MARCELUS FABRI LIMA presents if PhD thesis with title “Internal Logistics Optimization in the Automotive Industry”. Helena Ramalhinho (Universitat Pompeu Fabra) and Dr. Miquel Oliver (Universitat Pompeu Fabra) were their PhD advisors. Juan Carlos Muñoz (SEAT) was his advisor at the Seat.
The examination committee were: President: Dr. Mauricio Resende (Amazon.com), Dra. Jesica de Armas (UPF) and Dr. Tolga Bektas (University of Liverpool).
This thesis was done under Doctorats Industrials program, Generalitat de Catalunya.
Abstract: This thesis focus on internal logistics flows (ILF), which is defined as the flows of materials inside the same business or the same plant. Precisely, this work approaches the ILF of SEAT, a company in the Volkswagen group. So, a set of Operational Research or Business Analytics based methods is presented. These methods contribute both to enrich the literature and provide useful techniques to the industry. Those methods refer to new mathematical formulations, Iterated Local Search metaheuristics, simulation models appli- cations as well as data sets. So, the main purpose of this work is providing suitable methods to face internal logistics routing problems in car-assembling companies. Moreover, these methods were developed and applied consider- ing the SEAT’s workshop and data. The results expose several opportunities that can improve the company’s logistics operations as well as reducing some operational costs. The study was presented to the company’s employees that found it interesting and appropriate. Check the thesis in the TDX.