Logistics Network Modeling for Beef Distribution System Design: Case Study of the Northeastern Thailand High Quality Beef for Exporting to Vietnam
Duenrung Suwannasopa, Weerapat Sessomboon and Sirawadee Arunyanart
Khon kaen university
Abstract
The objective of this paper is to configure logistics network of high-quality beef in Northeastern Thailand for exporting to Vietnam, which is considered as potential target market. The beef logistics network consists of suppliers which are cattle production regions, existing exporting slaughterhouses, new exporting slaughterhouses, domestic markets, and foreign markets. The mathematical model was developed to determine the optimum networks for distributing quality beef to customer in both domestics and foreign destinations. The logistics networks were configured by determining both physical and behavioral constraints such as supply volume of raw materials, transportation distance, capacity of slaughterhouse, consumer demand for beef, and price of beef. The optimal networks were identified by maximizing the profits of beef logistics network. This study is the foundations for developing a tool for configuration decision of the high-quality beef logistics and supply network to new markets in ASEAN and other countries. The study could be useful for international trade and investment planning in the future.
Keywords: Logistics, beef logistics network
Topic: Industrial Engineering