Sheet Metal Rack Systems for Safer, Faster Access

If heavy sheet inventory is slowing changeovers or crowding your aisles, our sheet metal racks concentrate storage in a compact footprint and deliver trays at a safe, repeatable height. Choose automated towers to feed lasers and press brakes with less handling, or static and rolling racks for near-line staging and overflow. We size systems to your formats and loads, organize by alloy or job, and integrate with cranes and vacuum lifters. Get specs and a quick overview by downloading the brochure or request a consultation to plan layouts, capacities, and code-compliant installs.

Automated dual tower sheet metal storage system with blue powder-coated steel frame and multiple trays for heavy flat materials

Automated Vertical Sheet Metal Storage

Automated towers consolidate sheet stock in a vertical bank of tray positions, then bring the selected tray to a waist-height access opening. Operators call trays with simple controls, so heavy sheets are presented at a safe, repeatable working height. This approach cuts forklift travel, shortens changeovers, and concentrates inventory where it is actually used.

Systems are sized to common formats and heavy loads, with trays configured for alloys, gauges, or specific work orders. By keeping materials protected in enclosed positions and only moving the required tray, shops reduce surface damage, improve accountability, and maintain a cleaner flow lane around cutting tables and press brakes.

Elevator retrieval delivers trays to the operator window
High density footprint frees aisles around production cells
Organize by alloy, thickness, or job to prevent mix ups
Ergonomic access reduces injury risk and rework
Ideal for feeding lasers and press brakes with less handling

How the Automated Tower Works

An internal lift moves trays between storage locations and the front access opening. The operator selects a tray, the elevator transports it, and the load arrives ready for cranes, vacuum lifters, or team handling. Because the tray comes to the user, heavy sheets are never dragged across adjacent stock, and retrievals are consistent for every shift.

Trays support up to 11,000 lbs each and accept standard formats including 4×8, 5×10, 5×13, 5×20, 6×13, 6×20, and 8×20. Configure single-tower front load and unload, front load with rear unload, or double-tower with shuttle to line up with travel paths, machine infeed requirements, and throughput targets.

Up to 11,000 lbs per tray capacity
Supports 4×8 through 8×20 sheet sizes
Front, rear, or shuttle handling options
Consistent waist-height access point for loading
Compatible with cranes and vacuum lifters

industrial automation control panel with touch screen interface for operating sheet metal storage system

automated sheet metal storage system with blue powder-coated steel frame and multiple trays for heavy flat materials

Integrate Towers with Lasers & Press Brakes

Position towers beside laser tables, press brakes, or robotic cells to reduce material travel and keep the next job staged at the machine. Trays can be dedicated to high-turn alloys or kitted by job number, so programs start faster and operators are not pulling sheets from remote pallet stacks.

The organized tray format improves inventory visibility for planners, supports first-in, first-out flow when required, and reduces the risk of surface damage from unplanned transfers. For cells with higher volume, two-tower shuttle configurations maintain a clear infeed while a second position queues the next tray.

Stage by program, gauge, or work order
Short, direct paths from storage to machine infeed
Supports manned and robotic cells
Improves WIP control and traceability
Two-tower shuttle options for higher throughput

Also need vertical storage for long stock such as bar, tube, or profiles?

Static & Rolling Sheet Metal Storage

For staging, overflow, or low-volume areas, static and rolling sheet racks provide reliable, cost-effective storage. Choose vertical roll-out, horizontal roll-out, or fixed frames to match ceiling height and handling method, then add pull-out shelves or door kits to improve safety around mixed materials.

These solutions organize flats by size or job, protect against bending and scratches, and keep floor lanes clear for forklifts and carts. Static and rolling racks are a practical complement to automated towers, especially where work cells require near-line staging or kitting.

Vertical or horizontal formats, fixed or roll-out
Rolling options enable flexible cell staging
Pull-out shelves and door kits available
Multiple widths, heights, and capacities
Works with cranes, hoists, or forklifts

heavy duty storage rack with hinged doors storing flat sheets vertically

Automated storage system with safety fences and light curtains for industrial sheet metal handling — Automated towers stage programs by alloy and gauge, reducing changeover time and handling risk.

Fabricators place vertical towers beside laser tables and press brakes to keep high-turn sheets at the operator window. Trays dedicated to common alloys and thicknesses prevent mix ups and reduce unplanned forklift trips to remote pallet stacks.

With repeatable, waist-height retrievals and enclosed storage positions, shops protect surface finish, increase operator safety, and maintain steady flow during frequent program changes.

Tray retrieval at a consistent working height
Faster changeovers for laser cutting cells
Improves operator safety and ergonomics
High-capacity trays for heavy sheets
Supports cranes and vacuum lifters

Monoblock steel tubular structure for automated storage systems in industrial facilities — Compact towers consolidate sheet inventory and free aisles for mixed materials.

Distribution centers use towers to condense sheet stock into a small footprint while preserving fast access. Single- or double-tower layouts can align with docks and machine cells, improving visibility across SKUs and minimizing congestion in shared aisles.

Rear-unload and shuttle options keep a clear infeed lane while the next tray is queued, helping facilities sustain higher throughputs without expanding the building envelope.

Single or double tower configurations
Rear unload or shuttle handling
Reduces forklift travel and cross-traffic
Improves SKU visibility and control
Configurable to common sheet sizes

Double tower automated storage system for metal sheet handling in manufacturing facilities — Integrate near cells to streamline WIP, reduce damage, and improve throughput.

OEMs stage jobs by work order to maintain traceability and reduce rehandling. Trays kitted with matched parts or alloys flow directly to press brakes and lasers, cutting waits between steps and lowering the risk of damage during transfers.

Where volumes are higher, two-tower shuttle systems allow one tray to feed the cell while the next tray is prepared, supporting steady cycle times and predictable staffing.

Stage by work order or program
Shorter travel to production cells
Helps prevent mix ups and rework
Supports repeatable cycle times
Compatible with robotic cells

Flat sheet storage rack with hinged door access and multiple shelves — Organized storage for roofing, ductwork, signage panels, and hardware.

Not every area needs automation. Static or rolling racks are ideal for staging, overflow, or kitting zones that benefit from organized storage close to work.

Options include vertical and horizontal formats, pull out shelves, and door kits to protect materials and improve safety.

Horizontal or vertical rack formats
Pull out shelves and door options
Flexible placement for staging
Protects against bending and scratches
Works with cranes, hoists, forklifts

Frequently Asked Questions

Sheet metal racks are used to organize, store, and provide quick access to sheet metal for small and medium size jobs. Sheet metal racks allow operators to retrieve individual sheets without needing to pull an entire pallet load.

Sheet metal racks can store standard sheet dimensions such as 4 foot by 8 foot sheets or 5 foot by 10 foot sheets. These sheet metal rack configurations support quick access to sheet goods for fabrication and metalworking environments.

Sheet metal racks require accurate weight specifications for stored materials. Sheet metal rack beams and shelves must be rated to support the weight of metal sheets, which vary in gauge and material type. Providing weight information ensures that sheet metal racks are designed safely.

Yes, automated sheet metal racks are available and can extend vertically to maximize cubic storage space. Automated sheet metal rack systems can lift and retrieve sheet bundles at great heights for efficient storage and handling.

Automated sheet metal racks can reach up to 20 feet for standard units, with custom versions extending as high as 40 feet. These high-density sheet metal rack systems can store 50, 100, or even 300 pallet positions depending on configuration and ceiling clearance.

Racks protect materials from bending and scratches, reduce trip hazards by organizing sheets off the floor, and present materials at an ergonomic height for safer handling.

Trays support up to 11,000 lbs each and accept common formats such as 4×8, 5×10, 5×13, 5×20, 6×13, 6×20, and 8×20.

Honest Results

“I am more than satisfied. I was blown away by the level of professionalism and impressed with the timely manner you were able to pull this job off! Bruce – you came thru in a big way and for that I am grateful! Thanks so much! Looking forward to working with you all again in the future!”

“I would like to compliment Larry, the supervisor for our project. We relocated existing County files and storage equipment from one building to another. He managed the project flow of materials wonderfully. If it wasn’t for his professional attitude the moving of the files would have been a greater challenge. We are very satisfied with your company.”

“I just have to comment on how impressed everyone in our office was with your crew led by Larry! The entire group was very courteous and mindful to be as considerate as possible while we were conducting business. We were very impressed with the safety factor being stressed as #1. The entire crew worked together so smoothly as a TEAM. Please be sure our extreme pleasure is shared.”

“You guys have been fantastic to work with. This project has been on the more complex side, with the contracts going from the contractor to the City and then back to the contractor. I appreciate you guys sticking with us, helping us through the whole process. I look forward to working with you again on another similar project when it arises.”

Southwest Solutions Near You

With 7 offices in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado, plus teams covering every major metro area nationwide, Southwest Solutions Group delivers expert sheet metal rack sales, design, installation, and maintenace support wherever you need it.

Sheet Metal Rack Service Areas

Texas

Offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston & San Antonio w/ sales, design, and installation coverage statewide

Austin
Dallas
El Paso
Fort Worth
Houston
San Antonio

Oklahoma

Office in Edmond w/ sales, design, and installation coverage statewide

Broken Arrow
Edmond
Lawton
Norman
Oklahoma City
Tulsa

Kansas

Office in Lenexa w/ sales, design, and installation coverage statewide

Kansas City
Lawrence
Olathe
Overland Park
Topeka
Wichita

Colorado

Office in Englewood w/ sales, design, and installation coverage statewide

Aurora
Colorado Springs
Denver
Fort Collins
Lakewood
Boulder

Alaska