We analyze a multi-echelon inventory system with inventory stages arranged in series. In addition to traditional forward material flows, used products are returned to a recovery facility, where they can be stored, disposed, or remanufactured and shipped to one of the stages to reenter the forward flow of material. This system combines the key elements of two simpler systems: the series system s...

To cope with current turbulent market demands, more robust inventory policies are needed for distribution networks, to lower the inventory cost as well as maintain high responsiveness. This paper analyzes the inventory policies in the context of complex multiechelon distribution networks and proposes an optimization and simulation integrating approach to robust inventory policies selection for ...

In this work we deal with multilevel integrated distribution problems and in particular, we analyse the management of inventories of final goods in the distribution system. We present a survey of methods proposed in the recent literature devoted to the integration of inventory management systems. Starting from the concept of echelon inventory position we present an approach for the optimal flow...

A two-stage inventory system is considered where Poisson demand occurs at Stage 1, and Stage 1 replenishes its inventory from Stage 2, which in turn orders from an outside supplier with unlimited stock. Each shipment, either to Stage 2 or to Stage 1, incurs a fixed setup cost. Under the assumption that the supply leadtime at Stage 2 is zero, we characterize a simple heuristic policy whose long-...

Managing inventory in distribution systems involves taking decisions on the quantity of inventory to be placed at different stages so that a desired customer service level can be achieved at minimum cost. In this paper, we present the case of the distribution system of an Indian FMCG company, which despite having centralized control takes replenishment decisions based on local stock information...

Mitigating the bullwhip effect is one of crucial problems in supply chain management. In this research, centralized and decentralized model predictive control strategies are applied to control inventory positions and to reduce the bullwhip effect in a benchmark four-echelon supply chain. The supply chain under consideration is described by discrete dynamic models characterized by balance equati...

This paper considers a two-echelon capacitated supply chain with two non-identical retailers and information sharing. We characterize the optimal inventory policies. We also study the benefits of the optimal stock rationing policy over the first come first served (FCFS) and the modified echelon-stock rationing (MESR) policies. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.