In the bustling world of Indonesian construction, a silent revolution is underway, one that could reshape how concrete suppliers are chosen and, ultimately, how infrastructure projects are executed. At the heart of this shift is a novel methodology developed by Agus Ristono, a researcher from Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Yogyakarta, which promises to streamline supplier selection, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency. This isn’t just about picking the cheapest or most readily available materials; it’s about integrating both quantitative and qualitative criteria to make informed, dynamic decisions.
The construction of toll roads across Indonesia has led to a surge in demand for concrete, pushing manufacturing companies to seek new raw material suppliers. Traditionally, this process has been fraught with challenges, balancing various factors from cost and quality to delivery reliability and environmental impact. Ristono’s approach, published in the International Islamic University Malaysia Engineering Journal, aims to simplify this complex decision-making process.
The methodology is a multi-stage process that begins with the Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM), which helps determine the most critical criteria for supplier selection. “The FDM allows us to capture the collective wisdom of decision-makers, ensuring that we’re considering all relevant factors,” Ristono explains. This is followed by weighting these criteria using the Fuzzy Step-wise Assessment Ratio (F-SWARA) II and the Method Based on Removal Effects of Criteria (MEREC). The final stage involves assessing suppliers using Fuzzy Measurement of Alternatives and Ranking According to Compromise Solution (F-MARCOS).
The practical implications of this research are significant, particularly for the energy sector, which often relies on robust infrastructure for its operations. By optimizing supplier selection, companies can reduce production costs, improve project timelines, and enhance the overall quality of their infrastructure. In a case study involving one of Indonesia’s largest concrete manufacturing companies, the implementation of Ristono’s model led to a 5% reduction in production costs within a few months. This is not just a marginal improvement; it’s a testament to the potential of this methodology to drive substantial commercial impacts.
But how might this research shape future developments in the field? As the construction industry continues to evolve, with a growing emphasis on sustainability and efficiency, methodologies like Ristono’s could become the gold standard for supplier selection. By integrating both quantitative and qualitative criteria, companies can make more holistic decisions that consider not just the immediate costs, but also the long-term impacts on their projects and the environment.
Moreover, this approach could pave the way for more collaborative decision-making processes within companies. By involving multiple stakeholders in the criteria determination process, companies can ensure that all relevant factors are considered, leading to more informed and consensus-driven decisions. This could be particularly beneficial in large-scale infrastructure projects, where the stakes are high, and the decisions are complex.
In an industry that is often slow to change, Ristono’s research offers a fresh perspective on supplier selection. By leveraging fuzzy logic and multi-criteria decision-making, he has developed a methodology that is not just more effective, but also more adaptable to the dynamic needs of the construction industry. As the demand for concrete continues to rise, and the pressure to build sustainably increases, this could be the breakthrough that the industry needs.