The less-than-truckload (LTL) industry is highly competitive, with recent average profit margins less than 3%. LTL shipments are routed through a network of service centers and hubs. The performance of the entire LTL distribution network is highly dependent on the speed and accuracy of the hub...

Two important areas of decision-making in distribution system design involve facility loca-tion and inventory policy determination. Facility location analyzes questions such as howmany facilities should be opened, where they should be located, and which customers shouldbe assigned to which DCs....