Workshop: Understanding the distribution center layout

Presented by:

Víctor Hugo Henao Pérez

File: 1667897

SERVICIO NACIONAL DE APRENDIZAJE

Centro de Servicios y Gestión empresarial

GESTIÓN LOGÍSTICA

Regional Antioquia

2019
 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.

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 center, separating these areas
simplifies the process.

a. 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 6 A. This area controls and ships large. This

2. BULK DEPARTMENT
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

3. QUALITY ASSURANCE
DEPARTMENT
4. TRANSPORTATION
AREA
5. EXPORT DEAPARTMENT 8
6. STAGING LOCATION
7. STOCKING
DEPARTMENT
8. PALLET RACKING
2. Describing a Distribution Center
Following, you’ll see the very basic design of any Distribution Center. Check the
image and answer the questions:
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.
4 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
2 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.
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 close the
shipping and receiving area in order to load and unload freight
trucks.
5. The offices must be located in front 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:

A) 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
- Order packing area
- Refrigerated specialty The refrigerated specialty products area is
products area
The loading area is located next to the
freezer.
The value-added services area is located
behind of refrigerated specially products.
The inventory control area is between the
replenishment area and the quality auditing
The quality auditing area is located next to
the inventory control area.
The order packing area is located to the
right of Quality auditing area.
located in front to the Value-added services
area.
 - Put-to-store area The put to store area is located in front to
the reverse logistic area.

1. Critical thinking – Making decisions

Pros and Cons. Read the following statements about Distribution Center Design
and decide in you agree or disagree with the statement. Do some research on the
topic and provide pros and cons for each statement.

Save space: cram as many pallet Your opinion: I disagree, I think that
racks into your warehouse as having many racks in the distribution
possible center could hinder the transit of the
machines that load the
merchandise.
PROS: An accumulation of racks
could reduce storage costs.
CONS: A saturation of the hold could
reduce space and cause accidents.

Having an aisle map will help you Your opinion: I agree, I think that
validate that the correct item is in the every distribution center should have
assigned location. a map of all its facilities
PROS: By having a map of the
corridors you know quickly what
elements are in it.
CONS: If a map is not constantly
updated it could waste time to locate
an element.
Provide for the level of automation Your opinion: I agree, to implement
that can be cost-justified based on an automation system you must take
your particular operation and cost into account important aspects that
structure. justify your investment.
PROS: When processes are
automated, production is improved
and logistic costs are reduced.
 CONS: If the automation is not
necessary, it could incur costs for the
company and have large losses.

2. 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 pronunciation practice.

Escriba un párrafo corto en inglés en el que exprese su opinión sobre EL DISEÑO

DE LOS CENTROS DE DISTRIBUCIÓN, realice un audio pronunciando ese párrafo
y adjúntelo a la evidencia escrita.

The distribution centers from its construction must be well planned, with a vision to
the future, however sometimes this is not enough and it is necessary to carry out
additional studies, I think that when designing a distribution center, you should study
the environment and take decisions.
In my opinion you have to take into account the current market, competition and
society.
I am sure that taking into account all these points will be the expected success in the
distribution center.