Optimizing the assembly-processing-distribution system of processed and further-processed chicken in Pennsylvania

The economic efficiency of the assembly-processing-distribution system for chicken in Pennsylvania was analyzed to determine the impact of changes in processing capacities, unit processing costs, transportation costs, the location of processing facilities, and the location of producing areas on total system cost. The system was analyzed using a capacitated network flow algorithm. It was found that while processing costs are relatively more important than transportation costs, processing plants must be properly located with respect to both production and consumption points for the system to operate with maximum efficiency.© 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.