A simulation-based multi-objective optimization approach for production and logistics considering the production layout

Manufacturing sectors in Sweden have a long tradition and represent a significant share of the national gross domestic product and the export values. Most of the Swedish manufacturing companies have gone through a modernization and adaptation process in order to be able to compete on a globalized market. Many plants, however, still have non-optimized shop floors as a consequence of the shop floors being adapted over time without redesigning its production and logistics flows and with a lack of an overall strategy. To support the optimization of shop floors, this paper suggests the combined use of Discrete-Event Simulation and Simulation-Based Multi-objective Optimization. The aim of the paper is to analyze a simulation methodology that supports the optimization of shop floors by considering production and logistics flows along with the shop floor layout. The methodology is intended to contribute to significantly increase the productivity and efficiency of the Swedish manufacturing industry and help companies to survive on the globalized market. Through a case study, the paper shows that the proposed methodology is useful in practice and that it provides a decision support system for manufacturing companies