Warehousing is changing fast. Rising real estate costs, expanding inventories, and increasing expectations for speed and accuracy are forcing facilities to rethink how they use space. Expanding outward is no longer the most efficient or affordable option.
Instead, many organizations are finding opportunities by looking up.
At McMurray Stern, we help warehouses make better use of their facilities by turning underused vertical space into efficient, safe, and scalable storage solutions built to support today’s demands and tomorrow’s growth.
Industrial space is harder to find and more expensive than ever. At the same time, warehouses are expected to manage more SKUs, move inventory faster, and meet higher safety standards, often without increasing their footprint.
Common challenges include:
These pressures are not temporary. They reflect a long-term shift in how warehouses must operate to remain competitive.
When floor space reaches its limit, the most valuable area is often overhead. Vertical and high-density storage solutions allow facilities to convert unused cubic space into functional, accessible storage without relocating or expanding.
VLMs store inventory in trays within a vertical enclosure and deliver items directly to the operator at an ergonomic height. This reduces travel time, improves picking accuracy, and makes better use of available vertical space.
Mobile storage systems reduce the number of fixed aisles by moving shelving along guided rails. With fewer aisles required, warehouses can significantly increase storage capacity within the same footprint.
Mezzanines add usable levels within an existing warehouse, creating space for storage, assembly, or workstations without the cost or disruption of new construction.
Together, these solutions help warehouses store more, stay organized, and operate more efficiently.
Smart storage design balances density with safety and ergonomics.
By bringing inventory to the operator, vertical systems reduce bending, reaching, and climbing. This helps lower fatigue and minimize workplace injuries.
Consolidating storage vertically frees up floor space for better pedestrian and equipment flow, reducing congestion and collision risks.
Access controls and inventory tracking can be integrated to protect high-value or sensitive items while ensuring materials are available when needed.
At McMurray Stern, safety and performance are considered from the very first design conversation.
One distribution facility experiencing rapid inventory growth was preparing to relocate due to space limitations. Instead, they partnered with McMurray Stern to implement a combination of vertical storage and high-density systems.
The outcome:
By rethinking how space was used, the facility avoided relocation costs and gained a more efficient operation.
Warehouses rarely stand still. Inventory changes, workflows evolve, and business needs grow. Storage systems should be able to adapt just as easily.
Vertical and high-density solutions are modular and flexible, allowing layouts to be adjusted or expanded over time. This adaptability helps organizations invest confidently in storage infrastructure that supports long-term growth.
McMurray Stern designs solutions that perform today and adjust for what’s next.
The most valuable square footage in your warehouse may already be above you. By rethinking storage vertically, facilities can:
At McMurray Stern, we partner with organizations to design smarter storage environments that deliver lasting value.
Ready to explore what’s possible in your space? Let’s talk about how vertical and high-density storage can help you move forward with confidence.