Services

Transport Skids and Material Handling

Commanding control in transportation & material handling

At Metal West, we engineer transport skids that transform the way you move, store, and secure valuable equipment and assets. Our custom skid solutions deliver uncompromising stability and protection, ensuring your critical components arrive precisely as they departed – whether you’re transporting heavy industrial machinery or irreplaceable artistic works.

Each transport skid is designed with commanding authority over the challenges of material handling, providing the structural integrity and secure attachment points essential for safe transportation in even the most demanding conditions.

Custom solutions for unique requirements

No two transportation challenges are identical. Our bespoke approach ensures your specific needs drive every aspect of the design:

  • Load-specific engineering calculates exact structural requirements
  • Custom attachment points designed for your specific cargo
  • Specialized materials selected for optimal performance
  • Integration with existing handling systems for seamless operations

This tailored approach has made us the trusted partner for industry leaders requiring absolute confidence in their material handling solutions.

Industry-leading partnerships

Our expertise in custom transport skid design has established partnerships with renowned organizations including:

Hitachi Transport Solutions

We engineer specialized transport skids for Hitachi’s sensitive electronic equipment and industrial components, ensuring safe transit from manufacturing facilities to installation sites with zero tolerance for damage.

Humes Infrastructure Support

Our transport skids facilitate the movement of Humes’ critical infrastructure components, providing specialized support structures engineered to prevent stress or deformation during transportation and handling.

April Pine Sculptural Transport

Delicate artistic works by sculptor April Pine travel securely on our custom-designed skids that provide protection against vibration and movement while accommodating the unique dimensions and attachment requirements of these valuable creations.

Specialized transport solutions

Machinery & equipment transport

Our heavy-duty industrial skids deliver:

  • Secure attachment points engineered for specific machinery configurations
  • Load distribution optimization preventing stress concentration
  • Compatibility with standard lifting equipment including forklifts and cranes
  • Corrosion resistance for protection during extended transport or storage

These purpose-built solutions ensure valuable machinery arrives ready for immediate installation, without damage or misalignment.

Replacement parts transportation

Specialized skids for critical replacement components feature:

  • Custom cradles matching exact part geometries
  • Protective elements precisely where vulnerable areas need support
  • Vibration dampening for sensitive components
  • Weather-resistant design for transport in all conditions

This careful engineering ensures replacement parts maintain perfect condition throughout the supply chain, reducing costly installation delays and performance issues.

Custom Skid Design Process

Our comprehensive design approach transforms transportation challenges into engineered solutions:

1. Needs Assessment

We begin by understanding the complete picture:

  • Cargo specifications including dimensions, weight, and center of gravity
  • Transportation methods and handling equipment
  • Environmental factors during transit
  • Storage requirements and duration
  • Loading/unloading procedures
2. Engineering & Design

Our engineers develop custom skid designs featuring:

  • Structural calculations ensuring appropriate load capacity
  • Material selection balancing strength, weight, and cost
  • Attachment mechanism design for secure cargo mounting
  • Integration with standard handling equipment
3. Prototype & Testing

For critical applications, we provide:

  • Physical or virtual prototyping of proposed solutions
  • Load testing to verify performance under real conditions
  • Refinement based on handling evaluation
  • Documentation of performance characteristics
4. Production & Implementation

Our fabrication team delivers excellence through:

  • Precision manufacturing to exact specifications
  • Quality control inspection at multiple production stages
  • Complete documentation including load ratings and handling instructions
  • Optional on-site support for initial implementation

Engineered for Performance

Every transport skid we create is built with uncompromising attention to:

Safety
  • Structural integrity verified through engineering analysis
  • Stability under dynamic loads during transportation
  • Secure attachment points preventing shifting or movement
  • Appropriate safety factors exceeding minimum requirements
Efficiency
  • Optimized dimensions for maximum transport efficiency
  • Compatibility with standard handling equipment
  • Stackability where appropriate for storage optimization
  • Weight optimization without compromising structural integrity
Durability
  • Material selection for appropriate environmental resistance
  • Reinforcement at high-stress points
  • Protective finishes extending service life
  • Reusability for repeated transportation cycles

Transform your transportation challenges with custom-engineered skid solutions designed specifically for your unique requirements. Contact our engineering team today to discuss how we can optimize your material handling operations.

Strength by design -
the metal mastery way

Our custom design service includes everything you need to turn your most complex engineering challenges into a successful project outcome.

Recent projects

Community parks & gardens

Mirvac – Henley Brook

Balustrade, curved fencing with gates, custom raised planter beds, shelters and water meter cages.
Tonkin Highway upgrade, Redcliffe precinct

Tonkin Gap Alliance

Moulds, balustrade, barrier cover plates, guttering, lighting panels, heritage trail signage.