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.

Para la elaboración de la presente evidencia, tenga en cuenta lo siguiente:

Primer momento: comprensión y producción escrita

1. Estudie en su totalidad el material de formación Using prepositions to

describe Distribution Centers junto con el material complementario
disponible para esta actividad.
2. Desarolle completamente el taller disponible para la presente actividad de
aprendizaje Workshop: Understanding the distribution center layout. Para la
elaboración de este taller puede usar la herramienta ofimática de su
preferencia.
3. Envíe la evidencia al instructor a través de la plataforma virtual de
aprendizaje. No olvide incluir el archivo de audio o el enlace al mismo, el
cual se pide en el punto
Segundo momento: Producción oral

1.Estudie a detalle el material de formación y material complementario brindado

para la transversal de inglés en esta actividad.
2.Realice la grabación que se solicita en el punto 4. Sharing your opinion.

3. Para el envío del audio:

-Hacer la grabación en el dispositivo de su preferencia y adjuntar el archivo a
través del espacio de envío de la evidencia.
-Alojar el archivo de audio en un sitio web y compartir el enlace en el espacio de
envío de la evidencia.
-Hacer la grabación en línea https://vocaroo.com/ y compartir el enlace en el
espacio de envío de la evidencia.

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
RECEIVNG 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 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 area
- Inventory control area The inventory control area is next to batch-
picking
- Quality auditing area Is next to batch-picking
- Order packing area Is next to quality auditing area
- Refrigerated specialty Is front of the put-away
products area
- Put-to-store area Is front of 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: pallets are a
racks into your warehouse as necessity for distribution centers or
possible warehouses

PROS: they are easy to

accommodate when saving space

CONS: they are big therefore you

cannot have many

Having an aisle map will help you Your opinion: this map is vital for
validate that the correct item is in any location within the warehouse
the assigned location.
PROS: the map in the corridor
helps us to locate for example an
emergency exit

CONS: must be explicit to interpret

it

Provide for the level of automation Your opinion:

that can be cost-justified based on
your particular operation and cost
structure.
Whoever is in charge must verify all
the areas that need these
processes in a more attentive way.
PROS: in this area is where the
cost control is carried and must be
efficiently

CONS: It is a lot of responsibility

and dedication