Cable Storage, Conduit Racks, and Shelving for Electrical Wholesalers

September 25, 2024 | Categories: Blogs, Material Handling, Efficiency, Electrical, Safety

In 2024, the electrical equipment wholesaling industry revenue is expected to reach $279.9 billion, and demand is increasing.

That’s good news for wholesalers — but more demand means keeping more products on hand. That means finding efficient storage solutions for cable and wire, conduit, lighting fixtures, boxes, enclosures, and fittings.

Efficient storage solutions are essential for maintaining inventory accuracy, streamlining order fulfillment, and maximizing warehouse space utilization. In this buyer's guide, we’ll discuss several storage solutions, along with ergonomic material handling equipment (MHE) for keeping your operation moving.

Understanding Your Inventory: Storage Solutions for Electrical Products

Cable & Wire

Heavy reels or spools are prone to tangling and difficult to handle manually, and improper storage can lead to product damage (not to mention safety hazards and lost time).

An ideal storage solution will not just store cable securely, but keep it accessible to optimize the productivity of the wholesale facility. In some cases, custom shelving is worth the investment. However, stackable units that can be delivered directly to customers can often provide a better value for many wholesalers.

Products to Consider:

Stackable Reel Stands (PRP-STK-1) - BHS’s Stackable Reel Stands maximize vertical storage and provide standalone manual payout for individual reels. Ideal for direct delivery to job sites, they’re stackable up to three units high.
Dyna Reel Platforms (DRP) - The Dyna Reel Platform incorporates steel rollers in a low-built base, with an adjustable reel roller to accommodate reels of various sizes. With the optional tie-down kit, the DRP provides safe long-term storage; its footprint barely exceeds that of the cable reels themselves.

Conduit, Duct, & Raceway:

Long, rigid materials are susceptible to bending or warping if stored improperly, which translates to wasted product. Inefficient storage can also make it difficult to quickly locate and retrieve specific lengths or diameters.

Products to Consider:

Cantilever Racks: Cantilever racks are exceptional for organizing conduit of various lengths and diameters, along with other longer materials (for example, cable trays). The open design ensures efficient inventory management; there’s no need to shift or move other items to access specific pieces.

BHS can customize cantilever racking for the needs of your facility. Also consider the Cantilever Cart, which simplifies material handling for awkward materials.

Lighting & Light Fixtures:

Lighting fixtures require secure storage to prevent breakage. Damaged or broken fixtures can result in project delays and additional costs, and the fragility of these supplies makes those delays practically inevitable in a disorganized facility.

Products to Consider:

Industrial Shelving (IS) - Industrial shelving with adjustable shelves can accommodate fixtures of different sizes and provide organized storage. BHS’s powder-coated shelving can be custom-built; A 36-inch height between shelves is standard, but our team can meet individual specifications for a more efficient storage room layout.
Mobile Security Cages - Mobile security cages protect high-value fixtures from theft or damage while offering the flexibility to move inventory around your warehouse as needed. BHS also provides the Industrial Locker, which provides a secure storage solution for overnight deliveries to job sites.
Light Fixture Carts (LFC) - Designed to carry bulk electrical materials, BHS Light Fixture Carts have a total load limit of 1,000 pounds, sufficient for ergonomically handling full-sized commercial light fixtures. They can protect fixture stock during both storage and transport. Removable locking bars on both sides protect contents (and minimize product loss).

Boxes & Enclosures

Electrical boxes and enclosures can be heavy and awkward to transfer from storage to delivery areas. Improper handling can lead to ergonomic concerns, so storage solutions should allow for easy access that minimizes bending, twisting, and other unnatural movements.

Products to Consider:

Security Cart

Industrial Shelving (IS) or Pallet Racks - Industrial shelving or pallet racks provide sturdy support for heavy boxes and enclosures. Single-shelf models have a 500 lb (227 kg) capacity; multi-shelf models can hold up to 800 lb (363 kg) per shelf.

Fittings

As anyone who’s ever looked for a specific combination clamp connector knows, small, lightweight fittings can easily become disorganized and difficult to locate. Lost or misplaced fittings can lead to project delays and frustration for electricians.

Products to Consider

Modular Storage Racks (26301246) with Adjustable Dividers - Modular storage racks with adjustable dividers offer flexible organization for fittings of various sizes. The rack configuration can be customized as needed, and the 6 fully lipped shelves can be installed at a straight or slight-forward angle, creating flow-through racking that moves product forward automatically.
Mobile Security Cages and Drop Boxes - Mobile security cages and industrial lockers can be utilized as a value-added service for delivering to job sites, fully stocked with fittings, tools, and virtually anything else that construction electricians need to do their jobs.

Streamlining Order Fulfillment with Electrical Carts

Efficient order fulfillment is crucial for customer satisfaction and operational success. At BHS, we’ve engineered solutions to help wholesalers provide their customers with efficient access to product — while maximizing storage efficiency prior to delivery.

Wire Pull Cart (WPC)

Designed for transporting bulk cable, wire, or rope, these carts can hold up to 3,000 pounds of wire. PVC wire guides ensure a smooth, even pull, while four swivel casters and fork pockets can be used for easy transport and positioning.

The Reel Sherpa Stacker® (RSS-5K)

The Reel Sherpa is an industrial steel stand for heavy-duty wire and cable reels. It can handle reels up to 5,000 pounds and is easily moved with pallet jacks or lift trucks. Safer and more convenient than traditional reel storage methods, The Reel Sherpa offers dependable storage anywhere with durable steel construction.

Parallel Reel Payout (PRP)

The BHS Parallel Reel Payout streamlines cable pulling operations for electricians, enabling the simultaneous payout of multiple cables from a single, maneuverable unit. The ergonomic design eliminates the need for separate reel setups, saving valuable time and labor on job sites.

The PRP's design prioritizes cable protection with features like individual hub locking and UHMW alignment strips, reducing waste and potential project delays.

With fork pockets, optional casters, and various reel/arbor hole combinations, it’s suitable for efficiently handling diverse cable types and gauges across various work environments.

The BHS PRP is a versatile and efficient solution that improves productivity and ergonomics — and an excellent way to add value to wire & cable deliveries.

Related Article: Parallel Wire Reels: How They Help Electrical Wholesalers (and Their Customers)

Build a Better Approach to Electrical Inventory Management

Implementing effective storage and handling solutions is paramount for electrical wholesalers seeking to optimize their warehouse operations. By selecting the appropriate storage solutions and leveraging PRPs for streamlined fulfillment, they can streamline your operations and add value for your customers.

A well-organized warehouse is a cornerstone of success. BHS is ready to help you find the best options for your operation. To get started, call our sales team at 1.800.247.9500.