The Real ROI of a Vertical Lift Module: What You Need to Know
In today’s competitive warehouse and distribution landscape, space, labor, and time are your most valuable assets. That’s why companies across industries—from manufacturing to medical device distribution—are turning to automation to stay efficient and cost-effective.
One of the most popular and impactful automation solutions is the Vertical Lift Module (VLM). But beyond the technical features and operational upgrades, many decision-makers want to know: What is the real return on investment?
In this article, we’ll break down what drives Vertical Lift Module ROI, what to consider when calculating it, and how to determine if a VLM is the right move for your facility.
Space Savings That Translate into Real Dollars
A major driver of Vertical Lift Module ROI is space optimization. Traditional shelving or static racking systems require large footprints and limit your storage capacity to a single level. VLMs flip that script by utilizing vertical space—often recovering up to 90% of floor space by storing items in a high-density tower configuration.
For facilities approaching max capacity or considering warehouse expansion, this is a game-changer. The ability to avoid leasing additional space or building new square footage can result in hundreds of thousands of dollars saved in real estate and construction costs over time.
Reducing Labor Costs Through Automation
Labor is one of the most significant and unpredictable expenses in any warehouse. Staffing shortages, high turnover, and training time all contribute to mounting costs. A well-integrated VLM system helps cut those costs significantly by automating the retrieval process.
Operators no longer need to walk long distances or search for parts. Instead, the VLM delivers the exact tray they need to an ergonomic access window. This translates to:
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Up to 2x faster picking speeds
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More orders fulfilled per shift
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Fewer injuries from repetitive motion or climbing
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Reduced need for overtime or additional labor
When labor efficiency increases, so does your throughput—and that directly impacts your bottom line. All of this contributes to stronger Vertical Lift Module ROI in both the short and long term.
Improved Accuracy and Inventory Control
Inaccurate inventory costs businesses millions every year through lost sales, overstocking, or shrinkage. VLMs are designed with integrated inventory tracking that provides visibility into every transaction, every tray, and every item.
Access can be restricted by employee login, and each movement is logged in real time. This ensures tighter control, better audit trails, and significantly improved order accuracy.
The result? Fewer returns, better stock management, and less working capital tied up in excess inventory—key ingredients in achieving a fast and measurable Vertical Lift Module ROI.
See the Numbers for Yourself
Understanding the potential savings of a VLM investment is important—but nothing beats running the numbers based on your own operation.
That’s why we created a simple, free tool to help.
Use our ROI Calculator to see how quickly a VLM can pay for itself.
Whether you’re looking to reduce labor costs, increase storage density, or improve fulfillment speed, this calculator lets you plug in your current data to see a tailored ROI breakdown.
It takes just a few minutes, and you’ll walk away with clear projections on cost savings and payback period.
Conclusion: Why Vertical Lift Module ROI Is Too Strong to Ignore
In a warehouse environment where every dollar, every inch of space, and every minute of labor counts, VLMs offer one of the most compelling ROI cases in automation. From maximizing vertical space to cutting labor costs and enhancing order accuracy, these systems consistently deliver measurable results.
If you’re evaluating options to modernize your storage operations or boost fulfillment performance, don’t overlook the financial case for a VLM.
Calculate your Vertical Lift Module ROI now and see just how quickly the investment could start paying off.
