DESCRIBING THE DISTRIBUTION CENTER LAYOUD

IVAN REYNEL SALGADO MARTINEZ

SERVICIO NACIONAL DE APRENDIZAJE

(SENA)

GESTION LOGISTICA

BOGOTA

2020
 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 6 D. An area reserved for inventory that is 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 DEPARTMENT 4 G. Arranges and coordinates shipments in 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. 
 2. Describing a Distribution Center

Following, you will 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.
Let us 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…?
- 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
- Put-to-store area
Answer
The loading area is located next to the
freezer.
The value added services area is beside the
line-loading
The inventory control area is in front of the
line-loading
the quality auditing area is between the batch-
picking and the order packing
the order packing area is next to put to store
located between the value added services area,
the put away and beside the high value
products
the put to store area is across from the 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

Save space: cram as many pallet
racks into your warehouse as possible
keep control of the changes.
Your opinion: There are several factors
to analyze if we have a lot of
merchandise and more if it is on the
floor and is low-rotation, the shelf
would be perfect as long as it does not
affect mobilization.
PROS: helps to take more advantage
of the distribution center. Better
organization
CONS: the costs rise already in these
cases machinery is required for the
development and scope of this
management.

Having an aisle map will help you Your opinion: it’s perfect for efficiently
validate that the correct item is in the locating, verifying, and loading the desired
assigned location. ítem.
PROS: a hallway maps not only
facilitate the location of the item, but
also be accessible to anyone,
CONS: His locations must always be
the same for a product or the map must
be constantly changed and this can
hinder the operation since many
personal manage it is the retentive.
Provide for the level of automation that Your opinion: those responsible for the
can be cost-justified based on your operation according to the requests
particular operation and cost structure. and after studies must make this
decision in each area
PROS: the development of the activity
would improve reducing it in response
times
CONS: Care must be taken to find the
practical way, it can lead to worse
changes and high capital expenditures