ACTIVIDAD DE APRENDIZAJE 9

EVIDENCIA 2: WORKSHOP: UNDERSTANDING THE DISTRIBUTION CENTER

LAYOUT

PRESENTADO POR: LUZ MARCELA GÓMEZ ABRIL

FICHA N°1667956

INSTRUCTOR: RAMIRO ANDRADE POLANCO

SERVICIO NACIONAL DE APRENDIZAJE- SENA

TECNOLOGO EN GESTION LOGISTICA
BOGOTÁ D.C
2019
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 A. This area controls and ships large. This

2. BULK DEPARTMENT
3. QUALITY ASSURANCE
DEPARTMENT
department usually includes forklift truck
drivers to load containers and wagons,
2
and man-up or combi forklift trucks to
unload full pallets from warehouse
racking.
B. This department controls orders which
are leaving the country of the distribution
center. This department is almost
5 identical in function to a bulk department;
however, workers in this department
build pallets conforming to
different standards and sizes.
C. This area is in charge of replenishing and
7 storing goods in the store's backroom or
warehouse.
 4. TRANSPORTATION
AREA
5. EXPORT DEAPARTMENT
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:
D. An area reserved for inventory that is
6
ready for final assembly or transport.
E. There are many types of this racking.
However, all types allow for
8
the storage of palletized materials in
horizontal rows with multiple levels.
F. This is an area of the warehouse where
goods vehicles (usually road or rail) are
loaded and unloaded. This area usually
1
includes pallet wrapping workers,
conveyor belt unloaders, forklift drivers,
and administrative staff
G. Arranges and coordinates shipments in
4
and out of the distribution center.
H. This department performs periodic
checks of random samples of stock to
3 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 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
- Order packing area
- Refrigerated specialty
products area
- Put-to-store 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
lineloading.
Quality auditing area is within Inventory
control área.
The Order packing area is Opposite the
Put-to-store.
The Refrigerated specialty products area
is Among the Value added services area
ices area and high value products 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 Your opinion:

must be flexible 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 agree As long as it does
racks into your warehouse as not harm the normal development of
possible machinery and personnel.
PROS: helps to take more advantage of the
distribution center.
CONS: hinders good management within CEDI

Having an aisle map will help you Your opinion: It is perfect to locate,
validate that the correct item is in verify and load the desired item efficiently.
the assigned location.
PROS: The aisle maps not only facilitates the
location of the article,
propose ideas for a new organization.
CONS: can hinder the good work of the
staff, since it will be attached to a map and not to
your experience.
Provide for the level of Your opinion: The person in charge must study the
automation that can be cost- areas that need this process in a more relevant way.
justified based on your particular PROS: Improves the flow of processes and
operation and cost structure. reduction of steps to perform a task.
CONS: Care must be taken to find the practical way,
it can lead to capital expenditures.