As the logistics industry grapples with record-high real estate costs and a tightening labor market, Pennsauken-based MHS Lift, Inc. is doubling down on automation. The company announced today an expanded partnership with Movu Robotics, becoming the first North American integrator to successfully commission a second full-scale Movu system.
The collaboration, which dates back to 2019, positions MHS Lift as a primary architect for the “modern warehouse”—a facility that replaces wide forklift aisles with dense, robotically-managed storage grids.
At the heart of the partnership is the Movu Atlas, a next-generation Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS). Unlike traditional systems that move only forward and backward, the Atlas uses autonomous, four-way shuttle robots that can traverse an entire storage grid in any direction.
By utilizing this multi-directional movement, warehouses can:
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Maximize density: Eliminate the need for wide aisles required by traditional forklifts.
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Streamline flow: Move pallets directly to loading docks in the precise sequence needed for shipping.
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Enhance speed: Reach a maximum speed of 4.6 feet per second, significantly reducing the time it takes to retrieve goods.
For MHS Lift, the partnership is about more than just hardware. The company is developing a proprietary ecosystem that integrates these robots with smart software to manage entire fleets across multiple sites.
“We are building an entire ecosystem for the modern warehouse centered around the 4-way shuttle systems,” Ben Miller, director of Integrated Solutions for MHS Lift said. “Our systems seamlessly integrate first-of-its-kind safety, maintenance, and multi-site fleet management into a platform that’s the most scalable solution available today.”
The U.S. warehousing market has hit a valuation of over $221 billion, but physical space remains at a premium. The Movu Atlas system allows companies to expand their capacity by going vertical—often up to 60 feet high—without expanding their building’s footprint.
“MHS Lift was the first to realize the technology’s potential in the North American market,” Brett Levin, co-president of MHS Lift said. “Our goal is to equip our clients with industry-leading solutions that drive performance and long-term value.”
Mathieu Theureau, VP Sales US at Movu Robotics, added that MHS Lift’s “deep integration expertise” makes them the ideal partner for deploying these advanced systems in demanding brownfield (existing) and greenfield (new) facilities alike.
