NAPA (National Automotive Parts Association), a leader in the auto parts industry, is well known across the United States with over 6,100 NAPA Auto Parts stores nationwide. The NAPA distribution center in Coppell, TX supplies these stores with a wide variety of boat, truck, and auto parts.
Falling Inventory Endangers Employees
This large storage facility handles product inventory on very tall steel shelving. A need for protection against falling inventory became necessary because of the height of the warehouse shelving, the weight of the products being stored, and the nearby aisleways used by distribution center employees adjacent to the storage shelves.
NAPA originally planned to attach solid shelving back panels provided by the pallet rack shelving manufacturer. But this would have left the distribution area dark, stuffy, and potentially secluded because of the rack tops’ proximity to the existing overhead lighting.
With the help of Leamon Storage Products, a WireCrafters material handling dealer in Waxahachie, TX, NAPA identified the challenges of solving this problem and worked out a creative solution using WireCrafters RackBack® Safety Panels to prevent stored inventory from falling off of the distribution center’s shelving.
RackBack® Safety Panels the Perfect Solution
Even though RackBack® Safety Panels are designed to attach to the back of pallet racks, their lightweight welded wire design also allows them to attach to the lighter shelving frames. This feature led Leamon, a wire partition dealer serving the Dallas, TX area, to recommend WireCrafters RackBack® Safety Panels to NAPA as the best possible safety solution to prevent stored items from falling into employee aisleways.
NAPA liked the stability and durability of the fully welded frame, as well as that the mesh is welded at every intersection, providing maximum rigidity. Four clips, compatible with the shelving manufacturer’s uprights, were provided per panel to securely mount the RackBack® panel into place.
Leamon’s past experience with WireCrafters products made for a quick and easy installation, and the shelving rack backing panels allowed NAPA employees to view the inventory while stored, while also allowing existing lighting and air to flow easily through the facility.
Safety Panels Are Versatile
Versatile WireCrafters RackBack® Safety Panels can be used in many different safety and storage applications. The panels were a perfect fit for this application, providing NAPA a safer facility without compromising the existing lighting and air flow throughout the facility. And WireCrafters even offers free design and layout assistance.
