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Evidencia2: Workshop: Understanding the distribution center layout

JAVIER MAURICIO CEDEÑO RIVERA
FICHA # 1667897

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 8
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.
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.

Note: In case you have any questions with vocabulary, remember to check the
following dictionaries:
- http://www.businessdictionary.com/
- http://www.linguee.com/

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
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
products area 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, ALWAYS
racks into your warehouse as CARRYING OUT A CONTROL
possible AND ORGANIZATION WITHOUT
AFFECTING THE SPACES FOR
THE MACHINERY AND THE
STAFF
 PROS: SO YOU CAN HAVE A
MORE OPTIMAL MANAGEMENT
OF THE DISTRIBUTION CENTER

CONS: IMPEDIMENTS MAY BE

PRESENTED BY DEPLOYING
WITHIN THE DISTRIBUTION
CENTER

Having an aisle map will help you Your opinion: IT WOULD BE OF

validate that the correct item is in MUCH HELP TO HAVE A
the assigned location. GREATER INFORMATION AND
MANAGEMENT OF THE
WAREHOUSE

PROS: HAVING THE MAP OF THE

WAREHOUSE WOULD HAVE A
TOTAL CONTROL OF THE
ORGAZATION, AND SO ALSO
PROPOSE NEW CHANGES

CONS: STAFF ONLY BASED ON

MAP INFORMATION, AND THEY
WOULD NOT APPLY 100% OF
THEIR KNOWLEDGE

Provide for the level of Your opinion YOU SHOULD

automation that can be cost- STUDY IN A DEEPER WAY,
justified based on your particular PEOPLE IN CHARGE OF THESE
operation and cost structure. PROCESSES

PROS: HELPS TO MAKE A WORK

MORE FLUID IN THE
PROCESSES AND REDUCE
STEPS OF THE TASKS

CONS: YOU MUST HAVE

ENOUGH CONTROLLED TO
AVOID UNNECESSARY
EXPENSES
 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
discussionHow to discuss a topic in a group:

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