeployment

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Maximize Supply Chain Value Through
Superior Service, Scale and Results
Organizations are challenged to establish global
standards and best practices across their surplus
asset management programs
Superior Scale
Leading organizations have complex reverse supply chains, with large quantities of surplus across a wide range of categories
and conditions, scattered throughout locations worldwide. These same organizations have varied and frequently changing
surplus asset management needs, from one-time facility closures and liquidations to ongoing, comprehensive partnerships.
To meet these challenges, organizations seek a provider with comprehensive, flexible solutions that simplify their
responsibilities and address their needs at scale.
Global Standards
One of our survey respondents’ biggest challenges is establishing global standards and best practices across their surplus
asset management programs. With multiple locations worldwide, how do you manage the complex array of surplus across
these facilities in an efficient, standardized way?
Global standards for surplus asset management, aligned with industry best practices, will simplify and streamline your global
reverse supply chain, driving efficiency and effectiveness. Look for a provider with the knowledge required to develop a
global surplus program, as well as the reach and partnership capabilities to implement it. An effective program will maximize
value across your reverse supply chain worldwide and easily scale as your business continues to grow.
A program that can scale up or down is especially valuable for organizations with international locations. With the economies
of developing countries growing exponentially, your surplus programs in these locations may need to expand accordingly. As
your business becomes increasingly global, it’s also vital to partner with a provider that can tap into a global buyer base to
sell your surplus anywhere in the world.

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Maximize Supply Chain Value Through
Superior Service, Scale and Results
Complete Services
Organizations value a provider that can handle the
entire reverse supply chain, not just part of it. 44% of our
survey respondents would like their vendor to provide
a comprehensive suite of solutions, while 69% value a
provider that offers a wide range of sales options.
While many providers offer niche or component solutions
that require clients to partner with multiple vendors for
complete coverage, a worthy provider will offer a full-
service solution, tailored to business requirements in
any industry. Look for a provider that not only sells your
surplus, but also enables global asset management through
innovative software and standardized programs, empowers
strategic decision-making through valuation services, and
ensures your business adheres to all reverse supply chain
regulations through expert compliance services. A full-
service provider will handle all aspects of the sale of surplus,
from merchandising to warehousing, shipping, and payment
processing.
of organizations would
like their vendor to provide
a comprehensive suite
of solutions
of organizations value a
provider that offers a wide
range of sales options
Reverse supply chain and investment recovery professionals also understand that a wide range of sales and marketing
methods is strongly correlated with high recovery. The more ways your surplus is promoted, the more bids it will attract,
driving your recovery higher. Look for a partner that leverages multiple marketing and sales strategies, from direct sales to
email marketing and social media, to maximize visibility and recovery for your surplus assets or inventory.
Comprehensive Coverage
Most leading organizations have a complex mix of surplus across a wide range of categories, volumes, and conditions. Our
survey found that organizations value providers that can manage, value, and sell all of this surplus, not just a portion.
Look for a provider with the scale and experience necessary to handle all surplus regardless of amount, condition, and
location. Ideally, your provider will have experience handling a wide range of asset categories and conditions. It should also
have the global reach and buyer base required to manage surplus across all worldwide locations. By handling all of your
surplus, an expert provider will simplify your reverse supply chain, freeing up time and resources for you to focus on core
business.
Organizations value providers that can manage,
value, and sell all of this surplus, not just a portion

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Maximize Supply Chain Value Through
Superior Service, Scale and Results
Superior Results
Leading organizations desire a reverse supply chain provider that generates results. Exactly what kinds of results are they
seeking? Not surprisingly, they want maximum recovery for their surplus. But they value other returns on investment as
well, such as the efficiency gained from process improvements in their reverse supply chains. And they want to continually
measure the effectiveness of their programs to track and promote the achievement of superior outcomes.
Maximum Recovery
Our respondents’ top challenge in the reverse supply chain is achieving appropriate recovery. High recovery isn’t the only
thing that organizations value, but a provider must deliver it to be competitive. Look for a partner with a proven track record
of “making a market” for client surplus by selling low-value, specialized, or obsolete items for recovery above expectations. A
superior provider will leverage proven multichannel marketing and sales strategies and a vast, global buyer base to maximize
recovery for your surplus anywhere in the world.
Measurable Results
Leading organizations need to measure their surplus programs’ performance
and make informed decisions based on this information. 73% of respondents
said they valued this trait in a reverse supply chain vendor, while 36% called
it a challenge. A trusted partner will work closely with you to define success
metrics and build a program designed to meet them. Make sure your partner
will support these efforts by providing detailed, transparent reporting
throughout your program, customized to your preferences. For example,
post-sale a provider should quantify performance results for you, including
marketing campaign statistics, ad views, page visits, and bidder demographics.
Also make sure that your provider has a proven track record of achieving
quantifiable results. Ask your prospective provider for success stories
demonstrating how it has measurably optimized clients’ reverse supply chains.
The top reverse supply chain challenge of leading
organizations is achieving appropriate recovery
Leading organizations
value the ability to
measure their surplus
programs’ performance
and make informed
decisions based on this
information

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Maximize Supply Chain Value Through
Superior Service, Scale and Results
Organizations want their reverse supply chains to
operate like the rest of their business: smoothly
and efficiently
Enhanced Productivity and Processes
25% of our survey respondents stated it was a challenge to achieve process and productivity improvements across their
reverse supply chains. Organizations want their reverse supply chains to operate like the rest of their business: smoothly
and efficiently. To achieve this, look for a partner that abides by industry-leading quality standards, such as Six Sigma, R2,
and certified product refurbishment. A professional provider should also commit to continuous improvement that benefits
its clients. Superior providers understand that the reverse supply chain is an ever-changing industry and frequently enhance
their processes, strategies, and buyer base to ensure maximum performance for clients.
Providers can also enhance reverse supply chain productivity through technology, which is why 71% of professionals value
partners that invest in technology innovation. Look for a provider that makes strategic investments in new technologies to
continually improve its surplus programs.

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Maximize Supply Chain Value Through
Superior Service, Scale and Results
Conclusion
Your organization’s surplus isn’t a burden – it’s an opportunity to add tremendous value and fuel achievement of key
business goals. Since surplus asset management is a non-core business function, the easiest path to optimizing your reverse
supply chain is through partnering with the right provider.
Leading organizations across virtually every industry with surplus are clear about what they value in a surplus asset
management provider. They desire a partner that can provide superior levels of service required to achieve high-
performance results. They want their partner to deliver solutions that simplify their responsibilities and address their needs
at scale. And they seek to rely on proven providers who can deliver long-term value and follow through on their assurances
of expertise and ability. A partner that delivers in all three areas – by providing superior service, scale, and results – will
maximize value across your reverse supply chain, ensuring your asset management program is as effective and efficient as
your primary business.
About Liquidity Services
Every organization has surplus – assets or inventory no longer required. Liquidity Services (NASDAQ: LQDT) works with
clients to ensure surplus is intelligently transformed from a burden into a liquid opportunity that fuels the achievement of
strategic goals. Our superior service, unmatched scale, and ability to deliver results enable us to forge trusted, long-term
relationships with over 8,000 clients, including Fortune 1000 and Global 500 organizations as well as government agencies.
With over $1 billion in annual sales proceeds and nearly 3 million buyers in almost 200 countries and territories, we are the
proven market leader in delivering smart surplus solutions. Let us build a better future for your surplus.
Visit us at LiquidityServices.com.
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