We present a stochastic dynamic programming algorithm for determining the optimal disassembly and recovery strategy, given the disassembly tree, the process dependent quality distributions of assemblies, and the quality dependent recovery options and associated profits for assemblies. This...

The repair kit problem is that of finding the optimal set of parts in the kit of a repairman. An important aspect of this problem, in many real-life situations, is that several job-sites are visited before a kit is restocked. In this paper, we present two heuristics for solving the multiple-job...

We analyze the classical inventory model with backordering, where the inventory position is controlled by an order level, order quantity policy. The cost for a backorder contains a fixed and a time-proportional component. Demand can be driven by any discrete process. Order lead times may be...

The profitability of remanufacturing depends on the quantity and quality of product returns and on the demand for remanufactured products. The quantity and quality of product returns can be influenced by varying quality dependent acquisition prices, i.e., by using product acquisition management....

We consider a joint manufacturing / remanufacturing environment with remanufacturing yield loss. Demand and return follow independent stationary Poisson processes. Returns can be disposed off upon arrival to the system. Manufacturing and remanufacturing operations performed in the same facility...

We analyze a newsboy problem with resalable returns. A single order is placed before the selling season starts. Purchased products may be returned by the customer for a full refund within a certain time interval. Returned products are resalable, provided they arrive back before the end of the...

Schering spends considerable effort to undertake product recovery activities in pharmaceutical production. The two main recovery activities are by-product recycling and solvent reuse. The main driver for engaging in these activities is economical. Recovery leads to annual savings of...

We consider a production line that is dedicated to a single product. Produced lots may be non-defective, reworkable defective, or non-reworkable defective. The production line switches between production and rework. After producing a fixed number (N) of lots, all reworkable defective lots are...

Khouja and Park (Omega 31, 539-545, 2003) analyze the problem of optimizing the lot size under continuous price decrease. They show that the classic EOQ formula can lead to far from optimal solutions and develop an alternative lot size formula using the software package Mathematica. This formula...

Inventory policies for joint remanufacturing and manufacturing have recently received much attention. Most efforts, though, were related to (optimal) policy structures and numerical optimization, rather than closed form expressions for calculating near optimal policy parameters. The focus of...