Luc LeBel

Multi-commodity supply network planning in the forest supply chain

We consider in this paper a two echelon timber procurement system in which the first echelon consists of multiple harvesting blocks and the second echelon consists of multiple mills (e.g., sawmills), both distributed geographically. Demand is put forward by mills in the form of volumes of logs of specific length and species. Due to the impact of log handling and sorting on cut-to-length harvester and forwarder productivity [Gingras, J.-F., Favreau, J., 2002. Incidence du triage sur la productivite des systemes par bois tronconnes. Avantage 3], the harvesting cost per unit volume increases as the number of product variety harvested per block increases. The overall product allocation problem is a large scale mixed integer programming problem with the objective of minimizing combined harvesting and aggregated transportation costs, under demand satisfaction constraints. A heuristic is first introduced then, an algorithm based on the branch-and-price approach is proposed for larger scale problems. Experimentations compare solutions found with the heuristic with the corresponding optimal solutions obtained with both Cplex (using the branch-and-bound approach) and the branch-and-price approach. Results demonstrate the good performance level of the heuristic approach for small scale problems, and of the branch-and-price approach for large scale problems.

Hierarchical forest management with anticipation : an application to tactical-operational planning integration

This paper examines the problem of harvest capacity planning at a tactical level. Annual capacity planning allows planners to determine the number of contractors to hire per period throughout the year and to define the duration of their contracts. In practice, this process usually involves the analysis of historical data regarding the operational use of capacity and aggregated demand forecast, the output of which then serves to plan harvest operations. Although this form of hierarchical planning reduces the complexity of the task, the decomposition into subproblems that must be successively resolved can lead to infeasibility or poor use of harvesting capacity. The specific problem addressed here resides in how one can consider the operational impact of harvesting decisions taken at the tactical level to ensure a plan’s feasibility at the operational level. We present a tactical planning process based on Schneeweiss’ generic hierarchical modeling approach. A computational experiment demonstrates how a tact...

Entrepreneurial orientation in the forestry industry: a population ecology perspective

Purpose – This study primarily seeks to focus on how entrepreneurial orientation (EO) may have influenced the evolution of SMEs in a constrained environment, namely the forestry industry. It also aims to find out how EO still acts on strategic intentions, management behaviour of the business leader and the SMEs performance.Design/methodology/approach – The approach takes the form of an empirical study based on a sample of 717 forestry SME owner‐managers, with cluster analysis of the data, taking a population ecology perspective.Findings – The study reveals the existence of two types of forestry SMEs. The first, which could be referred to as an entrepreneurially‐oriented enterprise, generates a large portion of its revenues from out‐of‐forest activities. The second type is a small‐business‐oriented enterprise. In the context of the forestry sector, many opportunities to start a business were created following the decision of large corporations to subcontract their wood supply. The study shows how entrepre...

Supply network planning in the forest supply chain with bucking decisions anticipation

We consider a two-echelon timber supply chain in which the first echelon consists of several stands to be harvested and the second echelon consists of mills to be supplied with logs of different length. This problem aims at minimizing harvesting and transportation costs for one production period, while satisfying demand expressed as a mix of volumes of specific log types. Harvesting cost, which includes felling, bucking and hauling to roadside, depends upon the number of log type to be produced and sorted. Each stand to be harvested is modeled individually with a limited number of trees of various classes of diameter and total length, which affects the productivity factors of the bucking patterns to be used. To take these characteristics into account, we propose heuristics based on columns generation to solve the supply network problem at the forest level with an anticipation of bucking operations at the stand level.

Discrete Event Simulation to Improve Log Yard Operations

Abstract Due to seasonal considerations, sawmills build up large inventories in their log yard to ensure continuous operation. Our industrial partner services up to 140 log trucks per day, which translates to yard congestion and long truck wait times. This project looks at the impact of different loader-to-truck allocation strategies on truck cycle time and loaders driving distance, using a discrete event simulation model. It was found that by changing the current loader-to-truck allocation strategy, average truck cycle time and loaders driving distance can be significantly reduced by 14.6% and 18.4% respectively.

Agility capabilities in wood procurement systems: a literature synthesis

The ability of a firm to detect changing demands and efficiently respond to them can be described as agility. The past decade has seen a significant rise in the literature on the concept of agility. It has been identified as a requirement for growth and competitiveness. However, a review of the related literature reveals that the concept has scarcely been studied in the forest industry context. This study contributes to filling this gap. More specifically, we contextualize agility in wood procurement systems (WPSs). A WPS includes upstream processes and actors in the forest-products supply chain, responsible for procuring and delivering raw materials from the forest to the mill. We first identify the capabilities a WPS needs to possess in order to enable agility. Next, we review the literature in the WPS domain to search for evidence of these capabilities. It was found that aspects of the practices embodied in agility capabilities have already been proposed in the WPS literature but without explicit reference to agility. However, opportunities to further improve the agility of WPSs were also identified. It is suggested that future research focus on determining optimal levels of investments in agility in order to maximize supply-chain profits.

A comparison of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal entrepreneurs in the Quebec forestry sector

This paper compares the portrait of forestry entrepreneurs within the Ilnu community of Mashteuiatsh to one of non-Aboriginal forestry entrepreneurs. The information was mainly collected using a survey in the winter of 2008 for the Aboriginal group and in the winter of 2007 for the non-Aboriginal group. Interviews were also conducted in situ with the Aboriginal forestry entrepreneurs, their principal clients, the Band Council (or local government) and the local economic development organisation. A few key differences between the two groups of forestry entrepreneurs were observed and are discussed in this paper. The results highlight the importance of offering flexible political answers that account for distinctive local characteristics.

Centralized supply chain planning model for multiple forest companies

ABSTRACT In this paper, we present a mathematical model to plan logistics activities in a forest products supply chain. In particular, a mixed-integer linear program is developed to maximize the total profit of the value chain, involving decisions related to the volumes of wood to harvest and to keep in stock, as well as the quantities to deliver to each business unit to meet market demand. The model also includes different constraints concerning fibre freshness across the network (forest, sawmills, and paper mill), as this has an effect on operation costs and supply decisions. Various scenarios based on the demand variation, price fluctuations, and wood aging levels are tested, followed by a sensitivity analysis. Results show that price and demand variations as well as fibre freshness are important criteria to consider in the procurement and production planning for increasing the forest supply chain benefits. The scenarios analysed also confirm the usefulness of the model in guiding companies to make adequate planning decisions according to their business environment.

Removing the thermal component from heart rate provides an accurate VO2 estimation in forest work.

Heart rate (HR) was monitored continuously in 41 forest workers performing brushcutting or tree planting work. 10-min seated rest periods were imposed during the workday to estimate the HR thermal component (ΔHRT) per Vogt et al. (1970, 1973). VO2 was measured using a portable gas analyzer during a morning submaximal step-test conducted at the work site, during a work bout over the course of the day (range: 9-74 min), and during an ensuing 10-min rest pause taken at the worksite. The VO2 estimated, from measured HR and from corrected HR (thermal component removed), were compared to VO2 measured during work and rest. Varied levels of HR thermal component (ΔHRTavg range: 0-38 bpm) originating from a wide range of ambient thermal conditions, thermal clothing insulation worn, and physical load exerted during work were observed. Using raw HR significantly overestimated measured work VO2 by 30% on average (range: 1%-64%). 74% of VO2 prediction error variance was explained by the HR thermal component. VO2 estimated from corrected HR, was not statistically different from measured VO2. Work VO2 can be estimated accurately in the presence of thermal stress using Vogt et al.s method, which can be implemented easily by the practitioner with inexpensive instruments.

The Influence of Decisional Autonomy on Performance and Strategic Choices - The Case of Subcontracting SMEs in Logging Operations

The emergence of new actors in the globalized economy has given rise to increased competition in a number of economic sectors, including the forest industry. The logging industry in Canada has seen challenging times in recent years, as it faces problems at both the structural and cyclical levels. Increases in the cost of fibre, currency exchange rates and compensatory fines on timber that are detrimental to exports to the United States, higher energy costs, a decrease in the price of timber and some paper products, the increasing scarcity of resources: the industry faces many serious problems.