Dynamic location of distribution centres, a real case study

A review of literature indicates that a problem related with Distribution Networks Design (DND) involves several decisions to be optimized, such as location, allocation, inventory, and routing. In this paper, we focus only on the location decision, proposing and exemplifying the following hypothesis: the location of Distribution Centres (DCs) changes whether the product demand at each demand node has extremely high and unexpected variability through time and investment costs for the location of DCs are low (mobile infrastructure). The aim is to exemplify with a real case that location is not always a strategic decision.