Packaging strategy optimization in case of products sold as a single item or sold as a kit

Packaging is typically the last task in an assembly system. In case a finite assembled product can be sold as a single packaged unit, as a kit, or, in the most complex case, as different possible kits, the packaging strategy optimisation becomes more complex. The present paper aims to analyse the packaging problem in an assembly production system defining the main packaging strategies. Secondly, the authors compare these strategies, providing a decision-making procedure able to help operations managers to set optimally the packaging strategy. The findings from an industrial case study are also reported to validate the proposed methodology.