Performance modeling of multistage production systems operating under hybrid push/pull control

This paper reports the results of a case study concerning the design and performance evaluation of a multistage, hair dryer production line. The production line has been modeled as a multistage series/parallel system with stochastic parameters. The system performance, in terms of throughput, work-in-process and lost sales, has been evaluated analytically for 16 possible hybrid push/pull control policies. Results indicate that the choice of the best control policy changes with the extent of raw material constraint operating at the stages and demand lead time variabilities. In general, the push policy has shown to yield superior performance compared to pure pull policy.