A decision-support model for dock and transport management after inbound logistics disruptions in the automotive sector

One of the major disruptions in automotive supply chain is related to the on-time arrival of components from suppliers to assembly plants. In this paper, we develop an operative decision-support model to avoid ripple effect of these disruptions on production scheduling. In particular, based on strategies for truck-dock re-assignment and transport mode selection, the model is applied to a case study at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). Moreover, the paper elaborates on the resilience and robustness of the supply chain in dealing with vulnerabilities in different phases of decision-making. The model allows supply chain managers to efficiently organise the transport modes of delayed orders, the in-plant material handling equipment, the arrival of trucks in the parking lot, and the use of inbound docks.