Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 107-110).

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: An efficient container shipping industry is something every country strives toward. Continuous improvement in this industry is of utmost importance in order to grow a country’s economy. One of the objectives of this research study is to determine the inefficiencies that exist within the South African container shipping industry. A lot of these inefficiencies cannot be eliminated by a single organisation, but require the cooperation of all the parties in a supply chain. Currently there is not enough interaction between the organisations in the supply chain apart from limited contact with direct customers and suppliers. The aim of the performance measurement system is to drive organisations throughout the supply chain to focus on the areas that require the most improvement. If inefficiencies are identified, the parties concerned should jointly come up with action plans to address these inefficiencies. This research study will focus mostly on the Cape Town region. The performance measurement system (PMS) developed in this study can be used to improve supply chain efficiency. Existing PMSs were researched in order to develop a system that is applicable to the container industry. Research of the industry was done with the aid of questionnaires, interviews, surveys and a focus group. The benefits of such a system should be carefully explained to representatives of the organisations in the industry to attract their participation. The success of the system is highly dependent on how well the parties in the supply chain participate, as it is only then that the efficiency of a supply chain can be measured. Management representatives were asked to indicate which key performance indicators they are measuring. This information was used as a basis for the study. There are various parties that are currently busy with similar studies, which emphasises the increased need for a supply chain PMS in the container shipping industry. Two case studies were identified that will benefit from a PMS. BMW’s manufacturing plant in Rosslyn and the fruit export industry in the Cape Town region were used as examples of integrated supply chains. The PMS can be easily adapted in order to apply it to other corridors or commodities. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: ‘n Doeltreffende houer verskepingsindustrie is iets waarna elke land streef. Konstante verbeterings in die industrie is baie belangrik vir ‘n land se ekonomie. Een van die doelwitte van hierdie navorsingsprojek is om te bepaal wat die ondoeltreffendhede in die houer verskepingsindustrie is. Baie van hierdie ondoeltreffendhede kan nie deur een organisasie opgelos of geïlimineer word nie. Dit moet deur die hele voorsieningsketting gesamentlik gedoen word. Daar is tans te min samewerking tussen organisasies in die voorsieningsketting. In die meeste gevalle werk organisasies slegs met hulle onmiddelike kliënte en verskaffers. ‘n Voorsieningsketting meting-stelsel sal verseker dat daar op die regte aspekte gefokus word. As ‘n ondoeltreffendheid geïdentifiseer word, is dit die verantwoordelikheid van die hele voorsieningsketting om te verseker dat die ondoeltreffendheid geïlimineer word. Dit sal beslis samewerking bevorder. Die navorsingsprojek fokus meestal op Kaapstad. Bestaande meting-stelsels was geondersoek om ‘n stelsel te ontwikkel wat van toepassing is op die houer verskepingsindustrie. Navorsing was gedoen deur middel van vraelyste, onderhoude, opnames en ‘n fokusgroep. Die doel van die meting-stelsel is om organisasies regdeur die voorsieningsketting te dryf om te fokus op die areas wat die meeste verbetering benodig. Die voordele van die stelsel moet noukeurig aan die bestuursverteenwoordigers van die organisasies in die voorsieningsketting verduidelik word sodat hulle sal deelneem aan die inisiatief. Die sukses van die meting-stelsel hang af van hoeveel organisasies sal deelneem. Die doeltreffendheid van ‘n voorsieningsketting sal eers werklik gemeet kan word as daar ‘n redelike groot belangstelling vanaf die industrie is. Bestuursverteenwoordigers was gevra om aan te dui watter prestasie-aanwysers hulle tans meet. Hierdie inligting was gebruik as ‘n basis vir die studie. Daar is tans verskeie partye wat besig is met soortgelyke navorsing. Dit beklemtoon die feit dat ‘n voorsieningsketting meting-stelsel werklik nodig is vir die houer verskepingsindustrie. Twee gevalle studies was geïdentifeseer dat hulle sal voordeel trek uit die implementering van ‘n voorsieningsketting meting-stelsel. BMW se Rosslyn voorsieningsketting en die vrugte uitvoer industrie in Kaapstad was gebruik as voorbeelde van geïntegreerde voorsieningskettings. Die meting-stelsels kan maklik aangepas word vir ander kommoditeite.

This study was performed in order to acquire key market information and information on raw material usage for the wood pallet and container industry in 2016. Historical trends in the wood pallet market were also analyzed between 1991-2016 using the results of previous Virginia Tech and U.S. Forest Service pallet surveys. Paper mail questionnaires and online questionnaires were sent to 2,520 companies that manufactured or wholesaled wood pallets and crates in the United States to obtain these data. The wooden pallet and container industry produced an estimated 508 million new wood pallets in 2016, which is a 22% increase since 2011. Approximately 35% of this was 48” x 40” pallets, which continues to be the dominant standardized pallet size. Approximately 39% of new wood pallets were custom sizes which is a significant decrease from the 60% share found in 2011. Stringer class pallets remained the dominant pallet class with 76% share while block pallets and skids only accounted for 21% and 3% of the market, respectively. Approximately, 38% of these new wood pallets were heat treated. Furthermore, an estimated 341 million pallets were recovered and sold as recycled/repaired or remanufactured pallets in 2016. The most common size of the recycled or remanufactured pallets was 48” x 40”, accounting for 69% of the recycled market. Ninety-one percent of recycled or remanufactured pallets were stringer class pallets while block class pallets made up the remaining 9%. Wood byproduct usage has changed since 2011. The conversion of broken pallets and wood waste to landscape mulch (37.5%) and animal bedding (4.2%) have declined with a proportional increase in other uses (28.3%). Biofuel conversion has remained steady since 2006 at 30%. / Master of Science / This study was performed in order to acquire key market information and information on raw material usage for the wood pallet and container industry in 2016. Historical trends in the wood pallet market were also analyzed between 1991-2016 using the results of previous Virginia Tech and U.S. Forest Service pallet surveys. Paper mail questionnaires and online questionnaires were sent to 2,520 companies that manufactured or wholesaled wood pallets and crates in the United States to obtain this data. As a whole, the wooden pallet and container industry has shown growth. The industry produced an estimated 508 million new wood pallets in 2016, which is a 22% increase since 2011. Furthermore, an estimated 341 million pallets were recovered and sold as recycled/repaired or remanufactured pallets in 2016. This is a small increase in the recycled/repaired or remanufactured pallet market. Wood byproduct usage has changed since 2011. The conversion of broken pallets and wood waste to landscape mulch (37.5%) and animal bedding (4.2%) have declined with a proportional increase in other uses (28.3%). Biofuel conversion has remained steady at 30%.

published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

On a daily basis organizations strive to achieve maximum output with minimum input for greater levels of efficiency and profitability. However, in our dynamic modern world and economy the variables have changed dramatically and the time when business was simply about the ‘bottom line’ and all else was subordinate to the objective of profit, has come and gone. In the contemporary world of business today the variables are much broader and more dynamic, as people are no longer just employees, and suppliers are no longer people whose payment should be delayed for as long as possible. In addition, the environment is no longer to be plundered at all costs. Today Lean as an all-encompassing management philosophy with its emphasis on adding value, is more relevant in business than at any other point in business history. At a time when the global economy is facing some of its greatest challenges, it is ultimately business and its networks that, through effective management, can restore the global economy and provide livelihoods to millions of people. The Lean management philosophy is about constantly searching for the best possible way of doing things and eliminating waste in pursuit of value. If Lean is in pursuit of eliminating waste and turning it into value, and the customer, irrespective of required product, is in constant pursuit of finding value, then Lean is surely the management philosophy that can deliver the greatest level of customer satisfaction. This means satisfied customers returning to an organization for repeat sales as long as they perceive that the value they derive meets their expectations.

A questionnaire was sent to 2,111 U.S. pallet and container manufacturers to (1) estimate the total volume of hardwood lumber, softwood lumber, and wood-based panels used by the industry in 1991, (2) estimate lumber use by species category within the industry, and (3) predict shifts in the volumes of wood-based materials used by the U.S. pallet and container industry. Data from 656 pallet and container manufacturers were analyzed and used to estimate total industry use of the wood materials. Total 1991 hardwood lumber and cant use was estimated to be over 3.8 billion board feet and consumption was expected to increase 13% by 1993. Softwood lumber and cant consumption in 1991 was estimated to be over 1.8 billion board feet and an increase of 7% was expected by 1993. Softwood plywood use during 1991 was estimated to account for 271 million square feet (3/4" basis) and consumption was expected to increase by 13% through 1993. Oriented strandboard use for 1991 was estimated to be 36 million square feet (7/16" basis) and use of OSB was predicted to increase 25% by 1993. Oak was the largest single species group consumed by pallet and container manufacturers in 1991, accounting for over 1.6 billion board feet of lumber, cants, parts, and shook. Southern yellow pine consumption was an estimated 541 million board feet in 1991, followed closely by almost 500 million board feet of yellow-poplar, and over 227 million board feet of alder. Seventy percent of hardwood lumber and cant purchases (by volume) were made direct from the sawmill in 1991. Softwood lumber purchases were made either from a lumber broker (38%) or direct from the sawmill (37%). / Master of Science

Esta tese de doutorado apresenta modelos matemáticos de problemas de dimensionamento de lotes para planejamento da produção na indústria de embalagens de vidro, que são essenciais em qualquer cadeia de produção, pois são responsáveis por proteger e conservar os produtos (alimentos e bebidas). Na literatura científica são raros os trabalhos que abordam estudos sobre problemas combinados de dimensionamento de lotes e planejamentos da produção em indústrias de embalagens de vidro. Com a finalidade de preencher esta lacuna, a presente tese tem por objetivo propor modelos inéditos e métodos de resolução aplicáveis em problemas nas indústrias de embalagens de vidro. Dessa forma, propõem-se dois modelos baseados em problemas reais para a construção ou reforma de forno(s), denominados de Problema de Instalação de um Novo Forno e Problema de Instalação de Múltiplos Fornos, que verificam a capacidade de fusão e as configurações das máquinas instaladas. Outros dois modelos são desenvolvidos a partir de estudos de casos referentes ao planejamento e ao controle da produção de ampolas de garrafas térmicas. No primeiro estudo, considera-se o máximo da produção líquida e no segundo, minimiza-se os set-up, sendo que em ambos os casos a realidade de uma fábrica é refletida. A complexidade desses modelos contribui para o uso de métodos heurísticos e meta-heurísticos como técnicas para resolução dos mesmos. No entanto, considera-se também a avaliação da associação desses métodos ao uso de programação matemática. Para isso, modelos matemáticos são propostos dentro do contexto das indústrias consideradas. Desta forma, uma heurística de Filtro Guloso e as meta-heurísticas como o Algoritmo Genético Simples, o Algoritmo Genético Multi-Populacional e o Algoritmo Genético Modificado são utilizados na determinação das variáveis inteiras presentes nos modelos matemáticos. Além disso, utiliza-se um método exato, por meio da ferramenta CPLEX, para determinar as variáveis contínuas. Os estudos são conduzidos a partir de dados fornecidos por indústrias localizadas no Brasil e em Portugal. Portanto, os resultados colaboram com o estado da arte nessa área de pesquisa e com o processo de fabricação industrial de embalagens de vidro. / This doctoral dissertation presents mathematical models of lot-sizing problems for production planning in the glass containers industry, which are essential in any production chain, as they are responsible for protecting and conserving products (food and beverages). In the scientific literature, studies addressing combined problems of batch sizing and production planning in glass containers industries are rare. In order to fill this gap, this thesis aims to propose novel models and resolution methods applicable to problems in the glass containers industry. Thus, we propose two models based on real problems for the construction or remodelling of the furnace (s), called New Furnace Installation Problem and Multiple Furnace Installation Problem, which verify fusibility and configurations of installed machines. We developed two other models from case studies regarding the planning and control of the production of thermos vials. In the first study, we consider the maximum net production; in the second, we minimize the set-up. Both cases reflect the reality of a factory. The complexity of these models contributes to the use of heuristic and metaheuristic methods as techniques for their resolution. However, we also consider the evaluation of the association of these methods with the use of mathematical programming. For this, we propose mathematical models within the context of the considered industries. Thus, a Greedy Filter heuristic and metaheuristics such as the Simple Genetic Algorithm, the Multi-Population Genetic Algorithm and the Modified Genetic Algorithm are used to determine the integer variables present in mathematical models. Besides, we use an exact method from CPLEX tool to determine continuous variables. The studies are conducted from data provided by industries located in Brazil and Portugal. Therefore, the results collaborate with state of the art in this research area and with the industrial glass containers manufacturing process.