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We would like to draw your attention to an interesting video on cnbc’s website. ‘How self storage companies make billions’. Within ten minutes you will be aware of the latest developments in the American self storage market, which are often clues to future developments in Europe. See our summary below or watch the video for yourself.

Self storage 'thanks to' COVID-19 interesting for investorsInvestors with deep pockets are increasingly catching their eye on the American self storage industry. For example, the Blackstone Group is well on the acquisition path. It recently acquired Simply Storage for...

One of our most recent renditions took place in Baarn. I.H.P. Beheer B.V. is taking advantage of our smart short-lease construction and is now offering storage space in Baarn. This is done in collaboration with Storage Share.

Sometime last week I received another rebuke late in the afternoon from Peter, our copywriter, that I should hurry up with my contribution to the last Storage World of this year. The severe lockdown hung in the air and Storage World, of course, must ship on time.

This year showed us once again how difficult it can be to make predictions or goals come true. Customers who “just stayed loyal” to you this turbulent year or signed up new despite everything are crucial to the success of your business and therefore certainly deserve a token of appreciation. So that they remain customers in 2021….

It was like an early Santa Claus, as many containers as we have ‘handed out’ in the last few weeks… After months of waiting for the ordered Z-Boxes, they finally set foot on Dutch soil at the beginning of November. This was a direct result of Covid-19. In China, there was a severe lockdown, forcing the plant to close from December 2019 to May this year. Production was not resumed until mid-May. We have a lead time of 12 to 14 weeks, so that meant waiting months. As a result, we were already running out of stock last summer, while the demand for container storage was only increasing.

Recently, this periodic report was made available and downloaded via the website of FEDESSA, the European federation to which 14 national self storage associations are affiliated. You haven’t had time to go through it yet? Don’t worry, we’ll take the highlights from the report out for you.

You may also have grown up with the idea that the customer is always king, and you and your staff put their best foot forward for them every day. However, there will always be tenants who are not satisfied, no matter how you go out of your way. There is a category of potential tenants that you would rather not have on your property.

Are you thinking of offering (extra) outdoor storage? It is often difficult to visualize in advance what that would look like. To get a good impression of the placement possibilities, we can create a 2D map and 3D impression of the potential location for you. I would like to tell you how this process works in a number of steps.

The Z-box allows you to offer storage space that puts regular shipping container storage far in the shade. You can check it on our website and our storage park. But did you already know that the Z-Box can be transformed into a very attractive storage unit for 4 motorcycles by means of smart compartmentalization? Niels Fokkema of ikwilopslagruimtehuren.nl (I want to rent storage.nl) can talk about it.

On 6 and 7 October 2005, the the first online fair of the Federation of European Self Storage Associations (FEDESSA) took place. Of course, USC was also present this year as a sponsor and exhibitor with a ‘Round Table/Specialist Session’. It was a special edition in every way.

Following Warren Buffett, Bill Gates is also stepping into the storage world. The world’s richest man invests in the eighth largest self-storage company StorageMart. “The self-storage sector is evolving rapidly and companies that can leverage technology, improved operations and an unforgettable customer experience will do better,” said Cris Burnam, CEO of StorageMart.

A consistently implemented corporate identity ensures recognition and trust with the customer and can provide your company with the desired image. It is therefore very important that all your communication and marketing expressions (both online and print) are carried out in the corporate identity. What is covered and when do you have a good corporate identity?

The current COVID-19 problem has changed our mobility. Many parking spaces are not nearly as full as they used to be. In particular, car parks on the outskirts of town centres, as well as those in hospitals and shopping areas, are permanently ‘filled’ with many empty spaces.

During the new normal there is a barrier for many parties to physically visit our location. Also, a customer visit from our account manager is not always appreciated. A pity, because nothing beats a physical visit as far as we are concerned. Only then a customer can quietly look at our models, make his storage needs clear, walk around setups, feel the units, etc. However, the new normal doesn’t pass us by either. We will have to take care of other ways of contact. This will mainly be digital in nature, and there are various possibilities for that.