Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2013. / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 53-54). / Agriculture is an industry where historical and current data abound. This paper investigates the numerous data sources available in the agricultural field and analyzes them for usage in supply chain improvement. We identified certain applicable data and investigated methods of using this data to make better supply chain decisions within the agricultural chemical distribution chain. We identified a specific product, AgChem, for this study. AgChem, like many agricultural chemicals, is forecasted and produced months in advance of a very short sales window. With improved demand forecasting based on abundantly-available data, Dow AgroSciences, the manufacturer of AgChem, can make better production and distribution decisions. We analyzed various data to identify factors that influence AgChem sales. Many of these factors relate to corn production since AgChem is generally used with corn crops. Using regression models, we identified leading indicators that assist to forecast future demand of the product. We developed three regressions models to forecast demand on various horizons. The first model identified that the price of corn and price of fertilizer affect the annual, nation-wide demand for the product. The second model explains expected geographic distribution of this annual demand. It shows that the number of retailers in an area is correlated to the total annual demand in that area. The model also quantifies the relationship between the sales in the first few weeks of the season, and the total sales for the season. And the third model serves as a short-term, demand-sensing tool to predict the timing of the demand within certain geographies. We found that weather conditions and the timing of harvest affect when AgChem sales occur. With these models, Dow AgroSciences has a better understanding of how external factors influence the sale of AgChem. With this new understanding, they can make better decisions about the distribution of the product and position inventory in a timely manner at the source of demand. / by Derik Lafayette Smith and Satya Prakash Dhavala. / M.Eng.in Logistics

Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 52). / The focus of this research is creating a framework to accurately assess the benefits of hub capability in an international distribution network for fast moving consumer packaged goods. The traditional inventory centralization dilemma requires an evaluation of whether the reduction in holding costs outweighs the increases in transportation and handling costs. We developed a mixed integer programming model to determine the benefits of adding hub capability to Consumer Co.'s Northwest Latin American import supply chain. Consumer Co.'s NWLA division imports products from Argentina, Brazil and Mexico to eleven countries within Central and South America, each operating a distribution center. By adding hub capability in the Colon Free Trade Zone, our model determined that the lowest cost could be achieved using a "Hybrid" solution, where some channels flowed through the hub and others were shipped direct. This network design would result in a 4.4% reduction in annual relevant costs. A counter-intuitive revelation was the fact that transportation costs could actually decrease. Similar to airlines, carriers can sometimes offer lower rates for indirect shipments passing through a high volume transit point instead of shipping the product directly through a less traveled route. Hub capability in the Colon Free Trade Zone also provides Consumer Co. with the flexibility to tailor their supply chain to potential changes in the fluctuating Latin American environment. Increasing customer expectations can lead to scenarios with higher safety stocks, for which centralization can provide the highest benefits. / by Sebastian Ortiz Duran and Richard Hawks. / M.Eng.in Logistics

Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 60). / This thesis presents a framework for deciding which products to centralize in a regional distribution center and which products to store decentralized close to the customer sites, for each facility in a multi-echelon distribution network. Our research specifically focuses on developing an optimization model to determine the inventory positioning strategy that minimizes total costs. The model considers both inbound and outbound transportation costs along with inventory holding costs at all facilities in the network. The total cost and responsiveness of the optimal solution are compared with the baseline network, in which inventory is completely decentralized. Our analysis is performed using several products that have diverse characteristics, in terms of demand patterns, lead-times, product costs, service-level requirements, transportation modes, and supplier locations. A sensitivity analysis is performed to study how a variance in these parameters affects the optimal solution. The research suggests that for high volume commodity items the benefits of centralization are highly dependent upon the degree of lane consolidation. However, for low volume specialty items, centralization can provide immediate benefits with no change to the existing transportation network. / by Deepak Avari and Naman Dayal. / M.Eng.in Logistics

Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2010. / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 68-73). / Historically, the apparel industry has operated in an unsustainable way. Materials, energy, and other resources are used inefficiently throughout the apparel supply chain, leading to unsustainable levels of waste generation. Post-purchase use and disposal are rarely considered during the design and production of apparel products. Apparel companies are becoming more cognizant of their environmental impact and are implementing sustainability programs to counteract these issues. The field of sustainable supply chain management is a relatively new concept and companies face the challenges of choosing sustainability initiatives, measuring the success of those initiatives, and assessing their overall progress toward sustainability. This thesis addresses these three challenges. First, it compiles a comprehensive set of nearly 300 sustainability initiatives used by eight apparel companies. Second, it documents the initiatives' associated metrics, which were found to exist for only 30 percent of the initiatives. Third, it provides a system for measuring overall corporate sustainability through an initiative classification scheme. It was determined that three of the eight companies studied embody the highest level of corporate sustainability. The industry has made progress toward becoming more sustainable, but cannot be truly sustainable until systemic changes are made to the design, production, use, and disposal stages of the apparel product life cycle. / by Sophie Elise Agbonkhese. / M.Eng.in Logistics

Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2013. / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 172-177). / As economies develop and trade routes change, investment in port infrastructure is essential to maintain the necessary capacity for an efficiently functioning port system and to meet expected demand for all types of cargo. However, these largescale, expensive investments in long-term infrastructure assets must be made despite a variety of future uncertainties that may potentially influence a port's performance. By using a Southeast Asian multi-purpose port as a case study, this thesis paper enhances the investment decision-making process for port infrastructure through the successful application and modification of two existing methodologies and the development of both an investment tool and a framework for selecting an optimal investment strategy to address capacity constraints within a port system. Applied at the case study port, the research evaluates a modification of an existing methodology for the measurement of port capacity, developed by Lagoudis and Rice, to identify bottlenecks within the port system. The research then examines a modification of an existing methodology, developed by de Neufville and Scholtes, for the evaluation of potential investment strategies under uncertainty. A simulation screening model is developed to forecast expected profitability under uncertainty for potential investment strategies, including strategies with flexible options, and to determine the optimal strategy. The thesis concludes with the presentation of a decision-making process for port infrastructure investment and recommended refinements to the existing methodologies. / by Jason Bryan Salminen. / M.Eng.in Logistics

Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 60-62). / Oil and transportation have been commingled since the first oil reserves were discovered. The importance of energy, namely oil, and the transportation of that energy from the producers to the consumers is persistently monitored and evaluated. Oil producers often seek novel transportation channels to increase oil production, thereby increasing revenues. Oil consumers seek unique transportation nodes to reduce their reliance on a single set of producers while potentially reducing prices. An example of the transportation interplay between global producers and consumers is highlighted by the Murmansk Oil Terminal and Pipeline proposal that seeks to provide Russian oil to the United States in a safe, efficient, and economic manner. The framework and corresponding feasibility analysis highlight the importance of oil transportation in a global landscape and peruse the macro and micro variables that intertwine and impact that landscape. A thorough evaluation of both Russian and US oil reliance must be understood, while extrapolating the influence of ancillary players such as OPEC, West Siberian Oil Reserves, the Murmansk locality, and the marine transportation industry. This thesis seeks to provide a overview of the oil industry generally, while specifically focusing on marine oil transportation. The thesis does so with a case evaluation of the Murmansk Oil Terminal and Pipeline project. / by Ankur Roy. / M.Eng.in Logistics

Thesis (M. Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 49-51). / This thesis studies current supply chain practices in the petroleum downstream industry, using ExxonMobil as a case study. Based on the analysis of the literature and the interaction with industry experts, this work describes the main supply chain issues and challenges in the downstream sector. Moreover, supply chain strategies used by different players in the industry are studied, analyzing in particular the progressive but slow shift of the industry towards a holistic supply chain view. Finally, ExxonMobil operations are used as an illustration of several of the aspects of the previous general analysis. / by Fidel Santos Manzano. / M.Eng.

Thesis (S.M. in Engineering and Management)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2013. / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (pages 162-168). / The US defense acquisition system is a massive enterprise charged with developing and acquiring state-of-the-art military technology and systems. For the past 65 years, many broad-reaching studies and commissions have endeavored to refine and overhaul the acquisition process to improve its value delivery in the form of increased capability, in less time, and for lower costs. But processes don't make things, people do; which reframes this research to focus on people over process. Acquisition people are knowledge workers, who must creatively execute defense programs within the system and processes they are given. The Government Program Manager (PM) is the primary focus of the thesis. The research explores how the PM is able to achieve improved program outcomes through a combination of leadership competencies and management of key stakeholder relationships. The examination of relevant acquisition literature provides opportunities for the application of systems, stakeholder, and negotiation theory to enable PMs to achieve value delivery on defense programs. Additional theories on organizational routines and activity systems provide insight on how effective PMs can build acquisition dynamic capabilities in the small and in the large to benefit US national security. The research gathers interview data from PM experts and leadership of several large acquisition case study programs. Unique to this research is the multi-dimensional perspective obtained from the Government PM, the lead User representative, and the prime contractor PM on the case programs. This approach enables an examination of the influence of dyadic and triadic relationships and program priorities alignment, with particular focus on the Government PM's role in establishing and managing those stakeholder relationships. The research concludes that strong dialectic leadership, with sufficient managerial and technical competence is paramount for an exceptional PM to succeed in delivering improved program outcomes. Recommendations are provided for the PM, those responsible for PM development, and the DoD to increase efficiency and effectiveness of the defense acquisition enterprise. / by B. Marc Baumann. / S.M.in Engineering and Management

Thesis (S.M. in Engineering and Management)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2010. / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 72-73). / The purpose of this study is to understand and get insights on the characteristics of mobile device supply chain management for mobile networks operators. The relationship between corporate strategy and supply chain strategy is examined. The effectiveness of outsourcing is evaluated. And the areas for effective outsourcing are identified. The study has shown that MNOs with customer retention as product strategy are likely to be more concerned with reducing time in their supply chain. However it is unclear that MNOs with generation of additional revenue as product strategy are likely to be more concerned with reducing cost in their supply chain. Reducing cost appears to be just as important for MNOs that focus on customer retention. The study has shown that outsourcing does not guarantee better corporate performance. It is unclear what the effect is of outsourcing on Profitability, Return on Investment, or Growth in Market share. The study has shown that areas that are more suitable for outsourcing include both forward and reverse logistics. MNOs should evaluate where their strengths are before outsourcing activities to third party providers. / by Kenneth Lap Chi Liu. / S.M.in Engineering and Management

Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 41-42). / In recent years, cooperation in a supply chain has become a new trend in supply chain management. The benefit of cooperation in a supply chain has been indicated and realized in many studies and pilot projects. Various concepts and approaches have been developed. Through examining the most popular concepts and approaches in recent year, this thesis intends to study the long-term impact of cooperation on a supply chain and discuss several factors necessary to keep the cooperation healthy. / by Yi Cai. / M.Eng.in Logistics