Grant: Alliance Grants

The competitive performance of the Canadian manufacturing and supply chain logistics industry has declined in recent decades due to various challenges (labor shortage and aging, global competition, outsourcing manufacturing activities to emerging economies). Unless companies adopt advanced technologies to improve their operational performance, they will not be able to compete in the digital global economy. In line with that, this project brings together university researchers, a Canadian industrial engineering firm (SimWell), and a Collegial Center for Technology Transfer - CCTT (Productique Québec Inc.) to address important research and development challenges of operations and supply chain management. The partnership's main goal is to collaboratively develop an integrated digital twin decision support platform for managing complex operations and supply chains (e.g., involving production, shipping, maintenance, and resource management processes). This new platform will function as a decision support tool for project partners and stakeholders in the supply chain (e.g., rail operations for transport of bulk ore) since different scenarios can be tested and evaluated before proceeding with the implementation. The expected contribution of this research program is significant and impactful since it will advance knowledge and practice in hybrid simulation and digital twin technology. It can contribute significantly to realizing the full potential of digital twins across a wide range of industries and applications that can help foster innovation and the competitiveness of the Canadian manufacturing and logistics industry. Moreover, it will provide training opportunities for six graduate students in cutting-edge technologies, equipping them with skills in high demand in the Canadian industry.