In today’s fast-moving economy, warehousing is under more pressure than ever. Between skyrocketing industrial real estate costs, growing e-commerce demands, and the need for same-day or next-day shipping, the traditional “spread out” approach to storage is no longer sustainable. The warehouses of tomorrow will need to store more, move faster, and operate safer — all without expanding their footprint.
The answer? Looking up.
High-density, vertical, and automated storage solutions are quickly becoming the cornerstone of the modern warehouse. At McMurray Stern, we’ve seen firsthand how businesses that embrace this vertical future are not only surviving but thriving in the face of change.
The U.S. industrial real estate market has been breaking records — and not in a good way for warehouse managers. According to recent market reports, the average cost per square foot for industrial space has risen sharply over the past decade. At the same time, fulfillment expectations from consumers have shifted from “in a few days” to “in a few hours.”
That means warehouses have to move more product through less space, often with smaller teams due to ongoing labor shortages. Add in growing safety requirements and increased scrutiny over workplace ergonomics, and you have a perfect storm of challenges:
These challenges are not temporary. They represent a long-term shift in how warehousing will need to operate going forward.
When space on the ground runs out, the only direction left is up. High-density vertical storage solutions are transforming how warehouses think about their real estate. Instead of occupying thousands of extra square feet, companies are turning their existing cubic footage into usable storage.
VLMs are automated storage and retrieval systems that store items in trays within a tall, enclosed system. The machine delivers the correct tray to an operator at an ergonomic height, eliminating the need for long walks, ladders, or forklifts for most picking tasks.
High-density mobile shelving allows rows of shelving to move along tracks, eliminating wasted aisle space. By using only one or two movable aisles, facilities can often double their storage capacity in the same footprint.
A mezzanine adds a second (or even third) level inside an existing warehouse, creating new storage or work areas without new construction.
These solutions not only maximize storage density but also optimize workflow by placing inventory closer to where it’s needed.
Future-proof warehousing isn’t just about fitting more items into a smaller footprint — it’s about making that space safer and more efficient.
Manual picking often requires bending, reaching, climbing, and heavy lifting — all of which increase the risk of workplace injury. Automated retrieval systems bring the product to the worker, reducing strain and the likelihood of accidents.
With automated systems and RFID-enabled security, you can track exactly who accesses specific inventory and when. This protects high-value goods from theft and reduces errors caused by unauthorized handling.
By consolidating storage vertically, facilities open up floor space for safer pedestrian and forklift movement, lowering the risk of collisions in busy areas.
McMurray Stern designs systems that integrate these safety and security features from the start, ensuring that a warehouse upgrade doesn’t just solve a storage problem — it makes the entire operation safer.
One regional distribution center we worked with faced a critical choice: spend millions relocating to a larger building or find a way to fit growing inventory into their existing space. By installing a combination of VLMs and high-density mobile shelving, they increased storage capacity by over 70% without moving.
The results:
The ROI wasn’t just measured in dollars saved — it was also measured in speed, safety, and employee satisfaction.
If there’s one certainty in warehousing, it’s change. Product lines evolve, SKUs multiply, and market demands shift overnight. That’s why the future of storage isn’t just dense — it’s flexible.
Modular solutions like VLMs, mobile shelving, and mezzanine systems can be reconfigured, expanded, or relocated as needs change. This adaptability is key for companies that want to invest once and keep evolving without starting from scratch.
McMurray Stern specializes in designing systems that grow with you — scalable storage that’s ready for the demands of tomorrow, not just today.
The vertical future of warehousing is already here, and the companies that embrace it now will have a competitive advantage for years to come. By combining high-density storage with smart automation and safety-focused design, it’s possible to:
At McMurray Stern, we believe the most valuable space in your warehouse might not be in front of you — it’s above you, waiting to be unlocked.
Ready to explore how the vertical future can transform your warehouse? Our team can assess your current facility, identify untapped cubic footage, and design a customized high-density storage solution that maximizes space, safety, and efficiency.