IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/igg/jban00/v1y2014i4p16-33.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Data Analytics in the Hardwood Industry: The Impact of Automation and Optimization on Profits, Quality, and the Environment

Author

Listed:
  • Libor Cech

    (Partner/VP, Global Process Automation, Wilmington, NC, USA)

  • Joseph Cazier

    (Director of the Center for Analytics Research and Education, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, USA)

  • Ashley B. Roberts

    (Monash University, Melbourne, Australia)

Abstract

Numerous innovative technologies are available to assist the struggling hardwood lumber industry adapt to changing market demands and environmental concerns. However, most mill owners do not utilize automated lumber systems because they do not realize how substantial volume and value gains can be. Thus, there is a need to quantify improved efficiencies while also providing reliable information about how these measures translate into profitability for the mill. This study highlights new hardwood sawmill technologies, specifically in the areas of information systems and visualization technologies, and assesses the environmental impacts alongside the practicality of widespread application. Results from on-site testing were combined with other research in the field, concluding that properly applying visualization, optimization, and information technologies across the manufacturing process can significantly improve overall yield values. Combining engineering technologies with IS and strategic supply chain management leads to reduced waste and increased profits, benefiting local economies and forest resources across the globe.

Suggested Citation

  • Libor Cech & Joseph Cazier & Ashley B. Roberts, 2014. "Data Analytics in the Hardwood Industry: The Impact of Automation and Optimization on Profits, Quality, and the Environment," International Journal of Business Analytics (IJBAN), IGI Global, vol. 1(4), pages 16-33, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:igg:jban00:v:1:y:2014:i:4:p:16-33
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://services.igi-global.com/resolvedoi/resolve.aspx?doi=10.4018/ijban.2014100102
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:igg:jban00:v:1:y:2014:i:4:p:16-33. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    We have no bibliographic references for this item. You can help adding them by using this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Journal Editor (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.igi-global.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.