Regional Warehouse Trip Production Analysis: Chicago Metro Area

This research report provides primary research data and analysis on heavy truck trip generation and characteristics from regional distribution centers (RDC) and similar facilities in an effort to facilitate future public policy making regarding roadway transportation needs as well as land-use and economic development decisions. The report also provides secondary data and information on intermodal freight transportation - its growth and its economic impacts ??? to provide a regional, national, and international context for the research. The primary data was obtained from a field survey of 12 distribution centers of various scales (7 of them regional) in Northeast Illinois. The 12 facilities and their supervisory personnel were visited by the research team and analyzed in depth for their general business characteristics (e.g. type of goods, number of employees, hours of operation etc.), property characteristics (e.g. location, facility size, ceiling height) and their truck trip productions (e.g. number of arrivals-departures, geographic distribution of inbound-outbound movement, volume per quarter etc.). The findings of this research project in reference to the 12 facilities indicate the uniqueness and significant complexity of the distribution centers. There is clear evidence of an increase in size (sq. ft & ceiling) and automation (racking systems) of the newer facilities as well as 24-hour operations. The comparison of daily heavy truck movement shows significant arrival concentration between 8am-10am and 8pm- 6am. In contrast the heaviest departure activity is between 4-6pm. The majority of originating freight is from the Midwest with the outbound distributions also being allocated regionally then nationally and internationally (minimal allocation). Another result was the increased volume concentration in the third quarter of each year between July and September. The above results along with the significant expansions of RDC facilities in the last few years indicate the additional need for studying the locations of the various facilities and the heavy truck traffic volume they generate. The results should also be useful in determining the economics benefits/costs and impacts of these facilities for purposes of making infrastructure investment, economic incentive, and land use decisions.Illinois Center for Transportation R27-15published or submitted for publicationis peer reviewe

Improving Cotton Warehousing Efficiencies Through Novel Bale Marketing Strategies: Aisle-Stacking and Block-Stacking

The National Cotton Council’s Vision 21 Cotton Flow Study sought to improve the flow of cotton through the gin and warehouse system. Time and motion data were collected from multiple warehouses as the basis for models, which simulate differences in the total time needed to assemble an order for three different bale selection techniques: the baseline method, a 4-bale marketing plan, or the use of MILLNet™ for Merchants software; and for two different methods of warehouse storage: aisle-stacking and block-stacking. In larger warehousing facilities using aisle-stacking, the use of MILLNet™ for Merchants software significantly decreased the time required to assemble an 88-bale load of cotton for shipping. However, in warehouses utilizing aisle-stacking, 4-bale marketing did not reduce the time required to assemble a load for shipment in aisle-stacking arrangements. Compared to baseline operations for block-stacking warehouses, 4-bale marketing and MILLNet™ for Merchants offered significant potential time savings in order assembly. The greatest time savings, 50%-75%, were realized using MILLNet™ for Merchants and pulling bales only from the fronts of the blocks. When MILLNet™ for Merchants was not an option, 4-bale marketing reduced total order assembly time by up to 56%. Block-stacking in a cotton warehouse was the most efficient way to assemble and load one 88-bale order. If the facility was small then using the 4-bale marketing method generated the shortest order assembly time. If the facility was medium or large, then the MILLNet™ for Merchant software generated shorter order assembly times. Other factors that may impact order assembly time are the expertise and experience of the facility management personnel, the number of bales within the warehouse, and the shipping method. When considering foreign and domestic shipments from a block-stacking warehouse, foreign shipments were the fastest to assemble and load regardless of the bale selection method, baseline, 4-bale marketing, or MILLNet™ for Merchants

New Layout for Distribution Center

This thesis is commissioned by F9 Distribution Oy. Aim of the thesis is to design warehouse layout for the distribution center of the company that is capable to store as many goods as possible without reducing speed of processes in production. Safe working environment is also important factor in new layout-design. Thesis offers several ways to expand warehouse layout for the company in the future. New layout-designs were created based on data of types of locations and their fill rate, number of different product codes current and upcoming and their measurements, analysis on safety of working environment and suitability of different warehousing systems for company’s warehouse operations. Furthermore, information about layout planning and warehouse optimization was acquired from various sources. Lean method was used to point out waste in current layout and created layout options. AutoCAD drawing software was used to simulate various layout solutions to find out suitable solutions for the company. Project was completed within time range. Result of the project were expanded warehouse layouts, which utilize automated solutions on warehousing of the company in the future. This included but not limited to changes as more vertical lift systems and specified racking for huge televisions

Exploring the potential of using radio frequency identification technology in retail supply chains - A Packaging Logistics perspective

In recent years RFID technology has attracted interest from the retail industry where it is being presented as a possible key to creating more efficient and effective retail supply chains. If RFID technology is to be implemented in packaging throughout retail supply chains, there is a need to develop an understanding of how and why the technology affects activities and processes within retail supply chains. Accordingly, the overall purpose of this licentiate thesis is to explore how the application of RFID technology to packaging could affect packaging logistics activities in retail supply chains. The packaging logistics activities discussed in this licentiate thesis are those related to ambient fast-moving consumer goods, from the product-filling point at the manufacturer’s, where the product is merged with the primary packaging, to the point of sale at retail outlets, where the products are sold to the end consumer. This thesis is based on multiple research strategies; a case study and a modelling and simulation study. The case study was conducted to describe and gain an in-depth understanding of and insight into existing packaging logistics activities in retail supply chains. A Dutch retail supply chain was chosen as a single-case study. The single-case study was both data-triangulated and investigator-triangulated with three Swedish case studies to further broaden the understanding of packaging logistics activities in retail supply chains. The case study resulted in a framework of packaging logistics activities in retail supply chains. The modelling and simulation study was conducted to describe what, how and why packaging logistics activities are affected when RFID technology is applied to packaging. A conceptual model and a simulation model were developed in the modelling and simulation study. The conceptual model describes and analyses “could-be” processes and activities in retail supply chains, whereas the simulation model primarily describes and anal

Sea Container Terminals

Due to a rapid growth in world trade and a huge increase in containerized goods, sea container terminals play a vital role in globe-spanning supply chains. Container terminals should be able to handle large ships, with large call sizes within the shortest time possible, and at competitive rates. In response, terminal operators, shipping liners, and port authorities are investing in new technologies to improve container handling infrastructure and operational efficiency. Container terminals face challenging research problems which have received much attention from the academic community. The focus of this paper is to highlight the recent developments in the container terminals, which can be categorized into three areas: (1) innovative container terminal technologies, (2) new OR directions and models for existing research areas, and (3) emerging areas in container terminal research. By choosing this focus, we complement existing reviews on container terminal operations

Analysis of the Container Dwell Time at Container Terminal by Using Simulation Modelling

One of the parameters that affecting efficiency of container terminal is dwell time (DT). The more least the DT the more efficient a container terminal would be. As the government regulations of the Ministry of Transportation that stated in Number PM 25 in 2017 in Article 2 Paragraph 1 explains that the maximum dwell time must not exceed than 3 days. The purpose of this study is to identify the major factor of prolonged DT in a container terminal. The authors used discrete event simulation to model the system inside the container terminal operation by using Arena Simulation software. The Root Cause Analysis (RCA) is being used for the data analysis and finding the root cause. The container handling inside the container terminal data is collected, then the effect container of handling the equipment on dwelling time was testified by creating a model then analyzed. The result of the simulation is that there is a small impact from container handling equipment towards DT. From the Problem Tree framework that created based on the operational data and interviews. It shows that the most DT is contributed by the prolonged time of container stay at container yard

INA brand motor oil packaging system optimization

This paper explores the possibility of INA brand motor oil packaging system optimization. Research has been conducted in order to recognize the typical failure pattern of one-liter motor oil container, according to ASTM D2659-84. The findings of this study identify an opportunity for improvement in primary package design, as well as an overall reduction in expenditure for motor oils packaging as a function of improved distribution process. Based on significant cost savings achieved by packaging system optimization, this project study recommends implementation of the project at INA Maziva Rijeka

Quantifying RFID-enabled Traceability For The Food Industry: A Case Study

With the competitive differentiators of supply chain operation’s efficiency, food differentiation with credence attributes, quality enhancement and food safety, the concept of “traceability as strategy and mandatory initiative” has replaced that of “traceability as a cost of a business or as a voluntary responsibility”. This implies that the introduction of a traceability system should be perceived and positioned as a catalyst for better business practices in terms of legal compliance, safety and quality assurance, risk prevention, efficient recalls/withdrawals and consumer’s trust. However, despite these benefits, a traceability system is also investment worthy. Hence, the value of investment in a traceability system constitutes a matter of considerable concern and debate for both practitioners and academics alike; meaning that it is essential to recognize the extent to which the potential benefits gained by a traceability system outweigh the value of investment in such an initiative. As a result, this paper presents a cost-benefit evaluation applied in a frozen food company regarding the pilot deployment of a RFID-based traceability system