Title: Design of reverse and forward supply chain network: a case study

Authors: P. Chandiran, K. Surya Prakasa Rao

Addresses: Department of Management Studies, Velammal College of Management and Computer Studies, Ambattur-Redhills Road, Chennai 600066, Tamil Nadu, India. ' Department of Industrial Engineering, Anna University, Chennai 600025, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract: This case study deals with the design of reverse and forward supply chain network for an automobile battery manufacturer. Most research in this field has focused on independent reverse network designs and centralised collection network design for the returned old products. The case study reported in this paper seeks to contribute by experimenting with two different configuration networks for the distribution and collection of products. This facility location problem was solved by mixed-integer linear programming modelling tools. It is demonstrated that bypassing certain stage of supply chain network in the reverse flow can reduce the cost of the network and it also reduces the amount of time spent by products in the supply chain network. This study also brought out issues like de-centralised network, manufacturer|s dilemma in managerial control over the collection, disturbance to existing network, time pressure with respect to reverse flow and integral design issues.

Keywords: linear programming; recycling; reverse logistics; supply chain networks; supply chain management; SCM; automobile industry; battery manufacture; automotive batteries; facilities location.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLSM.2008.017601

International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, 2008 Vol.4 No.5, pp.574 - 595

Published online: 20 Mar 2008 *

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