Activity 9: Evidence 2

Workshop: Understanding the distribution center layout.

Camilo Andrés Niño

Logistics Management Technologist

– 2348343

Instructor

Ketty Lucia Bolaño

April 22, 2022

Activity 9: Evidence 2

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 A. This area controls and ships large. This

department usually includes forklift truck
7
drivers to load containers and wagons,
and man-up or combi forklift trucks to
unload full pallets from warehouse
racking.
Activity 9: Evidence 2
2. BULK DEPARTMENT
3. QUALITY ASSURANCE
DEPARTMENT 2 and storing goods in the store's
4. TRANSPORTATION
AREA
5. EXPORT DEPARTMENT
6. STAGING LOCATION
7. STOCKING
DEPARTMENT
8. PALLET RACKING
Note: In case you have any questions with vocabulary, remember to check the
following dictionaries:
- http://www.businessdictionary.com/
- http://www.linguee.com/
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
backroom or warehouse.
D. An area reserved for inventory that is
1 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
loaded and unloaded. This area usually
4
includes pallet wrapping workers,
conveyor belt unloaders, forklift drivers,
and administrative staff
G. Arranges and coordinates shipments in
6 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. 
 Activity 9: Evidence 2

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 at
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
Activity 9: Evidence 2

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 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
Activity 9: Evidence 2

freezer.
- Value added services area This area is close to line-loading.
- Inventory control area - Inventory control area is between the
pick-to-tote area and back-picking area
- Quality auditing area - Quality audit area is close to order
packing area and batch-picking area
- Order packing area The order packing area in front of the
replenishment
- Refrigerated specialty The Special Refrigerated Products area
products area with high-value products
- Put-to-store area -The Store Preparation Area in 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.

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 Pallet Packing have on the capacity
racks into your warehouse as of the distribution center and
possible according to the kind of products
and allow good handling of many
references
PROS: The Distribution Center
Activity 9: Evidence 2
Having an aisle map will help you factor that influences the strategic
validate that the correct item is in and decisive aspect of the success
the assigned location.
Provide for the level of automation
that can be cost-justified based on
your particular operation and cost
structure.
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.
would be prepared for any increase
in demand by having the necessary
amount of merchandise stored.
CONS: when demand is low the
shelf is a waste of space.
Your opinion:
The location of the warehouse is a
of the business.
PROS:
Organize the aisles according to the
flow of merchandise to optimize the
products
CONS:
Limits the volume of goods to be
stored by virtue of the size of the
shelves.
Your opinion:
Automated Processes in distribution
centers are the tools that allow
control, certainty and greater
productivity
PROS:
To reach levels of customer
satisfaction, there are indicators
(KPI) that tell us the requirements of
each one. Having control of more
key variables frees you from wrong
decisions.
CONS:
The staff needed to manage
automated processes is more
specialized, so it can be harder to
find and more expensive to hire.
Activity 9: Evidence 2

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