M3 Light Duty Racks

Light Duty Racks

Mecalux M3

Manual storage and archiving solution that adapts to a broad array of light loads and various work environments.

The product

Maximum flexibility to suit multiple applications

Mecalux’s M3 light duty racks are manual storage and archiving systems for light loads. These strong, durable, highly versatile structures are compatible with a wide variety of needs, including e-commerce order picking, product display and document archiving.

Thanks to the combination of a broad range of components and accessories, light duty storage racks adapt perfectly to different types of loads (small parts, boxes, packages and documents, among other items) and multiple work environments (warehouses, workshops, production centres, shops and offices).

M3 light duty racks are manual storage and archiving solutions

Advantages of M3 light duty racks

  • Multifunctional: Mecalux’s M3 light duty racks are ideal for various applications and workspaces. They offer a load capacity of up to 275 kg per level.
  • Versatile: the wide variety of accessories available for these racks enables them to be fully customised and adapted to a broad range of medium and light loads.
  • Quick, easy assembly: the system is installed in just a few steps, following clear, simple instructions.
  • Configurable and scalable: the height of the shelves can be changed by moving the panels in increments of 25 mm. Moreover, the storage system is easily expandable by adding bays and height levels.
  • Sturdy and durable: the tried-and-tested quality of the materials employed by Mecalux ensures the storage system's reliability and long service life.
  • E-commerce: using dividers to form compartments, and picking assistance solutions such as pick-to-light systems make M3 light duty racks particularly suitable for e-commerce warehouses.
Mecalux’s M3 light duty racks are versatile, multifunctional structures for light and medium loads

The shelving’s high quality and distribution have significantly increased our picking productivity

Decathlon UK
Zsolt Kabai Project Manager
Decathlon UK
(Northampton, UK)

Applications of light duty racks

Multi-purpose storage solution for various uses and workspaces

M3 light duty storage racks are highly versatile structures that adjust easily to the specific needs of a wide range of businesses and sectors. They are suitable for small and large warehouses and manufacturing centres as well as offices, shops and document archiving centres.

M3 light duty racks are a very functional option for storing moderately weighted products

Storage of moderate to medium-weight goods

M3 light duty racks can support up to 275 kg per level, making them perfect for various types of light and medium loads.

Light industrial shelving speeds up order picking in e-commerce warehouses

E-commerce warehouses

This shelving speeds up order picking by offering manual access to all SKUs stored.

Light duty racks adapt to the needs of offices and workspaces

Office buildings and workspaces

Accessories such as dividers and suspension filing sets facilitate the organisation of documents and other materials.

Lightweight warehouse racking is commonly found in workshops and production centres

Workshops and production centres

Thanks to accessories like plastic drawers, light duty racks can house tools and components.

M3 light duty racking systems can be used to store and display products in shops

Shops and back rooms

Lightweight shelving is ideal for storing stock and displaying all kinds of products in shops.

The features of M3 light duty racks perfectly meet the needs of document and archiving centres

Archives and document centres

Light duty shelving can house file boxes and folders to classify and store all types of documentation.

M3 light duty warehouse shelving with raised aisles can span 8 m in height

High-bay storage

M3 light duty racks can form a multi-tier system with raised aisles, reaching a total height of 8 m.

Testimonials

Autosur de Levante

These M3 light duty racks have brought order and cleanliness to our warehouse, along with faster storage and order picking. Plus, we have accurate computerised records of product locations.

Read more
Álvaro Nuévalos González Catalonia Branch Manager
Autosur de Levante
(Barcelona, Spain)
Bomi Group

With this racking, not only have we gained in storage capacity, but we can also prepare more orders than before. Likewise, the racks are equipped with safety devices to ensure that the operators and the goods are fully protected.

Read more
Marco Mandelli Head of the Operational Excellence Department
Bomi Group
(Spino d’Adda, Italy)
Decathlon UK

Thanks to the M3 light duty racks, now, we can cater to online shoppers and all Decathlon retail shops in the UK more rapidly.

Read more
Zsolt Kabai Project Manager
Decathlon UK
(Northampton, UK)

Case studies

The bilstein group's automotive spare parts warehouse in Portugal

bilstein group, an automotive spare parts supplier, has opened a new warehouse in Venda do Pinheiro (Portugal). Mecalux has equipped it with three storage systems to help speed up order preparation: pallet racks, shelving for picking and cantilever racks. Read more

The bilstein group's automotive spare parts warehouse in Portugal

Caffè d’Autore: all logistics begin with a good cup of coffee

Caffè d’Autore, distributor of espresso machines, has installed racks for picking and Easy WMS software from Mecalux in its Barcelona warehouse. This system precisely controls the 2,800 available SKUs and scrupulously manages all operations. Read more

Caffè d’Autore: all logistics begin with a good cup of coffee

Decathlon has opened a new omnichannel warehouse in Northampton (United Kingdom)

The Decathlon sporting goods store has opened a new omnichannel warehouse in Northampton (UK), which Mecalux has equipped with shelves for picking. It is an omnichannel warehouse, where online orders are prepared and products are distributed to Decathlon stores throughout the UK. Read more

Decathlon has opened a new omnichannel warehouse in Northampton (United Kingdom)

The logistics centre of the Alliance Healthcare wholesale pharmaceutical company in Lisbon was sectored into five zones to organise products according to demand

Case study of the Alliance Healthcare picking warehouse in Portugal developed by Mecalux and other examples of storage systems. Read more

The logistics centre of the Alliance Healthcare wholesale pharmaceutical  company in Lisbon was sectored into five zones to organise products according to demand
See more case studies

Components for M3 light duty racks

M3 light duty racks are storage structures that stand out for their simple assembly. They comprise components manufactured from tried-and-tested quality materials, ensuring a long service life.

The basic structure of Mecalux’s M3 light duty racking consists of four elements: frames, footplates, shelves and bracing components (either cross bracing sets or metal back panels). These elements provide the necessary robustness to ensure the storage system’s stability and stiffness.

The various frame options available make it possible to adapt M3 light duty racks to different requirements. These range from enhanced storage system stiffness to improved ventilation of stored goods.

The choice of shelving will depend on the characteristics and weight of the goods stored in addition to other warehouse details, such as the need for air and water flow.

Mecalux’s medium and light duty racks are equipped with a set of safety components that ensure the longitudinal and transverse stability of the structure and prevent the stored goods from falling or shifting.

Frames are the basic components of M3 light duty racks

Frames

Vertical metal elements created using two uprights joined together with cross ties, sets of cross ties and diagonals or side panels/metal mesh.

Shelves make up the storage levels of M3 light duty racking

Shelves

Horizontal elements fitted to uprights to form the load-bearing storage levels. They are available in two models: light-duty (for light loads) and heavy-duty (for medium and heavy loads).

Footplates ensure that M3 light duty racks are correctly supported on the floor

Footplates

Parts fitted to the bottom of the uprights to provide good support. Footplates are available in plastic or metal.

Frame unions join two M3 lightweight shelving units together

Frame unions

Components made of galvanised steel that connect two frames at the back to join two shelving units together.

Upright splices are used to increase the height of M3 light duty racks

Upright splices

Elements used to expand the storage system vertically by splicing two uprights. Upright splices do not interfere with the placement of the shelves.

Frames with cross ties form the basic support of M3 light industrial shelving

Frames with cross ties

This is the basic configuration, consisting of two uprights and at least two cross ties. Depending on the height of the racking, more cross ties can be added.

Frames with cross ties and diagonals enhance the stiffness of light duty storage racks

Frames with cross ties and diagonals

Similar to the basic configuration, this option also integrates crossed diagonals to increase the stiffness and stability of high-bay shelving.

Frames with metal side panels keep goods in adjacent bays from mixing with each other

Frames with metal side panels

Closed frames that prevent loads stored in adjacent bays from mixing with each other. They provide the outer frames with a sleek finish and can be smooth or slotted.

Frames with metal mesh improve the ventilation of M3 light duty warehouse shelving

Frames with metal mesh

These frames prevent goods from falling off the side. Moreover, they allow products to be viewed from the side and foster better ventilation of storage levels.

Metal shelves provide great strength to the storage levels of M3 light duty racks

Metal shelves

These are the basic elements used to create storage levels. They offer a large load capacity.

Metal mesh shelves rest on the shelving structure of M3 light duty racking

Metal mesh shelves

Shelving panels made of electro-welded metal mesh. They enable ventilation and water flow if the fire safety system is activated.

Chipboard shelves store heavy goods in light duty racking systems

Chipboard shelves

Shelving panels made of chipboard for storing particularly heavy products or those with abrasive surfaces.

Cross bracing sets increase the stiffness of M3 light duty racks

Cross bracing sets

Elements that are vital for the stability and longitudinal stiffness of the shelving. They clip into the side slots on the rear uprights.

Sheet metal back panels keep products from falling or mixing with other goods in lightweight racking

Sheet metal back panels

Components that close off the rear of the shelving to prevent goods from falling out of the back (single-sided bays) or from mixing with other products (double-sided bays). They also help to stiffen the structure.

Mesh backing prevents merchandise from falling and improves ventilation in M3 light duty racks

Mesh backing

Element with the same function as sheet metal back panels. Mesh backing, however, allows light and air to pass through the shelving units.

Shelf retainers keep goods from falling off the front of lightweight warehouse racking

Shelf retainer

Horizontal metal profiles that can be placed on the front of each storage level to prevent goods from falling off the front of the shelves.

Plinths cover the lower part of lightweight shelving

Plinths

Horizontal metal profiles that cover the lower gap to prevent objects and dust from going under the shelving units.

Safe load warning notices specify the technical characteristics of M3 light duty racks

Safe load warning notices

Signs that specify the characteristics of the storage system. They are placed in visible areas on the ends of the racking units.

Accessories for M3 light duty racks

Wide range of accessories to adapt the shelving to store all types of light and medium loads

Shelf dividers partition the storage levels of M3 light duty racks

Shelf dividers and compartments

Shelf dividers can form compartments, thus improving the organisation of small goods. Dividers are available in different heights and depths.

Removable plastic drawers enable light duty racks to house small items

Removable plastic drawers

Made of polypropylene and very useful for storing and classifying small items. They have a large load capacity and are resistant to handling.

Stackable plastic bins have a front opening to allow for quick identification of goods

Stackable plastic bins

Made of polystyrene and perfect for housing small and very varied SKUs. Goods are accessed quickly and conveniently via the bins’ front opening.

With the suspension filing set, files are easily stored on light duty racking

Suspension filing set

Accessory designed to store hanging folders of different sizes. It fits the most common models on the market and is ideal for offices and workspaces.

Thanks to the garment rail set, M3 light duty racking can accommodate clothes and samples

Garment rail set

Parts for hanging clothes, samples and other products. Double garment rail sets are available for increased capacity.

With vertical rail dividers, odd-shaped goods can be housed on M3 light duty shelving

Vertical rail dividers

Separators for storing and classifying irregularly shaped items.

Horizontal dividers allow for the storage of profiles on light industrial shelving

Horizontal dividers

Accessories used to house odd-sized loads (e.g., profiles or tubes) vertically.

Side hooks enable products or tools to be hung on M3 light duty racks

Side hooks

Elements that latch onto frames with slotted sides to hang tools, samples, bags and other products.

Doors turn a lightweight shelf unit into a closed cupboard

Doors

Two metal doors can be attached to the racking unit to create a closed cupboard. Doors are manufactured in two heights (1,000 and 2,000 mm) and include a handle and lock set.

Magnetic label holders identify loads stored on M3 light duty racks

Magnetic label holders

Magnetic plastic holders fitted to the front of the shelving to identify the goods stored on each level.

Aisle signs identify M3 light duty racks using letters or numbers

Aisle signs

Metal tags attached to the ends of shelving units to identify them with numbers or letters. These signs can be read from both the access aisle and inside the shelving aisle.

Pick-to-light systems expedite order picking

Pick-to-light system

Picking assistance solution consisting of numeric displays that show operators how many items of each product to retrieve. It reduces errors and speeds up picking.

Catalogues

Catalog - 9 - M3-picking - en_UN

M3 Light Duty Racks

Storage system for medium and light loads

Download
MS_Picking_UN_2023.pdf

Warehouse safety manual

Operation, use, inspection and maintenance of picking shelves

Download

FAQs

M3 light duty racks are a manual storage solution designed to house a wide array of lightweight goods.

The load capacity of these racks varies depending on the type of shelves used. M3 light duty racking systems configured with light-duty shelves can support a maximum weight of 150 kg per level. With heavy-duty shelves, on the other hand, the maximum load capacity increases to 275 kg per level.

Yes. The height of the shelves can be adjusted in increments of 25 mm. This makes it possible to tailor storage spaces to accommodate variations in the dimensions of stored goods. Likewise, M3 light duty racks allow for quick, easy expansion by adding additional units. Alternatively, raised aisles can be configured to create a multi-tier system.

If you’d like to purchase an M3 light duty racking system, please contact Mecalux using the form available on this page or by phone.

M3 light duty racks stand out for their high versatility. They can accommodate multiple types of light loads, from small components, replacement parts, tools, boxes and packages to hanging garments, wheels, profiles and folders with documents.

M3 light duty racks are not designed to accommodate pallets. Nevertheless, Mecalux offers a wide variety of pallet racking to meet any need relating to the storage of palletised loads.

Yes. Removable plastic drawers for M3 light duty racks can be fitted with transverse or longitudinal dividers. These create compartments within the drawers for easy classification of stored merchandise. Meanwhile, stackable plastic bins can be assembled together to form a compact unit.

Yes, the assembly of M3 light duty racks is simple, fast and safe.

This is advisable to ensure maximum stability. Alternatively, this stiffness can be achieved by using sheet metal or mesh back panels. In the case of cross braces, these components will be installed on the shelving every few units. For example, if the maximum load a unit can support is 1,450 kg, cross braces will be placed on one in every 10 shelving units. If the maximum load is 3,650 kg, it will be installed on one in every four. Ultimately, the specific number of cross braces will depend on the number of shelving units, their height and the weight of the loads stored.

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