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Robotics and Automation

Automated Storage, Retrieval, and Conveyor Financing

Floor space is expensive, and so are the labor hours spent searching for and carrying inventory. Automated storage and conveyor systems tackle both problems at once. They pack more inventory into less space, bring items to your team instead of sending your team to the items, and keep orders flowing from receiving to shipping.

These are some of the largest projects a distributor or manufacturer will take on, often combining steel structures, motors, controls, software, and months of installation. Financing lets you spread the investment over the long working life of the system while it improves throughput from day one.

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Programs that fitEFA$1 Buyout LeaseSBA Loans

Storage and Conveyor Systems We Help You Finance

  • 01

    ASRS

    ASRS stands for automated storage and retrieval system: computer controlled equipment that stores and retrieves loads without a person driving to the location. Types include unit load cranes for full pallets, mini load systems for totes, and shuttle and cube style grid systems served by robots. Grocery distributors, parts suppliers, cold storage operators, and ecommerce brands use ASRS to boost density and picking accuracy. Buyers should study their order profile, storage density goals, and software integration needs, and plan for building requirements like slab flatness and fire protection. Most ASRS projects are purchased new with engineering support.

  • 02

    Vertical Lift Modules

    A vertical lift module, or VLM, is a tall enclosed unit with trays stored on both sides and an elevator that delivers the requested tray to an operator window. Machine shops, maintenance departments, electronics distributors, and hospitals use VLMs to store small parts and tools in a fraction of the floor space shelving would need. Look at unit height versus your ceiling, tray load capacity, and access controls that track who took what. Refurbished VLMs are widely available and can be relocated when you move.

  • 03

    Conveyor Systems

    Conveyors move product between receiving, storage, picking, packing, and shipping. Common types include gravity roller, belt, motor driven roller, and overhead or spiral conveyors for tight spaces. Warehouses, manufacturers, and parcel shippers depend on them to cut walking and handle higher volumes. When you plan a system, consider product size and weight, accumulation needs, noise, and how easily you can reconfigure the layout later. Used conveyor is plentiful and can be a budget friendly way to get started, especially for gravity and basic roller sections.

  • 04

    Sortation

    Sortation systems read barcodes and divert items to the right lane, chute, or tote based on destination, order, or carrier. Options include pop up wheel sorters, sliding shoe sorters, cross belt sorters, and tilt tray sorters. Parcel carriers, ecommerce fulfillment centers, and retail distribution centers rely on them during peak season. Match sorter type to your item mix and rate needs, and check that scanning accuracy and controls integrate with your shipping software. Sorters are usually financed as part of a larger conveyor project.

Why Finance Storage and Conveyor Systems Instead of Paying Cash

These systems often represent a major capital project, and paying cash can leave a business thin right when it's growing. Financing preserves your cash for inventory, staffing, and the ramp up period after startup.

It also keeps your bank lines available for peak season and lets you automate sooner rather than waiting years to save. Material handling systems may qualify for Section 179 deductions; check with your tax professional.

What Your Financing Can Include

Depending on the lender, your agreement may include:

  • Warehouse execution and control software
  • Racking, mezzanines, and pick modules tied to the system
  • Barcode scanners, print and apply labelers, and dimensioners
  • Electrical work, controls panels, and guarding
  • Engineering, design, and project management
  • Freight, installation, and commissioning
  • Operator and maintenance training

Programs That Work Well for Storage and Conveyor Systems

  • Program

    $1 Buyout Lease

    Lease payments, then own it for one dollar at the end, a clean path to ownership on a large project.

  • Program

    SBA Loans

    Government backed loans up to $5MM that can work when automation is part of a building purchase or expansion.

New Business or Established, We Can Help

New third party logistics companies can finance conveyors and VLMs from day one. Established distributors can phase in automation zone by zone. Visit our robotics and automation financing page or pair your system with autonomous mobile robots.

What You'll Need

Requests under $150K are often approved on the application alone. Larger ASRS and sortation projects usually benefit from financial statements. When it's time to fund, many deals finalize with a driver's license and the equipment invoice or project quote.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have a question?

Talk to a real person. We're happy to walk you through your options.

Can I finance an ASRS that's installed in a leased building?

Often, yes. Lenders may ask about your lease and how the system attaches to the building. We'll help you gather what they need so the project moves forward.

Do lenders finance used conveyor?

Many do, especially for common roller and belt sections from known manufacturers. A detailed quote listing lengths, drives, and controls helps lenders evaluate it.

Can progress payments be financed on a long installation?

Some lenders offer structures that fund vendor deposits and progress payments during installation, depending on the lender. Let us know your project timeline so we can target the right lending sources.

Is a VLM worth it for a small shop?

For shops short on floor space or losing time hunting for small parts and tools, a VLM can make a real difference. Financing lets you add one without a large cash outlay.

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