The complexity of distribution systems is augmented by various trends: globalization of the manufacturing industry, rising customer demands, and the reverse flows within closed-loop systems. In this light, the need for 'advanced' planning methods that are based on quantitative optimization is constantly increasing. This book takes up the challenges posed by these developments. In doing so, it presents recent results and case studies from a group of researchers that regularly meet at the IWDL (International Workshop on Distribution Logistics). The text covers the design of distribution networks, vehicle routing, warehousing and reverse logistics. It also contains a comprehensive review of more than 60 case studies in reverse logistics.

1: Networks

An Exact Column Generation Approach to the Capacitated Facility Location Problem
Modelling Warehouses in Logistical Networks
Supply Chain Optimisation in Animal Husbandry
Online-Shopping and Changes in Mobility
2: Vehicle Routing
A Real-time Vehicle Routing Model for a Courier Service Problem
Collection of Waste with Single Load Trucks: A Real Case
Planning and Controlling Daily Deliveries to the Same Clients: Problems and Adequate Solutions
Planning the Incorporation of Logistics Service Providers to Fulfill Precedence- and Time Window-Constrained Transport Requests in a Most Profitable Way
3: Warehousing
Vehicle Online Dispatching Rules in Practice
Travel Distance Estimation in Single-block ABC-Storage Strategy Warehouses
4: Reverse Logistics
The Impact of Constraints in Closed-loop Supply Chains: The Case of Reusing Components in Product Manufacturing
E-business and Circular Supply Chains: Increased Business Opportunities by IT-based Customer Oriented Return-flow Management
Reverse Logistics: A Review of Case Studies
List of Contributors.