Workshop: Understanding the distribution center layout

Luis Miguel Sepúlveda Medina

Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje (SENA)

09 de octubre 2019

Notas

Gestión Logística, Profesor: Daniela Sanchez

Fase de Análisis Titulada Virtual y a Distancia, Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje

(SENA)

La correspondencia relacionada con este documento debe ser enviada a

miguelocho910408@gmail.com
 Actividad de aprendizaje 9

Evidencia 2: Workshop: Understanding the distribution center layout

Tener claridad respecto a los procesos internos de la gestión logística es tan

importante como entender la importancia de la adecuada gestión de la
infraestructura física de las bodegas y centros de distribución, ya que, como
algunos afirman, es el corazón o núcleo de las operaciones logísticas, en tanto allí
se almacenan los productos que posteriormente serán distribuidos al comercio
tanto minorista, como mayorista.

Por lo anterior, es importante que el aprendiz de gestión logística esté en la

capacidad de entender textos en inglés que den cuenta de los estándares de
calidad para la infraestructura de un centro de distribución. Esto le permitirá al
aprendiz tener herramientas para gestionar procesos físicos – de infraestructura -
de la cadena de abastecimiento.

Así, con el fin de ayudarle a adquirir estas herramientas, la presente evidencia de

aprendizaje consiste en realizar un taller sobre el diseño de un centro de
distribución denominado Workshop: Understanding the distribbution center layout.
 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 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.
2. BULK DEPARTMENT 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.
3. QUALITY ASSURANCE 7 C. This area is in charge of replenishing
DEPARTMENT and storing goods in the store's
backroom or warehouse.
4. TRANSPORTATION 6 D. An area reserved for inventory that is
AREA ready for final assembly or transport.
5. EXPORT DEAPARTMENT 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.
6. STAGING LOCATION 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
7. STOCKING 4 G. Arranges and coordinates shipments in
DEPARTMENT and out of the distribution center.
8. PALLET RACKING 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 The loading area is located next to the
freezer.
- Value added services area The value-added services area is located
in front of the line load
- Inventory control area The inventory control area is next to
lineloading
- Quality auditing area The quality audit area is within the
inventory control area
- Order packing area - The packing area of the order is facing
the Put-to-store option.
- Refrigerated specialty It is between the area of value-added
products area services and the area of high-value
products
- 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.
The layout in your warehouse must
be flexible 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
that can be cost-justified based on
your particular operation and cost
structure.
CONS:
-Flexible Distribution Centers tends
to be more disorganized. It is hard
to keep control of the changes.
Your opinion: It is a very good
option since the space to work is
not affected
PROS: helps make the most of
storage space
CONS: hinders good management
within CEDI
Your opinion: It is very necessary to
supervise and monitor the exact
place where the article is
PROS: Apart from the opinion
given, it also serves for general
knowledge of the warehouse
CONS: it may confuse
inexperienced staff and similarly
obstruct the passage
Your opinion The person in charge
should study the areas that need
this process in a more relevant way
PROS It improves the flow of
processes and the reduction of
steps to perform a task.
CONS Care must be taken to find
the practical way, it can lead to
capital expenditures