diff --git a/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/algorithm/box/Jsprit.java b/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/algorithm/box/Jsprit.java
index 3a13395b..cc4a58fa 100644
--- a/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/algorithm/box/Jsprit.java
+++ b/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/algorithm/box/Jsprit.java
@@ -35,6 +35,8 @@ import java.util.concurrent.Executors;
 
 public class Jsprit {
 
+    private final ActivityInsertionCostsCalculator activityInsertion;
+
     public enum Construction {
 
         BEST_INSERTION("best_insertion"), REGRET_INSERTION("regret_insertion");
@@ -132,6 +134,8 @@ public class Jsprit {
 
         private Random random = RandomNumberGeneration.newInstance();
 
+        private ActivityInsertionCostsCalculator activityInsertionCalculator;
+
         public static Builder newInstance(VehicleRoutingProblem vrp) {
             return new Builder(vrp);
         }
@@ -225,6 +229,11 @@ public class Jsprit {
             return this;
         }
 
+        public Builder setActivityInsertionCalculator(ActivityInsertionCostsCalculator activityInsertionCalculator){
+            this.activityInsertionCalculator = activityInsertionCalculator;
+            return this;
+        }
+
         public VehicleRoutingAlgorithm buildAlgorithm() {
             return new Jsprit(this).create(vrp);
         }
@@ -294,6 +303,7 @@ public class Jsprit {
         this.properties = builder.properties;
         this.objectiveFunction = builder.objectiveFunction;
         this.random = builder.random;
+        this.activityInsertion = builder.activityInsertionCalculator;
     }
 
     private VehicleRoutingAlgorithm create(final VehicleRoutingProblem vrp) {
@@ -403,6 +413,7 @@ public class Jsprit {
                 .setConcurrentMode(es, noThreads)
                 .considerFixedCosts(toDouble(getProperty(Parameter.FIXED_COST_PARAM.toString())))
                 .setAllowVehicleSwitch(toBoolean(getProperty(Parameter.VEHICLE_SWITCH.toString())))
+                .setActivityInsertionCostCalculator(activityInsertion)
                 .build();
             scorer = getRegretScorer(vrp);
             regretInsertion.setScoringFunction(scorer);
@@ -412,6 +423,7 @@ public class Jsprit {
                 .setInsertionStrategy(InsertionBuilder.Strategy.REGRET)
                 .setAllowVehicleSwitch(toBoolean(getProperty(Parameter.VEHICLE_SWITCH.toString())))
                 .considerFixedCosts(toDouble(getProperty(Parameter.FIXED_COST_PARAM.toString())))
+                .setActivityInsertionCostCalculator(activityInsertion)
                 .build();
             scorer = getRegretScorer(vrp);
             regretInsertion.setScoringFunction(scorer);
@@ -425,6 +437,7 @@ public class Jsprit {
                 .setInsertionStrategy(InsertionBuilder.Strategy.BEST)
                 .considerFixedCosts(Double.valueOf(properties.getProperty(Parameter.FIXED_COST_PARAM.toString())))
                 .setAllowVehicleSwitch(toBoolean(getProperty(Parameter.VEHICLE_SWITCH.toString())))
+                .setActivityInsertionCostCalculator(activityInsertion)
                 .build();
             best = bestInsertion;
         } else {
@@ -433,6 +446,7 @@ public class Jsprit {
                 .considerFixedCosts(Double.valueOf(properties.getProperty(Parameter.FIXED_COST_PARAM.toString())))
                 .setAllowVehicleSwitch(toBoolean(getProperty(Parameter.VEHICLE_SWITCH.toString())))
                 .setConcurrentMode(es, noThreads)
+                .setActivityInsertionCostCalculator(activityInsertion)
                 .build();
             best = bestInsertion;
         }
diff --git a/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/algorithm/io/AlgorithmConfigXmlReader.java b/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/algorithm/io/AlgorithmConfigXmlReader.java
index cebd43a7..47c536df 100644
--- a/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/algorithm/io/AlgorithmConfigXmlReader.java
+++ b/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/algorithm/io/AlgorithmConfigXmlReader.java
@@ -77,9 +77,7 @@ public class AlgorithmConfigXmlReader {
         try {
             algorithmConfig.getXMLConfiguration().load();
         } catch (ConfigurationException e) {
-            log.error(e);
-            e.printStackTrace();
-            System.exit(1);
+            throw new RuntimeException(e);
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/algorithm/io/VehicleRoutingAlgorithms.java b/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/algorithm/io/VehicleRoutingAlgorithms.java
index d96b75c5..f0ea52a3 100644
--- a/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/algorithm/io/VehicleRoutingAlgorithms.java
+++ b/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/algorithm/io/VehicleRoutingAlgorithms.java
@@ -519,7 +519,6 @@ public class VehicleRoutingAlgorithms {
                 @Override
                 public void uncaughtException(Thread arg0, Throwable arg1) {
                     System.err.println(arg1.toString());
-                    System.exit(0);
                 }
             });
             Runtime.getRuntime().addShutdownHook(new Thread() {
diff --git a/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/algorithm/recreate/BestInsertionConcurrent.java b/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/algorithm/recreate/BestInsertionConcurrent.java
index fa9210d7..de43da1b 100644
--- a/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/algorithm/recreate/BestInsertionConcurrent.java
+++ b/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/algorithm/recreate/BestInsertionConcurrent.java
@@ -130,9 +130,7 @@ public final class BestInsertionConcurrent extends AbstractInsertionStrategy {
             } catch (InterruptedException e) {
                 Thread.currentThread().interrupt();
             } catch (ExecutionException e) {
-                e.printStackTrace();
-                logger.error("Exception", e);
-                System.exit(1);
+                throw new RuntimeException(e);
             }
             VehicleRoute newRoute = VehicleRoute.emptyRoute();
             InsertionData newIData = bestInsertionCostCalculator.getInsertionData(newRoute, unassignedJob, NO_NEW_VEHICLE_YET, NO_NEW_DEPARTURE_TIME_YET, NO_NEW_DRIVER_YET, bestInsertionCost);
diff --git a/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/algorithm/recreate/RegretInsertion.java b/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/algorithm/recreate/RegretInsertion.java
index 51f06db0..2be97a88 100644
--- a/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/algorithm/recreate/RegretInsertion.java
+++ b/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/algorithm/recreate/RegretInsertion.java
@@ -259,6 +259,11 @@ public class RegretInsertion extends AbstractInsertionStrategy {
                 if(scoredJob.getScore() > bestScoredJob.getScore()){
                     bestScoredJob = scoredJob;
                 }
+                else if (scoredJob.getScore() == bestScoredJob.getScore()){
+                    if(scoredJob.getJob().getId().compareTo(bestScoredJob.getJob().getId()) <= 0){
+                        bestScoredJob = scoredJob;
+                    }
+                }
             }
         }
         return bestScoredJob;
diff --git a/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/algorithm/recreate/RegretInsertionConcurrent.java b/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/algorithm/recreate/RegretInsertionConcurrent.java
index 8e922728..c599226c 100644
--- a/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/algorithm/recreate/RegretInsertionConcurrent.java
+++ b/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/algorithm/recreate/RegretInsertionConcurrent.java
@@ -136,6 +136,11 @@ public class RegretInsertionConcurrent extends AbstractInsertionStrategy {
                 } else if (sJob.getScore() > bestScoredJob.getScore()) {
                     bestScoredJob = sJob;
                 }
+                else if (sJob.getScore() == bestScoredJob.getScore()){
+                    if(sJob.getJob().getId().compareTo(bestScoredJob.getJob().getId()) <= 0){
+                        bestScoredJob = sJob;
+                    }
+                }
             }
         } catch (InterruptedException e) {
             Thread.currentThread().interrupt();
diff --git a/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/problem/Skills.java b/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/problem/Skills.java
index 6905ba9f..ba5d255f 100644
--- a/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/problem/Skills.java
+++ b/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/problem/Skills.java
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ public class Skills {
          * @return builder
          */
         public Builder addSkill(String skill) {
-            skills.add(skill.toLowerCase());
+            skills.add(skill.trim().toLowerCase());
             return this;
         }
 
diff --git a/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/problem/io/VrpXMLReader.java b/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/problem/io/VrpXMLReader.java
index d1e9dc43..89104e09 100644
--- a/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/problem/io/VrpXMLReader.java
+++ b/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/problem/io/VrpXMLReader.java
@@ -163,9 +163,7 @@ public class VrpXMLReader {
         try {
             xmlConfig.load();
         } catch (ConfigurationException e) {
-            logger.error("Exception:", e);
-            e.printStackTrace();
-            System.exit(1);
+            throw new RuntimeException(e);
         }
         readProblemType(xmlConfig);
         readVehiclesAndTheirTypes(xmlConfig);
diff --git a/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/problem/io/VrpXMLWriter.java b/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/problem/io/VrpXMLWriter.java
index d6a99a19..f06aa2a1 100644
--- a/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/problem/io/VrpXMLWriter.java
+++ b/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/problem/io/VrpXMLWriter.java
@@ -117,9 +117,7 @@ public class VrpXMLWriter {
             element.setAttribute("xsi:schemaLocation", "http://www.w3schools.com vrp_xml_schema.xsd");
 
         } catch (ConfigurationException e) {
-            logger.error("Exception:", e);
-            e.printStackTrace();
-            System.exit(1);
+            throw new RuntimeException(e);
         }
 
         try {
@@ -128,9 +126,7 @@ public class VrpXMLWriter {
             serializer.serialize(xmlConfig.getDocument());
             out.close();
         } catch (IOException e) {
-            logger.error("Exception:", e);
-            e.printStackTrace();
-            System.exit(1);
+            throw new RuntimeException(e);
         }
 
 
diff --git a/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/problem/vehicle/VehicleImpl.java b/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/problem/vehicle/VehicleImpl.java
index 3172faac..578800e1 100644
--- a/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/problem/vehicle/VehicleImpl.java
+++ b/jsprit-core/src/main/java/jsprit/core/problem/vehicle/VehicleImpl.java
@@ -187,6 +187,7 @@ public class VehicleImpl extends AbstractVehicle {
          * @return this builder
          */
         public Builder setEarliestStart(double earliest_startTime) {
+            if(earliest_startTime < 0) throw new IllegalArgumentException("earliest start of vehicle " + id + " must not be negative");
             this.earliestStart = earliest_startTime;
             return this;
         }
@@ -198,6 +199,7 @@ public class VehicleImpl extends AbstractVehicle {
          * @return this builder
          */
         public Builder setLatestArrival(double latest_arrTime) {
+            if(latest_arrTime < 0) throw new IllegalArgumentException("latest arrival time of vehicle " + id + " must not be negative");
             this.latestArrival = latest_arrTime;
             return this;
         }
@@ -224,6 +226,7 @@ public class VehicleImpl extends AbstractVehicle {
          *                               or (endLocationId!=null AND returnToDepot=false)
          */
         public VehicleImpl build() {
+            if(latestArrival < earliestStart) throw new IllegalStateException("latest arrival of vehicle " + id + " must not be smaller than its start time");
             if (startLocation != null && endLocation != null) {
                 if (!startLocation.getId().equals(endLocation.getId()) && !returnToDepot)
                     throw new IllegalStateException("this must not be. you specified both endLocationId and open-routes. this is contradictory. <br>" +
diff --git a/jsprit-core/src/test/java/jsprit/core/algorithm/box/JspritTest.java b/jsprit-core/src/test/java/jsprit/core/algorithm/box/JspritTest.java
index 6dd1fafd..3dbf420b 100644
--- a/jsprit-core/src/test/java/jsprit/core/algorithm/box/JspritTest.java
+++ b/jsprit-core/src/test/java/jsprit/core/algorithm/box/JspritTest.java
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@ package jsprit.core.algorithm.box;
 import jsprit.core.algorithm.SearchStrategy;
 import jsprit.core.algorithm.VehicleRoutingAlgorithm;
 import jsprit.core.algorithm.listener.StrategySelectedListener;
+import jsprit.core.algorithm.recreate.InsertionData;
+import jsprit.core.algorithm.recreate.listener.BeforeJobInsertionListener;
 import jsprit.core.algorithm.recreate.listener.JobInsertedListener;
 import jsprit.core.algorithm.ruin.listener.RuinListener;
 import jsprit.core.problem.Location;
@@ -185,6 +187,51 @@ public class JspritTest {
 
     }
 
+    @Test
+    public void strategyDrawShouldBeReproducibleV2() {
+        Service s = Service.Builder.newInstance("s1").setLocation(Location.newInstance(1, 1)).build();
+        Service s2 = Service.Builder.newInstance("s2").setLocation(Location.newInstance(1, 2)).build();
+        Service s3 = Service.Builder.newInstance("s3").setLocation(Location.newInstance(1, 2)).build();
+        Service s4 = Service.Builder.newInstance("s4").setLocation(Location.newInstance(1, 2)).build();
+
+        VehicleImpl v = VehicleImpl.Builder.newInstance("v").setStartLocation(Location.newInstance(0, 0)).build();
+        VehicleRoutingProblem vrp = VehicleRoutingProblem.Builder.newInstance().addJob(s4).addJob(s3).addVehicle(v).addJob(s2).addJob(s).build();
+        VehicleRoutingAlgorithm vra = Jsprit.Builder.newInstance(vrp).setProperty(Jsprit.Parameter.THREADS,"4").buildAlgorithm();
+        vra.setMaxIterations(100);
+        final List<String> firstRecord = new ArrayList<String>();
+        vra.addListener(new StrategySelectedListener() {
+
+            @Override
+            public void informSelectedStrategy(SearchStrategy.DiscoveredSolution discoveredSolution, VehicleRoutingProblem vehicleRoutingProblem, Collection<VehicleRoutingProblemSolution> vehicleRoutingProblemSolutions) {
+                firstRecord.add(discoveredSolution.getStrategyId());
+            }
+
+        });
+        vra.searchSolutions();
+
+        RandomNumberGeneration.reset();
+        VehicleRoutingAlgorithm second = Jsprit.Builder.newInstance(vrp).setProperty(Jsprit.Parameter.THREADS,"2").buildAlgorithm();
+        second.setMaxIterations(100);
+        final List<String> secondRecord = new ArrayList<String>();
+        second.addListener(new StrategySelectedListener() {
+
+            @Override
+            public void informSelectedStrategy(SearchStrategy.DiscoveredSolution discoveredSolution, VehicleRoutingProblem vehicleRoutingProblem, Collection<VehicleRoutingProblemSolution> vehicleRoutingProblemSolutions) {
+                secondRecord.add(discoveredSolution.getStrategyId());
+            }
+
+        });
+        second.searchSolutions();
+
+        for (int i = 0; i < 100; i++) {
+            if (!firstRecord.get(i).equals(secondRecord.get(i))) {
+                org.junit.Assert.assertFalse(true);
+            }
+        }
+        org.junit.Assert.assertTrue(true);
+
+    }
+
     @Test
     public void ruinedJobsShouldBeReproducible() {
         Service s = Service.Builder.newInstance("s1").setLocation(Location.newInstance(1, 1)).build();
@@ -192,6 +239,72 @@ public class JspritTest {
         Service s3 = Service.Builder.newInstance("s3").setLocation(Location.newInstance(1, 2)).build();
         Service s4 = Service.Builder.newInstance("s4").setLocation(Location.newInstance(1, 2)).build();
 
+        VehicleImpl v = VehicleImpl.Builder.newInstance("v").setStartLocation(Location.newInstance(0, 0)).build();
+        VehicleRoutingProblem vrp = VehicleRoutingProblem.Builder.newInstance().addJob(s4).addJob(s3).addVehicle(v).addJob(s2).addJob(s).build();
+        VehicleRoutingAlgorithm vra = Jsprit.Builder.newInstance(vrp)
+            .setProperty(Jsprit.Strategy.WORST_REGRET,"0.")
+            .setProperty(Jsprit.Strategy.WORST_BEST, "0.")
+            .setProperty(Jsprit.Parameter.THREADS, "2").buildAlgorithm();
+        vra.setMaxIterations(100);
+        final List<String> firstRecord = new ArrayList<String>();
+        vra.addListener(new RuinListener() {
+            @Override
+            public void ruinStarts(Collection<VehicleRoute> routes) {
+
+            }
+
+            @Override
+            public void ruinEnds(Collection<VehicleRoute> routes, Collection<Job> unassignedJobs) {
+
+            }
+
+            @Override
+            public void removed(Job job, VehicleRoute fromRoute) {
+                firstRecord.add(job.getId());
+            }
+        });
+        vra.searchSolutions();
+
+        VehicleRoutingAlgorithm second = Jsprit.Builder.newInstance(vrp).setProperty(Jsprit.Parameter.THREADS, "4")
+            .setProperty(Jsprit.Strategy.WORST_REGRET, "0.")
+            .setProperty(Jsprit.Strategy.WORST_BEST, "0.")
+            .buildAlgorithm();
+        second.setMaxIterations(100);
+        final List<String> secondRecord = new ArrayList<String>();
+        second.addListener(new RuinListener() {
+            @Override
+            public void ruinStarts(Collection<VehicleRoute> routes) {
+
+            }
+
+            @Override
+            public void ruinEnds(Collection<VehicleRoute> routes, Collection<Job> unassignedJobs) {
+
+            }
+
+            @Override
+            public void removed(Job job, VehicleRoute fromRoute) {
+                secondRecord.add(job.getId());
+            }
+        });
+        second.searchSolutions();
+
+        Assert.assertEquals(secondRecord.size(), firstRecord.size());
+        for (int i = 0; i < firstRecord.size(); i++) {
+            if (!firstRecord.get(i).equals(secondRecord.get(i))) {
+                Assert.assertFalse(true);
+            }
+        }
+        Assert.assertTrue(true);
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    public void ruinedJobsShouldBeReproducibleV2() {
+        Service s = Service.Builder.newInstance("s1").setLocation(Location.newInstance(1, 1)).build();
+        Service s2 = Service.Builder.newInstance("s2").setLocation(Location.newInstance(1, 2)).build();
+        Service s3 = Service.Builder.newInstance("s3").setLocation(Location.newInstance(1, 2)).build();
+        Service s4 = Service.Builder.newInstance("s4").setLocation(Location.newInstance(1, 2)).build();
+
         VehicleImpl v = VehicleImpl.Builder.newInstance("v").setStartLocation(Location.newInstance(0, 0)).build();
         VehicleRoutingProblem vrp = VehicleRoutingProblem.Builder.newInstance().addJob(s4).addJob(s3).addVehicle(v).addJob(s2).addJob(s).build();
         VehicleRoutingAlgorithm vra = Jsprit.createAlgorithm(vrp);
@@ -286,5 +399,73 @@ public class JspritTest {
         Assert.assertTrue(true);
     }
 
+    @Test
+    public void insertionShouldBeReproducibleV2() {
+        Service s = Service.Builder.newInstance("s1").setLocation(Location.newInstance(1, 1)).build();
+        Service s2 = Service.Builder.newInstance("s2").setLocation(Location.newInstance(1, 1)).build();
+        Service s3 = Service.Builder.newInstance("s3").setLocation(Location.newInstance(1, 3)).build();
+        Service s4 = Service.Builder.newInstance("s4").setLocation(Location.newInstance(1, 4)).build();
+
+        VehicleImpl v = VehicleImpl.Builder.newInstance("v").setStartLocation(Location.newInstance(0, 0)).build();
+        VehicleRoutingProblem vrp = VehicleRoutingProblem.Builder.newInstance().setFleetSize(VehicleRoutingProblem.FleetSize.FINITE).addJob(s4).addJob(s3).addVehicle(v).addJob(s2).addJob(s).build();
+
+        VehicleRoutingAlgorithm vra = Jsprit.Builder.newInstance(vrp)
+            .setProperty(Jsprit.Strategy.WORST_REGRET,"0.")
+            .setProperty(Jsprit.Strategy.WORST_BEST, "0.")
+            .setProperty(Jsprit.Parameter.THREADS, "4").buildAlgorithm();
+        vra.setMaxIterations(100);
+        final List<String> firstRecord = new ArrayList<String>();
+        final List<Double> firstRecordCosts = new ArrayList<Double>();
+        vra.addListener(new BeforeJobInsertionListener() {
+            @Override
+            public void informBeforeJobInsertion(Job job, InsertionData data, VehicleRoute route) {
+                String id = job.getId();
+                firstRecordCosts.add(data.getInsertionCost());
+                firstRecord.add(id);
+            }
+        });
+        vra.searchSolutions();
+
+        VehicleRoutingAlgorithm second = Jsprit.Builder.newInstance(vrp)
+            .setProperty(Jsprit.Strategy.WORST_REGRET,"0.")
+            .setProperty(Jsprit.Strategy.WORST_BEST, "0.")
+            .setProperty(Jsprit.Parameter.THREADS, "5").buildAlgorithm();
+        second.setMaxIterations(100);
+        final List<String> secondRecord = new ArrayList<String>();
+        final List<Double> secondRecordCosts = new ArrayList<Double>();
+        second.addListener(new BeforeJobInsertionListener() {
+            @Override
+            public void informBeforeJobInsertion(Job job, InsertionData data, VehicleRoute route) {
+                secondRecord.add(job.getId());
+                secondRecordCosts.add(data.getInsertionCost());
+            }
+        });
+        second.searchSolutions();
+
+//        for(int i=0;i<firstRecord.size();i++){
+//            System.out.print(firstRecord.get(i) + " (" + ((int)(firstRecordCosts.get(i)*100.))/100. + "), ");
+//        }
+//        System.out.println();
+//        for(int i=0;i<secondRecord.size();i++){
+//            System.out.print(secondRecord.get(i) + " (" + ((int)(firstRecordCosts.get(i)*100.))/100. + "), ");
+//        }
+
+        Assert.assertEquals(secondRecord.size(), firstRecord.size());
+        for (int i = 0; i < firstRecord.size(); i++) {
+            if (!firstRecord.get(i).equals(secondRecord.get(i))) {
+                Assert.assertFalse(true);
+            }
+        }
+        Assert.assertTrue(true);
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    public void compare(){
+        String s1 = "s2234";
+        String s2 = "s1";
+        int c = s1.compareTo(s2);
+        Assert.assertEquals(1,c);
+    }
+
 
 }
diff --git a/jsprit-core/src/test/java/jsprit/core/problem/SkillsTest.java b/jsprit-core/src/test/java/jsprit/core/problem/SkillsTest.java
index 17706ca3..263fce72 100644
--- a/jsprit-core/src/test/java/jsprit/core/problem/SkillsTest.java
+++ b/jsprit-core/src/test/java/jsprit/core/problem/SkillsTest.java
@@ -63,4 +63,30 @@ public class SkillsTest {
         assertTrue(skills.containsSkill("skill2"));
     }
 
+    @Test
+    public void whenSkillsAddedPrecedingWhitespaceShouldNotMatter() {
+        Set<String> skillSet = new HashSet<String>();
+        skillSet.add(" skill1");
+        skillSet.add("Skill2");
+        Skills skills = Skills.Builder.newInstance().addAllSkills(skillSet).build();
+        assertTrue(skills.containsSkill("skill1"));
+        assertTrue(skills.containsSkill("skill2"));
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    public void whenSkillsAddedTrailingWhitespaceShouldNotMatter() {
+        Set<String> skillSet = new HashSet<String>();
+        skillSet.add("skill1 ");
+        skillSet.add("Skill2");
+        Skills skills = Skills.Builder.newInstance().addAllSkills(skillSet).build();
+        assertTrue(skills.containsSkill("skill1"));
+        assertTrue(skills.containsSkill("skill2"));
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    public void whenSkillsAddedTrailingWhitespaceShouldNotMatter2() {
+        Skills skills = Skills.Builder.newInstance().addSkill("skill1 ").build();
+        assertTrue(skills.containsSkill("skill1"));
+    }
+
 }
diff --git a/jsprit-instances/src/main/java/jsprit/instance/reader/ChristofidesReader.java b/jsprit-instances/src/main/java/jsprit/instance/reader/ChristofidesReader.java
index a46795d0..f532f14e 100644
--- a/jsprit-instances/src/main/java/jsprit/instance/reader/ChristofidesReader.java
+++ b/jsprit-instances/src/main/java/jsprit/instance/reader/ChristofidesReader.java
@@ -107,9 +107,7 @@ public class ChristofidesReader {
         try {
             reader.close();
         } catch (IOException e) {
-            e.printStackTrace();
-            logger.error("Exception:", e);
-            System.exit(1);
+            throw new RuntimeException(e);
         }
     }
 
@@ -117,10 +115,7 @@ public class ChristofidesReader {
         try {
             return reader.readLine();
         } catch (IOException e) {
-            e.printStackTrace();
-            logger.error("Exception:", e);
-            System.exit(1);
-            return null;
+            throw new RuntimeException(e);
         }
     }
 
@@ -135,9 +130,7 @@ public class ChristofidesReader {
         try {
             reader = new BufferedReader(new FileReader(solomonFile));
         } catch (FileNotFoundException e1) {
-            e1.printStackTrace();
-            logger.error("Exception:", e1);
-            System.exit(1);
+            throw new RuntimeException(e1);
         }
         return reader;
     }
diff --git a/jsprit-instances/src/main/java/jsprit/instance/reader/CordeauReader.java b/jsprit-instances/src/main/java/jsprit/instance/reader/CordeauReader.java
index 95943ca9..2b5fd9ad 100644
--- a/jsprit-instances/src/main/java/jsprit/instance/reader/CordeauReader.java
+++ b/jsprit-instances/src/main/java/jsprit/instance/reader/CordeauReader.java
@@ -136,9 +136,7 @@ public class CordeauReader {
         try {
             reader.close();
         } catch (IOException e) {
-            e.printStackTrace();
-            logger.error("Exception:", e);
-            System.exit(1);
+            throw new RuntimeException(e);
         }
     }
 
@@ -146,10 +144,7 @@ public class CordeauReader {
         try {
             return reader.readLine();
         } catch (IOException e) {
-            e.printStackTrace();
-            logger.error("Exception:", e);
-            System.exit(1);
-            return null;
+            throw new RuntimeException(e);
         }
     }
 
@@ -164,9 +159,7 @@ public class CordeauReader {
         try {
             reader = new BufferedReader(new FileReader(solomonFile));
         } catch (FileNotFoundException e1) {
-            e1.printStackTrace();
-            logger.error("Exception:", e1);
-            System.exit(1);
+            throw new RuntimeException(e1);
         }
         return reader;
     }
diff --git a/jsprit-instances/src/main/java/jsprit/instance/reader/LiLimReader.java b/jsprit-instances/src/main/java/jsprit/instance/reader/LiLimReader.java
index aae46cee..092c5dfd 100644
--- a/jsprit-instances/src/main/java/jsprit/instance/reader/LiLimReader.java
+++ b/jsprit-instances/src/main/java/jsprit/instance/reader/LiLimReader.java
@@ -142,9 +142,7 @@ public class LiLimReader {
         try {
             reader = new BufferedReader(new FileReader(file));
         } catch (FileNotFoundException e1) {
-            e1.printStackTrace();
-            logger.error("Exception:", e1);
-            System.exit(1);
+            throw new RuntimeException(e1);
         }
         return reader;
     }
diff --git a/jsprit-instances/src/main/java/jsprit/instance/reader/LopezIbanezBlumReader.java b/jsprit-instances/src/main/java/jsprit/instance/reader/LopezIbanezBlumReader.java
index f0ac80f9..e84a1034 100644
--- a/jsprit-instances/src/main/java/jsprit/instance/reader/LopezIbanezBlumReader.java
+++ b/jsprit-instances/src/main/java/jsprit/instance/reader/LopezIbanezBlumReader.java
@@ -86,9 +86,7 @@ public class LopezIbanezBlumReader {
         try {
             reader.close();
         } catch (IOException e) {
-            e.printStackTrace();
-            logger.error("Exception:", e);
-            System.exit(1);
+            throw new RuntimeException(e);
         }
     }
 
@@ -96,10 +94,7 @@ public class LopezIbanezBlumReader {
         try {
             return reader.readLine();
         } catch (IOException e) {
-            e.printStackTrace();
-            logger.error("Exception:", e);
-            System.exit(1);
-            return null;
+            throw new RuntimeException(e);
         }
     }
 
@@ -108,9 +103,7 @@ public class LopezIbanezBlumReader {
         try {
             reader = new BufferedReader(new FileReader(solomonFile));
         } catch (FileNotFoundException e1) {
-            e1.printStackTrace();
-            logger.error("Exception:", e1);
-            System.exit(1);
+            throw new RuntimeException(e1);
         }
         return reader;
     }
diff --git a/jsprit-instances/src/main/java/jsprit/instance/reader/LuiShenReader.java b/jsprit-instances/src/main/java/jsprit/instance/reader/LuiShenReader.java
index 90856af6..a22526d7 100644
--- a/jsprit-instances/src/main/java/jsprit/instance/reader/LuiShenReader.java
+++ b/jsprit-instances/src/main/java/jsprit/instance/reader/LuiShenReader.java
@@ -149,9 +149,7 @@ public class LuiShenReader {
         try {
             reader.close();
         } catch (IOException e) {
-            e.printStackTrace();
-            logger.error("Exception:", e);
-            System.exit(1);
+            throw new RuntimeException(e);
         }
     }
 
@@ -159,10 +157,7 @@ public class LuiShenReader {
         try {
             return reader.readLine();
         } catch (IOException e) {
-            e.printStackTrace();
-            logger.error("Exception:", e);
-            System.exit(1);
-            return null;
+            throw new RuntimeException(e);
         }
     }
 
@@ -177,9 +172,7 @@ public class LuiShenReader {
         try {
             reader = new BufferedReader(new FileReader(solomonFile));
         } catch (FileNotFoundException e1) {
-            e1.printStackTrace();
-            logger.error("Exception:", e1);
-            System.exit(1);
+            throw new RuntimeException(e1);
         }
         return reader;
     }
diff --git a/jsprit-instances/src/main/java/jsprit/instance/reader/SolomonReader.java b/jsprit-instances/src/main/java/jsprit/instance/reader/SolomonReader.java
index 74154788..07cf7140 100644
--- a/jsprit-instances/src/main/java/jsprit/instance/reader/SolomonReader.java
+++ b/jsprit-instances/src/main/java/jsprit/instance/reader/SolomonReader.java
@@ -127,9 +127,7 @@ public class SolomonReader {
         try {
             reader.close();
         } catch (IOException e) {
-            e.printStackTrace();
-            logger.error("Exception:", e);
-            System.exit(1);
+            throw new RuntimeException(e);
         }
     }
 
@@ -137,10 +135,7 @@ public class SolomonReader {
         try {
             return reader.readLine();
         } catch (IOException e) {
-            e.printStackTrace();
-            logger.error("Exception:", e);
-            System.exit(1);
-            return null;
+            throw new RuntimeException(e);
         }
     }
 
@@ -155,9 +150,7 @@ public class SolomonReader {
         try {
             reader = new BufferedReader(new FileReader(solomonFile));
         } catch (FileNotFoundException e1) {
-            e1.printStackTrace();
-            logger.error("Exception:", e1);
-            System.exit(1);
+            throw new RuntimeException(e1);
         }
         return reader;
     }
diff --git a/jsprit-instances/src/main/java/jsprit/instance/reader/VrphGoldenReader.java b/jsprit-instances/src/main/java/jsprit/instance/reader/VrphGoldenReader.java
index 829da23a..707de375 100644
--- a/jsprit-instances/src/main/java/jsprit/instance/reader/VrphGoldenReader.java
+++ b/jsprit-instances/src/main/java/jsprit/instance/reader/VrphGoldenReader.java
@@ -138,8 +138,7 @@ public class VrphGoldenReader {
         try {
             reader.close();
         } catch (IOException e) {
-            e.printStackTrace();
-            System.exit(1);
+            throw new RuntimeException(e);
         }
     }
 
@@ -148,8 +147,7 @@ public class VrphGoldenReader {
         try {
             readLine = reader.readLine();
         } catch (IOException e) {
-            e.printStackTrace();
-            System.exit(1);
+            throw new RuntimeException(e);
         }
         return readLine;
     }
@@ -160,10 +158,8 @@ public class VrphGoldenReader {
             bufferedReader = new BufferedReader(new FileReader(new File(filename)));
             return bufferedReader;
         } catch (FileNotFoundException e) {
-            e.printStackTrace();
-            System.exit(1);
+            throw new RuntimeException(e);
         }
-        return bufferedReader;
     }
 
     public static void main(String[] args) {