Macro and micro logistics aspects in defining the parts feeding policy in a mixed-model assembly system

Nowadays in mixed model assembly systems the parts feeding is more and more undertaken by supermarkets. From such kinds of warehousing two main feeding strategies are used: the kanban system or the kitting system ((stationary or travel kitting). Moreover also hybrid feeding policies are possible. Each one of these feeding policies influence the parts handling time at different logistics levels. Macro logistics level parts handling, due to the time spent in parts picking in kits preparations and SKU/kits at the supermarket and SKU/kits placing to the assembly stations and micro logistics level parts handling, due to the time spent in parts picking at the assembly station from SKU/kits and parts placing to the assembling product. The present paper aims to analyze the assembly system parts feeding problem integrating both the macro and micro logistics levels. The findings from different industrial cases study are also reported.