Kardex Remstar vs Vertical Carousel Systems

An honest comparison of Kardex Remstar automated storage against vertical carousel alternatives — from storage engineers who work with both.

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Kardex Remstar Overview

Kardex Remstar is one of the largest manufacturers of automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) worldwide. Their product line includes the Kardex Shuttle XP (vertical lift module), Kardex Megamat RS (vertical carousel), and horizontal carousel systems.

Kardex systems are well-known in manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and aerospace industries. Their VLM products offer excellent storage density with dynamic tray height optimization. However, Kardex systems typically come at a premium price point and may have longer lead times.

Vertical Carousels: A Versatile Alternative

Vertical carousels from manufacturers like Vidir, Hänel, and others offer specialized solutions that often outperform general-purpose AS/RS systems in specific applications:

Tire storage — Purpose-built tire carousels store 2-4x more tires per square foot than any VLM
Wire & cable reels — Specialized V-cradle carriers handle heavy reels that don’t fit standard VLM trays
Garment storage — Hanging rod carriers maintain garments wrinkle-free, something flat VLM trays can’t do
Paint cans & cylinders — Round-item carriers maximize density for cylindrical products
Hospital beds — Bedlift systems store full hospital beds vertically — no VLM can handle this

For specialized applications, purpose-built vertical carousels deliver better ROI than general-purpose systems.

Price Comparison

Pricing varies significantly based on system size, features, and application:

System Type	Typical Price Range	Lead Time
Kardex Shuttle XP (VLM)	$60,000–$150,000+	12-20 weeks
Kardex Megamat RS (Carousel)	$40,000–$90,000	12-16 weeks
Vertical Carousel (Standard)	$30,000–$80,000	8-16 weeks
Specialized Carousel (Tire, Wire, etc.)	$25,000–$65,000	8-14 weeks

Prices are estimates and vary by configuration. Contact Material Handling USA at (800) 326-4403 for accurate quotes on any system.

Our Recommendation

As storage system integrators who work with multiple manufacturers, here’s our straightforward advice:

Choose Kardex when you need maximum storage density for mixed-size small parts in manufacturing, pharmaceutical, or clean room environments
Choose vertical carousels when you have specialized items (tires, wire, garments, paint, hospital beds), need faster pick speeds, or are working within a tighter budget
Consider both when your facility has diverse storage needs — many of our customers run carousels for specialized items alongside VLMs for general parts storage

Material Handling USA is manufacturer-independent. We recommend the best system for your application, not the one with the highest margin. Call us for a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kardex Remstar better than vertical carousels?

Neither is universally better — they serve different needs. Kardex VLMs excel at mixed-size small parts storage with maximum density. Vertical carousels excel at specialized items (tires, wire, garments), high-speed picking, and applications where purpose-built carriers outperform flat trays.

Can Material Handling USA service Kardex equipment?

We primarily install and service vertical carousel systems. For Kardex-specific service, we recommend contacting Kardex directly or an authorized Kardex dealer. However, we can help you evaluate whether a carousel alternative might better serve your application.

How do I decide which system is right for me?

Start with your specific items and workflow. What are you storing? How fast do you need to pick? What’s your ceiling height? What’s your budget? Contact us at (800) 326-4403 for a free assessment — we’ll recommend the right technology based on your actual needs, not brand loyalty.