Raw Materials Optimization in a Bread Making Factory: An R Implementation

Abstract

This study tries to demonstrate the application of linear programming methods in a bread manufacturing industry. The concept of Simplex Algorithm; an aspect of linear programming was deployed to allocate raw materials to some competing variables (Big Loaf, Medium Loaf and Small Loaf) in Crystal Bakery, Keffi, for the purpose of profit maximization. The simplex algorithm was implemented in R, where codes were written to carry out iterations. From the result of analysis, it was gathered that approximately 40 units of Big loaf, 180 units of medium loaf and 0 units of small loaf be produced to achieve a profit of around N23,000. Also, it was seen that most of the profit came from the sales of the medium loaf.