Evidencia 2:

Workshop: Understanding the distribution center layout

LUIS FELIPE OCHOA CARDONA

CENTRO AGROINDUSTRIAL Y ACUICULA

GESTION LOGISTICA
2020
 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.

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 el archivo al instructor en formato .doc o .pdf a través de la
plataforma virtual de aprendizaje.
Segundo momento: comprensión y producción oral

1. Revise constantemente los anuncios de la plataforma para obtener

información de fecha y hora del encuentro sincrónico al que usted asistirá
para completar el segundo momento de la presente evidencia: Un debate
respecto a las prácticas para el diseño de un centro de distribución.

2. Participe en el encuentro sincrónico propuesto por su instructor para discutir

brevemente las respuestas brindadas por usted en la sección “Critical
thinking-Making decisions” del taller Workshop: Understanding the
Distribbution Center Layout.

Recuerde que debe sustentar su opinión por medio de las ventajas y

desventajas señaladas por usted para cada uno de los enunciados que
usted trabajó en el taller. De igual modo, recuerde utilizar el vocabulario
técnico aprendido. No olvide tener en cuenta el material complementario
““Expressions for Discussion and Debate” además de los diferentes
aspectos de pronunciación de inglés estudiados en actividades de
aprendizaje anteriores y en el video provisto en el taller mencionado.

Cabe aclarar que dicho encuentro contará con la participación de tres

aprendices más seleccionados por su instructor y, aunque este segundo
momento se realizará de manera grupal, su desempeño se evaluará de
manera individual.

3. Asegúrese de responder a cabalidad cada una de las preguntas de su tutor

o compañeros.

En caso de tener dudas relacionadas con la participación en una videoconferencia,

se recomienda consultar el video: ¿Cómo unirse a una sesión virtual de
Blackboard Collaborate?, ubicado en el botón Tutoriales del menú del programa
de formación.

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 storage dock, also
called
Loading dock, the receiving 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 F 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 A 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 H C. This area is in charge of replenishing
DEPARTMENT and storing goods in the store's
backroom or warehouse.
4. TRANSPORTATION G D. An area reserved for inventory that is
AREA ready for final assembly or transport.
5. EXPORT DEAPARTMENT B 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 D 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 C G. Arranges and coordinates shipments in
DEPARTMENT and out of the distribution center.
8. PALLET RACKING E 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:

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 in
them.
2. Organize your pallets evenly on 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 by 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 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
The loading area is located next to the
freezer.
The added services area is located in the
front of the refrigerated specially products
The control area must be located in under
the batch- picking
The Quality auditing area must be near of
the order packing area and batch picking
 area
- Order packing area The order packing area is located in the
front the pick to tote
- Refrigerated specialty The refrigerated specialty products area
products area must be far the loading area
- Put-to-store area The put to store area is located close of
order packing area

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 Youropinion:
racks into your warehouse as I think it helps to improve the storage
possible capacity and the efficiency of the
operators
PROS:
There may be a considerable increase
in the loading and unloading times of
limited products or product lines with a
wide variety of products and models,
since stocks should be placed in
 different widths or heights of racks.
CONS:
It allows a high degree of speed
and rigidity when storing the goods.

Having an aisle map will help you Your opinion:

validate that the correct item is in The order is important and this
the assigned location. involves knowing specifically where
the different areas are located
PROS:
they are very easy to understand,
they can be used to make data
comparisons, no computers or
Internet connections are required
each time they are accessed.
CONS:
It is quite difficult to find high-quality
paper maps in the modern digital
world, they are prone to printing
errors and can easily be damaged
by their manipulation.
Provide for the level of automation Your opinion
that can be cost-justified based on allows to execute the processes
your particular operation and cost with a level of precision much
structure. higher than in a manual process.
The measurements, weights or
mixtures are calculated with the
minimum unit. In addition, there are
no downtime or interruptions due to
errors or changes in the process.
PROS
There is better integration in data
communication networks, which
allows to reduce the reaction time to
changes or alterations in
production, as well as to make more
precise decisions.
Increases competitiveness in the
market, since it can give a better
response to the needs of this, offer
better quality products in less time,
react more quickly and flexibly to
changes.
 CONS
The staff needed to manage
automated processes is
more specialized, so it can
be harder to find and more
expensive to hire.

For some companies, the

initial cost of the investment
can be perceived as high, if
they do not take into account
the ROI.

Depending on the chosen

supplier, and given the high
specialization of some
machinery, the company
may be linked by
maintenance contracts or
specific development needs.

In any industry there is a risk

of obsolescence, so the initial
project must take into account the
amortization of the investment and
the ROI, among other factors.

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: