Metal fabrication and machine shops that store coils, dies and long bar stock on racking built for standard palletized loads often absorb hidden damage, safety and space costs, and custom I-beam racking is emerging as one of the stronger long-term investments against them.
LANCASTER, Pa., Sept. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- For metal fabrication companies and machine shops weighing where to invest, Dexco Racks argues that the racking system with the strongest return is rarely the cheapest option, since generic pallet racking — built for uniform, palletized loads — creates costs that surface only after installation with coils, dies or long bar stock.
Why Do Standard Racks Fail in Metal Fabrication Facilities?
Standard pallet racking fails in these settings because it is engineered for uniform, lightweight loads rather than heavy, irregular ones. Coils stored directly on warehouse floors can crease under their own weight — the storage method itself causing damage.
Durable racking built for machine and metal fab shops instead relies on structural, wide-flange I-beam construction. That is why Dexco fabricates cantilever arms rated up to 20,000 pounds (9,072 kilograms) each and shelving supporting loads exceeding 80,000 pounds (36,287 kilograms), engineered to American Institute of Steel Construction standards used for bridges and buildings.
How Does Custom Racking Pay for Itself Over Time?
Custom I-beam racking pays for itself mainly by preventing the costs that generic systems create, including damaged inventory, lost floor space and downtime from handling failures. Dexco's online storage-system savings calculator models a $250,000 investment generating roughly $185,000 in first-year benefit under a moderate scenario, with payback in about 1.35 years.
Beyond load capacity, Dexco engineers each system for long-lasting performance and minimal maintenance. They offer three main types of racking:
- Cantilever racks: Open arms give crane or forklift access to wide, long or irregular materials.
- Widespan racks: Shelves, often paired with fork entry bars or cradles, suit material needing a defined footprint.
- Floor racks: Engineered stanchions suit coils and bundles moving frequently in and out of production.
Whether custom racking is worth the investment often comes down to how much floor space and material damage a shop is already absorbing without it, costs that rarely surface until the racking itself is reevaluated.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following questions address common considerations for machine shops and metal fabrication facilities evaluating racking investments.
Which racking system offers the best ROI for metal fabrication and machine shops?
Custom I-beam systems tend to offer among the strongest long-term returns by limiting damage, downtime and wasted space.
What are the most important factors for choosing a rack for a metal shop?
The material being stored, the handling equipment used to move it and available floor space typically determine whether a widespan, cantilever or floor-based configuration fits best.
Are custom racking solutions worth the investment for a fabrication business?
For shops storing coils, dies or long bar stock, custom racking is often worth the added up-front cost because it is engineered around the loads and handling equipment in use rather than adapted from standard pallet systems.
About Dexco Racks
Dexco Racks designs and fabricates custom structural racking for machine shops, metal formers and fabricators, including coil racking and tool and die racking built from wide-flange I-beams. Its floor-based, cantilever and widespan systems serve heavy, bulky and high-value materials that standard pallet racking cannot support. Dexco fabricates from American-sourced steel, completing cutting, punching, welding and painting in-house. It also maintains ISO 9001:2015 certification, engineering every system to American Institute of Steel Construction standards.
Media Contact
Shane Jones, Dexco Racks, 1 (717) 928-0683, [email protected], https://www.dexcoracks.com/
SOURCE Dexco Racks
Share this article