British archive specialists Rackline has supplied innovative storage systems for the new Somerset Heritage Centre in Taunton.

The Newcastle-under-Lyme firm was appointed by Somerset Council for the £500k project to help with the new building which combined the Somerset Museum and Somerset Records Office.

Richard Penning, Sales Manager at Rackline, said: "Before the offices were combined, there was archive material and records scattered around various smaller, unsuitable buildings. The council were eager to relocate all of the archive material and records into one space."

Rackline installed a range of systems in the Heritage Centre including mobile multitrak units, profile shelving, proform shelving, canter lever stacking, picture racking and wide span racking - all of which are designed to maximise the capacity and increase storage space.

The Multitrak system operates on multiple torque tubes and wheels to accommodate long bases and great loads. Each mobile carriage are up to 12 metres long and hold up to 15 tonnes and can be easily moved.

Multitrak's powerful drive system ensures carriages remain perfectly aligned on tracks. Proform shelving is designed to protect products on the shelf as important documents are cosseted by the double panel upright which ensures there are no protrusions, edges or raised seams whilst giving a high quality look.

Richard added: “The Heritage Centre was eager to maximise the small space they had available as they were moving several buildings into one, which is why they wanted our innovative storage systems that would enable them to maximise on capacity.”

Mervyn Richens from Somerset Heritage Centre said: "Rackline provided us with a range of innovative solutions. Every detail and issue was covered thoroughly and even our odd requests, such as our hanging map systems, solutions were tailored made to our specific requirements."

The Heritage Centre took three years to complete, with Rackline's installation process taking three months. The Heritage Centre opened in September 2010.

For more information please call visit www.rackline.com or for sales enquiries please call 01782 770 144.