Optimization of Products Transportation and Distribution Network
W.A. Akpan, Awaka-Ama E. J, E. G. Ikrang · International Journal of Engineering Research and · 2020
This research work focuses on the problem of transportation and distribution of products by a manufacturing company.The aim of the study is to determine the least cost of transportation and distribution of products by a firm.A popular brand in the food and beverage industry in Nigeria was selected for a case study.Two of it plants in the southern part of the country were investigated.Distribution centres located at Umuahia, Awka and Asaba are the destinations.Data of the supply from the two plants to the three centres, demand per period from each of the destinations and the cost of transportation from plant to each destination were obtained from the data base of the company.The analysis of the data using Vogel's linear programming model reveals a total savings of Nine million, seven hundred and sixty one thousand, nine hundred and eighty-five naira ( # 9,761,985.00).The research shows that Vogel's approximation method is effective in solving practical products transportation and distribution problems.