Some Industrial Applications of Linear Programming

Abstract

Three examples of the applications of linear programming are given, drawn from the manufacture of plywood, the distribution of grain, and industrial fermentation. In each of these widely different industries there is a problem which can be treated quite precisely by a linear programming model. The quantities evaluated are in the first case, the plywood product mix with the maximum return; in the second case, the routings and transit credits for shipping grain with the minimum freight costs; and in the third case, the production schedule for the fermentation process which yields the minimum labour cost. In most cases, the results obtained could be extended to evaluate other factors, and in all cases the formulation of the problem in linear programming form led to a greater understanding of the industry concerned.