Abstract
Managers of food processing lines are demanded to increase productivity and efficiency. Due to product variations within the order backlog, it is difficult to identify local bottlenecks and develop appropriate solutions to address them. In addition, production managers require competencies to analyse the impact of changes within the production programme on the balance of a production line. This study aims to investigate the application of discrete event simulation for production planning in biscuit production, with a particular focus on production line balancing, reconfiguration and production programme planning. Based on a case study of an industry partner, a simulation model representing a real-world biscuit production line was developed. It enables the analyses of possible scenarios to assess productivity and efficiency. The model provides a case study for the further improvement of production planning in the food industry, where simulation modelling can have a useful impact.