We caught up with Mennolt from Queensland Storage Systems to talk about one of the most practical systems for handling coiled materials, cable racking.
For businesses that deal with electrical cable, wiring, or similar coiled products, keeping stock organised and easy to access is a constant challenge. Cable racking offers a simple, efficient way to store and dispense these materials safely.
As Mennolt explained, “It’s all about making life easier for the people who have to handle cable every day. Rather than having reels sitting on pallets or rolling around the floor, cable racking keeps everything in place and ready to use.”
What Is Cable Racking
“Cable racking, or cable drum racking, allows spools or reels of cable, wiring, or coiled material to be held in position so they can be unrolled easily,” Mennolt said. “Rather than sitting flat on a pallet where they need to be lifted off and rolled out by hand, the racking supports each drum on a pipe or shaft so the cable can be fed off directly. It makes handling and dispensing cable simple, safe, and efficient.”
Each rack is designed to suit the size and weight of the reels being stored. A typical system will hold multiple drums across each level, allowing operators to pull off exactly what they need without disturbing other stock.
Where Cable Racking Is Used
“You’ll typically see cable racking in places where technicians are preparing materials or equipment ready to be shipped out,” Mennolt explained. “Electrical wholesalers, plumbing suppliers, and manufacturing workshops are the most common. It’s usually positioned near the faster-moving end of the warehouse, close to where picking and packing happens, rather than at the back with slower bulk stock.”
This placement makes it easy for staff to measure, cut, and load reels directly from the rack, improving workflow and reducing manual handling.
Typical Design and Dimensions
“Heights generally don’t exceed about 2.4 metres,” Mennolt said. “Once you go much above two and a half or three metres, it becomes hard for operators to reach the drums without ladders. At that point it tends to revert back to a standard palletised form of storage.”
In terms of capacity, most cable racking systems are designed to handle between 500 kilograms and one tonne per level, depending on the size and type of drum. “The maximum drum width is normally around 1.2 metres,” Mennolt said, “but it can go down to a few hundred millimetres for smaller reels. You might see four or five reels across a 1.2 to 1.4 metre span. It all depends on the centre hole in the reel, as that’s what determines the pipe or shaft size used to support it.”
Benefits of Cable Racking
“Cable racking is a very practical solution for anyone working with coiled materials,” Mennolt said. “It keeps reels tidy, off the floor, and ready to use. You save time, reduce manual handling, and improve overall efficiency in the warehouse.”
For electricians, wholesalers, and workshop environments, it’s one of those simple systems that makes a big difference day to day.
Ready To Maximise Space in Your Workplace?
If you’re looking to improve how your cable or coiled materials are stored, Queensland Storage Systems can help. Call 07 5537 5999 or submit an online enquiry to discuss your requirements and get expert advice on designing a cable racking system that fits your space and product range.
About Mennolt Regtien
Mennolt Regtien brings more than 20 years of hands-on experience in the storage and pallet racking industry in Australia, backed by a broader career spent helping businesses grow, improve productivity and solve operational challenges. Before moving into pallet racking and storage systems, he spent around 10 years consulting to small and medium businesses on growth and development, and earlier worked in venture capital and startups, including helping Australasian companies expand into Asian and US markets.
His experience helps him look beyond the racking itself to understand each client’s wider business goals, identify operational issues quickly, and recommend storage solutions that support both efficiency and future growth.
