Logistics systems research group at the University of Vaasa

University of Vaasa Faculty of Technology Logistics Research Group

The research topics

Logistics studies the process of planning, implementing and managing flow and storage of raw materials, work-in-progress, finished goods from the point of origin to point of consumption for the purpose of fulfilling customer requirements. The Logistics Research Group at the University of Vaasa is focusing understanding the complex dynamics in supply chains that consists of several factories, transportation units, warehouses, retailers and customers. Logistics will be dispersed, global, and driven by new information and material handling technologies. As management becomes more complex and distributed, our research provides the knowledge that can advance a company’s operations.

These systems are modeled by using various quantitative techniques such as system dynamics, discrete event simulation, and queuing theory. The studies focuses on managerial aspects of improving the economic performance measures related to flows of materials, information, and cash.

Logistics systems group focuses on research of the economic impact of logistics automation in different industries. To explore the entire logistics systems in industries, we pursue an integrated suite of research initiatives: (1) networking; (2) tools for supply chain planning; (3) new business opportunities in materials handling; and (4) market analyses.

From administration point of group is part of EPANET research network. The project is funded by EAKR and local companies. Our partners on co-operation: Atria Oy, Antti Lindfors Oy, Done Logistics Oy, Foodwest Oy, Isojoen Konehalli Oy, Ikkunatehdas Hautanen Oy, Pesmel Oy, Pinomatic Oy, Vesme Systems Oy.

People

	Petri Helo Research professor (acting), PhD. (industrial management) Phone: 050-5562668 Email: Petri.Helo@uwasa.fi Home page: lipas.uwasa.fi/~phelo/ Supply chain management, agile manufacturing, system dynamics.
	Tommi Tuominen Project Researcher, M.Sc. (industrial management) Phone: 044-5167224 Email: Tommi.Tuominen@uwasa.fi Supply chain management, food industry, SCOR.
	Hanne Kyllönen Project Researcher, M.Sc. (industrial management) Phone: 050-5248669 Email: Hanne.Kyllönen@uwasa.fi Supply chain automation, paper industry, investment analysis.
	Juha Leskinen Project Reseracher, M.Sc. (industrial management) Email: juha.leskinen@uwasa.fi Hospital logistics, cost-benefit analysis.
	Bulscu Sckely Project Reseracher, M.Sc. (international marketing) Email: bubu@uwasa.fi
	Natalia Kitaygorodskaya Project Researcher, M.Sc (math). Email: knata@uwasa.fi Networks, R&D, agents.
	Guangyu Xiong Project Researcher, M.Sc (electrical autom). Email: xgy@uwasa.fi Inventory models, fuzzzy control of SCM.
	Petri Luomanen Software engineer
	Jari Markkula Software engineer

Current and past projects

• Logistics systems innovation project - EPANET
• ICIL 2003 – International conference on industrial management
• Baltic Sea Virtual Campus – Logistics information systems
• PYRANET – measurement of networking, refer to project web page (in Finnish)
• Tool for Estimating Economical Profitability of Automation Investment. Case: Automated Wagon Loading and Unloading in Supply Chain of Paper Roll – abstract
• Supply chains – abstract
• ASDN – Agile Supply Demand Networks – A joint project with the ABB Corporate Research Center.

Contacts

Kauhajoki Office: University of Vaasa, Teknologiapuisto 1, FIN-61801 KAUHAJOKI, Finland. Office phone: 06-230 310

Seinäjoki Office: University of Vaasa, Teknologiakeskus Frami, SEINÄJOKI, Finland.

For further information, please contact: Petri Helo, tel.: +358-50-5562668.

Associations and journals

Links

· Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association

· Material Handling Industry of America

· International Mass Retail Association

· Material Handing Equipment Distributors Association

· Warehousing Education and Research Council

· Council of Logistics Management

· Finnish Logistics Association

Magazines

· Logistics Information Management

· Modern Materials Handling

· APICS—The Performance Advantage Online

Journals

· International Journal of Production & Operations Management

· International Journal of Production Research

· Production Planning and Control

· International Journal of Production Economics

· INFORMS Publications On-Line

o Management Science

o Organization Science

o Transportation Science

o Manufacturing and Service Operations Management

· California Management Review

· European Journal of Operational Research

· Harvard Business Review

· International Journal of Operations & Production Management

· International Journal of Production Economics

· Journal of Operations Management

· Interfaces

· Production and Inventory Management Journal

· Sloan Management Review

Companies in the logistics automation in Finland

Equipment suppliers and system integrators

- Antti Lindfors Oy

- Amitec Oy

- AWA Advanced Warehouse Automation Oy

- Cimcorp Oy

- Done Logistics

- Electrosys Oy

- Elektrobit Oy

- Elmont Oy

- Erikkilä Nostotekniikka Oy

- Kalmar Industries Oy

- KCI Konecranes Oy

- Metso Oy

- Norcar BSB Oy

- Nordautomation Oy

- Pesmel Oy

- Pinomatic Oy

- PMJ Automec Oy

- Raumaster Oy

- Rocla Robotruck Oy

- Saimatec Oy

- Swisslog Oy

- Techvilla

- LC Logistics Centre

- Vesme Systems Oy

Consultants and foreign players

- Siemens-Dematic

- Delfoi Oy

- Artsicon

- EP Logistics Oy

- Logistra Oy

- Fastems – Helvar Merca Group

- FlexLink Automation Oy (Sw)

Revenue of some material handling companies in Kauhajoki.