Retrieving process analysis in a parts distribution center: a case study of manual trolley fleet substitution

This paper summarizes the results of a simulation study for a parts distribution center (PDC), which contains approximately 30000 items, modeling its retrieving process in simulation software ARENA® 5.0. The collection of the parts is carried out manually by five employees, being supported by manual trolleys. The current problem of PDC is to decide if that manual trolley fleet should be substituted, since the existent ones are unbalanced in comparison with the same market competitors, considering the retrieving process total time effectiveness. The Input data to the model about the fleet is the decision factor. Those data are statistically organized in two levels, according to the design of experiments 2 and the results of each test are obtained from two replications. With these results, managers will be able to evaluate possibilities, compare to the current situation and conclude how viable it is to change the fleet.