Ship to magazine in four days?

A model is described which was created to examine a logistics problem at a Royal Ordnance site. The problem was one of determining the resources needed to ensure that a given quantity of explosive materials associated with a demilitarisation contract could be received at the site and safely stowed into magazines within a four day time frame. The profitability of the contract was dependent on achieving the time frame and finding an acceptable configuration of resources. The model is much less complex than many simulation projects, but is an illustration of how effective simulation can be for analysing a sudden, unexpected management problem requiring a quick answer.