The global lockdown and covid-19 pandemic have inevitably changed the retail experience completely. E-commerce is now the driving force in retail growth and fulfilment is turning out to be the most important part of the e-commerce journey. With the high surge of online shopping, and the drastic changes in customer behavior and expectations, distribution centers are now being forced to quickly adapt to this new reality by introducing different types of automation within their facilities.

Vertical lift modules (VLMs) have proved an unprecedented level of productivity, increased order picking accuracy by over 99% and achieved space savings of up to 85% compared to manual picking from static shelving. The solution offers better traceability and real-time inventory, keeps goods clean and secure, eliminates nearly all travel time in picking, delivers parts to the optimum ergonomic retrieval height, and reduces unnecessary lifting, bending and ladder climbing.

The VLM is a “goods-to-man” automated storage and retrieval system consisting of two columns of trays served by an automated lift device. The lift locates and retrieves the requested tray and presents it to the operator at a waist‐high pick window, in order for the operator to perform picking, replenishment or put-away activities. One unit can have a single consultation area (or more) equipped with an active tray and a stand-by tray ensuring that the resources have practically no idle time in between tray retrievals. Trays can be organized for items of every type and size; by using partitions and dividers, it is possible to create the exact number of storage locations required in each tray and configuration settings can be adjusted to accommodate changes in the size or quantity of the stored items. This gives users the flexibility to maximize their storage space and accommodate seasonal changes in their products.

In the midst of these turbulent and unfamiliar times, VLMs can provide the answer to the need to control warehouse and logistics costs, maximize productivity within an allocated footprint, and meet growing demand. If you are considering an automated storage and retrieval system, contact us today and one of our Consultants will help you evaluate which solution is right for you.

* Photos are courtesy of our partners ‘Ferretto Group’