A Multi-Criteria Decision Support Model for Strategic Metal Sourcing

Sammanfattning

This thesis, conducted in collaboration with Trelleborg AB, investigates sourcing decisions for metal components within the Anti-Vibration Solutions business unit. The study addresses the challenge of evaluating sourcing alternatives across Europe and Asia-Pacific, where differences in cost, lead times, risk exposure, and sustainability create complex trade-offs. The purpose is to develop a practical decision-support model that enables more structured and transparent sourcing decisions. Using an Operations Research approach, the study combines literature, semi-structured interviews, and company data to develop a multi-criteria decision-making model. The model evaluates suppliers based on four dimensions: landed cost, supply chain risk, sustainability, and supplier relationships. These criteria are aggregated through an additive value model using stakeholder-derived weights. The results show that Europe generally represents the most favorable sourcing region across most evaluated scenarios when multiple decision dimensions are considered simultaneously. Although Asia-Pacific sourcing can provide lower unit costs, Europe maintains an overall advantage due to lower transportation costs, reduced risk exposure, and lower emissions. This advantage becomes even more pronounced under short due date conditions, where the need for air freight significantly increases both transportation costs and environmental impact for Asia-Pacific sourcing. Overall, the model provides a tool for evaluating sourcing decisions from a holistic perspective rather than relying solely on costs. The proposed model contributes to more consistent, data-driven, and strategically aligned sourcing decisions within AVS.