ACTIVIDAD DE APRENDIZAJE 9

Evidencia 2: Workshop: Understanding the distribution center layout

APRENDIZ
JANNY JULECXY CASTAÑEDA PINILLA

INSTRUCTORA
YUDY ALEJANDRA OVALLE MELO

TECNOLOGÍA EN GESTIÓN LOGÍSTICA

CENTRO AGROTURISTICO DE SANTADER

SENA
2021
 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. Este taller
consta de dos momentos en los que usted deberá hacer uso del conocimiento
técnico adquirido hasta el momento en el área de inglés para, posteriormente, como
segundo momento, participar en un debate, junto con otros tres compañeros –
seleccionados por el instructor- para compartir su opinión respecto a las
recomendaciones de diseño de un centro de distribución que aparecen enunciadas
en el taller.

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 and
DEPARTMENT storing goods in the store's backroom or
warehouse.
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/
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 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 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.

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: I do not agree because
racks into your warehouse as it reduces the movement of the
possible loads.
PROS: take advantage of the area.
CONS: increases the risk of
accidents for workers.
Having an aisle map will help you Your opinion: helps to locate, verify
validate that the correct item is in the and load a product more quickly
assigned location.
PROS: Maps help keep the
distribution center organized.
CONS: the map is difficult to
memorize, it is better to use color
code.
Provide for the level of automation Your opinion: It is necessary to study
that can be cost-justified based on the areas that need to be automated
your particular operation and cost to avoid cost overruns.
structure. PROS: reduces the time to complete
a task.
CONS: the number of employees is
reduced.

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:
.