German Valet Self-Storage Operator Box at Work Expands to Switzerland

Box at Work GmbH, a Berlin-based startup specializing in valet self-storage and moving-bin rentals with service in several German cities, has expanded service to Zurich, Switzerland. The company uses an online platform that allows customers to schedule an initial delivery of moving bins, item pickup for storage, and then redelivery of items to their home when needed.

Similar to other valet-style storage operators, Box at Work offers by-the-bin service targeted at residents who don’t have adequate home storage. Items are kept in multiple warehouses, depending on the market. The storage location is determined by proximity to customers’ residence, according to the company website. Prices vary depending on the number or type of bins used and per oversized item. The first redelivery of an item is free. Subsequent deliveries are assessed a fee.

Moving customers who don’t require storage can also just rent the bins. Costs for this service vary by city. Moving-bin packages accommodate a range of needs up to four rooms, according to the website.

“We rent out boxes for moving and storage, and offer additional services in these businesses,” founder Gerrit Jan Reinders told the source. “Our main focus is the self-storage business.”

The company began service in Berlin in January 2015 and quickly expanded to Dortmund, Hamburg and Stuttgart, Germany. The valet-storage operator launched with the support of private-equity investors to help cover its operational costs including backend logistics, moving trucks and warehouse space, according to the source.

Box at Work has also positioned itself as an environmentally friendly business, offering a tree-planting program. “Our service is cheaper and more environmentally friendly,” Reinders said. “We reduce CO2 emissions, our boxes are recycled after 400 uses, and we give a proportion of our profit to plant new trees each year, so using Box at Work will literally make your city greener.”

Further expansion plans include France and additional German markets. The company is also working to establish a charity partnership, Reinders told the source.