Open Access

Günther Schuh, Henrik Wienholdt

• Within each of the three design fields numerous design elements exist (e.g. degree of centralization, number of warehouses etc. in the field network design). Hence, the interdependencies of all design elements have to be analyzed to allow optimal decisions for the design of an efficient and effective spare parts logistics. Nevertheless, the complexity among all interdependencies can hardly be understood. Therefore it is necessary to reduce the complexity of design decisions by focusing on the most important design elements according to the logistical requirements of different spare part categories. In order to achieve this goal, a classification of spare parts in terms of their key characteristics has been developed. For different spare part categories only a smaller set of design elements and their interdependencies has to be taken into account. The reduced number of key design elements per spare part category can be analyzed and understood in depth. Thus a Systems Dynamics approach is used to allow a better configuration of network design, cooperation concepts and inventory management in spare parts Supply Chains on the basis of specific logistics requirements of different spare part categories. In dynamic markets flexible and efficient production systems are the main success factor for companies. The production system in this context includes all five phases of the SCOR-Model: Source, Make, Deliver, Plan and Return. In a subproject of the cluster of excellence "Integrative Production Technology for High-Wage Countries" at RWTH Aachen University, a configuration logic is being developed that enables companies to configure their production system according to the dynamic requirements of the market. As a major intermediate result, a holistic description model for production systems has been defined. In combination with numerous attributes in the sub-models, a detailed characterization of the production system is possible. The sub-model for the design of the Supply Chain (mainly Deliver) will be depicted in detail in this paper. Representative for the design of a Supply Chain, spare parts logistics - as one of the most challenging tasks in logistics planning - is analyzed in depth. For this purpose spare parts logistics is divided into three design fields: network design, cooperation concepts (e.g. with logistics providers, customers, suppliers) and inventory management. Decisions in the design fields are highly interdependent, any spare parts logistics configuration has to take these interdependencies into account.