Reviews the value of network concepts as a means of portraying complex logistics and distribution systems. Reports on research which focuses on the broader issues of model formulation and solution techniques rather than specific applications. Addresses the issues of designing networks with a...

The Hub and Spoke system (H&S), initially applied to the airline industry, is an innovative distribution approach which has proved to be successful especially in transportation systems dealing with several origins and destinations and with balanced good flows in both directions. This paper...

A mixed two‐level system is considered for parts distribution. Three approaches are studied for the division of the total item set S into subsets S ⊂1 and S ⊂2. The subset S ⊂1 includes items directly served by the company to the end‐users and subset S ⊂2 includes items served...

Distribution systems planning frequently involves two major decisions: facility location and vehicle routing. The facilities to be located may be “primary facilities”, e.g. factories, but more often, these are lighter “secondary facilities” such as depots, warehouses or distribution...

The problems and drawbacks of the Physical Distribution System (PDS) of a production company are described. A simulation model which takes into consideration the activities of the PDS and some part of the production system of the company are presented. Using this simulation model, experiments...

The traffic flow pattern of the material distribution activity within the Canadian Forces was evaluated. The aim was to validate the current operation of the material traffic system. Sample transportation data were collected, and the traffic flow pattern and utilisations of the Canadian...

In recent years, retailers have come to the fore in the development of distribution systems in the UK. With this move has come the greatly accelerated use of “distribution service companies” to provide tailored, dedicated, contractual solutions to the distribution eeds of retailers. This...

Decision making in respect of hazard and safety analysis in the face of uncertain data in the management of widespread distribution systems is focused on. The narrow interpretation by Courts of the “foreseeable event” has become the benchmark of liability where power system failures have...

Purpose – Emerging economies provide a challenging backdrop for the building of trusting and committed cross‐border relationships; weak legal institutions and a turbulent business environment necessitate such relationships between business partners to effectively cope with external...

Most industrial companies have a distribution system with many local warehouses geographically close to the customers. One or more warehouses in each country in Europe is not unusual. A change from this traditional distribution system to “Time Based Distribution”, with direct deliveries to...