Network Facility Location for Eco- and Cost-Efficient Chemical Supply Depots Supporting Municipal and Industrial Water Treatment

USP currently works with storage facilities in a manner akin to a broker network, relying on numerous third-party locations for freight-in and warehousing. USP is considering a strategic revision of its supply chain dynamics, with the intention of optimizing their current supply network in an effort to become more sustainable and cost effective. USP is also considering potentially generating more in-house control over warehousing and distribution processes. In determining the best way to re-imagine their supply chain network, the partner organization is seeking assistance through the MITACS project to optimize their operations and create a more sustainable method of growing their operations. Ideally, given the ‘spread-out’ nature of USP’s customer base, the company will seek to find methods of accounting for uncertainty within their logistics and anticipate the growing complexity of the North American supply chain. Beyond a potential restructuring of its supply chain network, USP manages a growing network of customers. A constant question posed by the organization is how to forecast future demand. With an ever-growing customer base, the equal desire of marketing and logistics to anticipate future-state trends provides challenges as well as significant opportunity for the company.

Faculty Supervisor:

Fredrik Odegaard

Student:

Partner:

USP Technologies

Discipline:

Mathematics

Sector:

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services; Manufacturing; Professional, scientific and technical services; Utilities

University:

The University of Western Ontario

Program: