Journal of Forest Economics > Vol 30 > Issue 1

Logistics approaches assessment to better coordinate a forest products supply chain

Chaker Alayet, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Canada, chaker.alayet@cirrelt.ca , Nadia Lehoux, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Canada, Nadia.Lehoux@gmc.ulaval.ca , Luc Lebel, Department of Wood and Forest Sciences, Canada, Luc.Lebel@sbf.ulaval.ca
 
Suggested Citation
Chaker Alayet, Nadia Lehoux and Luc Lebel (2018), "Logistics approaches assessment to better coordinate a forest products supply chain", Journal of Forest Economics: Vol. 30: No. 1, pp 13-24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jfe.2017.11.001

Publication Date: 0/1/2018
© 0 2018 Chaker Alayet, Nadia Lehoux, Luc Lebel
 
Subjects
 
Keywords
JEL Codes:Engineering
Mathematical modelsForest productsSupply chainLogistics approachesQuality
 

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In this article:
Introduction 
Literature review 
Methodology 
Mathematical modeling 
Experimentation and analyses 
Conclusion 

Abstract

This paper presents two mathematical models to plan the key activities of a forest products supply chain encompassing different harvesting areas. These areas supply four sawmills with logs, which in turn send lumber to the construction market and chips to one paper mill. In particular, three logistics approaches are compared (i.e., Make-to-Order (MTO), Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI), and a centralized planning approach), and key performance factors used (e.g., demand satisfaction and wood fiber freshness), with the goal of optimizing harvesting, storage, transportation, and production operations while improving the competitiveness of this proposed forest products supply chain. Results demonstrate the importance of an effective balance between chips and lumber production to ensure adequate quality of finished products as well as higher profits for the entire supply chain. These results also confirm the ability of the VMI approach to reduce logistics costs for the overall forest products supply chain.

DOI:10.1016/j.jfe.2017.11.001