UNDERSTANDING THE DISTRIBUTION CENTER LAYOUT

PRESENTED TO:

BRILLYD LORENA GALINDO NAVARRO

PRESENTED BY:

JOSE IGNACIO MARTINEZ CONTRERAS

ANDREA CAROLINA PAJARO BENITEZ

HUMBERTO RAFAEL DIAZ ALANDETE

TECHNOLOGIST IN LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT

Sheet: 2104799

SENA - NATIONAL LEARNING SERVICE

Tolima Regional - Industry and Construction Center

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

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 __RECERVING__ 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.

A. This area controls and ships large. This

1. LOADING DOCK
2. BULK DEPARTMENT
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 almost identical
5
in function to a bulk department; however,
workers in this department build pallets
conforming to different standards and sizes.

3. QUALITY ASSURANCE
DEPARTMENT
4. TRANSPORTATION AREA
5. EXPORT DEAPARTMENT
6. STAGING LOCATION
7. STOCKING DEPARTMENT
8. PALLET RACKING
2. Describing a Distribution Center
Following, you’ll see the very basic design of any Distribution Center. Check the
C. This area is in charge of replenishing and
storing goods in the store's backroom or
7 warehouse.
D. An area reserved for inventory that is ready
6
for final assembly or transport.
E. There are many types of this racking.
However, all types allow for the storage of
8
palletized materials in horizontal rows with
multiple levels.
F. This is an area of the warehouse where
goods vehicles (usually road or rail) are
loaded and unloaded. This area usually
1
includes pallet wrapping workers, conveyor
belt unloaders, forklift drivers, and
administrative staff
G. Arranges and coordinates shipments in and
4
out of the distribution center.
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. 
 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

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…? 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 areas located
next to line-loading.
The inventory control area is located in
front of pick to lote.
The quality auditing area is located close to
order parking.
Order packing area is located near to voice
with scanning.
Refrigerated specialty is located by high-
value products.
Put-to area is located behind reverse
logistic.

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.

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.
Your opinion:
Save space: cram as many pallet PROS:
racks into your warehouse as CONS:
possible

Having an aisle map will help you Your opinion:

validate that the correct item is in PROS:
the assigned location. CONS:

Provide for the level of automation Your opinion

that can be cost-justified based on PROS
your particular operation and cost CONS
structure.

Save space: cram as many pallet racks
into your warehouse as possible
MY OPINION: By expanding the shelf we can
give a good treatment to the merchandise,
whether it is our own or that of a client
PROS: It shows us the growth of the operation
 Credibility with the customer.

 Better oragnization in front of the products

either own or of the client.
 CONS: The cost of storage in front of the client
increases.
 Increase the need to expand the cellar.

 Maintenance of the shelves.

MY OPINION: It is the best system to organize

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.
and locate the merchandise as it is located in
the aisle or in a high position
PROS: Minimize the loss of merchandise.
 The merchandise is organized.
 You can work better at inventory time.
CONS: Many times, the merchandise does not
match the products.
 Lack of system at the time of inventory.
MY OPINION: For me, storage automation is
very important since it helps us when we have a
good inventory or dispatch of the merchandise.
PROS: Simplify inventory management.
 Eliminate errors in cargo handling
 Easy to maintain.

CONS: It requires a large investment.

 It has high maintenance costs.

LINK DEL VIDEO: https://youtu.be/gWwbej2ntRA

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