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Back in the early 2000s, we sold new tire racks to a growing tire shop near downtown Columbus, Ohio. They were expanding their service bay and needed a reliable way to store and display tires, something strong enough to handle daily use and durable enough to sit outside year-round.

We supplied them with new steel tire racks, powder-coated and sized specifically for car, light truck/SUV and heavy semi truck tire storage. These weren’t used or repurposed pallet racks or retrofitted shelving. They were purpose-built for tires with a special depth to handle everything from compact car to light truck tire inventory. We also sell truck tire racks, which are simply deeper.

Durability-Ohio Weather Tested

Fast forward more than two decades and those racks are still standing. They’ve endured harsh Ohio weather, snow, ice, freezing rain, and long stretches of damp spring thaw. The powder coating shows its age, and there’s some surface rust, but structurally they remain sound.

The shop fenced in the area and organized the rows of tires which became advertising, proving that smart equipment choices can pay off in more ways than one.

If you’re searching for outdoor tire racks, auto shop storage solutions, or durable tire shelving, this story proves that quality matters. These racks weren’t just built, they were built to last, even against Ohio’s toughest seasons.

Lessons for Today’s Tire Rack Buyers

• Buy for the long haul: New racks may cost more upfront, but they work better and pay off in longevity.
• Outdoor use? Ask about coatings: Powder-coated steel and galvanized options resist snow, salt and rain.
• Visibility sells: A well-organized tire display can double as advertising.

Final Thoughts…

We don’t always get to see where our racks end up. But when we do, and they’re still standing tall after years of Ohio winters, it’s a reminder that quality matters! Whether you’re outfitting a tire bay in Columbus or a service lot anywhere in Ohio, we’ve got racks that are ready for the long run.

 

            

Craft breweries across the Midwest are thriving, from small-town taprooms to large, regional craft producers. Behind the scenes though, success depends on more than just great recipes, it requires smart, reliable and efficient storage. That’s where pallet racking comes in. Based in Columbus, Ohio, we supply pallet racking systems designed specifically for breweries and distilleries. Our solutions help brewers stay organized, protect their inventory, and keep production moving smoothly.

Brewery Storage Challenges We Solve

Breweries face unique storage demands that standard warehouse shelving can’t always handle. Our pallet racking systems are engineered to meet those needs:
• Keg storage: Heavy-duty racks that safely stack half-barrels, sixtels, and specialty kegs without risk of collapse.
• Ingredient organization: Dry, accessible shelving for malt, hops, yeast, and adjuncts.
• Packaging supplies: Space for cans, bottles, boxes, and labels, all kept within easy reach.
• Cold room overflow: Galvanized and powder-coated racks that withstand humidity and temperature changes.

Serving Brewers Across the Midwest (and beyond!)

From Ohio to Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois, we’ve partnered with breweries of all sizes to design storage systems that fit their workflow. Whether you’re a startup brewery in Columbus or a regional brand expanding distribution, our pallet racking provides:
• Fast delivery and installation support
• Custom layout planning for brewery operations
• Scalable designs that grow with your business

Custom Pallet Racking for Breweries

Every brewery is different, which is why we offer tailored solutions:
• Adjustable pallet racks for dry goods and packaging materials
• Reinforced keg racks built to handle heavy loads safely
• Wire decking, safety guards, and mobile units for compliance and flexibility
Our team works directly with brewers to ensure the racking system fits their space, budget, and production goals.

Why Midwest Craft Brewers Choose Us

We have become the “go-to” company for supplying Pallet Rack for beer or keg storage in the Midwest! Brewers know that efficiency matters as much as creativity. Our pallet racking systems provide the backbone for growth, helping breweries stay organized, safe, and ready for the next release. With durable construction and Midwest-based support, we’re proud to be part of the region’s craft beer story.

Who have we worked with?

The list of local, regional and national craft beer brewers is long but a few of them include… Brew Dog Brewery (Canal Winchester), Great Lakes Brewing (Cleveland), Jackie O’s (Athens), Rhinegeist Brewery (Cincinnati), Mad Tree Brewery (Cincinnati), Columbus Brewing Company (Columbus), Land GRant Brewing (Columbus) and Seventh Sun Brewery (Columbus), just to name a few.

Ready to upgrade your brewery storage? Contact our Columbus team today to explore keg racking options, layout designs, and delivery timelines.

Is Buying Used Pallet Rack Worth It?

We get this question almost every day… Do you stock and sell used pallet rack? The short answer is yes, but with a few important caveats. Our inventory of used racking is typically limited and while many buyers assume used equals major cost savings, the reality is more subtle.

💰 The perceived advantages of buying used:
From a buyer’s perspective, the appeal of used equipment is understandable. The top motivator is cost. A close second is availability, used pallet rack is often on-site and ready to ship, which can save time and reduce freight expenses.

But here’s where expectations and reality start to differ…

🚧 The realities of used Pallet Racking:
Many buyers mistakenly believe that buying used pallet racking is like buying a used car, expecting 50–60% savings compared to new. Unfortunately, that’s rarely the case.

Here’s why…
• Labor and logistics add up. Most used racking we acquire is still installed and standing. We send crews to disassemble it; then stack, band, and prep it for transport. It’s shipped via flatbed to our facility, all of which has significant costs associated with it.
• Outdoor storage takes a toll. Due to its size, used racking and wire decks are typically stored outside. Exposure to the elements causes rust and oxidation, especially on powder-coated finishes. While many buyers don’t mind cosmetic wear, it still affects value.
• Actual savings are modest. After factoring in labor, freight, storage and condition, the typical savings over new equipment is closer to 15–20%.

🛡️ Want a warranty or weight capacity certification?

• Used pallet rack systems do not come with warranties or weight ratings.
• Manufacturer warranties apply only to new Pallet Rack purchased through an authorized dealer.
• Published weight capacities are furnished and guaranteed only for new equipment (this cannot be furnished on used equipment or anytime after).

⚠️ Used Uprights… a word of caution:

One of the most critical issues with used pallet rack is upright integrity. We rarely sell used uprights, and for good reason. Roughly 4 out of 5 used uprights we inspect have damage generally to the lower 12–24″ of the front columns, usually from forklift impact.

* Buyer beware: Any dent or ding in an upright compromises its structural integrity. It should be discarded, not reused. Unfortunately, some sellers, especially on social media, will still offer damaged uprights. We won’t sell them, and we strongly advise you not to buy them!

✅ Our commitment to quality:

When we do offer used pallet rack, it’s because it meets our standards for safety and functionality. We’re transparent about condition, and we never cut corners, especially when it comes to structural integrity. More often than not, we will combine new with used racking. This generally consists of used Beams and Decks combined with new Uprights. This is a very common scenario.

Used pallet rack can be a smart buy in the right circumstances, but it’s not always the bargain it appears to be. If you’re considering used equipment, we’re happy to walk you through the pros, cons, and discuss our current inventory.

Maximize access. Optimize space. Retrofit with ease.

Midwest Material Handling, LLC offers versatile Roll-Out Rack Systems designed to retrofit seamlessly into existing pallet racking—ideal for industries handling small parts like automotive, HVAC, and electrical components.

These modular, field installable shelves provide full-depth access to stored items, helping your team work faster and safer while making the most of your vertical space. Compatible with virtually all North American-made pallet rack styles, including roll-formed and structural systems, these durable units are built for flexibility and performance.

There are two basic styles… a “Rack Mounted” Roll out shelf that is used on any shelf above the floor and a “Floor Mounted” which is installed on the floor itself.

Design features include:

• Rack Mounted: 1,000 lbs.
• Floor Mounted: 3,000 lbs.
• Modular design with many sizes and surface choices
• Enclosed bearing for smooth operation
• Lightweight for ease of installation and reduced impact on rack structure
• Interchangeable top plate
• Adjustable bracket for easy installation
• Optional lock-out is available

Whether you’re upgrading an existing system or designing a new layout, these roll-out shelves offer a smart solution for improving access, safety, and storage efficiency.

Call the experts at Midwest Material Handling, LLC to explore your options and discover how our pallet rack accessories can help improve and streamline your operations.

When disaster strikes, logistics become a lifeline. After a historic flood swept through parts of the Midwest, a national nonprofit mobilized a rapid-response distribution hub in an unlikely location… a decommissioned airplane hangar in Dayton, Ohio.

The challenge? Trucks carrying emergency supplies including water, food and medical kits arrived around the clock, but the hangar’s concrete floor sat several inches below the truck beds. Volunteers needed a safe, efficient way to transfer goods using electric pallet jacks and hand trucks. Time was critical, so was safety.

We got the call on a Thursday afternoon and by Saturday morning, four NEW heavy-duty (HD) Bluff Steel Dock Plates arrived via expedited delivery… 48″W x 60″L, 10,000 lbs. capacity with beveled edges, steel side curbs and diamond tread surfaces. These plates became the unsung heroes of the operation. Volunteers, many with no warehouse experience, could roll supplies directly from truck to hangar floor without delay or risk.

Over five days, more than 300 tons of supplies were unloaded and distributed to affected communities. The dock plates were repositioned as needed, cleaned off between shifts, and stored for future use once the mission was completed.

We take pride in our customer service. Allow the team at Midwest Material Handling, LLC to provide our experience and 30+ years in business to assist in any Material Handling or Storage equipment application!

Every so often we run into a job that is significantly more complicated than it might seem!

Dismantling, removing and disassembling cantilever racks can be a fairly routine part of warehouse upgrades or relocation. But if those racks have been outside for years and are welded to the ground? That’s a whole different story. These particular cantilever racks had been installed in an outdoor lumber storage yard decades ago, all exposed to rain, snow, salt, and Ohio’s seasonal extremes. Not only were the bases welded directly to embedded steel plates in the concrete slab, but over time, corrosion had sealed those welds tighter than any bolt ever could.

TOOLS REQUIRED…

Removing these wasn’t just about grabbing a wrench… Here’s what we turned to:

• Angle grinders and oxy-fuel cutting torches: to slice through thick, rusted welds
• Core drills: for busting through anchor points embedded in the concrete
• Forklifts and chain hoists: just to pry sections loose without damaging them
• Protective gear and fire safety prep: because sparks flew… literally

And yes, a bunch of patience. This wasn’t a quick dismantling. A job that might’ve taken a day for bolted racks stretched across several days. Hidden rust had fused vertical columns to horizontal arms, and some base plates were sunk deeper into concrete than expected. A few bolts sheared off entirely. One rack even required partial slab demolition.

Even in heavy-duty environments, salvaging usable rack components is possible — but only with care. Improper techniques can warp steel arms or compromise load ratings. For resale, reuse, or recycling, careful handling is non-negotiable. Outdoor cantilever racking might seem like it’s built to last, and it is, but that same durability makes removal a serious challenge!

TRUST A LOCAL EXPERT!

For projects in Central Ohio or beyond, having a trusted removal partner makes all the difference. Midwest Material Handling, LLC brings decades of experience and gear to handle complex rack dismantling safely and efficiently.

Ever wonder how large industrial suppliers like ULINE, Grainger and Global Equipment can list their products so cheaply online? It all comes down to a clever marketing tactic—freight charges.

Here’s the catch: when you buy from these retailers, you’re not allowed to arrange your own shipping. You’re required to use their freight service, often at significantly inflated rates. This is where they make their real profit—not on the product itself, but on the back-end shipping costs. In many cases, you’ll find the freight costs more than the item you’re purchasing!

While this strategy isn’t necessarily dishonest, we believe it borders on being deceptive—and most customers don’t even realize it’s happening.

At Midwest Material Handling, LLC, we do things differently…

• We’re completely transparent with our pricing—what you see is what you pay.

• Unlike ULINE, Grainger and Global, freight is a non-income-generating component of our business, we encourage you to choose your own shipping method to save money. Or, work with our 3PL’s to ensure the least expensive and shortest transit times available.

• We provide full part numbers, model details, and manufacturer names with every quote—information many competitors withhold to keep you in the dark.

With over 30 years of experience, our business is built on honest pricing, transparency, and good old-fashioned customer service.

Ready to work with a team that puts YOUR needs first?
Contact the professionals at Midwest Material Handling, LLC today!

Dayton, Ohio- We recently completed a somewhat unique job… Galvanized Structural Pallet Racking. Galvanizing Pallet Rack is not something we do every day. The City of Dayton Ohio requested a storage system to be installed an an area that has high humidity and moisture. The right side of this picture was open to the outside weather. These Racks were to be designed to have a weight capacity of 10,000 lbs. per shelf. As a result of the extreme weight capacity requirements and the 108″L Beam length, Structural Pallet Rack was the best option. This Racking system was custom manufactured by Bulldog Rack in nearby Weirton, WV.

Wire Mesh Deck Panels

As you will note in the photo, we were also asked for a Wire Mesh Deck Panel instead of the the usual bolt-on Steel Cross Bars which are most often used in Structural Pallet Rack. We had the Engineers at ITC Manufacturing design and build a 5-channel “Waterfall” Wire Deck with a 5,500 lbs. capacity per panel (10,000 lbs. total weight capacity) compatible with Structural Pallet Rack. In addition, they galvanized the panels to ensure a totally galvanized end product.

Post Protectors

As you will also note, every Upright column was protected by an 18″H Steel Post Protector. Post Protectors are the most simple and most cost effective protective equipment to protect Pallet Rack Uprights from being damaged by skids or forklift operator error. Incidentally, the lower left part of the photo shows 1 of 20 Pipe Bollards we furnished and installed throughout the facility.

Willoughby, Ohio– Occasionally, we get a call from a Customer who has a shipping container (or a few!) that need to be offloaded by a forklift but are resting directly on the ground. In this unique application, the top of container deck is ~6″-8″ off the ground. If the container were still on the trailer (at 48″H), this would be a relatively straightforward Yard Ramp application but the container on the ground presents a unique challenge to unload safely with the use of a forklift.

Shipping Container Ramps

Allows the user to safely navigate the transition from ground to the bed of the shipping container. These Shipping Container Ramps feature a full width stiffener to provide strength and to bump up against the container. Locking chains with a specially designed keeper allow you to easily lock it into the holes in the container. After the keepers are in place, taking up the slack in the chain is simple and quick with the sturdy grab notch bracket welded to the sides of the Container Ramp. The result is a safe, sturdy loading ramp locked firmly to the shipping container. You can now load and unload your container safely! Standard shipping Container Ramps are available in 15K, 20K, 25K and 30K capacities. These Container Ramps also come in a range of different sizes (60″W is the most common though 72″W is also available).

An option exists for refrigerated containers which are slightly taller in height. An optional 14” Lip is available.

OPTIONS

• All-steel welded construction
• Standard capacities from 15,000 to 40,000 pounds
• Fold down lift loops
• Full width stiffener bumps up against the container for stability
• Locking chains included to lock ramp into place
• 4″ tall curbs on each side serve as runoff protection
• Widths starting at 60″

Call the professionals at Midwest Material Handling, LLC and allow us to use our 30+ years in business to design the correct piece of equipment for any unique application!