Actividad de Aprendizaje 9

Evidencia 2: Workshop: Understanding the distribution center layout

Ana Carolina Galeano Páez

Tecnologia en Gestion Logistica

Ficha: 2282281

Diciembre 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
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.
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 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 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 C. This area is in charge of replenishing
DEPARTMENT and storing goods in the store's
backroom or warehouse.
4. TRANSPORTATION D. An area reserved for inventory that is
AREA ready for final assembly or transport.
5. EXPORT DEAPARTMENT E. 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 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 G. Arranges and coordinates shipments in
DEPARTMENT and out of the distribution center.
8. PALLET RACKING 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:

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 in
them.
2. Organize your pallets evenly on 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 close the
shipping and receiving area in order to load and unload
freight trucks.
5. The offices must be located above 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 service area is next
Refrigerated specialty products
- Inventory control area The inventory control area is front pick to
tote
- Quality auditing area The quality auditing area is between batch
picking and order packing
- Order packing area The order packing area is next quality
auditing area
- Refrigerated specialty The refrigerate specialty products area is
products area next high value products
- Put-to-store area The put to store area is front 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: I disagree. no
racks into your warehouse as oversized loads should be placed
possible on the shelves
PROS: space is saved
CONS: merchandise can be
damaged, broken or dropped

Having an aisle map will help you Your opinion: I agree. it is a useful
validate that the correct item is in tool
the assigned location. PROS: streamlines and facilitates
the operation
CONS: If the map is not updated, it
can cause confusion
Provide for the level of automation Your opinion: I agree. The over-cost
that can be cost-justified based on is not beneficial for any distribution
your particular operation and cost center
structure. PROS: it will allow to maintain a
real cost and according to the
operation
CONS: None