JORGE DAVID SOTO LENES

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.
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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

department usually includes forklift truck drivers
1. LOADING DOCK 2 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 in function to a
2. BULK DEPARTMENT 5
bulk department; however, workers in this
department build pallets conforming to
different standards and sizes.
3. QUALITY C. This area is in charge of replenishing and storing
ASSURANCE 7 goods in the store's backroom or warehouse.
DEPARTMENT
4. TRANSPORTATION D. An area reserved for inventory that is ready for
6
AREA final assembly or transport.
E. There are many types of this racking. However,
5. EXPORT
8 all types allow for the storage of palletized
DEAPARTMENT
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
6. STAGING LOCATION 1 unloaded. This area usually includes pallet
wrapping workers, conveyor belt unloaders,
forklift drivers, and administrative staff
7. STOCKING G. Arranges and coordinates shipments in and out
4
DEPARTMENT of the distribution center.
H. This department performs periodic checks of
random samples of stock to check quality,
8. PALLET RACKING 3
including from the warehouse racking, goods in,
and returned stock.
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B. 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
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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 throung 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:
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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 front
of the line loading.
- Inventory control area The Inventory control area is next to line-
loading
- 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

C. 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
The layout in your warehouse
design that helps the regular non-
must be flexible
changing flow of goods.

PROS:
-With flexible Distribution
Centers you can ensure your
facilities are ready for anything that
comes in the future.

Save space: cram as many pallet
racks into your warehouse as
possible
Having an aisle map will help you
validate that the correct item is in
the assigned location.
Provide for the level of automation Your opinion: The person in charge
that can be cost-justified based on must study the areas that need this
your particular operation and cost process in a more relevant way
structure.
CONS:
-Flexible Distribution Centers tends
to be more disorganized. It is hard
to keep control of the changes.
Your opinion: I agree
As long as it does not harm the
normal development of machinery
and personnel.
PROS: helps to take more
advantage of the distribution center
CONS: hinders good management
within CEDI
Your opinion: It is perfect to locate,
verify and load the desired item
efficiently
PROS: The aisle maps not only
facilitates the location of the article,
but also to propose ideas for a new
organization
CONS: can hinder the good work of
the staff, since it will be attached to
a map and not to your experience
PROS: Improves the flow of
processes and reduction of steps to
perform a task
CONS: Care must be taken to find
the practical way, it can lead to
capital expenditures