Automated Storage Solutions with Vertical Lift Modules (VLMs)
Save up to 85% floor space. Improve accuracy to 99.9% with MILO™ software. Speed up goods-to-person retrieval for parts, tools, and supplies.
Trusted in manufacturing, MRO, healthcare, and defense facilities across the U.S.
Automated Storage Solutions with Vertical Lift Modules (VLMs)
Save up to 85% floor space. Improve accuracy to 99.9% with MILO™ software. Speed up goods-to-person retrieval for parts, tools, and supplies.
Trusted in manufacturing, MRO, healthcare, and defense facilities across the U.S.
VLM Product Lineup & Specifications
A Vertical Lift Module (VLM) is an automated storage system that stores items in high-density trays and delivers them to an ergonomic access opening. VLMs reclaim floor space, improve accuracy, and speed up picking by automatically finding and retrieving the correct tray.
How a VLM storage system works
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An internal elevator automatically delivers trays to an ergonomic access point.
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Items are stored in high-density trays on both sides of the lift.
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The system finds and retrieves the correct tray at the push of a button.
- MILO™ software directs the pick, verifies the action, and updates inventory in real time.
Core Technical Characteristics (Typical Ranges)
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Tray width: up to 3,000 mm (118 in)
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Tray depth: 820–860 mm (32–34 in)
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Load per tray: up to 1,000 lbs (450 kg)
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Machine height: 8–52 ft (modular)
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Positioning accuracy: ±1 mm
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Cycle time: ~20–30 seconds per retrieval
Every White Systems VLM features automatic height sensing, dynamic storage allocation, and industrial-grade drive technology for smooth, consistent operation across demanding workflows.
See the Compact Twin in action
See the mechanical difference: The Compact Twin utilizes a dual-staged elevator to fetch the next tray while you work, providing nearly double the throughput of the standard Compact Lift.
When a vertical lift module is the right next step
VLMs are typically the best fit when floor space is constrained, access frequency is high, and inventory needs to stay organized and controlled.
Software that keeps VLMs accurate
White Systems VLMs run on MILO™ software, providing real-time inventory visibility, controlled user access, and guided picking.
The result is consistent accuracy, accountability, and clean inventory data as operations scale.
Benefits
Save Space – Reclaim up to 85% of your floor space with high-density vertical storage.
Work Faster – Reduce search time and improve warehouse efficiency with automated tray delivery.
Improve Accuracy – Organized trays help your team pick the right parts consistently.
Ergonomics First – Reduce walking and bending with goods-to-person access.
Scale Easily – Adjust heights and trays as your operations grow.
How to improve warehouse inventory accuracy without hiring more people
Warehouses improve inventory accuracy by controlling how inventory is accessed, picked, and tracked. Vertical Lift Modules guide operators to the correct item and quantity, restrict unauthorized access, and automatically record every pick and replenishment, reducing errors caused by manual counting, searching, and inconsistent processes — without increasing headcount.
See a VLM installation in action
This time-lapse shows how unused ceiling height is converted into dense, organized storage — without expanding the building footprint.
VLM Applications & Model Selection
Vertical Lift Modules (VLMs) store and retrieve parts, tools, and inventory in a high-density vertical footprint while delivering items directly to the operator.
At White Systems, VLM solutions are engineered to match your exact application — from manufacturing and MRO to healthcare and regulated environments — with configurable tray sizes, load capacities, and system layouts.
What this means for your operation:
- Save up to 85% of floor space
- Improve picking accuracy to 99.9% with MILO™ software
- Secure controlled inventory with user-based access
- Reduce search time and operator travel
- Configure systems around your specific parts, not a fixed machine design
How to maximize warehouse space
White Systems VLMs take advantage of unused vertical space — consolidating wide-aisle shelving into a compact, high-density system that stores more inventory in a significantly smaller footprint.
Typical results:
- Reclaim 70–85% of floor space
- Eliminate wide aisles and wasted air space
- Free up room for production, staging, or growth
- Increase storage density without expanding your facility
With modular system designs and flexible height configurations, we tailor each installation to your available ceiling height and throughput requirements.
Vertical Lift Module Systems for Modern Operations
White Systems VLMs are complete storage and retrieval solutions that combine high-density storage, automated delivery, and intelligent inventory control through MILO™ software.
Unlike static shelving, our systems are designed to improve both space utilization and operational performance.
Key operational benefits:
- Reduce floor space requirements by up to 85%
- Increase picking speed with goods-to-person delivery
- Maintain real-time inventory accuracy and traceability
- Support lot tracking, expiration dates, and audit requirements
- Scale storage capacity without adding labor or floor space
Our systems are built to integrate with your existing ERP, WMS, or MES environment — creating a connected, future-ready operation.
The VLM as a Goods to Person System: Efficiency for Dynamic Warehouses
While there are many goods-to-person technologies, White Systems VLMs are often the most efficient solution when space, accuracy, and simplicity matter most.
By delivering items directly to the operator, our systems eliminate walking and searching — turning storage into a controlled, high-efficiency picking environment.
Performance impact:
- Reduce operator travel time by up to 90%+
- Improve picking consistency and throughput
- Achieve 99.9% accuracy with guided picking
- Reduce training time for new operators
- Enable one operator to manage multiple machines
Paired with MILO™, your VLM becomes more than storage — it becomes a controlled workflow system that drives efficiency across your operation.
Standard Across All Models: Industrial Rack and Pinion Drives
Every VLM in the White Systems portfolio—including the PowerColumn 3 and the entire Compact series—is engineered with a precision metal rack and pinion drive. We prioritize this mechanical standard across our offerings to eliminate the stretching and slipping common in belt-driven systems, ensuring a consistent ±1mm positioning accuracy for every tray.
Features & comparisons
Comparison of Our Vertical Lift Module (VLM) Models by Capacity and Use Case. As the exclusive North American provider and technical lead for the Compact VLM line, White Systems handles every stage of the process—from initial facility design and MILO™ software integration to long-term field maintenance.
Compact Lift VLM: The Industrial Standard
The Compact Lift is our most versatile Vertical Lift Module, engineered to provide a high-density ‘goods-to-person’ solution for a wide range of inventory. By utilizing the full height of your facility, the Compact Lift allows you to reclaim up to 85% of your floor space while offering 99.9% picking accuracy. Whether you are storing spare parts, maintenance tools, or kitting components, this model delivers the factory-direct reliability and smooth operation that has made White Systems a leader in Ohio-based automation for decades.
Compact Twin VLM: High-Throughput Performance
For high-volume picking and kitting operations, speed is everything. The Compact Twin features a unique dual-delivery system: while an operator picks from the current tray, the system is already staging the next one in the background. This eliminates ‘wait time’ at the access window, allowing your team to maintain a continuous workflow. It’s our fastest VLM solution for facilities where every second of throughput counts.
Compact Double VLM: Maximum Storage for Oversized Inventory
When your inventory doesn’t fit into a standard tray, the Compact Double provides the extra width without sacrificing vertical density. By utilizing a wider tray configuration, this model is the ideal solution for storing long parts, large jigs, or bulky assemblies that typically clog up your floor space. It delivers the same 85% space savings as our standard units while providing the specialized footprint required for oversized industrial assets.
PC3 VLM: Heavy-Duty Rack and Pinion Engineering
The PowerColumn 3 (PC3) is the flagship of our industrial line. Unlike standard belt-driven systems, the PC3 is engineered with a heavy-duty rack and pinion drive for 24/7 reliability in demanding manufacturing environments. Designed and supported right here in Ohio, it handles your heaviest tools, dies, and components with a tray capacity of up to 2,000 lbs. If your facility requires maximum durability and minimal maintenance, the PC3 is the industrial standard.
Factory-Direct Service: 30+ Direct-Hire Field Service Engineers
When your automated storage system is the heart of your production, uptime isn’t optional. Unlike competitors who rely on third-party contractors, White Systems maintains a national network of 30+ direct-hire, factory-trained Field Service Engineers (FSEs). By working directly with the OEM, you get specialized technicians with immediate access to genuine parts and deep engineering knowledge. We don’t just sell the machine; we provide the national infrastructure to keep it running for decades.
Where VLMs are a good fit
Vertical Lift Modules are commonly used when teams need to reclaim floor space, speed up access, or improve inventory organization and control.
Manufacturing & MRO
Parts, tools, and maintenance inventory stored near production for fast access and better use of vertical space.
Warehousing & Fulfillment
High-density storage for fast-moving and long-tail SKUs, improving pick accuracy in space-constrained operations.
General Storage & Inventory
Organized, secure storage for a wide range of materials where floor space is limited and access matters.
National Support & Direct Field Service
A VLM is a long-term investment in your facility’s efficiency. White Systems aims for peak performance and extended equipment life through our National Service Network.
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Direct-Hire Technicians: We employ a national team of factory-trained field service technicians—not third-party contractors—to ensure OEM-level expertise on every call.
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Proactive Maintenance: Our service contracts are designed to maximize uptime, identifying wear before it leads to downtime.
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Lifecycle Support: From initial installation and MILO™ software integration to mid-life rebuilds and technology upgrades, we can partner with you for the entire life of your system.
White Systems provides a level of uptime security that third-party resellers can’t match. We employ a national network of 30+ direct-hire, factory-trained Field Service Engineers (FSEs) strategically located across the country. By utilizing our own expert team rather than third-party contractors, we ensure every technician arrives with specialized OEM knowledge and direct access to the spare parts needed to keep your VLM operational.
Safety & Compliance
Built-In Industrial Safety: Every White Systems VLM is equipped with full-height light curtains, door interlocks, and emergency stops to ensure operator safety while maximizing throughput.
Engineered for Operator Safety & Efficiency
Safety is built into every cycle. White Systems VLMs feature ergonomic access openings designed to deliver trays at the ‘Golden Zone’ height (37-40 inches), virtually eliminating the bending, reaching, and climbing associated with traditional shelving.
Standard Safety Integrated:
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Advanced Light Curtains: Instant-stop sensors prevent operation if any part of the operator enters the access area.
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Automatic Door Interlocks: Fully enclosed storage ensures inventory remains secure and protected from dust and unauthorized access.
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Ergonomic Access: Reduces operator fatigue and the risk of workplace strain injuries.
Latest VLM Solutions
“We eliminated over 500 storage bin locations.”
“We’ve been able to use that space to maximize and optimize the production of our floor.”
“We have been able to eliminate over 500 storage bin locations.”
“We’ve been able to use that space to maximize and optimize the production of our floor.”
— Warehouse Supervisor at ABB
Watch the ABB VLM in action
Customizing Your VLM Solution
Choosing the right model starts with your inventory profile. Our engineers help you evaluate:
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Ceiling Height: To determine maximum cubic storage.
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Access Frequency: To choose between single or dual-staged (Twin) extractors.
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Integration: Syncing with your WMS or ERP via MILO™ software.
VLM Implementation, Integration, and Lifetime Service
Our experts can recommend the right model, layout, and configuration for your space and inventory.
Precision-engineered VLMs delivering faster picks, denser storage, and reliable uptime—supported by U.S.-based technicians.
Precision-engineered VLMs delivering faster picks, denser storage, and reliable uptime—supported by U.S.-based technicians.
White Systems builds high-performance Vertical Lift Modules for fast tray delivery, high-density storage, and accurate goods-to-person picking. Our U.S.-based service team supports every system, and our dual-tray and rack-and-pinion designs help customers reduce walking, increase throughput, and reclaim up to 85% of floor space.
Talk to a Storage Expert
Ready to explore automated storage? Send us a message and our team will help you get started.
Customers rely on our automated storage solutions to reclaim space and drive measurable efficiency:
“We have been able to eliminate over 500 storage bin locations. We’ve been able to use that space to maximize and optimize the production of our floor.”
— Warehouse Supervisor at ABB