ACTIVIDAD DE APRENDIZAJE 9

EVIDENCIA 2: WORKSHOP: UNDERSTANDING THE DISTRIBUTION CENTER

LAYOUT

APRENDIZ
JUAN SEBASTIÁN FORERO BELTRÁN

INSTRUCTORA:
INGLES

SERVICIO NACIONAL DE APRENDIZAJE (SENA)

TECNÓLOGO EN GESTIÓN LOGÍSTICA
FICHA (2053108)
BOGOTA D.C
2020
 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 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 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. LOADING DOCK 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.
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 7 C. This area is in charge of replenishing and
DEPARTMENT storing goods in the store's backroom or
warehouse.
4. TRANSPORTATION AREA 6 D. An area reserved for inventory that is
ready 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 unloaders, forklift drivers,
and administrative staff
7. STOCKING 4 G. Arranges and coordinates shipments in
DEPARTMENT and out of the distribution center.
8. PALLET RACKING 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. 

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 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 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 area
- Quality auditing area
- Order packing 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
- 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:

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.

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: I agree As long as it does
racks into your warehouse as not harm the normal development of
possible machinery and personnel.
PROS: helps to take more advantage of
the distribution center
CONS: hinders good management within
CEDI

Having an aisle map will help you Your opinion: It is perfect to locate,
verify and load the desired item efficiently
 validate that the correct item is in PROS: The aisle maps not only facilitates
the assigned location. the location of the article, but also to
propose ideas for a new organization
CONS: can hinder the good work of the
staff, since it will be attached to a map and
not to your experience
Provide for the level of automation Your opinion The person in charge must
that can be cost-justified based on study the areas that need this process in a
your particular operation and cost more relevant way
structure. 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 can lead to capital
expenditures

4. Sharing your opinion

It is time to share your opinions about distribution centers design. Study the complementary
material “Expressions for Discussion and Debate” and get ready for your Blackboard
Collaborate session.

Study the following video to have a successful participation in your debate session. Pay
attention to pronunciation and the different expressions to participate in a discussion How
to discuss a topic in a group:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY2yjEEoB3U