How Magnum Containers Improve Warehouse Storage and Distribution

12 October 2023

A Magnum container is a collapsible, heavy-duty plastic bulk storage container used in warehouses, manufacturing and distribution to store and transport loose components, parts and goods that cannot be efficiently palletised on flat pallets. When empty, the sides fold down flat, allowing multiple units to stack into a fraction of the space an upright container would occupy.

Distribution Maintenance supplies new and refurbished Magnum containers from stock at our Harlow and Grantham depots.

How do Magnum containers improve warehouse storage?

Magnum containers improve warehouse storage in two specific ways — when full and when empty.

When full: Magnum containers stack on top of each other, using vertical warehouse space that flat pallets cannot access. A standard Magnum container handles loads up to 500kg, and multiple full containers stack stably without the load shifting or collapsing. This increases the volume of goods a warehouse can hold within its existing footprint without expanding or building mezzanine levels.

When empty: The collapsible design is the key practical advantage. The sides fold inward and the empty container reduces to a low flat profile. Multiple collapsed containers stack into the space a single upright container would occupy. For operations cycling large numbers of containers through a distribution network, this reduces the vehicle space and floor space consumed by empties significantly.

What are Magnum containers made from?

Magnum containers are manufactured from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) — a rigid, impact-resistant thermoplastic used across food processing, pharmaceutical and industrial material handling.

HDPE is the right material for bulk containers for several reasons:

• Impact resistance — HDPE withstands the impacts of daily warehouse use — forklift movement, loading and unloading, stacking — without cracking or deforming under normal operating conditions
• Chemical resistance — HDPE does not absorb or react with most industrial chemicals, oils or cleaning agents, making it suitable for automotive, food and pharmaceutical environments
• Hygiene — HDPE is non-porous and can be pressure-washed and sanitised, meeting the hygiene requirements of food processing and pharmaceutical warehouses
• Temperature stability — HDPE maintains its structural integrity across a wide temperature range, suitable for both ambient and cold store environments
• Lightweight — significantly lighter than an equivalent steel stillage or metal container, reducing the manual handling load per unit

What are Magnum containers used for?

Magnum containers are used across several industries where loose, irregular or bulk goods need to be stored and transported efficiently:

Manufacturing and automotive — components, parts and sub-assemblies that cannot be stacked on flat pallets are held in Magnum containers between production stages. The rigid sides contain the load during internal transport by forklift or pallet truck, preventing parts from falling or shifting.

Food distribution — produce, ambient dry goods and processed food are distributed in Magnum containers where the collapsible design reduces return transport costs and the HDPE construction meets food hygiene requirements.

Pharmaceutical and healthcare — non-porous HDPE surfaces that can be sanitised make Magnum containers suitable for controlled environments where hygiene standards apply to packaging equipment as well as product.

Retail distribution — large volume, loose goods — promotional stock, soft goods, non-fragile items — are distributed in Magnum containers where the collapsible return journey reduces the cost of the cycle.

Warehouse overflow storage — during seasonal peaks, Magnum containers provide additional storage capacity that can be collapsed and stored compactly during quieter periods, without the fixed cost of additional racking or external storage.

New or refurbished Magnum containers?

New Magnum containers are the right choice when consistent specification is required across a new fleet, or when the operating environment (food, pharmaceutical) requires a container with a documented condition from new.

Refurbished Magnum containers from Distribution Maintenance have been inspected and rebuilt — folding mechanisms, gates and base integrity all checked before dispatch. They provide the same operational performance as new at a lower cost. View our refurbished Magnum containers.

Can Magnum containers be repaired?

Yes. Magnum containers are largely modular — side panels, gates, latches and base components can be replaced individually. Distribution Maintenance carries out Magnum container repairs at our 12,000 sq ft Grantham facility.

Regular inspection and timely repair extends container life significantly. The key components to check are the folding gate mechanism, the latch points on each side panel, and the base for cracking or deformation. A container with a failed latch is a safety hazard — gates that do not secure properly can open under load during transit.

Our equipment repairs service covers Magnum containers alongside roll cages, pallet cages and thermotainers.

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