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 distrib distribution ution centers have three main areas and may have additional specialized areas. The three main areas are the receiving dock, also called loading dock, the s torag e 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.
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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
2. BULK DEPARTMENT
5
3. QUALITY ASSURANCE DEPARTMENT 4. TRANSPORTATION AREA
7 6
5. EXPORT DEAPARTMENT
8
6. STAGING LOCATION
1
7. STOCKING DEPARTMENT
4
8. PALLET RACKING
3
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. 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. C. This area is in charge of replenishing and storing goods in the store's backroom or warehouse. 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. 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 G. Arranges and coordinates shipments in and out of the distribution center. H. This department performs periodic checks of random samples of stock to check quality, including from the warehouse racking, goods in, and returned stock.
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B. 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
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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 throung 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:
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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
-
-
Answer 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. The Inventory control area is next to lineInventory control area loading Quality auditing area is within Inventory Quality auditing area control area The Order packing area is Opposite the Order packing area Put-to-store Refrigerated specialty The Refrigerated specialty products area is Among the Value added services area and products area high value products area The Put-to-store area is next to reverse Put-to-store area logistics
C. 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 nonchanging flow of goods. PROS: -With flexible Distribution Centers you can ensure your facilities are ready for anything that comes in the future.
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CONS: -Flexible Distribution Centers tends to be more disorganized. It is hard to keep control of the changes. Your opinion: I agree As long as it does not harm the normal development of machinery Save space: cram as many pallet and personnel. racks into your warehouse as PROS: helps to take more possible advantage of the distribution center CONS: hinders good management within CEDI Your opinion: It is perfect to locate, verify and load the desired item efficiently PROS: The aisle maps not only Having an aisle map will help you facilitates the location of the article, validate that the correct item is in but also to propose ideas for a new the assigned location. 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 automation Your opinion: The person in charge that can be cost-justified based on must study the areas that need this your particular operation and cost process in a more relevant way structure. PROS: Improves the flow of processes and reduction of steps to perform a task CONS: Care must be taken to find the practical way, it can lead to capital expenditures
