The structure of a company's distribution network is of vital importance for competitiveness but also involves considerable costs. In recent years, competitive pressure as well as regulatory measures, especially in the European Union, have also raised awareness towards the environmental impact...

Designing a company's distribution network is a challenging task that requires the consideration of different aspects. In this respect, especially trade-offs between, for example, operational costs and customer service are the focus of the companies' attention. However, growing concerns of...