Southwest Solutions Group spotlights automated vertical storage systems

Southwest Solutions Group is promoting Vertical Lift Modules and Vertical Carousel Modules as ways for facilities to save floor space, improve picking, and organize inventory without expanding buildings. The company is also directing buyers to StoreMoreStore categories, including Quick Ship options for faster projects.

Why it matters: - Facilities are under pressure to store more inventory in the same footprint while improving picking speed and accuracy. - Automated vertical storage can reduce walking, improve access, and free up floor space for operations. - The systems are aimed at warehouses, manufacturers, healthcare sites, distribution centers, cleanrooms, and other storage-heavy environments.

What happened: - Southwest Solutions Group is highlighting Vertical Lift Module, or VLM, solutions through StoreMoreStore. - The company is also showcasing Vertical Carousel Module, or VCM, options for compact automated storage. - The promotion centers on helping organizations store more inventory, improve access, and streamline workflows. - More information is available through Southwest Solutions Group and the High-Density & Vertical Storage Systems category on StoreMoreStore.

The details: - VLMs are automated high-density storage systems that use vertical space to store trays of parts, tools, supplies, and other inventory. - A VLM brings requested items directly to an ergonomic access point instead of forcing employees to walk aisles, search shelving, climb ladders, or move between storage areas. - Southwest Solutions Group designs, installs, and supports VLM systems for small parts, large tools, medical supplies, MRO inventory, industrial components, kitting operations, aerospace parts, electronics, and other materials. - VLM systems can include ergonomic waist-height access openings, automated tray retrieval, tray height scanning, pick-to-light guidance, batch picking, software integration, transaction tracking, and multiple tray width and access-point options. - The systems are used to improve productivity while reducing the floor space required for shelving, pallet racks, or drawer storage. - One oil and gas parts project replaced 2,654 square feet of static shelving with three shuttle VLMs and stored the same parts in 797 square feet. - That project opened 1,857 square feet of usable floor space and delivered 70% floor-space savings while improving order-picking efficiency. - VCMs use rotating carriers to bring stored materials to a fixed ergonomic access point. - VLMs use a central elevator to move trays vertically and are often a stronger fit for taller buildings and mixed-size inventory. - VCMs are often a better fit for low- to mid-height ceilings and consistent item sizes. - StoreMoreStore categories include Sterile Core Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems for healthcare, Kardex Remstar Vertical Lift Modules, Kardex Megamat Vertical Carousel Modules, and Kardex Lektriever Megamat Vertical Carousel systems. - StoreMoreStore’s High-Density & Vertical Storage Systems category lets buyers review automated storage options and product configurations before requesting a quote or consultation. - Southwest Solutions Group supports layout planning, product selection, installation, and long-term support. - The company also offers Quick Ship Kardex Shuttle VLM options with standard-sized units, multiple prebuilt height options, and faster lead times for qualifying projects.

Between the lines: - Craig Crock, president of Southwest Solutions Group, framed the pitch around doing more with the same square footage and improving safety, accuracy, and throughput. - Crock said the value of the company’s approach is helping customers match facility layout, ceiling height, inventory mix, security needs, and workflow before selecting a system. - The message positions VLMs and VCMs as workflow tools, not just storage equipment. - The StoreMoreStore lineup also suggests the company is trying to make automated storage easier to compare before a customer commits to a project.

What’s next: - Southwest Solutions Group will continue working with customers on facility layouts, ceiling heights, tray and carrier requirements, inventory types, access points, safety needs, software integration, and installation requirements. - Buyers can use the StoreMoreStore category pages to review options and then request a quote or consultation. - The company expects faster-moving projects to use Quick Ship Kardex Shuttle VLM configurations where qualifying lead times matter.

The bottom line: - Southwest Solutions Group is betting that automated vertical storage can help facilities save space, organize inventory, and speed work without expanding buildings.