ACTIVIDAD DE APRENDIZAJE 9

Diseñar un centro de distribución, a través de elementos de simulación

EVIDENCE 2

Workshop: Understanding the distribution center layout

PRESENTADO POR:
JAIR ALEXANDER GURERERO RAMOS

PRESENTADO A

YOLIANA HERNANDEZ ROZO

SENA
GESTION LOGOISTICA
2019
 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.
Note: all the answers are highlighted in red.

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 CENTER, 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. LOADING DOCK 4 A. 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. BULK DEPARTMENT 5 B. 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. QUALITY ASSURANCE 6 C. This area is in charge of replenishing and
DEPARTMENT storing goods in the store's backroom or
 warehouse.
4. TRANSPORTATION 7 D. An area reserved for inventory that is ready
AREA for final assembly or transport.
5. EXPORT 8 E. There are many types of this racking.
DEAPARTMENT However, all types allow for the storage of
palletized materials in horizontal rows with
multiple levels.
6. STAGING LOCATION 1 F. 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 unloads, forklift drivers, and
administrative staff
7. STOCKING 2 G. Arranges and coordinates shipments in and
DEPARTMENT out of the distribution center.
8. PALLET RACKING H. This department performs periodic checks
of random samples of stock to check
3
quality, including from the warehouse
racking, goods in, and returned stock.

2. Describing a Distribution Center

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

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/on/at
them.
2. Organize your pallets evenly in/on/at 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/near/through the warehouse.
4. The machinery or equipment station must be far/below/close the
shipping and receiving area in order to load and unload freight
trucks.
5. The offices must be located in front of/under/above 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:

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…?
- Loading area
- Value added services area
- Inventory control area
- Quality auditing area
- Order packing area
- Refrigerated specialty The Refrigerated Special Products Area is
products area
- Put-to-store area
Answer
The loading area is located next to the freezer.
The area of value added services is at the
forefront of special refrigerated products.
The inventory control area is location next to
the area of the collection area.
The quality audit area is located behind the area
of sales area to store.
The packing order area is in front of the quality
audit area.
located next to the High Value Products Area.
The store sales area is located behind the
Reverse Logistics Area.

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:


The layout in your warehouse must be
flexible
Your opinion:
I disagree. I think Distribution Centers
must have a specific design that helps
the regular non-changing flow of
goods.
PROS:
-With flexible Distribution Centers 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.

Your opinion:
I agree, if this type of shelving is
implemented throughout the CEDI, a
variety of references can be handled
with more agility.
PROS: With the pallet racks the space
Save space: cram as many pallet racks
is optimized and the movement in the
into your warehouse as possible
center of the distribution is speeded up.
CONS: its installation and handling can
be complex due to the amount of
different accessories and models of
pallet racks, in addition to the high
logistical cost involved.

Having an aisle map will help you Your opinion: Having a corridor map is
validate that the correct item is in the subject to the type of rotation that is
assigned location. handled in the distribution center, it is a
good guide and organization but you
have to be aware that it is kept up to
date.
PROS: helps the location and easy
access to the merchandise
 CONS: if the merchandise is being
rotated, it can generate confusions,
disorganization and slowness of the
process.

Your opinion: I agree because it speeds

up the work and optimizes the quality
of the service.
PROS: dynamism the agility and
Provide for the level of automation that
quality of the service of the distribution
can be cost-justified based on your
center, expands its capacity and reduces
particular operation and cost structure.
the cost of labor.
CONS: It could increase investment
costs and costs of maintenance and
repairs, in addition to production delays
due to sudden damages or failures.

4. Sharing your opinion

Realice la grabación de cada uno de los enunciados del punto anterior en un solo
archivo.