Proposing a model for a resilient supply chain: A meta-heuristic algorithm

The resilient supply chain considers many capabilities for companies to overcome financial crises and to supply and distribute products. In this study, we addressed the allocation of inventory distribution for a distribution network, including a factory, a number of potential locations for distribution centers and a number of retailers. Customers demand is assumed to be certain and deterministic for all periods but time varying in the limited planning horizon. The proposed model in this research is a linear complex integer programming model with two-objective functions. The first objective function minimizes the total costs of the entire distribution system in the planning horizon, and the second objective function seeks to minimize the difference between the maximum and minimum distances traveled by vehicles over the planning horizon. Therefore, the model tries to satisfy the demand and at the same time reduce costs using the best route transportation option configuration and transportation option. The routing problem is developed, and as the problem is a NP-hard problem, a meta-heuristic method is used to solve it. In this model, the demand volume for each customer in a period of the network, vehicle capacity, factory capacity, constant transportation cost, variable transportation cost, etc., are considered as factors affecting the model. The results show that the model proposed in the network can be used as a lever to improve the performance of the financial economic supply network through saving in routes.