An inventory control project in a major Danish company using compound renewal demand models

We describe the development of a framework to compute the optimal inventory policy for a large spare-parts’ distribution centre operation in the RA division of the Danfoss Group in Denmark. The RA division distributes spare parts worldwide for cooling and A/C systems. The warehouse logistics operation is highly automated. However, the procedures for estimating demands and the policies for the inventory control system that were in use at the beginning of the project did not fully match the sophisticated technological standard of the physical system. During the initial phase of the project development we focused on the fitting of suitable demand distributions for spare parts and on the estimation of demand parameters. Demand distributions were chosen from a class of compound renewal distributions. In the next phase, we designed models and algorithmic procedures for determining suitable inventory control variables based on the fitted demand distributions and a service level requirement stated in terms of an order fill rate. Finally, we validated the results of our models against the procedures that had been in use in the company. It was concluded that the new procedures were considerably more consistent with the actual demand processes and with the stated objectives for the distribution centre. We also initiated the implementation and integration of the new procedures into the company’s inventory management systemBase-stock policy; compound distribution; fill rate; inventory control; logistics; stochastic processes

Mapping and assessment of forest ecosystems and their services - Applications and guidance for decision making in the framework of MAES

The aim of this report is to illustrate by means of a series of case studies the implementation of mapping and assessment of forest ecosystem services in different contexts and geographical levels. Methodological aspects, data issues, approaches, limitations, gaps and further steps for improvement are analysed for providing good practices and decision making guidance. The EU initiative on Mapping and Assessment of the state of Ecosystems and their Services (MAES), with the support of all Member States, contributes to improve the knowledge on ecosystem services. MAES is one of the building-block initiatives supporting the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020.JRC.H.3-Forest Resources and Climat

Contribution à la recherche des conditions optimales pour élever des lapins en parcs hors sol : Résultats d’un centre de référence et d’expérimentation en Belgique en conditions de production

peer reviewedL’évolution de la perception sociétale du bien-être animal et de l'élevage engage la production à chercher des alternatives aux cages conventionnelles. Dans cette expérimentation en engraissement en conditions de production, durant un an, les performances (techniques et statut sanitaire) ont été suivies dans un logement en parcs hors sol (bâtiment 1), sur plancher en caillebotis en plastique normalement conçu pour porcelets, enrichis avec une plate-forme surélevée, matériau à ronger et cachette. Sans effectuer une comparaison scientifique de deux systèmes (parc hors sol et cage), les auteurs situent les performances enregistrées en parcs durant 7 bandes (960 lapins par bande) vis-à-vis de celles obtenues simultanément dans le même élevage, dans un logement en cages conventionnelles et enrichies (bâtiment 2), en tout plein tout vide (7 bandes et 4200 lapins par bande). Les parcs hors sol, a priori profitables au bien-être animal, non bivalents (donc changement au sevrage) ont été défavorables à la santé des lapins et à la viabilité de la production. La coccidiose intestinale a contribué à une hausse sévère de la mortalité (13,8% contre 4,8% en cages) ; de fortes baisses de performances techniques et économiques ont été constatées et la situation a contraint à un traitement anticoccidien