EVIDENCIA 2

ACTIVIDAD DE APRENDIZAJE 9

Workshop:

Understanding the distribution center layout

NOMBRE:
GERMAN ANDRES LOPEZ MENDIETA.

PROGRAMA:
GESTION LOGISTICA.

INSTITUCION:
SENA.

2022
 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
drivers to load containers and wagons,
2
and man-up or combi forklift trucks to
unload full pallets from warehouse
racking.
2. BULK DEPARTMENT B. This department controls orders which

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:
- http://www.businessdictionary.com/
- http://www.linguee.com/
5 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.
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
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
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. 
 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
The loading area is located next to the
freezer.
The Value added services area is in front
of the line loading area.
The inventory control area is adjacent to

- Quality auditing area
- Order packing area
- Refrigerated specialty The Refrigerated specialty products area
products area
the batch preparation area.
Quality auditing area is next to batch-
picking area.
The packaging area of the order goes
through an inventory control
The packaging area of the order goes
through an inventory control
The packaging area of the order goes
through an inventory control
The packaging area of the order goes
through an inventory control
The packaging area of the order goes
through an inventory control
The packaging area of the order goes
through an inventory control
The packaging area of the order goes
through an inventory control
The packaging area of the order goes
through an inventory control
The order packing area is adjacent to the
quality audit area.
is  front of the put-away.

- Put-to-store area The Put-to-store area is front of the

reverse logistics área.

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 be flexible
Your opinion:
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: It can be positive.
racks into your warehouse as The pallets are very important to
possible warehouses and distribution
centers.
PROS: Can help improve
distribution center capacity.
 
CONS: It can complicate some
management processes within the
distribution center.
 

Having an aisle map will help you Your opinion: A corridor map can
validate that the correct item is in streamline the processes of each
the assigned location. area of the distribution center.
PROS: Employees will have more
clarity of their work area and in
turn will be more efficient in each
operation.

CONS: It may be that some

employees disagree with the
information on the map and their
own knowledge.
Provide for the level of automation Your opinion: The person in
that can be cost-justified based on charge must correctly verify all the
your particular operation and cost areas of the distribution center
structure. that need these processes.
PROS: It can be achieved by
optimizing the flow of processes,
reducing time and economic
resources to carry out an
operation.

CONS: If the information or

automation system is installed
incorrectly, it can cause higher
expenses or errors in the
activities.

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:

RTA:

Link de grabación oral de vocaroo: https://voca.ro/1dYukEuvkulf

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