What Do Vertical Storage Systems and Pies Have in Common?

My grandpa used to say he had two favorite kinds of pie: hot and cold. Simple. Clear. No overthinking it. That same simplicity applies to storage systems. There are really only two kinds: The kind that wastes space… And the kind that makes space work for you. At Olpin Group, we design and install Vertical Carousels and VLMs that turn unused air into productive storage. And the easiest way to explain their impact is with one simple acronym: P.I.E.S.³ Because when vertical storage is done right, you don’t just get one benefit — you get seven.

P = Productivity

Most warehouses and parts rooms are paying for air — and paying people to walk through it. Traditional shelving forces employees to walk aisle after aisle, searching, bending, climbing, and scanning shelves. That’s motion without value. Vertical storage systems bring the product to the operator — automatically.

· Faster pick times

· Reduced walking

· Higher throughput

· Better labor utilization

In one client application, six employees were dedicated to picking parts for distribution. After installing a vertical storage system, one person handled all picking — an 80% reduction in picking labor. The remaining five team members were reassigned to packaging, customer service, and other revenue-supporting roles. If fully burdened labor averages $55,000 annually, reallocating five positions represents up to $275,000 per year in labor efficiency impact. In manufacturing and distribution environments, we regularly see: - 2–3x increase in picks per hour - Significant reduction in overtime - Fewer picking errors - Faster order fulfillment Productivity isn’t just about doing more with less. It’s about converting labor from movement into value.

I = Inventory Control

You can’t ship what you can’t find. Vertical Carousels and VLMs provide real-time tracking, controlled user access, pick-to-light accuracy, and ERP integration. You know what you have. You know where it is. You know when to reorder.

E = Ergonomics

Many facilities require employees to avoid reaching above 60 inches or below 20 inches. Vertical storage machines deliver items within an ergonomic access window — typically waist height — eliminating repetitive bending, overhead reaching, and ladder climbing. Fewer injuries. Less strain. Greater consistency.

S³ = Safety. Security. Space.

Safety

Vertical storage eliminates climbing and dramatically reduces forklift traffic in picking areas, lowering risk and improving compliance.

Security

With badge-controlled access and software permissions, you can restrict high-value components, track access history, reduce shrinkage, and protect critical inventory.

Space (The Game Changer)

Most shelving systems waste horizontal and vertical space. It’s common to see a 3-inch tote sitting on a shelf with 12 inches of vertical spacing — meaning 9 inches of air above every item. Vertical storage systems automatically adjust tray spacing to match the height of the item, eliminating wasted gaps. We can often take the equivalent of 1,700 square feet of open shelving and consolidate it into approximately 150 square feet using vertical systems. That’s a reduction of 1,550 square feet. If California warehouse space averages $20 per square foot annually, that equals: 1,550 sq ft × $20 = $31,000 per year in avoided rent. And that doesn’t include reduced utilities, maintenance, or deferred expansion costs. In today’s market, real estate is expensive. Air is not.

What Could the ROI Look Like?

Example: 6 employees picking at $55,000 fully burdened cost = $330,000 annually. After vertical storage: 1 picker required. Even if only three positions translate into direct savings or growth capacity: 3 × $55,000 = $165,000 per year in labor efficiency impact. Combined with $31,000 in space savings, the financial case becomes compelling. Many vertical storage systems generate payback in 18–36 months — sometimes faster — while continuing to deliver returns year after year.

The Bottom Line

So what do vertical storage systems and pies have in common? They’re both better when they’re done right. And just like my grandpa’s favorite kinds of pie — hot and cold — there are really only two kinds of storage: The kind that costs you space… And the kind that gives it back. At Olpin Group, we design and install Vertical Carousels and VLMs that deliver the full P.I.E.S.³: - Productivity - Inventory Control - Ergonomics - Safety - Security - Space If you’re ready to reclaim wasted air, improve operational performance, and make your facility safer and more efficient — let’s talk.