Route Optimization for the Distribution Network of a Confectionary Chain

This study considers the distribution network of a well-known perishable food manufacturer and its franchises in Turkey. As the countrywide number of stores is increasing fast, the company is facing problems due to its central distribution of products from a single factory. The objective is to decre...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Anıl İnanlı, Başak Ünsal, Deniz Türsel Eliiyi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Zagreb, Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences 2015-12-01
Series:Promet (Zagreb)
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.fpz.unizg.hr/traffic/index.php/PROMTT/article/view/1645
Description
Summary:This study considers the distribution network of a well-known perishable food manufacturer and its franchises in Turkey. As the countrywide number of stores is increasing fast, the company is facing problems due to its central distribution of products from a single factory. The objective is to decrease the cost of transportation while maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction. Hence, the focus is on the vehicle routing problem (VRP) of this large franchise chain within each city. The problem is defined as a rich VRP with heterogeneous fleet, site-dependent and compartmentalized vehicles, and soft/hard time windows. This NP-hard problem is modelled and tried with real data on a commercial solver. A basic heuristic procedure which can be used easily by the decision makers is also employed for obtaining quick and high-quality solutions for large instances.
ISSN:0353-5320
1848-4069