Wickens Engineering Ltd

Drywall Steel Sections Ltd contacted Wickens in line with their plans to relocate to new premises. This transition necessitated the implementation of a high-quality, multi-product racking system designed to enhance operational efficiency while adhering to stringent space, access, and health and safety regulations.

Origin has recently made a significant investment in a state-of-the-art 55,000 ft² warehouse facility in Bicester to support its rapidly expanding business and protect its supply chain against ongoing economic and environmental uncertainties. This new site features two purpose-designed units that offer ample space for the storage of aluminium profiles and essential components utilised in Origin’s high-volume manufacturing operations.

To enhance warehouse efficiency and guarantee the safe storage of long-length aluminium stock, Origin sought a robust, scalable racking system. Wickens Engineering was chosen to design, manufacture, and install a comprehensive cantilever racking solution specifically tailored to meet Origin’s operational needs.

Batt Cables, a prominent electrical cable distributor in the UK, has recently launched a new 275,000 sqft logistics hub to meet the growing demand from its customers. To ensure seamless operations, they required a specialised heavy-duty storage system to securely and reliably accommodate large cable drums.

Standard pallet racking wasn’t suitable for their needs. Wickens was chosen to design and manufacture a fully bespoke solution, meticulously engineered to align with Batt Cables’ specific equipment, workflows, and safety standards.

When Hales Sawmills Ltd opened its impressive new site in Shrewsbury, the team required efficient and safe external timber storage solutions to support their growing operations. Director Owen Parton once again turned to Wickens, a trusted partner with whom Hales had successfully completed two previous projects.

Wickens provided and installed two types of external timber racking, enabling Hales to store a diverse range of materials while optimising both space and accessibility. One challenge involved levelling the racking on uneven ground, which necessitated the use of numerous shims, but the Wickens installation team achieved a flawlessly level result.

When ILF Products required racking systems for their warehouse and yard, they knew precisely where to seek assistance. Discover how Wickens supported this well-established metal stockholder in enhancing productivity with their fifth completed project for the company.

Project Overview

ILF Products Ltd, a valued client with a long-standing relationship, continues to experience rapid growth, necessitating the implementation of expanded and more efficient storage solutions. Their latest challenge involved the safe storage of a newly launched product — weighing 4,500kg and measuring 1800mm x 1800mm — which was taking up valuable floor space. Moreover, ILF required external storage to safeguard wooden pallets and crates against inclement weather.

Burke Bros Recovery, a reputable name in the vehicle recovery industry, encountered a considerable challenge when they embarked on a new recovery contract. The company needed extra storage capacity, yet standard off-the-shelf solutions fell short of their specific requirements. What they truly needed was a bespoke racking system that would facilitate the safe and efficient storage of vehicles while adhering to health and safety standards.

To find a resolution, Burke Bros turned to Wickens Engineering, a reliable partner renowned for their customised storage solutions. By collaborating closely, the two companies designed and developed a tailor-made car racking system that enabled vehicles to be stored lengthways.

In response to safety and environmental considerations, the racks were equipped with drip trays to contain any potential fluid leaks. This not only ensured compliance with regulations but also maintained a clean and safe storage area.

Auto Solutions 2000, a car dismantler based in the East Midlands with over 30 years of industry experience, is embarking on an ambitious growth journey that involves implementing a robust expansion strategy and continuous enhancements.     

The company has already made considerable progress in modernising its facilities and is in the process of developing its own online parts shop. However, in light of rapid expansion, there is a pressing need to manage additional stock efficiently. With limited yard space available, it became essential to optimise vertical capacity using the assistance of racking systems.

This is when Auto Solutions 2000 turned to Wickens, a renowned racking supplier boasting over 40 years of expertise in designing, manufacturing, and installing racking systems for various sectors, including vehicle recycling. The project was awarded to Wickens due to several compelling factors, such as the exceptional quality of their racks, clear communication, flexible planning, and the absence of hidden costs during the quoting process.

Wickens provided a total of 36 car racks capable of storing vehicles up to four units high. The combination of single and double-sided racks helped to optimise floor space usage, and with a height of 6.2m, the racking facilitated easy access and smooth manoeuvring of the stored vehicles with a forklift truck.        

Worcester Timber Products, a well-established and reputable supplier of fencing, garden landscaping, and timber products, approached Wickens for innovative storage solutions designed to organise their yard and enhance storage capacity.

With an increase in customer demand and limited space on site, the Worcestershire-based company opted for multiple racking systems to safely store a variety of products, including fence panels, timber packs, and fence posts of differing lengths.   

The Solution:

While a double-sided Cantilever Rack effectively addressed the timber pack storage needs, the racking for fence panels required a more intricate solution.

Combellack Vehicle Recyclers, located in St Austell, have recently installed Wickens Car Racks to enhance their yard's storage capacity and optimise site operations.

Following an extensive investigation into vehicle storage solutions and observing the Wickens Car Rack Systems in action at numerous other vehicle dismantling sites, Combellack made the informed decision to invest in what they considered a dependable product from a reputable supplier.

The new racks facilitate the storage of almost 300 vehicles on three and four-high car racks, replacing the previously installed two-high racking, which had been in place for over a decade. This upgrade has significantly reduced the storage footprint, allowing for 65% more vehicles to be accommodated on site than before.

Storage of: Palletised building materials.

Client: Covers, a well-known Timber and Builders Merchants with 15 branches nationwide and over 170 years of expertise in the industry.

How it all began: As part of the realignment of one of their sites, Covers' management sought a more durable and long-lasting alternative to cold-rolled pallet racking, capable of safely storing various heavy building products.

As a long-standing client of Wickens, having completed multiple Cantilever Rack projects over the past 20 years, Covers turned to Wickens for a storage solution tailored to their needs—one that would perform as effectively as the existing racks on site.

This collaboration resulted in the creation of Structural Pallet Racks, now an integral part of Wickens' product range.

Racking Type: Structural Pallet Racking.

Facts & Figures:

• A total of 36 bays of Structural Pallet Racking were designed, manufactured, and installed as part of this project.
• All frames and beams were crafted from hot-rolled structural steel sections, ensuring enhanced rigidity.
• The racks stand 5 metres tall, featuring 4 beam levels per bay, with a capacity of 3 tonnes per beam location.

Client: Silva Timber, one of the UK's premier importers of specialist timber products.

How it all began: Silva Timber was relocating to new premises and sought Wickens' expert advice on optimising the storage capacity of their new warehouses. Wickens proposed an efficient racking layout and recommended a forklift truck solution tailored to their needs.

Facts & Figures:

• Over 40 tonnes of steel were utilised to manufacture all the racking.
• A combination of single-sided and double-sided cantilever racks was provided to maximise the use of available space.
• A total of 102 uprights, each 6 metres tall, were manufactured and installed, creating runs of up to 21 metres long.
• The overall storage capacity of all racks is 408 tonnes, distributed across 5 storage levels.
• Wickens coordinated phased deliveries and installation to minimise disruption to their warehouse operations.

Client: G-TEM, a world class manufacturer of high quality metal automotive pressings and sub-assemblies.

Facts & Figures:

• Heavy Duty Racking System forms the structure of the fully cladded building.
• Storage locations for 160 tools, 3 metre wide and weighing up to 5 tonnes each.
• Adjustable storage levels fitted with fork entry bars to store un-palletised tools of various sizes
• The complete Rack Clad Building is 32 metres long, 16 metres wide and nearly 6 metres high.
• The building is fitted with rainwater goods and GRP roof lights.
• Fitted with 3.5 metre wide and 4 metre high roller shutter doors, as well as fire exit doors.

Dry Stack Systems offer numerous advantages for boat owners, such as reducing wear and tear, enhancing fuel efficiency, and promoting eco-friendliness by eliminating the need for anti-fouling treatments. A waterside Dry Stack presents an appealing option, allowing owners to call ahead and have their boats launched and ready, while also avoiding the corrosive impact of saltwater when using a trailer for launching. Furthermore, winding boats onto a road trailer is hardly the most pleasant way to conclude a wonderful day on the water.

 Marina and yacht haven owners can also reap significant benefits from Dry Stack Systems. These systems can establish a profitable business model that optimises space usage both on and off the water by increasing overall berthing and storage capacity. Smaller boats can be stacked vertically into the 'free' space, thereby freeing up water berths for larger vessels. Additionally, this system enables operators to offer enhanced value services, such as boat cleaning, servicing, refuelling, and provisioning to their customers.

Understanding that powerboats vary in shape and size, Wickens has developed an innovative racking system featuring adjustable beams and bearer brackets. This design allows stack operators to maximise their storage space effectively.