Operations management of distribution centers for vegetables and fruits

We present a tactical decision model that improves the effectiveness of the operations of a distribution center for vegetables and fruits. The operations are complicated in the case of vegetables and fruits due to the seasonal fluctuations in production and demand and the need for special storage conditions for different products. Using the decision model we determine an assignment plan, based on historical data. The assignment plan is used at the operational level for storage advice. We used local search techniques to find an assignment plan. The effect of the assignment plan on several storage policies was examined with a simulation model of the operations in the distribution center. The developed model and algorithms are integrated in a PC-based decision support system.