Activated of learning N°9

Evidence N°2: Workshop: Understanding the distribution center layout

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.

Getting familiar with Distribution Centers

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.

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

 Describing a Distribution Center

Following, you’ll see the very basic design of any Distribution Center. Check the image
and answer the questions:
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.
- Make sure you have enough pallets to store all your goods on 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.
- Organize your pallets evenly in 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.
- There should be enough space for your equipment or machinery to
move 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.
- 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/under/above the warehouse

racking for you to supervise the activity within the warehouse.
- 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:
  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 area
Quality auditing area
Order packing area
Refrigerated specialty products area
Put-to-store area
The loading area is located next to the freezer.
The Value added services area is in front of the
line loading
The Inventory control area is next to Line loading
Quality auditing area is within Inventory control
area
The Order packing area is Opposite the Put-to-
store
The Refrigerated specialty products area is Among
the Value added services area and high value
products area
The Put-to-store area is next to reverse logistics

 Critical thinking – Making decisions

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 Your opinion:

be flexible I disagree. I think Distribution
Centers must have a specific design
that helps the regular non-changing
flow of goods.

Save space: cram as many pallet
racks into your warehouse as
possible
Having an aisle map will help you
validate that the correct item is in
the assigned location.
Provide for the level of automation
that can be cost-justified based on
your particular operation and cost
structure.
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: it seems viable to me as
long as it does not harm human
manufacturing and personnel
PROS: spaces are distributed better at the
distribution center
CONS: obstacles can be presented at the
distribution center
Your opinion: it is important in the
location in the desired site
PROS: the hallway system facilitates the
location of the product
CONS: can hinder the good work of the
staff, since it will be attached to a map
and not to your experience
Your opinion: personnel must be ideal in
areas and processes managed
PROS: product flow is improved and
reprocesses avoided
CONS: you must have control in the
product to not have costs and
unnecessary expenses