Sustainability

Rising energy costs, the changing political context as well as growing customer requirements are increasing the pressure on manufacturing companies to run sustainable factories. A method to realize an energy efficient factory is the Energy Value Stream Mapping. This paper shows an approach which adds a simulative and participative dimension to the method by using the IFU planning table.

Heading for an ecological production, precise specifications regarding a maximal amount of harmful substances emitted is needed. By defining a quantifiable goal for carbon dioxide on product component level, a precise evaluation of the current product-portfolio’s sustainability becomes feasible. Therefore incorrect practices on shop floor level can be observed and eliminated by appropriate and cost-efficient concepts. A structured calculation model for quantifying the sustainable carbon dioxide emission over the entire product life cycle is being developed: the Target Allowance. This enables production systems to implement ecological minimum requirements oriented on the absolute, global maximum loading.

A sustainable constitution of our way of living is more and more subject to the discussion in society and politics. The transportation sector, causing a considerable percentage of the worldwide CO2 emissions, resides right in the middle of the debate. As a result companies find themselves in an area of conflict between economical and ecological objectives, which cannot always be reconciled. Approaches to solve this dilemma are discussed under the general term „Green Logistics“. The implementation of an intelligent cargo system can contribute to bring these approaches to practice.

Planning, design and continuous improvement of today’s complex corporate structures and technical systems require a sophisticated level of extensive know-ledge of technology, processes and IT. To apply planning and simulation tools effectively and efficiently engineers and plant operators have to rise to the challenge to use their knowledge in a goal-oriented way and to expand it within creative processes. Consequently, knowledge is more than ever a key productivity factor and an important component of corporate capital. Against this background, the article discusses possibilities for systematization and standardization in simulation studies and especially approaches to increase productivity in simulation studies by supplying assistance functions as well as systematic evaluation methodologies.

Global warming is one of the major challenges of the 21th century. The reduction of the greenhouse gases is therefore of special interest. Companies have to face several challenges if they want to measure and reduce greenhouse gases. Two studies have asked the question how companies evaluate the efforts for a green supply chain. These surveys were conducted by the management and technology consultancy BearingPoint. A change in mindset of executives can be revealed by comparing the corresponding results of both studies. This article highlights the position for green logistics of more than 600 companies in the 2010-2011 survey. The results are compared with the former study of 2008. An evolution over the past years becomes visible: from awareness to implementation actions.

Following increasing public demand, sustainability is currently on the agenda of every company. In particular for logistics, environmental considerations play an important role today. This manuscript will put forward the concepts of “green” and “greener” logistics and highlight the differences between the two. “Greener logistics” encompasses all approaches dedicated to increasing the resource efficiency of logistics processes. In this article a practical guide to implementing greener logistics will be outlined. In order to ensure customer focus, a target costing approach is suggested. Practical relevance is demonstrated with a case study.

The importance of sustainable planning and managing of networks by logistics concepts is rising. However, estimating these logistics concepts under sustainability aspects is a problem which many logistics managers have to face. The impact of logistics concepts to the target figures in a sustainable performance measurement system highly depends on the correlation between the variables. In this paper the correlation between the target figures within the functional areas of procurement, production, distribution and service are depicted. Based on these findings a cross-functional causal loop diagram is derived.

The current discussion on sustainability lacks a firm foundation on a clear and unambiguous definition of this pivotal concept. This impedes a concentrated discussion among scientists as well as politicians and managers on a subject-matter concerning the future of mankind. It gives room for hollow commitments of companies claiming publicly to be „green“. The article therefore starts by proposing a clear and unambiguous definition which can fill this gap. Based on this preliminary work the author argues that logistics cannot become sustainable if it remains in a position where it only has to ensure the demands of other departments’ means (especially those of marketing) thus neglecting fundamental interdependencies. Logisticians often claim systems thinking as the dominant perspective of their work. Based on a practical example the author shows that systems thinking can only work as a door opener to sustainability if it is applied to the company as a whole.

Logistics is one of the biggest trade volume industry sectors in Germany. External factors of influence are pushing the logistics sector to redesign its processes and operating activities environmentally. In the practical experience methodical tools are missing which help to identify environmental potential for optimization, to evaluate it and to document quantitatively the realized improvement. One possibility to combine the environmental and the financial point of view in intralogistics is demonstrating a novel reference model. With this model weaknesses can be identified and appropriate goals and activities can be defined to improve them. The combination of the reference model with a data base system affords to simulate and to review the effects of the activities just before their operational realization. The application of the reference model and its benefits for the contract logistics enterprises will be characterized in this article.

The evidence of the ecological sustainability of logistics systems is increasingly expected by customers inside and outside the supply chain. Companies can affect their carbon footprint at different strategic levels: products, structures, processes and technologies. The potential use and evaluation of technologies and their contribution to improve ecological sustainability while taking into account economic conditions are the subject of this paper.