Case Study

Home Depot Cantilever

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Client:

Home Depot Canada

Type of Project:

Store Fixture Installation

Project Duration:

3 months

GFA:

500-600 sq. ft. per location

Year Completed:

2025/2026

Scope:

Cantilever racking system upgrade

Home Depot Canada initiated a nationwide rollout of new cantilever racking systems to support its operational goals of modernizing the lumber and building materials department.

The objectives were clear:

    • Right-size inventory levels to match evolving sales patterns.
    • Improve inventory turns and reduce carrying costs.
    • Reduce cull lumber and product damage.
    • Increase assortment and expand available SKUs.
    • Drive overall sales growth through better merchandising and accessibility.

The challenge was to execute these large-scale installations across multiple active retail environments — each with unique layouts and regional safety standards — while keeping operations running smoothly and maintaining a consistent installation quality nationwide.

Planning & Coordination
The Reset Team developed a national rollout schedule, coordinating with Home Depot’s store operations, engineering, and safety teams to minimize disruption to customers and staff.

Installation / Build
Each store installation followed a standardized process:

    • Installation of 10 uprights per night.
    • Mounting of arms, cross braces, and horizontal brackets.
    • Installation of safety brackets and hardware.
    • Torque testing of all components to a minimum of 170 ft-lb.
    • End-of-phase inspection of at least 25% of the system before load approval.

Phasing / Timeline
Each location was completed in just four overnight shifts, allowing stores to remain operational during the day.

Quality Control / Testing
All completed locations passed inspection on the first visit, confirming accuracy, safety, and compliance with Home Depot’s engineering standards.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS:

    • National consistency: Executed unique installations across 17 sites with zero rework.
    • Four-night turnaround: Full installation and inspection in less than one week.
    • Precision control: Every component torqued to exact manufacturer specs.
    • Certified crews: Teams trained in both retail and industrial racking systems.
    • Flawless execution: 100% first-pass inspection approval across all sites.
    • Minimal disruption: Overnight execution ensured normal store hours and customer flow.

RESULTS & OUTCOMES:

The upgraded cantilever racking systems have allowed Home Depot to:

    • Increase vertical storage capacity and improve overall inventory organization.
    • Reduce product loss and damage associated with older systems.
    • Improve stocking efficiency and faster access for associates and customers.
    • Enhance customer experience through a cleaner, safer, and more efficient presentation of lumber and building materials.

These outcomes directly support Home Depot’s retail performance goals — improved inventory turns, increased sales, and reduced shrinkage.

CLIENT TESTIMONIAL:

I completed the inspection of the partially completed cantilever installation at HD 7119 Skyview this morning.  It was the best store I have reviewed thus far.  Excellent installation.  Great job.  Approved for loading when the Installers hand it over.

Jonathan Hirst P. Eng

Vice President & General Manager

North American Storage

TECHNICAL DETAILS / SPECS:

Tools & Equipment Used:

    • Corded / Cordless Hammer Drills
    • Heavy-Duty Impact Drills
    • 200 lb Torque Wrench
    • ¾” x 18″ 4-Cutter SDS-Plus MX4 Carbide Drill Bits
    • Scissor Lift & Forklift

Load Testing:

    • Torque verification at 170 ft-lb minimum
    • 25% installation inspection prior to load approval