Simultaneos coordination of production and distribution decisions in flowshop systems

Abstract

In this paper, a mixed-integer linear mathematical formulation (MILP) is presented to simultaneously manage batching, production and distribution decisions in a multistage multiproduct batch plant, in order to satisfy customer demands for the time windows in which they are requested while minimizing operating costs. The developed model allows determining the number and size of batches to be produced for each product, the allocation, sequencing and start and end times of these batches on the units of all stages of the production system, as well as the number and type of vehicles to be used, the partial/total allocation of the batches to the vehicles, and, for each selected vehicle, its departure time, the sequence of visited customers (routing) and the delivery times associated with them.