Integrated optimization of transportation and supply concepts in the automotive industry

A growing cost pressure due to increasing transportation costs and a changing environment call for a flexible adaptability of the inbound logistics processes in the automotive industry. Therefore, these processes need to be continuously reviewed for efficiency potentials. This paper provides an optimization model that allows for the integrated cost assessment of supply and transportation concepts. Additionally, the idea of green logistics is addressed by including the costs for carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the optimization model. The model is applied to an industrial case of a commercial vehicle manufacturer. The results show that delivery frequencies and the consideration of the entire material flow of a transport relation are main influence factors. The integration of CO2 emissions shows that the emissions can be reduced while only slightly increasing logistics costs.