Increased uncertainty is one of the characteristics of product recovery networks. In particular the strategic design of their logistic infrastructure has to take uncertain information into account. In this paper we present stochastic programming based approaches by which a deterministic location...

We consider the Nelder and Mead Simplex Method for the optimization of stochastic simulation models. Existing and new adaptive extensions of the Nelder and Mead simplex method designed to improve the accuracy and consistency of the observed best point are studied. We compare the performance of...

We develop a framework for automated optimization of stochastic simulation models using Response Surface Methodology. The framework is especially intended for simulation models where the calculation of the corresponding stochastic response function is very expensive or time-consuming. Response...

In this article we give an overview of the relation between planning of maintenance and production. On the one hand we consider production planning and scheduling models in which failures and maintenance aspects are taken into account. Next we discuss the planning of maintenance activities, for...

In this paper we will give an overview of the use of operations research models and methods in the design and operation of container terminals. We will describe the activities that take place at a container terminal and give an overview of the relevant decision problems, both at a strategic,...

We study the joint replenishment problem (JRP) for M items under deterministic demand, with a minimum order quantity constraint for each item in the replenishment order. We first study an iterative procedure that proves to be not efficient in this case. Further, we derive bounds on the basic...

Control of spare parts is very difficult as demands can be very low (once in a few years is no exception), while the consequences of a stockout can be severe. While in the past many companies choose to have very large spares inventories, one now observe trends in areas with good transportation...

Ports provide jetty facilities for ships to load and unload their cargo. Jetty capacity is costly and therefore limited, causing delays for arriving ships. However, ship delays are also costly, so terminal operators attempt to minimize their number and duration. Here, simulation has proved to be...

This paper deals with the service parts end-of-life inventory problem in a circumstance that demands for service parts are differentiated. Customer differentiation might be due to criticality of the demand or based on various service contracts. In both cases, we model the problem as a finite...

This article studies specific aspects of the joint replenishment problem in a real supply chain setting. Particularly we analyze the effect on inventory performance of having minimum order quantities for the different products in the joint order, given a complex transportation cost structure....