Following the 2025 Spring Budget, there has been a spike in the search phrases “reduce warehouse overheads” as well as “automated storage systems”. Perhaps that’s no surprise, with costs rising and efficiency under scrutiny, automated storage systems offer more than an operational tweak – it’s a long-term strategy for cost control, scalability, and smarter working. Whether you’re looking to offset higher labour costs, reduce warehouse overheads by reducing space requirements, or strengthen internal processes, Industore’s proven solutions help you reduce warehouse overheads while preparing for the future.
Lean-Lift
Vertical Lift Module (VLM):
- Fast Picking: Retrieve inventory in seconds with goods-to-person efficiency.
- Save Space: Maximise storage density and free up 80% of your space.
- Error-Free: Intuitive pick-to-light technology ensures every pick is accurate.
Rotomat
Automated Storage Carousel:
- Security: Comprehensive audit trails on inventory; tracks every inquiry.
- Real-Time Control: Stay stocked and avoid under or overstocking.
- Safe & Cost-Effective: Reduce manual labour and workplace accidents.
Reducing Labour Without Compromising Output
From April 2025, employer National Insurance contributions will rise to 15%, alongside the largest increase to the National Living Wage in UK history. These measures underline the need for smarter workforce planning. For businesses searching “how to reduce warehouse overheads” or “improve warehouse productivity without hiring more staff”, AS/RS (automated storage systems) offers a practical way forward. By automating repetitive picking and storage and/or retrieval tasks, teams can achieve more with fewer people – unlocking productivity, while reducing payroll strain.
Store More Without Expanding – Maximise Your Space
With a government commitment to building 1.3 million homes, industrial space is likely to become more competitive – particularly around cities. This makes warehouse expansion costly and, in many cases, impractical.
For growing businesses, the challenge is clear: “store more inventory without expanding your warehouse”. That’s where automated storage systems (or “AS/RS”) can deliver an immediate impact – using vertical space and optimising inventory density on a very small footprint.
Take Industore client, “Innovative Technology”. As demand was outstripping capacity, our client sought a way to consolidate their warehouse storage functions – reducing the demand on inefficient racking…read more below.
How to Reduce Warehouse Overheads:
As UK growth forecasts remain modest, many organisations are reviewing their operational frameworks. It’s understandable, then, that the phrase: “how to reduce warehouse overheads” has peaked in the last 36 hours alone, and will no doubt continue to rise…so how has Industore achieved this for clients so far?
Don’t take our word for it, hear from our clients:
University Hospital Limerick – Centralised Efficiency
UHLG installed 20 Rotomats with HänelSoft to bring off-site healthcare records back in-house. The transformation saved time, reduced risk, and dramatically increased reliability. As explained by Tony Fahy, Healthcare Records Business Manager, UHL:
“In terms of the Rotomat [Industore’s automated storage carousel], it’s an incredible piece of kit… what used to take 30 minutes is now achieved in about 20 seconds. That’s 9,000% faster, and we never get it wrong.”
Tangible improvements across five key areas:
Automated systems (such as Lean-Lifts or Rotomats) deliver items directly to the operator, reducing travel time and minimising picking errors through guided access.
Integrated inventory software tracks every transaction in real time, ensuring full visibility of item movements and user activity.
Access to storage can be restricted by PIN or RFID login (by machine, or by shelf), providing accountability and reducing the risk of unauthorised handling. All requests can be audited, photographed and more – ensuring 100% inventory control.
Vertical lifts and automated storage carousels utilise unused overhead space, consolidating inventory into a much smaller floor area. Esentially, storing vertically, rather than horizontally.
Ergonomically designed access points eliminate the need for ladders or reaching, helping reduce injuries and product damage. Moreover, recorded access and other, strict control methods built into Industore solutions reduce the opportunity and desire to pilfer.
Not sure how to reduce your warehouse overheads? Get in touch.
From healthcare to energy, manufacturing to R&D, and really, everything in between, Industore is helping organisations across the country reclaim space, improve accuracy, and do more with less. If you want to start a conversation about how to reduce your warehouse overheads, it all starts with a call, or an email.
