WORKSHOP UNDERSTANDING THE DISTRIBUTION CENTER LAYOUT

(Actividad 9, 2)

Integrantes

DEL VALLE MUÑOZ LEIDIS PAOLA

HERNANDEZ CARDENAS CARLOS ALBERTO

SILVA LOZANO MARILY

ZUBIETA BOHORQUEZ JUAN PABLO

Ficha 2282165

Grupo #6

SENA

SERVICIO NACIONAL DE APRENDIZAJE

Centro de Gestión Tecnológica de Servicios Regional Valle del Cauca

Tecnología en Gestión Logística

15 de octubre Del 2021

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. BULK DEPARTMENT
3. QUALITY ASSURANCE
DEPARTMENT
4. TRANSPORTATION
AREA
5. EXPORT DEAPARTMENT
6. STAGING LOCATION
7. STOCKING
DEPARTMENT
8. PALLET RACKING
Note: In case you have any questions with vocabulary, remember to check the
following dictionaries:
A. This area controls and ships large. This
department usually includes forklift truck
2 drivers to load containers and wagons,
and man-up or combi forklift trucks to
unload full pallets from warehouse
racking.
B. This department controls orders which
are leaving the country of the
distribution center. This department is
5
almost identical in function to a bulk
department; however, workers in this
department build pallets conforming to
different standards and sizes.
C. This area is in charge of replenishing
7 and storing goods in the store's
backroom or warehouse.
D. An area reserved for inventory that is
6 ready for final assembly or transport.
E. There are many types of this racking.
However, all types allow for
8 the storage of palletized materials in
horizontal rows with multiple levels.
F. This is an area of the warehouse where
goods vehicles (usually road or rail) are
1 loaded and unloaded. This area usually
includes pallet wrapping workers,
conveyor belt unloaders, forklift drivers,
and administrative staff
G. Arranges and coordinates shipments in
4 and out of the distribution center.
H. This department performs periodic
checks of random samples of stock to
3 check quality, including from the
warehouse racking, goods in, and
returned stock. 
 - 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 The loading area is located next to the
freezer.
- Value added services area The Value added services area is in frontof
the line loading
- Inventory control area The Inventory control area is next to
lineloading
- Quality auditing area Quality auditing area is within Inventory
control area
- Order packing 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

2. 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
be flexible 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: Before putting more
racks into your warehouse as pallets and racks, you have to find
possible the space that suits the needs you
are looking for and the best one that
has affordable routes.
PROS: Efficiency in spaces greater
investment of money.
CONS: To save space and money,
you should place as many pallet
racks in your warehouse as
possible in rotation.

Having an aisle map will help you Your opinion: The organization of
validate that the correct item is in the shelves is important for the
the assigned location. safety, location and orientation of
the actors involved.
PROS: Aisle maps not only make it
easy to locate the product, but also
suggest ideas for proper storage.
CONS: Choosing the best design
and efficiency facilitates the
implementation you need, looking
for resources and time to invest in
standardization.
 Provide for the level of automation
that can be cost-justified based on
your particular operation and cost
structure.
Your opinion: It is necessary to
identify the critical points in the
logistics process, see which can be
automated and which must be
manual, ensuring their quality and
storage capacity for each process.
PROS: Always seek Save time for
other processes that are more
critical and require more investment
of money and that make the
operation efficient.
CONS: Doing a good research
guarantees that the processes go
well and guarantees that the final
investment is productive.

3. 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