Wickens work with Metalfast on racking layout

Project case study looks at how Wickens worked with Metalfast to design a racking layout which best suited the needs of their expanded Manchester operations.

Metalfast are specialist stockholders of aluminium plate and bar, tube and extrusions.

As a result of recent expansion they moved to larger premises in Manchester.

The 12,000 sq ft warehouse is four times bigger than their previous warehouse requiring a storage solution which could realise the potential of the space.

Wickens worked with Metalfast to design a racking layout which best suited the needs of their Manchester operations.

One of the many benefits of working with Wickens is their willingness to work closely with other suppliers and subcontractors.

Metalfast had recently bought a new forklift truck which works in very narrow aisles and it was vital that their guide rail system was compatible.

"Wickens had a very good understanding of this" comments Metalfast's Director of Operations Mark Woodward, "Alan [Wickens Sales Director] worked closely with Hubtex to ensure they were compatible - they took away the pain of sorting it out" Metalfast keep their costs down by using every last bit of available material, the downside of which is that they have large amounts of off-cuts.

They have struggled to store these due to their small and varying sizes.

Wickens worked closely with Metalfast to design a storage container for their various off-cuts.

Having facilitated with the design Wickens put Metalfast in contact with a company that could manufacture them.

Similarly Wickens were happy to put Metalfast in contact with a pallet rack supplier for their larger off-cut sections.

Mark Woodward was impressed by the service saying, "Metalfast has a long history working with Wickens".

"They know their business and we have always received excellent service".

"They worked with us and their subcontractors to design the best possible solution".

"They especially understood that we use every inch of space and without that knowledge we couldn't have completed this project." Wickens designed and installed a series of special 8 metre high cantilever racks with inbuilt pigeon-hole racking at the base and vertical racking.

The cantilever racks are designed to be versatile enough to hold special steel baskets which hold Metalfast's off-cuts or to hold lengths of aluminium extrusions.

The integrated guide rail system protects the racking from forklifts in the warehouse.

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