MetroMax Q Shelving System

Product Profile Series #2

MetroMax Q® is a unique value storage system solution.  This advanced polymer and epoxy coated steel design, offers superior performance versus wire shelving.  Easy to clean and corrosion resistant, this product carries a 15 year warranty. All shelves are designed with robust steel corners, quick-to-adjust levers and reinforced center trusses to provide the strength you need.  And like MetroMax i®, there are no compromises in terms of supporting weight from that of the Super Erecta® open wire system.  See the facts as follows:

*Weight capacity for evenly distributed loads:

800 lbs. (363kg) per shelf for lengths of 24” to 48” (610 to 1220mm).

600 lbs. (275kg) per shelf for lengths of 54” (1270mm) or longer.

2,000 lbs. (907kg) maximum per stationary unit.

*(Compare this information to competitor products)

All shelf mats, posts and touch points of this system have built-in Microban®  antimicrobial product protection. Like that of MetroMax i®, the polymer open grid shelf mats are easily removable for cleaning in a sink or dishwasher.  Optional solid mat overlays for 21” deep shelves, snap onto the open grid mats to create a solid surface.

The MetroMax Q® Shelving System provides a very efficient use of storage space and offers interchangeability with MetroMax i® shelves and posts.  This advantage allows customers to achieve the perfect balance between price and value. 

Now for the fun part.  MetroMax Q® offers a full line of accessories as well as the premium MetroMax iQ™ Storage System.  This system allows you to totally customize units to specifically fit your applications.  More detail on this to follow in this Product Profile Series #3.

The MetroMax Q® product assembles easily in minutes without tools like MetroMax i®.  The shelves can be adjusted on 1” (25mm) increments along the post utilizing wedges.  Each wedge has a window to read the height level numbers stamped on each post.  Stationary posts include an adjustable leveling foot to compensate for uneven floors.  The leveling foot can be adjusted up to 1” (25mm).  Stem caster posts are also available for mobile applications.

MetroMax Q® is another example of design excellence and superior engineering.  An attractive functional product with a unique value.  The MetroMax i + Q™ Shelving Systems are a great alternative to that of stainless steel at a fraction of the cost.  Genuine Metro Products.....like no other!


What's next?  Product Profile Series #3 - MetroMax iQ® Storage System

The "M" word: MetroMax iQ High-Density Storage

“How do you increase your storage capacity of a given area by 30% to 40%?” Answer:   MetroMax iQ™ High-Density Storage  System, available in qwikTRAK® or Top-Track® variants.  

qwikTRAK® utilizes a low profile floor guiding track, combined with the easy-to-move mobile units (even with heavy loads) for full and safe access to each shelving unit.

Top-Track® utilizes  overhead guiding tracks, enabling easier cleaning of floors.  This system also compensates for uneven floor surfaces.

Interchangeability, you can mix or match MetroMax i + Q shelves and posts making the iQ system adaptable to your specific needs.  Genuine Metro Products...superior quality, superior performance.  Please contact us directly for more information and quotation requests.

*Top-Track® and qwikTRAK® is also available for Super Erecta®, Super Erecta Pro® and Super Adjustable products.

MetroMax i Polymer Shelving System

Product Profile Series #1

MetroMax i® Shelving was designed with advanced polymers for a longer-life performance with easy-to-clean surfaces to promote a more hygienic environment and a higher level of safety.  Because of this, polymer systems are most often specified for, but not limited to, laboratory, healthcare and food service related industries. Metro offers two polymer shelving systems, MetroMax i® and MetroMax Q®.  Both products have the ability to integrate with one another as well as being uniquely interchangeable with most accessories and the MetroMax iQ™ Storage System.  This blog entry will review in detail the MetroMax i® Shelving System as follows:

MetroMax i® is a lifetime storage system solution.  It is easy to clean, strong like wire shelving and comes with a lifetime warranty against rust and corrosion.  This product is durable, impact resistant and lighter in weight than its steel counterpart.  There are no compromises in terms of supporting weight from that of an open wire system.  See the facts as follows:

*Weight capacity for evenly distributed loads:

800 lbs. (363kg) per shelf for lengths of 24” to 48” (610 to 1220mm).

600 lbs. (275kg) per shelf for lengths of 54” (1270mm) or longer.

2,000 lbs. (907kg) maximum per stationary unit.

*(Compare this information to competitor products)

Of all the Metro Shelving Systems available, MetroMax i® is the easiest to  maintain.  Its smooth surfaces can be cleaned in a fraction of the time of wire.  The polymer shelf mats can be easily removed from the shelf frames for cleaning in a sink or dishwasher.  Microban® antimicrobial product protection is built into the high contact areas of the shelves including the mats, frames and posts to protect the product from bacteria, mold, mildew and fungus that cause odors.  Microban® protection keeps the products “cleaner between cleanings”.  And because all surfaces are flat and smooth, your packaged shelf contents avoid unwanted rips, tears or damage.

The polymer shelf mat options include a robust Open-Grid or Solid Mat.  Open-Grid Mats promote air circulation and light penetration.  One-piece Solid Mats contain spills and are ideal to protect items on the bottom shelf from dirt or back-splashes during the cleaning of floors.  The shelf mats are sturdy and can safely support concentrated loads of instrumentation and equipment.

The MetroMax i® Shelving System provides a very efficient use of storage space, and it also offers interchangeability with MetroMax Q® shelves and posts.  Why is this noteworthy?  Because it gives you an opportunity to economize.  For example, a typical “Q” post is about 2/3’s the cost of an “i” post.  Remember the “i” posts are 100% polymer, and the MetroMax Q® posts are epoxy coated steel with Microban® (the properties of MetroMax Q® will be featured in the next blog entry).  This allows you to retain the smooth surfaces and cleanability factors of the MetroMax i® shelf and save a few dollars. “i” posts are lighter in weight and “Q” posts are heavier.  This may or may not be an issue for some installations. Many of our customers utilize both products for their various inherent qualities.  

Now for the fun part.  MetroMax i® offers a full line of accessories as well as the premium MetroMax iQ™ Storage System.  This system (MetroMax i® + MetroMax Q® = MetroMax iQ™), allows you to totally customize units to specifically fit your applications.  More detail on this to follow in this Product Profile Series.

MetroMax i® assembles easily in minutes without tools.  The shelves can be adjusted on 1” (25mm) increments along the post utilizing wedges.  Each wedge has a window to read the height level numbers stamped on each post.  

Design excellence, superior engineering and carefully thought-out details not only makes an  attractive functional product, but a product that truly lasts.  Genuine Metro Products........like no other!

What’s next?   Product Profile Series #2 - MetroMax Q® Shelving System

Followed by:    Product Profile Series #3 - MetroMax iQ™ Storage System

To Our Customers, Past, Present and Future

This Blog has been created as a general forum for additional and more detailed information on Genuine Metro Products exclusively.  We encourage your questions and comments.  As you probably know, the Metro line of products is extensive.  As an authorized Gold Medal Dealer, we do have access to all products manufactured by InterMetro Industries. The product line-up continues to evolve as we add more to our website store.   If there is something you cannot locate, please contact us directly.  We welcome all special projects, customized configurations, inquiries, quotation requests and general help in placing an order.

With that said, you may be interested in knowing that the Metro Shelving Product’s staff  are uniquely qualified as Metro Specialists with over 20+ years of product knowledge,  combined with professional backgrounds in commercial interior architecture and design.  Our parallel experiences have sensitized us to the real life parameters of project specification, procurement, delivery and installation.

Our first blog entry, “Selecting the Appropriate Product Finish” for Wire Shelving and Polymer Grid Shelving Systems, addresses the various options available effecting product performance.  Future entries will include a “Product Profile” Series featuring specific information on function, flexibility and technical issues.  For fun, we look forward to including random thoughts, inspirations and experiences in the use of Genuine Metro Products, past, present and future.

Wire Shelving or Polymer Grid Shelving Systems

"Selecting the Appropriate Product Finish"

Open construction shelving systems are thought of  as steel wire shelves and polymer grid shelves.  Many end users are unaware of the array of options in selection of these open construction shelving systems.  Performance, Quality, Flexibility and Economics are important key factors in making your decision for the most appropriate selection. 

Standard Steel - Wire Shelving

Metro Super Erecta is known as the original wire storage system.  A revolutionary concept that was fresh and innovative from the start, nearly 30 years ago.  Open wire construction permits air circulation, visibility and minimizes dust accumulation.   The Super Erecta shelving system offers a large selection of accessory options to create unique adaptations to suit your needs. The Super Erecta system is available in several finishes as follows:

Brite is an environmentally-friendly protective finish that is as brilliant as chrome.  It has an extra-thick, high-gloss zinc plating that offers an economical alternative to chrome shelving.  This finish is most often specified for commercial installations in dry storage areas as it does oxidize over a period of time without compromising construction integrity or durability.

Chrome is an electroplated finish that offers a more reflective specular surface.  It does not oxidize or tarnish and minimizes scratching.  This finish is most often specified for commercial installations with customer visibility and for its long term decorative appeal.  If your installation is located on a coastline, be aware that direct contact with the salt sea air can degrade a chrome finish and you may want to consider a powder coat finish.

Powder Coat finishes are electro-statically applied and then cured under heat  to form a skin over the steel.  The powder may be a thermoplastic or a thermoset polymer.  This finish is tougher than conventional paint and the application process is more environmentally responsible than plated finishes.  Powder Coat finishes will break down if exposed continually to UV rays between 5 to 10 years. If UV ray exposure is not an issue, a powder coat finish will retain its original appearance for many years to come.  Powder Coat finishes are available in a variety of colors. 

MetroSeal 3 epoxy coating is a multi-layer corrosion resistant finish consisting of a cross-linked thermoset resin.  It has excellent abrasion, rust, gouge and chemical resistance properties.  When combined with Microban® an antimicrobial agent, it provides protection from bacteria, mold, mildew and fungi build-up that may cause odor, stains and product degradation.  This finish is intended for damp locations and is widely used in the food service and healthcare industries. The MetroSeal 3 finish carries a 12 year warranty against rust and corrosion.  This epoxy coating is standard on the Super Erecta Pro shelving system.

Stainless Steel - Wire Shelving

Stainless Steel, electro-polished type 304, is the ultimate product material for its recognized  inherit low maintenance and antibacterial properties.  It is unsurpassed for abrasion, gouge, temperature and corrosion resistance requirements.  Perfect for walk-in refrigerator/freezer applications and damp locations.  It is widely specified in the food service, cleanroom, healthcare, laboratory and marine environments.

Polymer - Grid Shelving

MetroMax i and MetroMax Q polymer shelving offers longer-life durability and the performance of stainless steel shelving at a fraction of the cost. Today’s advanced polymers and epoxy coated steel designs offer superior performance versus wire shelving. Easy-to-clean smooth surfaces to promote a cleaner environment and higher level of safety. All shelves can be cleaned in a fraction of the time of wire. Polymer systems are lighter in weight, corrosion resistant and they adapt to a wide variety of configurations with MetroMax iQ accessory items. Shelves have reinforced stainless steel corners for strength and rigidity.

In addition, MetroMax i and MetroMax Q polymer systems offer integral built-in Microban® antimicrobial agent for protection against bacteria, mold, mildew and fungi build-up that may cause odor, stains and product degradation for the lifetime of the shelving product. Built-in antimicrobial product protection is preferred by the food service, laboratory, cleanroom and healthcare industries for durability and unquestionable performance. MetroMax i carries a lifetime warranty against corrosion and MetroMax Q carries a 15 year warranty against corrosion.

In Summary

Making the best and most appropriate shelving finish selections, based on flexibility, quality and economics will have direct impact on your storage solution requirements and the overall longevity of product performance.  If you should have any questions,  you are welcome to post them on this blog or call us directly 800.963.9146 during business hours  9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (PST/PDT) Monday - Friday.