Masters Degrees (Logistics)

Permanent URI for this collection

https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/727

Browse

Browsing Masters Degrees (Logistics) by browse.metadata.advisor "Freiboth, Heinrich Wilhelm"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Determining the viability of apple transportation without refrigeration in a domestic supply chain : a case study
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-03) Waldek, Alex Vernon; Goedhals-Gerber, Leila Louise; Freiboth, Heinrich Wilhelm; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Dept. of Logistics.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: There is a growing concern in South African cold chains linked to the ever-increasing cost of domestic distribution. Several logistics cost components, such as rising vehicle operating costs due to the increase in fuel price, have forced local cold chains to explore innovative transportation solutions to reduce the financial impact of these external pressures. The concern was so significant that Company X, a pome fruit distributor, prompted an investigation into the reduction of refrigerated transport expenditure in the apple supply chain. The study sought to investigate whether domestic apple transportation without refrigeration is a viable option in South Africa. The objective was to compare the ability of refrigerated and non-refrigerated trucks to maintain an acceptable ambient temperature. Should pulp temperatures be able to meet quality control standards without refrigeration, then non refrigerated truck alternatives could be a viable option to reduce Company X’s road freight expenditure. Primary quantitative data was collected through temperature trials that were conducted over the distribution route between the packhouse in the Western Cape and the cold storage facility in Gauteng. The trials took place over the months June to October in 2021 using temperature monitoring devices placed on both the internal and external body of the truck. Secondary quantitative data was gathered by collecting data from similar trials conducted over the same route in 2019, classifying the research as a longitudinal study. Historical weather data from the National Weather Service in conjunction with geospatial tracking reports received from transporters allowed the research to determine the weather conditions per truck location. The study measured the level of resistance of three different truck alternatives, namely: cooled refrigerated, uncooled refrigerated and tautliner. This was done by calculating the difference in external and internal temperatures recorded along the route. In addition, pulp measurements were analyzed upon arrival at the cold storage facility to determine whether or not internal Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) were met. The research provided key insights into the durability of apples in the presence of unfavourable conditions. Despite the increase in internal truck temperatures associated with low levels of truck insulation, internal pulp KPIs were able to be met using non-refrigerated transport alternatives. The study proved that non-refrigerated transportation should be considered as a viable option in local apple cold chains. This strategy has the potential to reduce both transportation costs and carbon emissions within the supply chain.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    An evaluation of packaging logistics and operating conditions in the macadamia kernel supply chain : a global case study
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-03) Els, Zuretha; Louw, Johannes Jacobus; Freiboth, Heinrich Wilhelm; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Dept. of Logistics.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: The South African macadamia nut industry has grown significantly over the last decade and South Africa, together with Australia, dominates the global macadamia market. In 2021, South Africa exported approximately 98 percent of its macadamia nut produce. With significant growth, this industry’s importance and economic impact should be noticed. Macadamia nuts require adequate packaging as it needs protection from various operating conditions, such as vibration, shocks, temperature variations, and moisture exposure. If not protected from these operating conditions, the packaging and the product may be damaged and may contribute to food loss along the supply chain. Packaging logistics, a young and emerging research field, integrates packaging- and logistics systems and impacts numerous logistics processes in a supply chain. It can considerably affect supply chain performance as well. This highlights the importance of making informed packaging decisions, which can help to reduce overall costs, reduce the environmental effect of packaging, as well as increase the value of packaged products. Although this research field is emerging, there is still room for contributing research. The main aim of this study was to evaluate whether standard shipping containers with thermal liners and desiccant materials can be an alternative solution for the shipping of macadamia kernels while still protecting the product and its packaging from various operating conditions. Furthermore, the research study wanted to shed light on the current packaging performance and potentially highlights areas where the case study stakeholders perceive the packaging system can improve. This research study followed a deductive research approach where quantitative and qualitative data was collected from the case study stakeholders, The Macadamia Company and The Packaging Company. The researcher combined the use of the Packaging Performance Methodology, including packaging scorecards, as well as intelligent data loggers inside a sample of shipping containers, supplemented by secondary location data. In general, the packaging system performed well, but security and packaging waste requires attention. For the sample of containers that were observed, major shock events were only observed at the handling points. Furthermore, as expected, temperature variation appears to be more of a challenge in standard containers with thermal liners and desiccant materials than the refrigerated container. However, relative humidity was outside the desired range in the refrigerated container while being more satisfactory in standard containers with thermal liners and desiccant materials. Based on the results of this study, it appears that standard containers with thermal liners and desiccant materials may be a viable alternative packaging and shipping method for macadamia kernels, but more extensive research is needed.