Title: Supply chain of Thailand product champion: a case study of the passenger car tyre industry

Authors: Duangpun Kritchanchai; Tuanjai Somboonwiwat; Wirachchaya Chanpuypetch

Addresses: Department of Industrial Engineering, Mahidol University, 5/25 Phuttamonthon 4 Rd., Phuttamonthon, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand ' Department of Industrial Engineering, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, 26 Pracha-utid Rd., Bangmod, Thungkru, Bangkok, Thailand ' Department of Industrial Engineering, Mahidol University, 5/25 Phuttamonthon 4 Rd., Phuttamonthon, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand

Abstract: The direction of Thailand logistics research is geared toward enhancing the country's competitiveness. To achieve that, logistics research must be conducted from the perspective of the supply chain. In this paper, the supply chain of the Thailand product champion is determined. The passenger car tyre industry is found to be one of the product champions of Thailand. It has one of the highest export values, with high demand in the world market. We then analyse the flow from upstream to downstream. The proportions of rubber product flows in each area, from upstream to midstream and midstream to downstream, are exhibited. Forecasting for future productivity is also taken into account. Capacity balance in the chain is determined to be the major problem. Future locations and capacity needed for passenger car tyre production are proposed. The direction of the industry's competitiveness is also presented in this paper.

Keywords: logistics; passenger cars; car tyres; automobile industry; rubber products; supply chain management; SCM; Thailand; analytical hierarchy process; AHP; capacity planning; location planning; capacity balance; automotive supply chains.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLSM.2015.065966

International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, 2015 Vol.20 No.1, pp.83 - 102

Received: 14 Aug 2013
Accepted: 26 Sep 2013
Published online: 15 Apr 2015 *

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