In an all-cash transaction, Strategic Storage Trust Inc., a publicly registered non-traded real estate investment trust targeting the self-storage market, acquired a 445-unit self-storage facility for $1.8 million, the companys fourth in the Chicago area. The facility, located within seven miles of downtown Chicago, will be rebranded under the SmartStop SM Self Storage trade name.

The opportunity for self-storage in this market is evident with this locations near-full occupancy, said H. Michael Schwartz, chairman and CEO. As our fourth property in Chicago, the features at this infill location add strong value to our growing brand.

The facility has 41,000 rentable square feet on approximately 6.4 acres of land. Its just west of downtown Chicago in a densely populated neighborhood, and near Interstate 290 and Interstate 55. Built in 1968, the single-story building was converted into storage in 2004 and includes surveillance cameras, individual locks, climate control, keypad entry, an office for onsite management and RV storage.

The facility has high physical occupancy and expansion capability. Thats a strong combination to work with, said Wayne Johnson, senior vice president of acquisitions. 

Architectural Metal Systems (AMS) recently made several strategic organizational changes that will improve its operational effectiveness and provide better service to customers.

Ron Buchholz, most recently the manager of manufacturing services for American Buildings Co. (ABC), has been appointed operations manager of AMS-Self Storage. Buchholz has been with American Buildings for 31 years and in manufacturing management positions for nearly 40 years. His new position includes leadership of the AMS and self-storage business units.

On the technical side of AMS-Self Storage, Allen OSteen, has moved to the position of technical services supervisor. OSteens past experience as a design engineer and welding/quality assurance engineer make him a valuable contributor to the leadership team. Previously he worked closely with AMS in writing and maintaining ABCs industry leading warranty/roof inspection program. He has been with the ABC family for more than 12 years.

In the newly created position of sales manager, Martin Scroggins will provide specific focus on improving customer relationships and profitably growing sales for both AMS roofing and self-storage.  Scroggins has been with AMS and ABC for more than 25 years and brings a wealth of sales experience to this function.

Rodney Battle will continue as the supervisor of the sales service/customer service department. Bob Smola has moved to the new Tekla Building Information Modeling (BIM) software development team.  BIM is a three-dimensional modeling software designed to increase productivity and accuracy in both building design and construction. Smolas 30-plus years of technical industry experience will prove invaluable to this critical ABC initiative.

This new team is charged with the task of developing our operational excellence to support and grow our customer base. We are ready to create and pursue business opportunities in the current challenging economic market, said Buchholz.

Headquartered in Eufaula, Ala., with manufacturing centers located throughout the United States, AMS delivers products, technology and customer service for new and retrofit metal standing-seam roofing systems and self-storage buildings.

Westy Self Storage in Chatham, N.J., will act as a drop-off location and offer storage to six charities this holiday season. The Six for Six Charity Donation Drive supports Foster and Adoptive Family Services, Dress for Success Morris County, SHIP Summit Helping Its People, Santa Claus Shop, ReRead, and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots. Westy will also deliver the donated items to the charities. The drive runs through Dec. 15. Each is seeking items specific to the services it provides:

• Foster and Adoptive Family Services provides support, training and advocacy for foster, adoptive and kinship families who provide nurturing homes for children in foster care. Items for collection include new holiday gifts.
• Dress for Success Morris County provides professional attire and career development tools to women. Collection items include womens professional attire.
• SHIP serves hot meals and bag lunches to those in need in Summit. Items for this collection include gently used mens clothing.
• Santa Claus Shop provides holiday gifts for low-income families and seniors. Items for this collection include polar fleece blankets and house wares.
• ReRead promotes literacy. Collection items include childrens books.
• Toys For Tots collects toys for needy children in the local communities. Items for this collection include new, unwrapped toys.

Donations can be made Monday though Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.

 Were very proud to continue our Six for Six Donation Drive. We have been able to assist so many deserving charities through this program and we look forward to another successful drive, said Tim Mincin, district director of Westy Self Storage, Chatham. A very special thank you to all who participate in our program. It would not be nearly as fruitful without the contributions of so many.

Founded in 1990, Westy Self Storage is headquartered in Stamford, Conn. The companys portfolio of facilities span the tri-state area with eight centers in New York, six in Connecticut and three in New Jersey.

The Latin America Self Storage Association (LASSA) has undergone foundational changes this year, announcing a new focus, a new board of directors and a newly launched website.

LASSAs goal is to support self-storage operators, developers and vendors in the Latin America market by providing information, education, and a platform for sharing ideas and concerns. The association will strive to show the benefits of self-storage as an investment and how the industry benefits consumers. It will also promote better industry practices. An inaugural expo is slated for November 2011 in Panama.

The 2010-2011 LASSA Board of Directors is:

• President: Nancy Torres, director of business development for Latin America, Janus International
• Vice president: Cristian Batres, international sales manager, Storage Structures Inc.
• Treasurer: Todd Levy, sales manager, Storage Structures Inc.
• Secretary: Lucia Darnell, sales representative, PhoneSmart

LASSA is a member-based association of facility owners, operators, developers and vendors whose goal is to further the self-storage market in Latin American countries from an educational, networking and legislative platform. More information can be found at www.laselfstorage.org.

The Arizona Self-Storage Association (AZSSA) has launched its first annual statewide W. Steven Martin Police Toy Drive Campaign. The association is encouraging all of its member facilities to participate in the campaign by serving as drop-off locations for donations.

Participating in the drive is the ideal way for AZSSA members to give back to their local communities and work with local law-enforcement officials, according to association president Martin Lorch. Participating in the toy drive gives member facilities the opportunity to make a difference and bring happiness to many disadvantaged children this Christmas, he said.

In 1989, Phoenix radio personality W. Steven Martin enlisted local police officers to distribute toys to children in need and at-risk families in the Phoenix area. Toys were stockpiled in a garage, where officers from various agencies would pick them up for distribution. As word spread, corporate sponsors signed on as toy partners; someone donated a warehouse, and the program expanded statewide. In 1996, more than 700 officers helped distribute more than 120,000 toys.

Now Arizona self-storage facilities can serve as toy drop-off locations. Facility operators who wish to participate should contact Poppy Behrens, AZSSA public-relations chair, at 602.678.3579.

Founded in 1996, the AZSSA was created to strengthen the self-storage industry in Arizona, promote professional standards and quality, and present a unified voice on issues affecting the industry in the state. The association has more than 500 facility and vendor members.

Self-storage management expert Stephan Ross, president of Cutting Edge Self Storage Management & Consulting, will participate as a presenter in two industry education events.

On Dec. 8, Ross will present a free webinar titled Is a Management Company Right for You? The online seminar, scheduled for 1 p.m. ET, will guide self-storage owners and investors in deciding whether to hire a third-party management firm to run their investments.

Ross will discuss the benefits property-management companies offer. Hell address the unique characteristics of self-storage properties as well as issues of personnel and training, curb appeal, marketing, site visits and audits, and financial considerations. Registration for the event should be completed online at Ministoragemessenger.com.

Ross will also participate as a panelist at the upcoming Inside Self-Storage World Expo in Las Vegas, March 14-16, speaking on the topic of self-storage technology. Ross and other industry experts will lead a discussion on Self-Storage Software and Security: Evaluating Options, Maximizing Products, a candid conversation on the important aspects of choosing and using management software and security components. Details about this and other expo education sessions can be found at www.insideselfstorageworldexpo.com.

Ross began his self-storage career in 1984 and, in 2000, he and his wife Tammy launched Cutting Edge, a self-storage management and consulting firm operating facilities in Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Missouri, Nevada, Texas and Utah. Ross has performed self-storage feasibility studies throughout the United States and Canada for private and institutional investors. He has been a featured speaker at numerous industry events.

Construction contractors continue to be squeezed by rising prices for key construction materials and flat prices for what they can charge for finished projects, according to an analysis of October Producer Price Index figures released this week by the Associated General Contractors of America. Prices for materials used in construction jumped by 0.6 percent in October and 4.8 percent over the past 12 months, while the price index for finished buildings remained flat.

As if declining demand and dramatic layoffs werent enough, the construction industry also has to pay more for key materials while charging the same for finished projects, said Ken Simonson, the associations chief economist. This squeeze is likely to force firms to shut their doors, compounding the already staggering 17.3 percent unemployment rate for the sector.

Simonson noted that prices in October soared for a range of key construction materials. For example, the price of diesel fuel is up 7.2 percent since September and 20 percent since October 2009. Copper and brass mill shapes are up 5.4 percent for the month and 15 percent for the year. The price of steel mill products is up 1.4 percent since September and 12 percent over the past 12 months.

Prices for some construction materials, however, remained flat or declined slightly this past month, Simonson added. Concrete prices were unchanged from the previous month and down 0.4 percent from the previous year. Gypsum products declined by 0.2 percent since September but were unchanged from October 2009. Prices for asphalt paving mixtures and blocks dropped 0.5 percent in October but were still 4.8 percent higher than last year. And lumber and plywood prices declined 0.9 percent since September but rose 6.7 percent during the past 12 months.

Contractors are likely to continue to be squeezed by rising materials prices and flat prices for completed projects for the remainder of the year, Simonson predicted. He added that contractors will be vulnerable to sudden price spikes in multiple materials in 2011 as the U.S. and foreign economies gradually recover.

Unfortunately, demand for construction will likely remain weak for several more months, exacerbating the price squeeze that has already taken a toll on many firms and far more workers, Simonson noted.

A thief broke into a self-storage unit in Woodruff, S.C., and made away with a samurai sword bladebut left the handle behind.

According to the Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office, the door on a self-storage unit at Terrys Self Storage was left partially open and the lock was missing. The theft happened sometime between mid-October and Nov. 15, when the self-storage tenant discovered the blade was missing.

The blade is about two and a half feet long. No other items were taken, and there are no reports of theft or cut locks from other units at the facility.