After decades of working together, this independent builder merchant looked no further than Stakapal for its newest warehouse racking project.
Builder Depot, a one-stop shop for all trade essentials, wanted to stock a wide range of products that would be accessible to customers while making the most of the available space. They knew that Stakapal would be the best partner for the job when it came to opening their first new site in 20 years.
As an independent builders’ merchant for both tradespeople and DIYers, Builder Depot wanted racking that was capable of storing an array of products, including timber, sheet materials, tools & fixings, metals, electricals, and kitchen and bathroom products.
Stakapal was tasked with helping them achieve the best layout to make the most of available space and design a racking solution that works logically as a blended merchant and warehousing environment.
Warehouse Racking for a Merchant Environment
The requirements for the warehouse racking were to create a self-service merchant environment for the customer, with the capability for overstock to be easily accessible for dropping and filling using a power picker or forklift truck.
Stakapal manufactured 15 double-sided runs and 2 single-sided runs of pallet racking, providing over 300 linear metres of rack space.
To make it their own, they added varying beam levels and partitions to attractively display products to the customer at eye level and stored items suitable for handpicking. They used the higher levels to store the overstock.
Integrated vertical storage was designed and manufactured specifically to store long lengths of MDF and timber, such as mouldings, skirtings, softwood and hardwoods. Using angled beams to prevent warping and prevent stock from falling into aisles.
At the rear of the building, they added 5 double-sided runs and 1 single-sided run of cantilever racking to store sheet materials such as chipboard, OSB, plywood and plasterboard, adding another 115 linear metres of storage space.
Cantilever Racking that Stands Out
This huge site had a lot of outdoor space to work with, and Builder Depot wanted to showcase its products from every angle of the building.
To do this, Stakapal manufactured 6 single-sided runs of cantilever racking and 2 runs of single-sided pallet racking, totalling approximately 125 linear metres of storage with each rack up to 6 metres in height. They added protective mesh to prevent stock from falling from the back of the racks.
The outcome was visually impressive, demonstrating the product at a height as well as providing extra storage space for heavy timber products.
Our design engineers visited the site several times during the design stage to ensure that every metre of racking would fit the space perfectly; even a millimetre out would have been obvious and ruin the smart, uniform look.
Builder Depot chose a galvanised finish for all its racking, achieving protection from the elements outdoors and a clean, sharp appearance indoors, allowing their signage and displays to stand out.
SEMA Health and Safety Compliance
Builder Depot knew they had to choose the right partners that ticked all the boxes; it was non-negotiable, every supplier had to have the right health and safety credentials.
They knew from the outset that they made the right decision with Stakapal saying, “you always gave us push back to ensure we were health and safety compliant and recommended the safest options and alternatives.” Further explaining that “Stakapal helped us by challenging and suggesting better options throughout the design process. You supported us by putting Builder Depot first as if it were also your business.”
Stakapal is a full member of SEMA (Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association), with our installation and inspection teams fully SARI (SEMA Approved Rack Inspector), and SEIRS (Storage Equipment Installers Registration Scheme) registered.
SEIRS Registered Installation with Stakapal
Our installation teams are SEIRS registered and given the highest standard of training, a benefit of employing our own. Our purpose-built facility is centrally located in the Midlands, which allows quick and economical delivery of your racking and timely arrival of the installation teams.
The installation at Builder Depot, Acton, was completed in just over 4 weeks.
A Final Word from Builder Depot – Why choose Stakapal?
We choose Stakapal every time, not because of loyalty or our already long relationship, but because they deliver the same high standards of customer service, quality of product and professionalism every single time.
Stakapal design engineer, James Sullivan, who worked closely on this project, said, “We want to do the work right, we want to walk off-site with the confidence that the customer will be happy with the finished product. “We believe in good people, good culture, good standards and putting the customer first, which is something I think Builder Depot and Stakapal have in common.”
Builder Depot has five sites strategically dotted along the North Circular Road, from New Southgate, Staples Corner, West Hampstead and Park Royal to their newest branch in Acton, which opened in January 2026.
