Eastern Metal Supply

Eastern Metal Supply is a leading distributor of quality aluminum products serving the construction, architectural, industrial, and manufacturing markets. The company maintains a diverse inventory that includes aluminum extrusions, sheet and plate materials, bars, tubes, structural profiles, and custom-fabricated components used in a wide range of applications such as awnings, railings, docks, marine systems, trailers, window and door assemblies, and commercial building projects.

Most of these products are long, heavy, and irregularly sized, requiring specialized handling and storage methods to prevent material damage and ensure safe, efficient displacement throughout the warehouse. Due to the size, weight, and variability of its inventory, efficient storage and material accessibility are critical to maintaining product integrity, reducing handling time, and supporting high-volume order fulfillment. EMS operates large-scale distribution facilities where storage systems must allow for unobstructed forklift access, flexible load placement, and quick retrieval of long-load materials, all while maximizing available floor space and supporting continuous operational efficiency.

To address the storage challenges associated with long and oversized materials, Atlantic Rack recommended installing a cantilever racking system. Unlike traditional pallet racking, the cantilever features open-front arms and no vertical obstruction, allowing full access to long-load products. This system is ideal for storing long loads, such as: aluminum extrusions, beams, tubes, sheet, plate, and architectural profiles of varying lengths. Structural Cantilever Racks are engineered to support heavy loads while providing flexibility in arm spacing and load placement, enabling Eastern Metal Supply to organize materials by size, type, and application.

The new layout optimized floor space, improved forklift maneuverability, and created a more efficient and streamlined material flow throughout the warehouse. In addition, the cantilever system allows for future adjustability, with arm levels and spacing that can be easily reconfigured to accommodate changing product dimensions and inventory volumes, ensuring long-term usability and operational flexibility as distribution demands continue to evolve.

The implementation of Structural Cantilever Racking transformed how EMS stores and handles its inventory. Unobstructed access to long materials, allows forklifts to load and retrieve products in a single, direct movement, eliminating the need for repositioning or partial unloading. This streamlined handling process, reduced labor time, minimized product damage, and improved overall workflow consistency.

The solution allowed for better visual organization of materials, enabling faster identification of product sizes and profiles during picking. By optimizing both vertical and horizontal storage space, the cantilever system increased usable storage capacity while creating a safer, more efficient warehouse environment tailored to the demands of long-load aluminum distribution.