Eileen Mozinski Schmidt

Mac Rak and Mac Rak Safety expands with emphasis on quality materials and safety repair

Posted on Sep 20, 2018 in Features

With an emphasis on quality materials, Mac Rak Inc. has steadily grown in the nearly two decades it has been in operation.  Mac Rak, which provides custom engineered fabricated warehouse rack repair kits and warehouse equipment protect, was founded in 2001.

The company started using contract fabricators, according to Shawn MacDonald, president of Mac Rak. He said after four years, the business opened its first leased manufacturing facility, at 4000-square-feet. The next seven years saw expansions to 8,000 and 11,000 square feet and in 2012, the business purchased a 25,000-square- foot facility in Joliet, Ill. “We had no idea what we do with all the space, it was so big,” said MacDonald, in an email to Material Handling Wholesaler. 

But Mac Rak Inc. added a powder coat operation, allowing for controlled lead times and better shipping procedures, and MacDonald said soon the business was primed for another expansion.

“By 2017, we started looking for additional space because this big facility shrunk so much that we were tripping over ourselves,” he said, noting growth of 42 percent in 2017 and adding that 2018 has been “stronger yet.” After an extensive search, MacDonald said Mac Rak closed on a 68,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Moberly, Mo. He said administrative operations remain in Joliet.   

The new facility sits on 12 acres, which will make accommodating future expansions easy, according to MacDonald. He said the site and its potential for growth represent the company’s commitment to keeping up with the demand for its products. 

Mac Rak Inc. serves customers throughout North America, including businesses across the spectrum of manufacturing and distributing industries, MacDonald said. “From the largest hardware chains to auto part companies to food service distributors, Mac Rak continues to expand into every type of storage facility,” he said, adding that the company has always excelled at both medical and food manufacturing distribution, and provides expertise in coolers and freezers. 

The company employs over 55 experts in storage rack repair and protection, and includes a large dealer and installer network that covers all of North America and a sales team with well over 100 years of combined industry experience, MacDonald said. 

“We can repair any type of rack on the market, current or past. Our innovative solutions keep us on the cutting edge of engineering rack repair and protective guarding solutions,” he said. Mac Rak makes over 30 column types in-house, outsourcing one or two types of post stock.

“Our products are 100 percent American made, in house from American-sourced industry compliant, certified, 55,000 psi minimum yield steel and commercial quality tubing, plate, flats, angles,” and more,” MacDonald said. “Mac Rak does not import or use sub-standard steel.” Commitment to safety is also paramount to the company.

“At Mac Rak, rack repair is second to storage rack and facility safety. Life safety is the only reason that any responsible repair company should be in business,” MacDonald said.  To that end, Mac Rak launched Mac Rack Safety earlier this year, providing a compilation of safety tools and information and promotes facility-wide efforts in regards to safe practices.

Eileen Schmidt is a freelance writer and journalist based in the Greater Milwaukee area. She has written for print and online publications for the past 12 years. Email [email protected] or visit eileenmozinskischmidt.wordpress.com to contact Eileen.