Andreas Holzapfel

Prof. Dr. Andreas Holzapfel serves as Head of Institute and Full Professor for Logistics Management within the Department of Fresh Produce Logistics at Hochschule Geisenheim University, Germany. His academic leadership focuses on optimizing logistics operations specifically tailored to horticultural products and grocery retailing.

Before his current position, Prof. Holzapfel completed his academic foundation as a Research and Teaching Assistant at the Catholic University of Eichstaett-Ingolstadt (2012-2017), where he earned his Ph.D. in Business Administration in 2016. His doctoral work laid the groundwork for his subsequent research in retail logistics optimization.

Prof. Holzapfel's research program centers on practical applications of operations research in retail and horticultural supply chains. His primary expertise includes distribution network design, delivery pattern optimization, inventory management systems, and omnichannel retail operations. He has conducted extensive research on multi-compartment vehicle routing, demonstrating how retailers can achieve 15% cost savings through integrated planning approaches. His work bridges theoretical modeling with practical implementation, often validated through case studies with major German retailers. More recently, his research has addressed the unique challenges of horticultural supply chains, developing decision support frameworks specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises in this sector.

Analysis of Prof. Holzapfel's publication record (2020-2024) reveals three distinct research trajectories: optimization of retail logistics systems, adaptation to extraordinary circumstances (including public holidays and the COVID-19 pandemic), and extension of logistics principles to horticultural supply chains. His work consistently demonstrates the value of integrated planning approaches over sequential decision-making, with numerous publications showing significant efficiency gains through holistic optimization of traditionally separate logistics functions.

Prof. Holzapfel leads the research project 'DERIVING CONCEPTS FOR LOGISTICS OPTIMIZATION AND REQUIREMENTS FOR EMPLOYEES AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF AN INCREASED DIGITALIZATION OF THE VALUE CHAIN' (2020-2023), funded by the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food. This project addresses the specific challenges faced by horticultural companies in managing perishable products with limited shelf life under variable external conditions.

He is an active contributor to the academic community, regularly presenting at major international conferences including the European Conference on Operational Research, the Production and Operations Management Society Annual Conference, and specialized forums such as the European Working Group on Retail Operations. His presentations consistently focus on translating complex optimization models into practical retail logistics solutions.