While the growth and success of your business is a high priority for any business owner, managing increased inventory and floor space can be a massive headache for warehouse managers. One option for a growing business is to find or build a larger warehouse, but with warehouse space at a premium, this can be a costly investment. However, there is another cost-effective option that can save your floor space: vertical lift modules.
What are Vertical Lift Modules?
A vertical lift module is an enclosed storage system that is designed with two columns that house storage trays which are retrieved or stored from either side of the column via an automated system controlled by an operator. The items are delivered efficiently to an ergonomic picking window for fast and safe handling.
Why Use Vertical Lift Modules?
Optimize vertical space
One of the most effective ways to minimize the cost of warehouse expansion is to think vertical. In the typical warehouse, a large portion of vertical space is wasted due to poor configurations or other warehouse problems with picking and storage. A vertical lift module removes these obstacles by allowing you to use almost the entirety of the vertical space available while still maintaining safe handling practices.
Depending on your warehouse layout, ceiling height and storage needs, you can save up to 90% of your floor space allowing you to fit in additional vertical lift modules and increase your overall storage capacity without increasing your warehouse floor area. This is also an excellent option for companies looking to downsize their physical space while still maintaining their current level of inventory.
High density storage
Vertical lift modules are ideal not only for expanding businesses but also for businesses who already have limited warehouse space. The system is designed to be a high-density storage unit allowing you to store inventory to the maximum capacity by minimizing the amount of “air space” wasted between trays and bins.
The use of bins and trays allows irregularly shaped items to be stored uniformly. In many models of vertical lift module, trays and bins fit in 0.98-inch increments which are adjustable in combination with sidewall extensions, minimizing the amount of wasted space between items.
This high-density storage system is still easily accessible via the automated software and retrieval/storage device which can accommodate two bins simultaneously providing your workers with a safe, ergonomic environment that will maximize efficiency and boost productivity by reducing handling times.
Flexible configurations
With a vertical lift module, you not only optimize your vertical space to give you additional floor space, but you can also increase the amount of functional floor space you use by selecting the right configuration for your operation.
Vertical lift modules come in arrange of customizable configuration depending on your storage and handling needs. To reduce your current aisle width or for warehouses with a narrow floor plan, you can select a configuration that uses an internal picking bay.
Or, try an external picking by that has been designed with ergonomic features for safety and space saving and allows you to make use of automated picking aids such as robotic arms and lifting devices.
Versatile
There is a huge range of different types of vertical lift modules suited to different types of inventory, load weight, and warehouse layout.
Due to the modular design, vertical lift modules can be easily and quickly modified to suit the growing needs of your warehouse operation. Trays of multiple weights and capacities can fit inside the same unit, and additional picking points can be added as needed.
Final Thoughts
Vertical lift modules are the perfect flexible solution to saving floor space when expanding your warehouse operations. With a versatile, modular approach to storage, they can be fitted and refitted to accommodate the changing needs of your business whether you move to a new space or simply want to recover some of the space you already have.
