Title: Supply chain network design with considerations for modular assembly

Authors: Amar Ramudhin, Mohammed Amine Benkaddour

Addresses: Department of Automated Manufacturing Engineering, Ecole de Technologie Superieure, 1100 Notre-Dame Street West, Montreal, Quebec H3C 1K3, Canada. ' Department of Automated Manufacturing Engineering, Ecole de Technologie Superieure, 1100 Notre-Dame Street West, Montreal, Quebec H3C 1K3, Canada

Abstract: We present a supply chain optimisation model that simultaneously considers sourcing decisions for each part in a complex multi-level bill of materials (BOM) but decides on which should be assembled into subassemblies or modules. Indeed, some parts in the BOM are flexible in the sense that they can be grouped with other parts or subassemblies to form modules. The problem is to find the composition of the modules and the assignment of modules and parts to subcontractors while minimising the overall supply chain cost. The problem considered is one faced by a jet engine manufacturer when designing its multi-echelon, multi-period, multi-product supply chain network with deterministic demand. The mixed integer programming model considers multiple sourcing where the number of parts sourced from a business partner must exceed a lower bound as dictated by purchasing contracts. Computational results are presented for different scenarios allowing the combined analysis of supply chain design and supplier relationships.

Keywords: supply chain networks; supply chain design; BOM; bill of materials; modularisation; mixed integer programming; multi-period; aeronautics industry; supply chain management; SCM; supply chain optimisation; modelling; jet engine manufacturing; supplier relationships.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOR.2010.036288

International Journal of Operational Research, 2010 Vol.9 No.4, pp.391 - 408

Published online: 01 Nov 2010 *

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