Automated vertical storage is a fast, proven way to shrink footprints, speed up picking and protect inventory. Hänel offers two widely used families of vertical storage: the Lean-Lift® Vertical Lift Module (VLM) and the Rotomat® vertical carousel. Both are "goods-to-person" systems that deliver items to an ergonomic access point and can dramatically increase storage density — but they're designed for different operational profiles. This post breaks down their strengths, typical use cases, integration options, and the practical questions you should ask when choosing the right Hänel solution for your organisation.
Quick snapshot — how they compare
Lean-Lift® (VLM) — high-speed vertical lift module that stores parts in height-optimised positions, targets maximum space utilisation and fast access times.
Rotomat® (vertical carousel) — compact rotating carousel best for smaller footprints or for high-density file and small-parts storage; delivers items rapidly to the retrieval point.
Space & layout: make the most of height
Lean-Lift® uses the available room height like a high-bay system but stores items in height-optimized positions so space isn't wasted — Hänel cites up to 85% footprint savings compared with traditional shelving. This makes the Lean-Lift® ideal where vertical space is available and you want maximum capacity on a minimal footprint.
Rotomat® similarly leverages vertical space and can achieve comparable percentage savings for smaller installations; its compact, rotating design is particularly effective when you need dense storage in a small room.
Speed, throughput & ergonomics
Both systems operate on a goods-to-person principle, meaning items are brought automatically to an ergonomic retrieval height — reducing walking, bending and ladder use and shortening pick times. The Lean-Lift® emphasizes high-speed access and rapid drops to access points; the Rotomat® delivers requested carriers to the retrieval area in seconds.
Energy, sustainability & standby features
Hänel highlights energy efficiency as part of its product philosophy. The company promotes Eco-features such as Hänel EcoDrive® and EcoMode®, designed to recover energy and reduce standby consumption so storage systems use less power and generate lower CO₂ emissions. These options can be applied to Hänel carousels and lifts to improve operating efficiency.
Software & integration
If you need inventory visibility, process automation or ERP/WMS connectivity, Hänel provides controllers and software options (including a Warehouse Management System and HänelSoft®) that integrate lifts and carousels into higher-level logistics and ERP environments. This makes both product lines suitable for workflows that require live inventory information, system clustering or ERP control.
Real-world examples (what customers use each solution for)
Rotomat® case (spare parts for agriculture): BayWa AG installed a Rotomat® carousel in its central spare-parts warehouse to accelerate access to thousands of small parts, improve order picking and enable flexible scaling; the Rotomat® handled integration and high-density requirements while remaining compact. This demonstrates the Rotomat®'s strength in spare-parts and centralized provisioning roles.
Across Hänel case studies you'll also find mixed installations where customers combine Rotomat® carousels and Lean-Lift® systems to optimise different warehouse zones for both throughput and density.
When to choose Lean-Lift® (pick these if...)
- You have tall ceilings and want to maximise storage capacity per square metre.
- You need very fast access times and high pick throughput from multiple access points.
- You plan to centralise a high volume of varied parts and want a compact system that scales vertically.
When to choose Rotomat® (pick these if...)
- Your footprint is small and you need a compact, dense storage solution for files, spare parts or production supplies.
- You want an economical carousel for office filing, small-parts provisioning or smaller production support areas.
- You need a proven carousel solution with straightforward integration into existing workflows (good for parts distribution, service depots, and archives).
Practical selection checklist (ask these internally)
What is your available ceiling height vs usable floor area?
Target throughput: how many picks/hour or orders/day must the system support?
Do you need multiple simultaneous access points (benefit Lean-Lift®), or single/low concurrency (Rotomat® often sufficient)?
Required integration with ERP/WMS — do you need HänelSoft® or bespoke API/ERP links?
Are energy efficiency and lower operating CO₂ part of the procurement brief? (Consider EcoDrive/EcoMode options.)
Long-term flexibility: will your SKU profile change significantly, or is it predictable and stable?
Short recommendation
For high-density, high-throughput operations that can use vertical height and may need multiple pick stations, Lean-Lift® VLM is frequently the better fit.
For compact rooms, office filing, archive or smaller spare-parts hubs where a rotating, space-efficient solution is preferred, the Rotomat® carousel is an excellent, proven choice.
Conclusion
Both the Hänel Lean-Lift® and Rotomat® are proven goods-to-person solutions that deliver major gains in space efficiency, ergonomics and pick speed. The decisive factors are your available vertical space, required throughput and how the system will integrate with your inventory and ERP landscape. Start with the checklist above, map a day-in-the-life of your pickers, and discuss capacity and software integration with Hänel so you can create a tailored solution that meets current needs and future growth. For technical specs, options and local consultation, contact Hänel directly via their product pages or request a demo.