BASE MODELS FOR SIMULATING THE SOUTH AFRICAN FORESTRY SUPPLY CHAIN

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7166/33-4-2732

Keywords:

supply chain, simulation, forestry, bi-objective optimisation

Abstract

The South African forestry supply chain is a complex system that involves both the production of trees (site preparation, re-establishment, tending, and maintenance operations) and the production and distribution of wood products from plantation stands to the pulp- and sawmills. This paper reports on a study that investigated the suitability of discrete-event simulation for modelling forestry supply chains. As part of a larger research project, two discrete-event simulation models with bi-objective optimisation of the South African pulpwood and saw-timber  supply chains respectively were developed. The simulation models were developed for each supply chain by first mapping out the supply chain processes through subject-matter expert and stakeholder consultation. Thereafter simulation concept models were developed, and the required input data were identified, acquired, and verified. The simulation models were verified and validated to be realistic representations of the supply chains that they imitate. The study concluded that the simulation models demonstrated the ability to perform scenario analysis and bi-objective optimisation. It was also demonstrated that the two disciplines of industrial engineering and forestry science can successfully collaborate.

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Author Biographies

Jennimi Laubscher, Stellenbosch University

Industrial Engineering

M.Eng student

James Bekker, Stellenbosch University

Industrial Engineering

Associate professor

Simon Ackerman, Stellenbosch University

Forestry and Wood Sciences

Senior lecturer

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Published

2022-12-14

How to Cite

Laubscher, J., Bekker, J., & Ackerman, S. (2022). BASE MODELS FOR SIMULATING THE SOUTH AFRICAN FORESTRY SUPPLY CHAIN. The South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 33(4), 47–59. https://doi.org/10.7166/33-4-2732

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Section

General Articles