RETA Mühendislik manages the design, production, and installation of industrial rack systems under a single responsibility for distribution centers, production facilities, and urban warehouses in Istanbul. Founded in 1979, the company manufactures its systems in its own production facility in Manisa Muradiye OSB and serves both sides of Istanbul through its Marmara regional organization.

Regional Differences Determining Warehouse Layout in Istanbul

The warehouse storage needs in Istanbul differ significantly depending on the facility's location relative to the city center and main transportation routes.

On the European side, the Hadımköy, Kıraç, Esenyurt, Beylikdüzü, and Silivri line is the region where large-scale distribution centers are concentrated. High-ceilinged, single-story warehouse structures dominate here, and multi-level pallet storage and intensive storage applications stand out. The İkitelli Organized Industrial Zone and the surrounding Bağcılar area present the exact opposite picture: storage space is limited in small-parcel, low-ceilinged workplaces, and the solution lies in vertical utilization.

On the Anatolian side, the Tuzla, Orhanlı, and Şekerpınar line is production-heavy. Long material and mold storage is a distinct design item in machinery, metal, and shipyard sub-industry facilities around Tuzla Organized Industrial Zone, Istanbul Anatolian Side Organized Industrial Zone, and Dudullu Organized Industrial Zone. In urban warehouses along the Sancaktepe, Ümraniye, and Kartal line, operations are built on proximity to distribution, where order picking speed is more decisive than capacity.

E-commerce fulfillment centers are increasing on both sides. In these facilities, item-based picking, the use of multi-level platforms, and space planning allocated for return flows stand out rather than pallet-based storage.

In High Land Costs, Calculate in Cubic Meters, Not Square Meters

The cost of a warehouse square meter in Istanbul is significantly higher than the Turkish average. This situation directly affects rack design: the same stock must be kept in the smallest possible footprint.

In practice, design decisions are made on volume rather than area. Utilizing the free ceiling height down to the last centimeter, narrowing aisle widths to the narrowest reasonable value according to the forklift type, and planning layouts suitable for narrow aisle equipment when necessary come to the fore. Column axes, sprinkler levels, and door heights determine the limits of this optimization, which is why capacity estimates provided without a field survey produce much more misleading results in Istanbul compared to other provinces.

Istanbul is also among the provinces with the highest spectral acceleration values in the earthquake regulations. Since every decision to move the warehouse vertically also increases the seismic load, upright sections, anchoring details, and bracing arrangements are dimensioned accordingly. Static calculations are made separately for each project; quotes are not provided based on catalog capacity.

Prominent Systems in Istanbul Warehouses

In the distribution centers on the Hadımköy and Tuzla line, pallet racking systems are projected according to pallet size, forklift type, and free height. Euro pallet 800x1200 mm and industrial pallet 1000x1200 mm dimensions require different bay depths and beam spans, and the number of levels is determined according to the ceiling level and sprinkler layout.

In warehouses where ceiling height cannot be utilized and in narrow-parcel areas like İkitelli, mezzanine racking systems double or triple the available space. This is, in most cases, the solution that expands storage volume without investing in additional building construction.

In e-commerce fulfillment centers and urban distribution warehouses, box and carton handling racking systems are used. Shelf heights are adjusted according to the operator's reach level, and fast-moving products are placed on the belt-level beam to shorten picking times.

In metal and machinery manufacturers on the Tuzla and Dudullu line, long materials such as profiles, pipes, and metal sheets are stored with cantilever racking systems. Mold management is managed with mold racking systems, and facilities with high inventory turnover rates are managed with automated storage AS/RS solutions. All system types are available on the racking systems page.

Istanbul Warehouse Racking Systems Discovery and Quoting Process

To get a layout plan and price quote for your facility in Istanbul, reach out via the contact page. Completed applications in different sectors are available on our projects page.

Design, Production, and Installation Process

The process begins with an on-site field survey at the facility. Ground condition and flatness, column axes, free ceiling height, sprinkler and lighting layout, forklift type used, and pallet dimensions are recorded. Based on this data, the layout plan and capacity calculation are prepared, followed by the static calculation and technical drawing.

The approved project is manufactured at the facility in Muradiye OSB, and installation is carried out on-site by our own teams. Since the warehouse can be worked on by dividing it into phases, the installation can be completed without stopping the business's shipping and production flow. Load capacity labels and usage instructions are left upon delivery. The scope also includes expanding existing systems, relocating to another facility, and replacing damaged components.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Istanbul Racking Systems

Do I need to move to increase my warehouse capacity?

In most cases, no. If there is unused ceiling height in the existing warehouse, capacity can be significantly increased with a mezzanine application or a multi-level pallet layout. The decision to move should only come to the agenda when column axes or ceiling levels do not allow for optimization. The assessment is made during the field survey.

Do you serve both sides of Istanbul?

Yes. Facilities on the Hadımköy, Esenyurt, and İkitelli line on the European side and the Tuzla, Dudullu, and Şekerpınar line on the Anatolian side are evaluated within the same scope through the Marmara regional organization. The field survey appointment is planned according to the facility's location.

What information should I prepare to get a quote?

Warehouse area and free ceiling height, pallet dimensions and weight per pallet, target number of pallet spaces, forklift type used, and existing layout plan, if any, are sufficient. An initial assessment can be made with this information; the final quote is prepared after the field survey and static calculation.

Can installation be done in narrow warehouses within the city?

Yes, it can. The limiting factor is usually not the warehouse area, but the delivery and unloading of the material on site. Door dimensions, maneuvering area, and vehicle entry hour restrictions, if any, are recorded during the field survey, and the installation plan is set up accordingly.

Can you move our existing racks to our new warehouse?

After evaluating the type, age, load capacity of the system, and deformation of the components, it is possible to dismantle and reinstall them. If the floor load-bearing capacity, ceiling height, or column axes of the new facility are different, reinforcement or partial renewal may be required.