Modeling Logistics of Maintenance Services in Large Facility Portfolios

Modeling Logistics of Maintenance Services

Authors

  • Chirag Mishra The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, USA
  • Kai-Wen Tien National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
  • William Sitzabee The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, USA
  • Vittaldas Prabhu The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23055/ijietap.2024.31.4.9335

Keywords:

Maintenance Logistics, Spare parts

Abstract

We study maintenance service operations in large facilities portfolios with a focus on modeling logistics of associated spare parts and their storage locations serviced by personnel from several trades who move around the buildings in their vehicles. The key challenge is to reduce the cost of spare parts inventory, storage, and vehicles while providing responsive customer service. To address these challenges, we propose (i) inventory models to determine stock levels and (ii) storage space in personnel vehicles to allocate the mix and location of spare parts by trade. The two models can be readily integrated, and conceptually, technician vehicles serve as “forward-reserve storage” that improves service responsiveness. The proposed model is applied to a large facility of a non-profit organization with 330 buildings, 17,000 spare parts, and 254 vehicles. Compared to prevailing practice, the proposed model can potentially reduce $1.27 million worth of inventory costs, a reduction of ~77%.

Published

2024-08-15

How to Cite

Mishra, C., Kai-Wen Tien, Sitzabee, W., & Prabhu, V. (2024). Modeling Logistics of Maintenance Services in Large Facility Portfolios: Modeling Logistics of Maintenance Services. International Journal of Industrial Engineering: Theory, Applications and Practice, 31(4). https://doi.org/10.23055/ijietap.2024.31.4.9335

Issue

Section

Quality, Reliability, Maintenance Engineering