The Slab Stack Shuffling Problem (SSSP) consists of retrieving slabs, stored in stacks in a warehouse, to efficiently satisfy a processing order. The problem is relevant in the steel industry as the slab yard serves as a storage buffer between the continuous casting stage and the rolling mill. Notably, the SSSP also arises in cutting/assembly centres within the shipbuilding supply chain, where already rolled slabs must undergo further production stages. The different slabs managed in these facilities confer the problem novel practical features, such as the existence of slabs' typologies and deadlines, i.e., a maximum time beyond which their quality certifications expire and are no longer usable. In such a context, the goals of the present paper are twofold: (i) providing a comprehensive taxonomy of the main aspects involved in the problem; (ii) proposing an original mathematical formulation for the SSSP. Specifically, the model is cast as a bi-objective multi-period program, seeking to minimise the number of shuffles and expired slabs. Computational tests on randomly generated instances prove the relevance of the trade-off between the above-mentioned objectives and the impact of the yard's configuration on the retrieval process, suggesting the most suitable storage strategy to adopt under different operational settings.

The storage of goods plays a crucial role in warehouse management systems. Although this operation is often considered simple, it is in fact complex, due to the volume of products, the uncertainty in demands, and the rapid customer service response that the market requires. Moreover, the optimization of logistical resources to maintain an efficient operational flow, such as the allocation of storage spaces, often requires complex decisions. In this paper, we analyze academic contributions on the storage location assignment problem published between 2005 and 2017. The literature is classified according to the solution methods, objectives, and related considerations. Suggestions are also provided for future research.

Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) has been widely recognized as a useful tool for effectively managing firms’ supply chain activities. Extant research on RFID in the supply chain domain has focused on implementing this technology in various supply chain activities, such as logistics and transportation, assembly and manufacturing. However, the application of RFID in warehousing management has received little attention. This study explores the implementation of RFID in warehousing in the construction sector. The study objectives are twofold. First, it explores the benefits of implementing RFID. Secondly, the study identifies major challenges associated with implementing RFID, which can prevent realizing the full potential of the technology in warehouse operations. The study adopts a qualitative research design by employing a case study approach to achieve these objectives. Specifically, the study undertakes three weeks of field observation and conducts interviews with 9 participants involved in warehouse operations in the construction sector. The findings show RFID implementations could bring significant values to warehouse management related to operational efficiency, service level and warehouse flexibility. However, the study also uncovered several challenges that can block the case firm from capturing the full potential of implementing RFID. The findings can contribute to a better understanding of the application of RFID technology in warehousing. Practitioners can understand the identified challenges to help them tackle them and inform their future decisions regarding further investment in this technology.

Loading and unloading operations for Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) in warehouses are critical to logistics management systems. However, these operations also have a significant impact on the environment, particularly in terms of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. As such, warehouse management must consider not only operational efficiency but also environmental impact. The reduction of CO2 emissions in warehouses is becoming increasingly important, both for legal compliance and to meet sustainability targets. In this article, we will emphasize the environmental impact of warehouse operations, particularly on CO2 emissions, and explore ways to minimize them while still maximizing warehouse performance. We will review various optimization models proposed to address this issue and highlight the importance of considering environmental objectives when designing warehouse operations. We will also describe a simulation study conducted to determine the Pareto optimal frontier for a warehouse design, considering transportation, space utilization, and CO2 emissions. The outcomes of implementing this simulation's results include reduced CO2 emissions and increased space utilization, which demonstrate the potential benefits of considering environmental objectives in warehouse design and management.