Part-feeding with supermarket in assembly systems: transportation mode selection model and multi-scenario analysis

Purpose - The paper aims to focus on in-house part logistics design and management for assembly systems in which supermarket storage is adopted and coupled with an automated transportation system. In this context, this work aims to assess the transportation mode selection problem to speed up the preliminary design phase. Design/methodology/approach - The paper is divided into two main parts. The first one provides and discusses a new conceptual framework derived from the authors' experience in the field and from previous published works. The framework aims to support managers in problem comprehension by setting three problem sub-phases, key input parameters and qualitative guidelines without losing sight of the big picture. The second part focuses on the transportation mode selection sub-phase by assessing an analytical study followed by a multi-scenario analysis. Findings - The final outcome of this work is a decision support matrix capable of setting technical guidelines that are helpful to managers and practitioners to speed up the transportation mode selection problem in the preliminary phases. Originality/value - This work is beneficial for supporting managers in understanding the main decisional steps involved in the design of a part-feeding system with a supermarket by discussing the three problem sub-phases and key input parameters and providing both qualitative and quantitative guidelines. Moreover, this study explores the transportation mode selection problem, which is not yet largely explored in the published literature.