Planeación- Aprendizaje 9

Evidencia 2: Workshop: Understanding The Distribution Center Layout

Bilingüismo

Camilo Andrés Caicedo Guzmán

Instructor

Karen Esther Sarmiento Rodríguez

Aprendiz

Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje

SENA 2020
 Actividad de aprendizaje

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
2. BULK DEPARTMENT
3. QUALITY ASSURANCE
DEPARTMENT
4. TRANSPORTATION AREA
5. EXPORT DEAPARTMENT
6. STAGING LOCATION
7. STOCKING DEPARTMENT
8. PALLET RACKING
2 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.
5 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.
7 C. This area is in charge of replenishing
and storing goods in the store's
backroom or warehouse.
6 D. An area reserved for inventory that is
ready for final assembly or transport.
8 E. There are many types of this racking.
However, all types allow for
the storage of palletized materials in
horizontal rows with multiple levels.
1 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
4 G. Arranges and coordinates shipments in
and out of the distribution center.
3 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 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 by 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
- Quality auditing area
The loading area is located next to the
freezer.
The value added services area is in front of
the line loading
The inventory control area is next to line
loading
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
products area is 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

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.
Save space: cram as many pallet Your opinion: I agree as long as this
racks into your warehouse as does not affect the normal
possible development of operational
activities and machinery traffic.
PROS: Improves the use of the
distribution center
CONS: It can generate difficulties
within the distribution center
 Having an aisle map will help you Your opinion: It is very useful so it
validate that the correct item is in facilitates the meeting of the
the assigned location. required and optimizes the times.
PROS: Generate new proposals to
make it easier for staff to find the
products.
CONS: They are of great help but
nevertheless you should always
carry out an intense review since
some product may be badly
located.
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. PROS: optimizes times as it
reduces the times in which a task is
performed
CONS: Care must be taken to find
the practical way, it can lead to
capital expenditures.

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