Cantilever rack reduces waste, simplifies handling (Article)

Buffalo Veneer and Plywood, located in Buffalo, Minnesota, is a supplier of specialty plywood using common North American tree species.
By Staff -- Modern Materials Handling, 10/2/2005


Buffalo Veneer and Plywood, located in Buffalo, Minnesota, is a supplier of specialty plywood using common North American tree species. While others in their industry have focused on large lot sales and a few woods, Buffalo Veneer remains true to its roots.

"We supply oak and birch plywood to Menards and Home Depot, but we also deal with fine cabinet makers all over the country," says Paul Erickson, company president. "We still do custom four or five sheet orders. Our reputation was built on quality and our ability to work with a variety of materials."

This kind of craftsmanship can be expensive, but it also means that Buffalo Veneer can get top dollar for the two to three truckloads of product it ships each day. The downside to this high-end market position is the cost of waste, which becomes a significantly more expensive problem as the cost of each unit goes up.

The company was experiencing some costly problems in their finished wood storage and staging area. Sheets were simply stacked on top of each other leading to hazardous lifting and product damage.

The answer to these problems was to install modular cantilever rack storage. The modular nature of the system meant that it could easily fit the available space, including the full building height that so often goes to waste in many storage facilities. Heavy duty enough to handle the heaviest loads, the modular system can be reconfigured or added onto as needed.

Wood sheets now stored individually or in small bundles to reduce abrasion and scratch damage. The product is off the floor and out of traffic lanes, eliminating accidental damage from heavy equipment. Pallets are also eliminated, along with the strap damage that goes with them.