Box at Work GmbH, a Berlin-based startup specializing in valet self-storage and moving-bin rentals, will expand service to Paris beginning on Oct. 15. The move comes after the company raised €5.5 million in investment money in June, which it said it would use primarily for expansion to the United States. France will be the third European nation in which Box at Work operates. It currently serves more than 10 cities in Germany and Switzerland.
The company performed “studies and tests” with French moving companies, prior to committing to the expansion. “We have benefited from the local expertise of these moving giants and believe we will now successfully launch our concept,” François Villaret, head of French operations for Box at Work, said in a press release. “German and French consumers still have very different behaviors, and this will be a perfect test before launching the major cities in the USA.”
Bins will be offered to Parisian customers at €5.90 per month, while bulky objects can be stored for €8.75 per month. The company also plans to offer a package tailored specifically for business customers, according to the release.
Gerrit Reinders, founder of Box at Work, believes the valet-storage model will work in Paris because 53 percent of the French population lacks space to store belongings and 44 percent of moves are related to not having enough space, the release stated. In addition, Paris has the highest population density in Europe, with most apartments comprising less than three rooms, company officials said.
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. Founded in 2014, 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. Moving customers who don’t require storage can also just rent the bins.
