UniDex (Dexion* compatible) pallet racking
What is UniDex (Dexion* compatible) pallet racking?
UniDex racking components are fully compatible and interchangeable with Dexion* Speedlock* Mk3 pallet racking. Since 1997 Universal has supplied thousands of UK companies with ‘compatible’ components to extend or repair existing Dexion racking systems. Our components have a 100% perfect safety record and are approved by Rack Safety Inspectors and come with full guarantee of compatibility and weight loading specifications.
The products which Universal supplies were first manufactured in the 1970’s under a license agreement from Dexion Ltd who supplied all the necessary machinery, tooling and technical data. That product was originally stamped DEXION SPEEDLOCK and was identical to the UK product.
The license has since expired and Universal now markets under the UniDex name.
Why don’t we just call it ‘Dexion Speedlock Mk3’ instead of ‘Dexion compatible’?
Because we cannot use the ‘Dexion’ or ‘Speedlock’ brand names for legal reasons, we have to use an alternative method of describing the products we sell. The term ‘compatible’ best describes how our product fits with original Dexion and is a guarantee of interchangeability, technical performance specification and ultimately the safety of the structure being built or repaired.
How does UniDex compare with ‘original’ or ‘genuine’ Dexion?
‘Original’ Dexion is the racking components designed and manufactured in the UK by Dexion Ltd from the early 1970’s right up until May 2003. This was the date Dexion Ltd collapsed, ending 30 years of production of the Speedlock Mk3 pallet racking design in the UK.
When this happened the Dexion factory closed and all product warranties and design rights ceased. At this time many customers (including many Dexion agents) turned to Universal for supplies of ‘Dexion compatible’ products to repair or extend existing systems.
Shortly after Dexion’s closure some of the former agents and managers of Dexion formed a new sales company, Dexion Comino Ltd and, with agreement from Aker Materials Handling AS of Norway (former owners of Dexion Ltd and still the owners of the Dexion brand names) they continued to use the Dexion name in the UK. They began importing what some regard as a ‘hybrid’ product produced by several different manufacturers throughout Europe, and stamped with the ‘Dexion’ name and which they describe as ‘geniune Dexion’.
We do not know the exact provenance of the so called ‘geniune Dexion’ products currently being supplied by Dexion Comino Ltd or their Dexion Storage Centres, but some might say that UniDex components are more ‘original’. Ours, being made by a single manufacturer with a long history of producing this design.
Why is UniDex compatible with Dexion Speedlock Mk3 pallet racking?
Firstly, what is ‘compatible’?
To be ‘fully compatible’ with original Dexion, any product must meet the following:-
1) each ‘compatible’ components (i.e. Upright post, Bracing, Beam etc) must share the same critical dimensions and be physically interchangaeble with the corresponding component from the original system.
2) the technical performance of each component must be equal or better than the corresponding component from the orginal system.
3) The use of compatible components, when interchanged into the original structure, must not diminish the structural integrity and safety of the whole system and the weight loading performance as it was originally design to achieve.
4) In order to produce ‘compatible’ components a manufacturer must be fully conversant with the original manufacturing design, metallurgic specifications and production methods and be able to demonstrate several years track record in the production of the complete component range.
UniDex is compatible with Dexion Speedlock Mk3 because is meets all four criteria.
* All references to Dexion pallet racking means Dexion Speedlock Mk3.
*‘Dexion’ and ‘Speedlock’ are trade names owned by Aker Material Handling AS (Norway).
Universal Storage Equipment is an independant Distributor and is not affiliated to
Aker Materials Handling / Dexion Comino Ltd.
UniDex is a trade name owned by Universal Products Ltd.
