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Virtual Design Studio

Article-Virtual Design Studio

U.S. Door & Building Components offers a virtual design studio in which participants are able to immediately see how changing their designs will affect their unit mix and self-storage project return on investment. This ability to change unit mixes, discuss different scenarios and show the results instantly saves time and helps owners understand the best layout for their facilities. Additional features include financial modeling based on different what if scenarios. Monthly and yearly returns can be calculated immediately online. In addition to unit mixes, participants can see "snap-shot" pro formas, pictures and any other items of interest or relevance to a project. Info: www.usdoor.com

Texturglas Architectural Wall Finish System

Article-Texturglas Architectural Wall Finish System

The Texturglas Architectural Wall Finish System from Roos International is an environmentally friendly collection of textured designer wall finishes with many high-performance features including mold and mildew control. Texturglas can strengthen, stabilize and protect new and existing walls with its woven design process that turns glass textile yarns into beautiful textures. When finished with a latex paint, the coverings do not trap moisture. The material is reusable, recyclable and emits no VOCs. Texturglas can be customized with patterns and logos or any type of paint finish or color. They can be repainted rather than replaced when it's time to redecorate. For projects registered under the U.S. Green Building Councils LEED Rating System, Texturglas can assist in securing potential credit points in several different categories. Info: www.roosintl.com

Octagon Sign Base

Article-Octagon Sign Base

The Ideal Shield Octagon Sign Base is a cost-effective way to display proper signage at a facility. Made of low-density polyethylene plastic, the sign base is maintenance-free with a total weight of 24 pounds. Portable or permanent, the sign base can be filled with concrete, sand or water, and wont crack or leak from temperature variances. It eliminates the need to paint unsightly cement bases and dragging signs from location to location. Custom colors are available with standard colors of OSHA yellow, blue, red, green and brown. A bolt-in application is available. Info: www.idealshield.com

Bird Jolt FlatTrack System

Article-Bird Jolt FlatTrack System

Bird-B-Gone introduces Bird Jolt FlatTrack, a low-profile track system that emits a mild shock to birds as they land on its surface. The shock will not harm birds, but will condition them to avoid the area. FlatTrack can be used to deter birds from ledges, signs, I-beams, roof peaks, or anywhere birds land. It's made of flexible, lightweight PVC and has a five-year guarantee against UV-degradation. Available in a variety of colors. Info: www.birdbgone.com

TeleNav Track

Article-TeleNav Track

Portable storage and moving company 1-800-Pack-Rat has implemented TeleNav's cell-phone GPS technology to increase efficiency and better serve its customers. TeleNav Track is a mobile resource-management service that provides real-time information for managing field operations and enhanced on-the-go communications. The service will be used to improve communication with drivers in the field and to assist with obtaining turn-by-turn GPS driving directions on demand. The new GPS technology will also help the company manage scheduling, locate trucks and monitor the safety of the fleet. With TeleNav Track, drivers may view appointment changes directly on their cell phones. In addition, dispatchers can observe driving speeds, compare progress against drivers' routes and calculate exact arrivals in real-time. Info: www.telenav.com

Self-Storage Operator Extra Space Hosts Analyst and Investor Forum, March 27

Article-Self-Storage Operator Extra Space Hosts Analyst and Investor Forum, March 27

Extra Space Storage Inc. will host an analyst and institutional investor forum on March 27, 2008, in San Francisco. The event, beginning at 7:30 a.m. PT, will include presentations by CEO and Chairman Kenneth M. Woolley, President Spencer F. Kirk, CFO Kent W. Christensen and other members of the senior-management team. The company will conduct two panel discussions comprised of Extra Space executives and Ray Wilson, president of research firm Self Storage Data Services Inc. Later in the day, Extra Space will host a tour of three of its Bay Area properties.
 
A live webcast of the presentations and panel discussions can be accessed from the investor relations section of the company's website at www.extraspace.com. A replay will be posted on the site for 30 days after the event. The presentation materials used at the event will also be made available.
 
Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Extra Space operates 634 storage properties in 34 states including Washington, D.C. The company is the second largest self-storage operator in the United States.

ISS Blog

Don't Burn the Popcorn

Article-Don't Burn the Popcorn

We have a section on our Self-Storage Talk forum titled "Tales From the Trenches," where facility managers and operators can share stories about wacky things they've witnessed at their sites. So far, we've heard from managers whose units have been used by tenants for romantic trysts, cross-dressing and gynecology. No lie. It's incredible what some of you folks are privy to during the course of your day-to-day business.

I don't generally like to steer this blog in the direction of sensationalist material, but it's no secret that while self-storage assists the populace during times of life transition, it sometimes acts as the closet in which dirty secrets are kept. At least on the forum, the stories of these skeletons are being told by storage professionals to their collegues, and not by mainstream media outlets pandering to a gossip-hungry American public. (If I read one more story about a body found in a barrel, box, bag or other receptacle at a storage facility in Anytown, USA, I just may lose my lunch.)

But every now and then, I'll see a news story that tickles me, and this week one did catch my eye. As we make plans for the Inside Self-Storage Expo in Nashville (Oct. 7-10), I've been looking for news regarding self-storage in Tennessee, just to see what the pressing industry issues might be in that area. A couple of days ago, the Asheville-Citizen Times ran a piece about legendary moonshiner Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton, who just this week lost two storage units full of 'shine and liquor fixins to confication by the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission.


Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton with country-Western singer Willie Nelson.

It appears good ole Popcorn had stored three 1,000-gallon whiskey stills, more than 850 gallons of moonshine, hundreds of gallons of mash and other ingredients at a storage facility near his Parrotsville, Tenn., home. Now he's lost his hoard of home-cooked brew and is being held in prison for possession of non-tax liquor until his March 28 hearing. How did the authorities know about the booze? A tip-off to the local sheriff from a "reliable, credible and concerned" citizen. Rat!

Did the storage manager know? Was the storage manager the rat? Who knows. I say leave the 61-year-old man and his spirits be. To me, his stash of mash ain't no skeleton in a closet; it's just a good time lingering behind a roll-up door.

ISS Blog

Sticker Shock

Article-Sticker Shock

I spent a couple of weeks more or less confined to my home while recuperating from walking pneumonia. When returning health (and cabin fever) allowed me to go out, I headed up to the farm where I keep my horses.

Without looking, I drove into my nearest petrol station (yes, I still call it petrol) to fill up my truck. Imagine my shock when the pumped dinged full and I saw that I owed $92! I failed to pay attention to the price on the stations signboard. Gasoline had shot up 30 cents in two weeks, driven by a record price of crude at $111 a barrel. 

I mulled this over during the 50-mile round trip to the barn. An increase of 30 cents per gallon may not translate into much if you drive a Toyota, but what if you drive a big truck or even an RV? That led me to wondering what's going to happen to all those monster RVs that will be leaving their storage homes this summer for the family road trip. What will be the impact of these increasing gasoline prices on the budgets of RV owners?

Finally, what will the impact be next fall when these large-capacity RVs come off the road? Will they be sold, or will they go back into storage?

RV and boat storage is a fast-growing segment of our industry, and facilities are coming online every week with space allotted to just this service. Will the storage industry see a downturn in number of RV and boat owners over the next year?

So, I shall be doing research and staying vigilant on the impact of fuel prices on the commuting public. Perhaps I'll have something more to say when we publish our annual boat/RV/mobile storage issue in late August.

I'm curious what your thoughts may be as you stand by the pump, hearing that ding, ding, ding as the price goes up, up, up. Let me know by clicking on the "Leave Comment" link below or dropping me a line at [email protected].

Inside Self-Storage Expo Announces Change in Nashville Agenda

Article-Inside Self-Storage Expo Announces Change in Nashville Agenda

In response to feedback from event attendees, speakers and exhibiting suppliers, the Inside Self-Storage Expo has modified the agenda for its upcoming show in Nashville, Tenn. On Friday, Oct. 10, exhibit hours will take place from 9 a.m. until noon, changed from the usual 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. time slot. All events for that day have been rearranged accordingly:
 
9 a.m. - Noon              Expo Hall Open
11 a.m.-5 p.m.             Management Workshop
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.           Legal Learning Live With Jeffery Greenberger
1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.        Buyers & Sellers Meeting
2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.        Vendor Presentations
2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.        Roundtable Discussions
 
The expo will take place at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, Oct. 7-10. It will include four full days of educational seminars, industry exhibits and networking opportunities.

“Our show participants have asked for this change on past event surveys,” said Troy Bix, publisher of Inside Self-Storage magazine, which hosts the expo. “We are pleased to honor their request, and hope it will improve the overall tradeshow experience for attendees as well as vendors.”
 
The ISS Expo is dedicated to the needs of self-storage owners, operators, managers, investors, developers and suppliers. To view a complete agenda and other event information, visit www.insideselfstorage.com/expo.

USstoragesearch.com Sends Self-Storage Manager/Marketer on Free Cruise

Article-USstoragesearch.com Sends Self-Storage Manager/Marketer on Free Cruise

Karen Kosek, director of operations for Security Self Storage Ltd. in Highland Heights, Ohio, recently enjoyed a free, four-day cruise for two, courtesy of USstoragesearch.com. Last fall, the company launched its first-ever Internet Marketing Challenge, asking self-storage owners, operators and managers to submit their most innovative methods for promoting facilities online. Out of the hundreds of professionals who entered for a chance to win, Kosek landed the all-expenses-paid vacation. 
 

Kosek in Key West, Fla., where she and her guest enjoyed snorkeling, jet-skiing, parasailing and shell-hunting.
 
Launched in August, the Internet Marketing Challenge aimed to educate the self-storage industry regarding online marketing by recognizing the most creative, effective and efficient Internet-marketing plans. Participants came from all over the United States.

USstoragesearch.com provides service to more than 9,000 self-storage and mobile-storage facilities in the United States. Its online marketing program allows owner/operators to instantly put their facilities in front of customers searching for storage in their local areas. For more information, visit www.usstoragesearch.com.

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