APPLICATION OF OPERATIONS RESEARCH TECHNIQUES TO REDUCE LOGISTICS COSTS

Abstract

Transport logistics plays a central role in the operational efficiency of companies, as it directly influences costs and the level of service offered to customers. In Brazil, the predominance of the road transport mode and the misallocation of resources make transportation planning a decisive factor in avoiding waste and increasing competitiveness. In this context, this study investigates how the application of Operations Research (OR) techniques—specifically the Transportation Problem—can contribute to reducing logistics costs and improving decision-making. The main objective is to demonstrate, through a case study, the potential of optimization techniques in defining efficient routes, while also evaluating resource allocation and the factors that influence freight costs. The methodology includes a literature review, exploratory data analysis, and the development of a mathematical model solved through Linear Programming, supported by the Simplex method. The case examined involves a beverage company with three manufacturing plants and customers distributed across five regions. The results indicate that the proposed model reduced the total number of routes from 117 to 51 and presented an ideal cost of R$ 42,766,380.00 for 2023 operations, compared to the actual cost of R$ 59,434,968.00. This reveals potential savings of R$ 16,668,588.00, equivalent to a 28% cost reduction. It is concluded that the application of OR models enhance logistics efficiency, improves operational rationalization, and supports strategic transportation decision-making.