Improving Forecasts for a Higher Sustainability in Spare Parts Logistics

摘要

Timely, reliable supply of customers with spare parts is becoming a key factor for business success in many branches. Therefore many manufacturing companies try to optimize their spare parts logistics to satisfy the customer demands. Due to the large differences between the logistics for serial production and spare parts logistics during planning and operating, unique processes are necessary. The unpredictable demand of spare parts requires often the transport by air freight or courier services, thus increasing negative environmental impact additionally. The paper describes the main characteristics of spare parts logistics and the resulting disadvantages in terms of environmental sustainability. Furthermore a control loop for the demand forecast is presented.