ACTIVIDAD DE APRENDIZAJE 9

EVIDENCIA 2: WORKSHOP: UNDERSTANDING THE DISTRIBUTION CENTER

LAYOUT

BREYNER MONTAÑO MORENO

CHRISTIAN ARBEY PALENCIA PACHECO

JUANITA MARÍA PATIÑO BENAVIDES

MARIA NELLA CASADIEGOS JAIME

SERVICIO NACIONAL DE APRENDIZAJE SENA

TECNÓLOGO EN GESTIÓN LOGÍSTICA

2019
 Actividad de aprendizaje 9

Evidencia 2: Workshop: Understanding the distribution center layout.

Your warehouse or distribution center layout greatly affects the performance of

your business. In fact, without a properly configured warehouse layout, you could
face capacity issues and even a decrease in productivity.
Complete the following activities in order to understand the importance of the
layout when designing a Distribution Center or warehouse.

1. Getting familiar with Distribution Centers.

a. Read the following description of a Distribution Center and complete it with

the words from the box.

STORAGE RECEIVING AREAS CENTERS

All distribution centers have three

main AREAS and may have
additional specialized areas. The
three main areas are the STORAGE
dock, also called loading dock, the
RECEIVING area or cargo deck, and
the shipping dock.
In small organizations it is possible
for the receiving and shipping
functions to occur side by side, but
in large CENTERS, separating these
areas simplifies the process.

b. Read and match. Read the definition for each of the areas that a distribution
center may include and match the definition with the name of such area.
1. F. LOADING DOCK A. 4. This area controls and ships large.
This department usually includes forklift
truck drivers to load containers and
wagons, and man-up or combi forklift
trucks to unload full pallets from
warehouse racking.
2. G. BULK DEPARTMENT B. 5. This department controls orders
which are leaving the country of the
distribution center. This department is
almost identical in function to a bulk
department; however, workers in this
department build pallets conforming to
different standards and sizes.
3. H. QUALITY C. 7. This area is in charge of replenishing
ASSURANCE and storing goods in the store's
DEPARTMENT backroom or warehouse.
4. A. TRANSPORTATION D. 6. An area reserved for inventory that is
AREA ready for final assembly or transport.
5. B. EXPORT E. 8. There are many types of this racking.
DEPARTMENT However, all types allow for the storage
of palletized materials in horizontal rows
with multiple levels.
6. D. STAGING LOCATION F. 1. This is an area of the warehouse
where goods vehicles (usually road or
rail) are loaded and unloaded. This area
usually includes pallet wrapping
workers, conveyor belt unloaders, forklift
drivers, and administrative staff.
7. C. STOCKING G. 2. Arranges and coordinates shipments
DEPARTMENT in and out of the distribution center.
8. E. PALLET RACKING H. 3. This department performs periodic
checks of random samples of stock to
check quality, including from the
warehouse racking, goods in, and
 returned stock.

Note: In case you have any questions with vocabulary, remember to check the
following dictionaries:
- http://www.businessdictionary.com/
- http://www.linguee.com/

2. Describing a Distribution Center

Following, you’ll see the very basic design of any Distribution Center. Check the image and
answer the questions:

Fuente: SENA
 A) According to the image, complete the following paragraph by selecting the
best preposition for each case.

While creating a layout for your warehouse or distribution center can

be considered a big task, it doesn't have to be complicated. The
following tips can help you navigate the process of laying out your
warehouse and make the most out of your space.

1. Make sure you have enough pallets to store all your goods in
them.
2. Organize your pallets evenly on specific racks in such way
that it is easy for the machinery –forklifts- to access them.
3. There should be enough space for your equipment or
machinery to move by the warehouse.
4. The machinery or equipment station must be close the
shipping and receiving area in order to load and unload
freight trucks.
5. The offices must be located in front of the warehouse
racking for you to supervise the activity within the warehouse.

Let’s check another example of a distribution center. Pay attention to the different
areas within this distribution center and answer the questions below:
 Fuente: SENA

B) Write sentences to describe the previous distribution center. Do not forget to

use prepositions to describe their location. Check the example:

Where is the…? Answer

- Loading area
- Value added services area
- Inventory control área
- Quality auditing area
The loading area is located next to the
freezer.
The value-added services area is located
next to the line load
The inventory control area is located in
front of line loading
The quality auditing area is located near
order packing
 - Order packing área The order packing área is located behind
the voice with scanning
- Refrigerated specialty The refrigerated specialty products area is
products área located across from put away area
- Put-to-store area The put-to-store area is located between
reverse logistics and order packing

3. Critical thinking – Making decisions

A) Pros and Cons. Read the following statements about Distribution Center
Design and decide in your agree or disagree with the statement. Do some
research on the topic and provide pros and cons for each statement.

Check the example:

Your opinion:
I disagree. I think Distribution
Centers must have a specific
design that helps the regular non-
changing flow of goods.

PROS:
The layout in your warehouse must -With flexible Distribution Centers
be flexible you can ensure your facilities are
ready for anything that comes in the
future.
CONS:
-Flexible Distribution Centers tends
to be more disorganized. It is hard
to keep control of the changes.
Save space: cram as many pallet Your opinion:
racks into your warehouse as I disagree, because with an excess
possible of pallet racks the efficiency of the
distribution center becomes difficult.
PROS:
There is enough space to store
merchandise in times of high
demand.
CONS:
Costs are increased if you do not
 take advantage of each of the
spaces in the distribution center.
Having an aisle map will help you Your opinion:
validate that the correct item is in I agree, because a distribution
the assigned location. center with its maps streamlines all
the processes.
PROS:
You gain visibility, productivity and
inventory accuracy.
CONS:
Delays processes, compliance and
increases risks.
Provide for the level of automation Your opinion:
that can be cost-justified based on I agree, because automation is the
your particular operation and cost implementation of intelligent
structure. systems and technologies to
operate machinery and control
production, regardless of the human
operation in jobs that require
greater effort or represent a risk to
the health and welfare of workers.
PROS:
- Decrease manufacturing costs.
- Increase the efficiency of the
production process.
- Speeds the response to market
demands.
CONS:
- Generates technological
dependence.
- It requires a large initial
investment.
- Lack of trained personnel to
manage the equipment.
 Referencias bibliográficas

Herrera I, (2016). SENA Using prepositions to describe Distribution Centers.

Regional Santander. SENA

ESL Library.com. (2016). Prepositions of place. Grammar practice worksheets.

Recuperado de https://www.esllibrary.com/