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Is your breakage rate eating into your margins? |
Whether you are distributing wholesale tempered glass or delivering custom Insulated Glass Units (IGU) to a high-rise project, the equipment you use dictates your efficiency. Traditional A-frames are stable but notorious for deadheading—once the glass is delivered, you are shipping air back to the warehouse.
The modern glass supply chain demands a hybrid solution: a rack that is robust enough for a 4-ton load of jumbo sheets but smart enough to collapse when empty. This is where the L-Shape Glass Holding Rack (Grack) changes the game. It bridges the gap between factory storage and heavy-duty transport.
Custom silk-screened L-racks showing asset tracking capabilities for return logistics.
The nightmare scenario for any operations manager is a "clam-shell" break or a chipped corner caused by the rack itself. Standard rubber pads often shear off under the weight of heavy laminated glass stacks, leading to catastrophic metal-on-glass contact.
Our solution utilizes glass sheet storage rack technology featuring Steel-Core Rubber Profiles. Unlike glued-on pads, these are mechanically fastened with self-tapping screws. The internal steel insert disperses the pressure from the sharp glass edges, ensuring the rubber is never sliced through, even during rough transit on a flatbed truck. This protects delicate soft-coat Low-E surfaces and prevents edge trauma on tempered units.
Steel-core rubber profiles protect heavy glass stacks from edge damage during transport.
A truly versatile rack must function in two distinct environments: the precision-controlled factory and the chaotic construction site.
Heavy-duty lifting pins allow for safe crane operations at construction sites.
For glass distributors covering large territories (like servicing all of California from a Los Angeles hub), return logistics is a major cost center. Standard A-frames consume full truck space even when empty.
The Grack L-Shape design features a calculated geometric offset that allows empty racks to nest into one another, similar to shopping carts. You can stack them horizontally or flip-nest them vertically. This compresses the volume by over 70%. In a standard 53’ dry van or a 40HQ shipping container, you can fit nearly 100 empty units, drastically reducing the cost-per-unit of return shipping. This turns your racks into a reusable asset rather than a disposable cost.
Nesting capability maximizes container density, fitting up to 98 units in a 40HQ.
Q1: Can these racks handle 130" jumbo split sheets?
A: Yes, we manufacture "Jumbo" variants specifically for split sizes and larger stock sheets. We recommend the 3-ton capacity upgrade for these larger formats to ensure structural rigidity.
Q2: What is the tilt angle of the L-rack?
A: The racks are engineered with a 3-5 degree tilt (approx. 85-87 degrees from horizontal). This critical angle keeps the glass stack stable against the backboard during truck braking without putting excessive deadweight stress on the rear sheets.
Q3: Will the rubber pads leave marks on the glass?
A: No. We use non-marking, high-durometer EPDM rubber. It provides the necessary grip to prevent sheet slippage (shingling) while ensuring no residue is left on the glass surface, which is crucial for coated glass.
Q4: Are these suitable for outdoor storage in stone or glass yards?
A: For outdoor use, we highly recommend the Hot-Dip Galvanized finish. This provides a zinc coating that prevents rust for 10-20 years, even in humid coastal environments. Powder coating is standard for indoor warehouse use.
Q5: How do I secure the glass during transport?
A: Each rack comes with integrated anchor hooks or eyelets welded to the frame. We recommend using industry-standard ratchet straps with corner protectors to secure the pack block. For IGU delivery, additional front stop bars can be provided.
