Simulation of dispatch operations at Bidvest Panalpina Logistics Warehouse

Abstract

Bidvest Panalpina Logistics is widely considered a leader in the provision of global supply chain and logistics services. Many operations are involved in the transportation of goods worldwide. The purpose of this project is to provide the company with a detailed simulation model of their dispatch operations from the warehouse to the various customers in the Gauteng region. Various Industrial Engineering techniques such as simulation will be used in identifying and highlighting bottlenecks and the root causes thereof. Upon identification of the bottlenecks, recommendations of necessary improvements will be made. Turnaround time of the cargo in the cage was determined and if it was found to be too long, improvement methods are be suggested. An in depth literature study was conducted to determine the tools and techniques that are currently available and that are going to be used to achieve project goals. Arena Rockwell Simulation software was used to model the operations at BPL for the as-is process and proposed scenarios at the company.