Leveraging system-integrator for better wood supply chain coordination through advanced planning

Pedro Eboli, Luc Lebel and Luis Antonio de Santa-Eulalia

International Journal of Production Research, 2025, vol. 63, issue 19, 7260-7277

Abstract: Natural and extensively managed forests supply raw materials to a diversified forest industry, requiring close coordination among mills when sharing the same procurement areas. One approach to enhance procurement planning process is by employing a system-integrator, a third-party organisation responsible for collaborative, fair, and neutral planning within the supply chain. Advanced planning and scheduling tools employing Operations Research methods can significantly improve wood procurement planning performance. This study aims to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the benefits of advanced tools on system-integrator’s decision-making. A Design Science Research approach was developed and tested with real data from a forest management company executing the annual procurement plan for 11 mills. Results indicate potential time reduction to harvest block selection and volume allocation, and transportation costs reduction by 15.44%, saving $2.16 per m³. Interviews with stakeholders confirmed that the proposed approach enhanced plan quality, planning process quality and system-integrator’s roles and characteristics.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1080/00207543.2025.2496974

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