WORKSHOP: UNDERSTANDING THE DISTRIBUTION CENTER LAYOUT

Actividad de aprendizaje 9

Por
ANGEL YOVANY FORERO NOVOA
Ficha 1966026

Instructor
LINA MARIA ZAMORA SANCHEZ

SERVICIO NACIONAL DE APRENDIZAJE SENA

GESTION LOGISTICA
MAYO DE 2020
 WORKSHOP: UNDERSTANDING THE DISTRIBUTION CENTER LAYOUT
Actividad de aprendizaje 9
Evidencia 2

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 receiving  dock, also
called loading dock, the storage
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
2. BULK DEPARTMENT
3. QUALITY ASSURANCE
DEPARTMENT
4. TRANSPORTATION
AREA
5. EXPORT DEAPARTMENT
6. STAGING LOCATION
7. STOCKING
DEPARTMENT
8. PALLET RACKING
2 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.
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.
7 C. This area is in charge of replenishing
and storing goods in the store's
backroom or warehouse.
6 D. An area reserved for inventory that is
ready for final assembly or transport.
8 E. There are many types of this racking.
However, all types allow for
the storage of palletized materials in
horizontal rows with multiple levels.
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 unloaders, forklift drivers,
and administrative staff
4 G. Arranges and coordinates shipments in
and out of the distribution center.
3 H. This department performs periodic
checks of random samples of stock to
check 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
on them.
2. 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 through the warehouse.
4. The machinery or equipment station must be far the shipping
and receiving area in order to load and unload freight trucks.
5. The offices must be located in front the warehouse racking
for you to supervise the activity within the warehouse.

B) Let’s check another example of a distribution center. Pay attention to the

different areas within this distribution center and answer the questions
below:
C) 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 The loading area is located next to the
freezer.
- Value added services area The value added services areas is in front
of the line loading.
- Inventory control area The inventory control area is next to line
loading.
- Quality auditing area Quality auditing area is within Inventory
control area.
- Order packing area The orden packing area is opposite the
Put- to – store.
- Refrigerated specialty The Refrigerated specialty products area is
products area Among the value added services area and
high value products area.

- Put-to-store area The Put-to-store area is next to reverse

logistics.

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.
The layout in your warehouse must
be flexible 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.
Save space: cram as many pallet Your opinion:
racks into your warehouse as yes, i agree as long as it does not
possible hard the normal development of
machinery and personal
PROS:
They drive time savings.

helps to take more advantage the

space of the dsitribution center

CONS: hinders good management

within in the CEDI.

Having an aisle map will help you Your opinion:

validate that the correct item is in It is perfect for locating the desired
the assigned location. item efficiently.

PROS: help with saving time

CONS:
staff will have plenty of time to do
things other than work

Provide for the level of automation Your opinion

that can be cost-justified based on
your particular operation and cost
structure.
the person in charge must study
the aeas that need this process in
a more relevant way.
PROS:
improves the flow of processes and
reduction of steps to perform a task

CONS :
care must be taken to find the
practical way, it may generate
additional costs .