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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!

President Trump’s new 145% tariffs on China will have a dramatic and significant effect on the sale of NEW (and as a result) USED Pallet Rack as well as Wire Mesh Deck Panels, including all steel storage equipment, sold in the United States.

At the end of the day, Pallet Racking, like all steel fabricated products are commodity based. Pallet Rack and Wire Deck pricing fluctuates, based off the cost of raw materials, primarily the cost of unfabricated steel and steel wire. Since so many domestically manufactured steel products are fabricated out of imported steel, Pallet Rack will be on the rise. The bulk of steel used in US Pallet Rack and Wire Deck manufacturing originates from China.

A little history… During Trump’s first term, the US assessed a 25% tariff on all imported products from China. To avoid the tariffs, many China based Pallet Rack and Wire Deck Panel Manufacturers opened up factories in neighboring Vietnam. Then unexpectedly, COVID hit and presented new challenges to the international freight/shipping channels. Freight costs from Asia to the US skyrocketed. Since then, international shipping has returned to more moderate levels.

While it is uncertain WHEN these costs will rise, as a result of these new tariffs, it is a certainty they will. For the past several years, we, as a distributor get monthly price pages for “quick-ship” Pallet Rack/Wire Deck from one of the largest Pallet Rack Manufacturers in the US. Over the past several years, prices fluctuate slightly from month to month. One month it may be an increase in Pallet Rack Uprights and Beams and the next on Wire Decks (which are built primarily of steel wire). Prices will rise and then fall. We expect the increases to be significant and impact both products starting May 1.

Our hope is these changes are temporary and they will result in lasting positive changes for our industry. Hang in there, things will get better!

            

Plain City, Ohio– Occasionally, though not often, we will get a call for Pallet Rack to be installed on an uneven or unlevel surface. In applications where the concrete is old, cracked or uneven, steel shims can be utilized to help level the base. It is imperative that Pallet Racking be installed on flat or level surfaces. So simplistic in design, steel Shims can help!

Shims come in a range of different styles. It is important that you pick the correct pallet rack shim plate to match the brand of upright and size of the footplate. Upright footplates can vary in design, as a result, it is very important to use only factory approved shims, as the are specifically sourced for the design of the Uprights.

Depending on the severity of the base, there may be a need to use more than one shim. If that is the case, there are very specific guidelines to follow as to how many are safe and how to secure them in place to prevent shifting.

• Shim stack cannot exceed six times the diameter of the largest anchor bolt.
• Shim stack that is less than two times the anchor’s diameter does not require locking shims together by welding or installing a second anchor.
• Shim stacks between two times but less than six times the diameter of the anchor must be locked by welding or adding a second anchor. If shims are not welded or secured with a second anchor, they can spin out, causing rack instability.
• Shim stacks may require longer anchor bolts.

Charleston, WV- We were contacted by a long time Customer in the Charleston, WV area inquiring about large volume Steel Hopper that they wanted to replace. This particular Hopper was damaged beyond repair and needed to be replaced. These large volume Hoppers are commonly used in the mining industry. It was located in a large coal mine in Western West Virginia.

What was unusual about this existing hopper (which was primarily used for waste removal within the mine) was its large size and heavy capacity. What we replaced it with was a Jesco Industries Large Volume, Low Profile, Super Heavy Duty Structural Base Hopper constructed of 7 GAUGE STEEL. This HD Hopper had a 10 cubic yard capacity and 10,000 lbs. weight capacity. The Hopper measured 91″L x 135″W x 70″H…135″ wide and 91″ long-WOW!

We also added an optional lid (steel piano hinged split lid). This was the largest Steel Dumping Hopper we have ever sold… the Hopper with Lid weighed well over 3,600 lbs.!

We serve a wide range of Customers in a wide range of industries with often times really unique applications. Every project is uniquely different. Contact the experts at Midwest Material Handling, LLC with any Steel Dumping Hopper application from large to small-common to unusual!

WORTHINGTON, OHIO– We recently got a call from a large Ohio based Manufacturer of industrial products with a bit of a unique Pallet Rack protection application. This customer recently purchased an AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) and requested Post and End-of-Aisle Protectors for their Pallet Rack. The big issue was these Column Protectors could not extend into the open shelf space as every inch was needed for the AGV to operate there.

We supplied them with Handle-It 12″H Steel Column Protector with optional HD steel Rack Protector Extender, which was custom cut to 28″L. Not sure if it is clear in the photos but these Column Protectors only extend into the shelf space by an inch, at best, allowing the AGV to operate in and out of the Rack sections as designed. Like all of the Pallet Rack protection products we sell, we also furnished concrete anchors (1/2″ x 3.75″ and 3/4″ x 4.25″) for installation. The finished product came out great and has been incredibly effective. These were furnished and installed throughout the entire distribution center facility.

These Corner Protectors are also effective for use at building wall corners and guard doorways.