A network simulation model of a fish processing plant

Graduation date: 1986The fish processing industry is the most important\ud industry in Iceland. The single most important\ud processing method is quickfreezing, and the major market\ud is in the United States. With increasing competition in\ud the market from countries like Canada, productivity of\ud fish processing plants is becoming increasingly\ud important.\ud This research focuses on developing a simulation\ud model of a fish processing plant, whose products are\ud quickfrozen fish. In the study, the process in a\ud typical fish processing plant is described. A network\ud simulation model of the process is then developed, using\ud the Simulation Language for Alternative Modeling\ud (SLAM). Among the results from the model are statistics\ud on utilization of machines and workers in the process,\ud size of in-process inventory at different locations in\ud the process and throughput times. Sensitivity analysis\ud is performed on some of the major factors that can\ud affect the efficiency of the system. A front-end\ud interface to the simulation model is developed which\ud facilitates the user in entering input parameters to the\ud model without the need to learn the simulation language.\ud The model provides a methodology for evaluating\ud alternative production strategies for a fish processing\ud facility, and provides the production manager with a\ud tool to develop short term production policies