Depotaraf has been manufacturing racking systems in its own facility in Ankara since 2006. This article explains what having production directly at the manufacturer means in practice for a business buying a racking system.
The Difference Between a Manufacturer and an Intermediary
When buying racking you encounter two types of supplier: firms producing in their own facility, and intermediaries selling without manufacturing. On the surface both sell the same product; in terms of process and aftercare the difference is clear.
A manufacturer can plan production around a non-standard dimension when one is required. An intermediary is limited to the ready range in hand. When the area does not fit standard sizes, two options remain: accept an inefficient layout, or incur extra cost.
Why Are Custom Sizes Needed So Often?
Most warehouses were not built with racking in mind. Column spacing is irregular, ceiling height is unusual, and door positions constrain the layout. A system installed with standard sizes leaves dead space in these conditions.
Dead space looks minor at first: a few centimetres here, a missing bay there. Across the warehouse, however, it becomes a serious loss of capacity. Producing in our own facility lets us eliminate these losses at the planning stage.
If you would like to see how a system is planned, our racking design page describes the process step by step: on-site measurement, needs analysis, layout plan and three-dimensional preview.
Finding Parts Years Later
Racking is not a one-off purchase. Extending the system, rearranging a section or replacing a damaged component comes up over time.
What matters at that point is being able to obtain a part in the same profile and connection type. With a system from the manufacturer, compatible additions can be produced; with a system from an intermediary there is no guarantee the same product will be available years later. Having to replace the whole system costs far more than was saved at first purchase.
One Point of Contact, Undivided Responsibility
Bringing survey, design, production and installation together in one firm prevents ambiguity when an issue arises on site. In an intermediated structure this chain is split and responsibility disperses; if a dimension turns out to be wrong, you can end up between the manufacturer and the seller.
You can find how the installation process runs on our warehouse racking installation page.
What Domestic Production Means for Supply
With systems sourced from abroad, a dimension change, a missing part or a damaged component stretches the process. With domestic production the same need goes straight into the production plan.
Our facility in Ankara is positioned to ship to projects across Türkiye. For businesses within Ankara, the survey and installation team is in the same city.
Questions to Ask When Choosing a Supplier
Comparing quotations on the figure alone hides the real difference. Answering these questions before deciding clarifies the scope:
- Where is production carried out? Is the system produced in the supplier's own facility, or sourced elsewhere?
- Are custom sizes possible? If your area does not fit standard sizes, can manufacturing be planned accordingly?
- Is a site survey carried out? Are measurements taken on site, or does the process rely on the information you provide?
- Is a layout plan produced? Is the quotation based on a plan, or is it only a list of materials?
- Is installation included? Are delivery and installation within the price, or separate?
- Can additions be produced later? When you want to extend the system, can the same profile be supplied?
The answers reveal whether the difference between two quotations comes from price or from scope.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you manufacture the products yourselves?
Yes. Racking systems are produced in our own facility in Kahramankazan, Ankara. Custom size requests are therefore not limited to a ready range; the system is manufactured to suit your area.
Does custom production differ from standard production?
The production method and material are the same; the difference lies in dimensions and layout. Standard products use ready sizes, while custom production manufactures parts to suit the area. Project timelines should therefore allow for the production stage.
Can you produce additions compatible with my existing system?
In most cases yes. The upright profile, connection type and level dimensions of the existing system are examined and compatible parts produced. This allows the system to be extended as needed instead of replaced.
Do you serve outside Ankara?
Yes. Although our production centre is in Ankara, we run projects across Türkiye. The process is the same; only delivery planning is assessed separately according to project size and distance.
Do you produce for small scale projects?
Yes. We work at every scale, from a few units to projects covering a whole warehouse. Defining the requirement clearly at the outset, and sharing any growth plan, makes choosing the right system easier.
