This paper proposes a practical solution approach for the challenging optimization problem of minimizing overall costs in an integrated distribution and inventory control system. Constant customer demand rates are assumed and therefore a long-term, cyclic planning approach is adopted. The...

This paper considers the optimization of a vehicle fleet to periodically repeat a given set of routes, whose frequencies can be adjusted if necessary. The objective is to minimize the overall cost rate, consisting of fixed vehicle costs, route-specific costs and holding costs at the customers...

<title>Abstract</title> In a stochastic supply link between a supplier and a receiver the receiver will call upon the supplier who can replenish his inventory at the lowest total cost. This total cost typically contains the order costs, transportation costs and inventory costs. A crucial component of the total...

In this paper, we deal with the sequencing and routing problem of order pickers in conventional multi-parallel-aisle warehouse systems. For this NP-hard Steiner travelling salesman problem (TSP), exact algorithms only exist for warehouses with at most three cross aisles, while for other...

Vendor managed inventory (VMI) is an example of effective cooperation and partnering practices between up- and downstream stages in a supply chain. In VMI, the supplier takes the responsibility for replenishing his customers' inventories based on their consumption data, with the aim of...

This paper discusses the aggregate production–distribution problem for a manufacturer of plastic products that are produced using injection moulding. For each product, only a single mould is available, but by exchanging moulds between plants, it is possible to produce any product at any plant....