Fuzzy based supply chain management system for intelligent manufacturing prioritization of boiler insulation items

One of the main challenges faced by the industries in the global competitive environment is the supply chain management. Adoption of computer based decision making in supply chain management has become popular where multiple inputs and multiple outputs are involved in the process. In this paper, a fuzzy logic based approach is proposed for automating the decision-making in prioritizing the production and supply of boiler lining and insulation items to thermal power plants. The important lining and insulation items of steam generation boilers used for thermal power plants are considered in this work with a real-time approach and the bottlenecks involved in the supply chain are analysed in industrial perspective. The development of the fuzzy logic system for this prioritization and the proposed approach are well explained through a case study made in a boiler manufacturing industry. The results obtained from the proposed system are in agreement with expert opinion and this proposed system for automated decision making using fuzzy systems will definitely aid the supply chain management professional in project planning and scheduling in this field of manufacturing. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2023.