How STEELSTACK Sheet Metal Storage Racks Improved Safety and Efficiency at Busted Knuckle Off Road
A Conversation with Jake Burkey on How STEELSTACK Revolutionized Their Workflow
At Busted Knuckle Off Road, efficiency and safety are just as important in the shop as they are on the trail. We sat down with Jake Burkey, owner of Busted Knuckle Off Road, to discuss how implementing STEELSTACK transformed their fabrication process, saving time, reducing labor, and improving workplace safety.
Jake Burkey
Q&A with Jake Burkey
Q: What challenges were you facing with your previous storage system?
Jake Burkey: "Before we installed STEELSTACK, our storage situation was a mess. Sheet metal was constantly being moved around, and retrieving materials was inefficient. Our old rack system lacked organization, and plate storage wasn’t practical because of how heavy the materials were.
Q: How did these challenges impact your team’s productivity?
Jake Burkey: "We were wasting over 20 hours per month just loading and unloading sheet metal. That’s time we could have spent fabricating. Plus, it usually took two guys to move materials, which tied up extra labor when one worker could’ve been doing something else. It slowed us down, cut into our production time, and ultimately affected our revenue."
Q: What made you choose STEELSTACK as the solution?
Jake Burkey: "We needed something more efficient—something that allowed us to organize steel plate better, speed up retrieval, and improve safety. STEELSTACK gave us exactly that. The structured storage system keeps everything in place and lets us move cassettes directly to the laser, cutting down on wasted movement. The biggest game-changer was the addition of pins to prevent sheet metal from sliding off—a huge safety improvement."
Q: What were the biggest improvements after implementing STEELSTACK?
Jake Burkey: "The difference has been night and day. Here’s what changed:
20+ Extra Hours of Fabrication Time Per Month – Less time loading/unloading means more time for production.
Safer Storage & Handling – The racks eliminate shifting hazards and are far more stable.
50% Reduction in Labor for Handling Tasks – Now, one worker can do what used to take two.
Increased Productivity & Revenue – More efficient workflow means we’re producing more and making more money.
It’s a total game-changer for us."
Q: If another shop is dealing with storage inefficiencies, what would you tell them?
Jake Burkey: "If you’re moving sheet metal all over the place and wasting time, you need to look at STEELSTACK sheet metal storage racks. It’s made our shop safer, more efficient, and more profitable. Every hour you save on material handling is another hour you can put toward fabrication—and that’s money in your pocket. Best decision we made for the shop."