The effects of resupply flexibility on the design of service parts supply systems

Filip Van Utterbeeck, Hartanto Wong, Dirk Van Oudheusden, Dirk Cattrysse

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We apply simulation optimization to determine the optimal design and stock distribution for a single item supply system with a one-for-one replenishment policy. We investigate both the effect of the number of echelons and the degree of resupply flexibility, considering single-echelon and two-echelon systems with either no resupply flexibility, lateral transhipments only or both lateral transhipments and emergency deliveries. We show that the implementation of an emergency delivery option allows an augmentation of the fraction of customers served by lateral transhipments and that increased resupply flexibility enables increasingly important cost savings.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)72-85
Number of pages14
JournalTransportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review
Volume45
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2009

Keywords

  • Resupply flexibility
  • Service parts
  • Simulation optimization
  • Supply chain

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The effects of resupply flexibility on the design of service parts supply systems'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this