Large multi-echelon inventory systems usually consist of hundreds of thousands of stock keep units (SKU). Calculating inventory policies for each product is a computational burden that necessitates the need for more efficient policy setting techniques that reduce computational time and increases managerial convenience. The main objective of our research is to investigate the effect of segmentat...

This paper explores the application of constrained clustering algorithms to inventory grouping based problems. Our research in this area is based upon a segmentation methodology that considers operationally relevant part attributes. In this paper, we present a brief review of literature on multi-echelon inventory models, and clustering applications to inventory segmentation. Finally, we discuss...

This paper addresses the integrated production-inventory-distribution decisions in a three-echelon supply chain (SC) network. The studied SC network is composed of a raw material processor that supplies different types of processed raw materials to a set of manufacturing facilities which in turn deliver their end products to a set of retailers facing external demand from end customers. A mixed ...

This paper is concerned with the numerical evaluation of multi-echelon production systems. Each stage requires a fixed predetermined leadtime; furthermore, we assume a stochastic, stauonary eLd.tlmc demand process. In a previous paper, we have developed an analytical framework for determining optimal control pohclcs for such systems under an average COSt criterion The current paper Is based on ...

In many production=distribution systems, materials !ow from one stage to another in %xed lot sizes. For example, a retailer orders a full truckload from a manufacturer to qualify for a quantity discount; a factory has a material handling system that moves full containers of parts from one production stage to the next. In this paper, we derive optimal policies for multi-stage serial and assembly...

We consider a two-stage production-inventory system with demand at the downstream stage and returns at each stage. We characterize the structure of the optimal policy which is a complex state-dependent Base-stock policy. We also investigate four classes of policies : Fixed buffer, Base-stock echelon, Kanban and Half-optimal. We compare the performances of these policies and exhibit that the max...

We integrate production and distribution decisions in a recovery planning model for a disrupted production system to minimize the negative impacts of disruption on its profit and customers' satisfaction. The problem is originally motivated by the real-life case of an explosion disaster occurred in September 2015 in a leading producer of household consumer goods in Iran. Multiple recovery polici...

NATO war medical doctrine was applied in the war in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, due to rather specific martial and organizational circumstances, the doctrine had to be modified. sometimes substantially. A medical team from the war hospital in Livno, Bosnia and Herzegovina describes their work with respect to the four-echelon NATO doctrine. The team covered a relatively large and a...

Joint managed inventory is an advanced supply chain inventory management tool, which will effectively tackle the complicated problem between the inventory cost of supply chain and service level. The research on inventory model and its’ control under JMI environment is a hot issue at present. In this paper, the authors deeply discuss the question of the inventory time costs about the multi-produ...