Sno Gem Inc., a manufacturer of snow-retention products, recently introduced its iClad snow-retention system that works with most standing-seam metal roofs. The iClad bar/fence system attaches to the standing seam with the company’s Sno Cube clamp (or any other standing-seam metal-roofing profile with the company’s WaveLock technology), which provides three points of attachment without penetration. The company’s Silver Bullet set screws include a rounded “bullet” tip to maximize strength without compromising the paint finish or material, according to a company press release.

“We are excited to introduce our latest innovation. The iClad product line adds to an already elite line of the strongest and most aesthetically pleasing snow-retention systems made on the market today,” said James T. Carpenter, vice president of operations.

The iClad and iClad-S offer either a 2- or 3-inch-high profile and can accommodate any pre-finished metal trim to match the color of a facility’s roof. The system is available in standard mill-finish aluminum, allowing contractors to keep the product in stock. Once installed, the pre-finished metal trim attaches onto the face of Sno Gem’s iBeam. The iClad is constructed of aircraft-grade aluminum extrusion and includes an iPlate for sliding snow and ice. No painting is required.

Snow Gem was founded in 1994. The company’s principals have leveraged more than 100 years of combined experience in architectural sheet metal and roofing to develop the company’s line of snow guards. The company recently added an array of solar-panel and roof-accessory attachments to its product line.

By Molly Bilker

Africa, the youngest sibling in the international self-storage industry, has begun the exciting transition to adulthood, with demand high and consolidation in process. Better-established operators, such as Stor-Age Self-Storage and XtraSpace Self Storage, are reaping the benefits of strong demand, while a tidal wave of technological growth works to inform customers and solidify the industry.

Market Heats Up

South Africa has about 70,000 self-storage units with an average occupancy of 80 percent, according to “HearOnEarth,” a blog by local freelance writer and researcher Matthew Campaigne-Scott. The Self Storage Association of South Africa claims the local industry is the fifth largest in the world. The supply of standard, garage-type units can't keep up with the demand, says Chris Harburn, owner of Giba Storage, a facility that opened in 2011 in Durban, in the KwaZulu-Natal province.

The continued enlargement of cities is a huge contributor to the industry’s growth, adds Abri Schneider, CEO of XtraSpace, which owns 17 facilities. "The urbanization and densification process happening in our country contributes positively to create strong demand," he says.

This year Xtraspace opened three new locations and purchased a former Toys R Us building in Durban it plans to convert to self-storage. The planned 600-unit facility, the company's second in the area, is close to King Shaka International Airport. It will include a business center with flexible offices for small companies, a meeting room and hot-desk facilities, a pool of desks that can be occupied as needed. It will also offer free WiFi and a courier depot operated by Parceljet Couriers. The success of the company's first Durban facility, which opened last year, has been a great success, giving the company confidence for the next one, according to Colleen Hunter, chief operating officer.

Real estate developer Acucap Properties has also expanded its self-storage portfolio. The company created a strategic joint venture with Faircape and SA Self Storage Investments (SASSI) this year to develop several sites. Faircape is a property investment, development and management firm that includes Stor-Age Self Storage among its companies. SASSI is South Africa’s largest self-storage investment trust.

The joint venture has produced 12 operating storage facilities, with nine under construction and an additional nine in the process of acquisition. The facilities will be rebranded under the Stor-Age name, according to Paul Theodosiou, Acucap’s managing director. Stor-Age operates more than 20 facilities throughout South Africa, with its corporate office in Cape Town.

In September, Stor-Age completed its acquisition of eight facilities in the Pretoria area from Public Storage, a South African competitor that is unaffiliated with the U.S. real estate investment trust with the same name. Stor-Age initiated the purchase in May and will rebrand the properties under its trade name.

The portfolio comprises 63,000 square meters of storage space with another 17,000 square meters approved for development. "We've been in discussions with Public Storage for some time, and we are pleased to have concluded this deal,” said CEO Gavin Lucas. “Together with our presence in Centurion and our high-profile, ‘big box’ self-storage facilities being developed in Brooklyn and Six Fountains, the newly acquired eight-property portfolio will provide Stor-Age with a significant and well-established trading platform in the Pretoria region."

The industry is also beginning to consolidate. Institutional businesses are becoming the cornerstone of self-storage in South Africa. Funding from banks is limited to larger-scale operators as lenders become accustomed to the business model, Schneider says. "The process of consolidation has begun, moving the sector away from a mom-and-pop industry to an industry with solid institutional demand.”

Other Regions See Growth

Slowly but surely, the self-storage market has also expanded into other African regions. Botswana, on the north border of South Africa, hosts Storage Solutions, which began in 2003 and operates two facilities in Northern and Southern Gabarone. Store All Secure Self Storage is in Namibia, which is on the west coast next to Botswana. Kenya, which sits on the equator on the east African coast, hosts Cube Movers in Nairobi and Mombasa. Rebiana Construction/Kirby Building Systems is a self-storage developer in Tripoli, Libya, which is on the northern coast of Africa near the Mediterranean Sea.

Demand Continues

As a high-demand and young market, Africa still falls behind in the number of self-storage facilities offered, Harburn says. South Africa in particular is lacking in available buildings for conversions and affordable land for new construction. These deficits are hurdles for continued growth.

Competition among operators is also on the rise. Local customers are better-informed about the services and remain price-sensitive. “The market will start resisting above-inflationary rental increases, as the pricing policies of many operators were too loose,” Schneider says. “The focus on offering value in the mind of the customer will be key."

The self-storage market continues to expand and mature, supporting larger businesses and finding footing as an industry in Africa. As this happens, developers and operators must keep in mind the caliber of their facilities and the desires of their customers. "Storage operators need to focus above all on providing high quality and value," Schneider says.

Molly Bilker is a journalism major at Arizona State University (ASU) in Phoenix. She is part of ASU's Barrett, the Honors College, and is completing a minor in Spanish. She comes from an arts-focused middle and high school with a creative-writing background. She actively participates in the arts, including creative writing, guitar and vocal music, theater, photography, ballroom dance, drawing, and film. To reach her, e-mail [email protected].

The Lock Up Self Storage has launched a new mobile application targeted at existing customers. Available this month through iTunes and Google Play, the app enables tenants to keep track of the unit numbers and gate-access codes for each location they are using. Features also include online bill pay and a “tap to call” feature that automatically phones the customer’s facility.

The app is free and compatible with the iPhone and iPod Touch, as well as Android smartphones. It was created by Ethervision, a Chicago-based company specializing in mobile-application development.

“We realize that nowadays, people are required to remember innumerable codes and passwords,” said Andrea Carnes, vice president of operations for The Lock Up Self Storage. “So, to help our customers, we had an app created that centralized all of the important aspects of their [storage] information. Gone are the days of rifling through papers to find the gate code or the number of your self-storage unit. Now, tenants will have all of that information at their fingertips, in their mobile devices. It’s especially helpful for those unplanned trips to a Lock Up unit.”

Based in Chicago, The Lock Up currently operates 14 self-storage facilities in Illinois and has 30 locations in eight states comprising more than 1.6 million square feet.

Access Self Storage, which operates six facilities in Texas, is partnering with “Focus Daily News” to provide scholarships to children and teenagers who are looking to foster their spiritual growth this summer. The Youth Activities Scholarship will fund summer adventures such as youth camps, choir tours, mission trips and other activities.

"We would like the opportunity to ensure future generations share in those experiences," said Doug Hunt, who co-owns Access Self Storage with his brother, David. “These kinds of trips are too important to overlook.”

To be eligible, applicants must complete a scholarship form and drop it off at any Access Self Storage location or mail it to the corporate office at 3404 N. I-35E, Lancaster, TX, 75134. Each form should be signed by the applicant and parent or guardian as well as a youth leader or minister.

The family-owned self-storage business is a Christian company with a long-time goal of community enrichment, according to the source. Access Self Storage contributes regularly to several charities. In January, the brothers were part of a group that presented a $100,000 check to the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Galveston, Texas, on behalf of the Texas Self Storage Association. The Hunts also serve as the association’s fundraising committee co-chairs.

Based in Lancaster, Texas, Access Self Storage has locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. Its sister companies include Owners Management Co. and OMC Gate. The operation's website features a "Corporate Responsibility" tab, which highlights contests, events and other community outreach.

Focus Daily News is a newspaper covering the suburbs of South Dallas.

Market-research firm IBISWorld Inc. has updated its report on self-storage services in Australia. The report contains industry statistics, market data, trends, and five-year growth and profit forecasts. Company analysts believe the Australian market is poised to grow through 2019 but expect operators to “increasingly rely on specialized storage options to maintain growth.”

By the end of this year, the Australian market is expected to have achieved a 1.8 percent annual growth rate since 2009, driven largely by residential customers and students. Profit has also increased due to many operators reducing their costs, company officials said in a press release. Industry revenue is expected to increase 2.3 percent this year to $741.1 million due to low interest rates and high consumer confidence.

Looking ahead, analysts believe “the industry is undergoing a phase of divesting non-core physical assets, and is selling previously acquired property and land to investment funds in order to focus more on the management of storage facilities,” IBISWorld officials said in the release. There has also been a shift by operators toward offering a greater range of storage options, including wine, firearms and high-security features.

“These higher-value service options are likely a result of cost reductions made by industry operators, allowing them to focus more of their assets towards the provision of value-added services to attract and maintain a wider consumer base,” said Ryan Lin, an IBISWorld analyst.

Australia’s largest self-storage operators are expected to continue pursuing acquisitions “in an effort to build greater economies of scale. As a result, cost cuts by larger industry players will persist,” company officials said. IBISWorld analysts also believe market competition will become increasingly driven by price, particularly for traditional storage options.

The market-research report is available for a fee through the IBISWorld Australia website.

IBISWorld specializes in industry and procurement research. The company employs teams of analysts in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Its research reports provide information and analysis on market conditions and forecasts, and industry supply chains.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin will sign autographs and greet fans at an Uncle Bob’s Self Storage in Tampa, Fla., on May 17. Martin will sign complimentary photographs from 1 to 3 p.m. at 1792 W. Hillsborough Ave. No memorabilia will be permitted. The event will also include family activities such as a mobile-gaming truck. Sports radio WDAE 620 AM will provide giveaways.

Sidelined with an injury in November, Martin was recently cleared to resume play, which he announced via Twitter on March 31. The tweet garnered more than 1,500 favorites and 900 retweets.

“I can’t wait to get back to work, and I am thrilled to be working with all the new faces in Tampa,” Martin said. “This is going to be an exciting year for us and the fans.”

New members to the team include general manager Jason Licht and head coach Lovie Smith. Last week, the Buccaneers selected wide receiver Mike Evans from Texas A&M University as the seventh overall pick in the NFL draft.

“As Bucs fans, we can’t wait to see what all the changes bring for the season,” said Patrick Brislin, area manager for Uncle Bob’s Tampa facilities. “Doug is a valuable presence in our community, and we know he enjoys connecting with fans.”

Martin was drafted 31st overall in 2012 from Boise State University. He currently holds the Buccaneers’ single-season rookie rushing record with 1,454 yards. Martin also sponsors the “Doug’s Avengers” fans section at Raymond James Stadium, a group of front-row seats dedicated to local charities.

Uncle Bob’s Self Storage is owned by Sovran Self Storage Inc., a real estate investment trust that acquires and manages self-storage facilities. The company operates more than 475 facilities in 25 states, including 16 in the Tampa area.          

QuikStor Security & Software, a provider of management software and access-control products for the self-storage industry, has installed a 33,000 D.C.-watt solar-panel system at its corporate headquarters in Van Nuys, Calif. The installation is part of the company’s ongoing effort to create a completely green office and increase energy conservation, according to a press release.

The new system will cover an estimated 90 percent of the building’s electrical needs. It includes three power inverters and 132 solar panels, each measuring approximately 65 by 39 inches. Any excess electricity generated from the panels will be transmitted back to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power grid to further reduce energy expenditures. Based on the current electricity rates, the breakeven time for the system is estimated at 5.5 years, according to the company.

“The time had finally come when the technology and cost made it a feasible investment for our offices,” said company owner Dennis Levitt, who said he has been researching solar-energy applications for several years. "We are already seeing great returns and can't wait to see how the system works through the long, sun-filled days of summer.”

Since 1987, QuikStor has provided the self-storage industry with a range of products including management software, wireless door alarms, video cameras and 3D facility layouts.

By Kay Miller Temple

The self-storage industry is not just breaking design stereotypes, it's crushing them. From bigger, brighter offices to better parking lots, today’s facilities are mimicking retail stores and luring potential renters. The bonus? Superior design improves functionality for staff, increases customer satisfaction and can even make a facility more "green."

The Upscale Office

Today's office design targets customers, keeping in mind that 60 percent of self-storage rental agreements are signed by women, according to Bruce Jordan, president of San Clemente, Calif.-based Jordan Architects Inc. The customer-service counter should be the first element prospects and renters see when they walk through the door. “The office should say safety, organization and management control over the facility, and be presented in a bright, cheerful and friendly way,” Jordan says.

Self-storage offices, once reduced to small areas, are now bigger. Much bigger. In recent years, office-space requirements have increased nearly 150 percent, according to Ariel Valli, president and principal architect of Valli Architectural Group in Aliso Viejo, Calif. “We have completed offices in the 2,000- to 2,500-square-foot range, with customer seating, child-play areas, conference rooms, vending machines, mailing and shipping desks, and even computer work modules,” he says.

Within the office space, retail areas remain a prominent focus, says Kenneth Carrell, principal architect for ARE Associates in Lake Forest, Calif. “When I design the retail space, I try and do it like I would a regular retail store,” Carrell says. “I use shelves and end caps for display, and I keep units low so people can see over the top.”

Designs that include a sample storage unit can quickly engage a potential tenant. Terry Campbell, executive vice president of operations and vice president of sales and marketing for BETCO Inc., a manufacturer of self-storage buildings in Statesville, N.C., says one trend is to display a unit with a roll-up door and a latch-and-lock system so managers can demonstrate how it works. “There can also be sample unit sizes shown on the floor using colored tape or paint to give a potential tenant an idea of how big a unit size is,” Campbell says.

Some of today's office designs are so evolved that they look like hotel lobbies, says Steve Hajewski, marketing manager for Sun Prairie, Wis.-based Trachte Building Systems, a manufacturer and supplier of self-storage buildings. Items like flat-screen monitors remind customers the facility is equipped with security cameras. “And these amenities are becoming more common even in mid-market sites,” Hajewski says.

Today's office designs can be described as “a well-appointed environment,” says Ted Culbreth, vice president of sales and marketing for Select Building Systems Inc., a Boerne, Texas-based design-build general contractor that provides turnkey construction services to the self-storage industry. In addition to special finishes, cabinets and granite countertops, lighting and a big-space feeling are important. “It's the lighting that you would see in high-end retail,” he says. “Lots of glass, lots of openness so customers can see in and feel comfortable before they ever walk in.”

The self-storage look is definitely different from past years, says Charles Plunkett, CEO of Capco Steel Inc., a San Antonio-based steel supplier and erector of metal buildings and RV and boat storage. “Almost every office constructed in modern times is open, airy, and has a feel of a country-club reception area or a modern retail facility,” he says. “Customers like a lot of windows, natural light and an inviting atmosphere.”

A well-organized, efficient work space for the manager should also be incorporated into the design. Plunkett likes the idea of adding a small break room for the manager. Frank Relf, owner of Frank G. Relf Architects in Huntington Station, N.Y., agrees. “Customers and staff benefit from having an area where they are able to sit down and have a discussion about self-storage or to complete paperwork,” he says.

Parking: Following the Rules of Others

One challenge in facility design is balancing jurisdictional requirements, customer needs and rental footage in the name of parking spots. Overall, requirements are not very flexible. “All parking requirements that are mandated by the local municipality also govern for how many and where they are placed,” Relf says. “Most self-storage facilities do not require the amount of spaces imposed on them by the authorities.”

In some cases, using a little extra paint can provide compliance with parking codes. Campbell says to consider painting parking spaces in front of a facility's units. “I've seen this done several times. It appeased the local municipalities and didn’t really cost any space to do it.”

Just as municipal codes can't be ignored when it comes to creating the parking layout, neither can customer needs—or behaviors. Consider a design where no customer ever has to back up a vehicle. “Backing up is when they’ll hit your buildings,” Hajewski says.

“Function, function, function” is Valli’s advice.  “Make sure there is easy access, adequate width and room for turning motions,” he says. “Although they can vary wildly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, parking rates should be at about one space per 7,500 square feet of gross-building area.”

For facilities in regions with snow—and subsequent snow melt—Relf says parking design must accommodate the temporary placement and removal of snow.

Gaining Green Points

Although there may be few customers who will arrive at your facility via a bike or motorcycle, there are advantages to having dedicated parking for two-wheelers, namely "green points." More of today's building codes require eco-friendly elements such as motorcycle and bike parking, even electric car-charging stations. New-facility and renovation designs look once, twice and three times at green-element implementation and cost.

However, it's difficult to get very far with eco-friendly plans since many of these amenities add cost with little return on investment. “A lot of our developers wring their hands and try to ferret out those additions that give them the best economic return or the best return as far as being pleasing to the customer that they are a green facility,” Culbreth says.

However, there are simple green elements that shouldn't be overlooked. Employing natural light, proper office location and green exterior design can add to the bottom line, Carrell says. “Using the building's orientation can reduce heating and cooling costs; and using the latest materials like spray-foam insulation can also help.” Other facilities use water-catchment systems to water their landscaping, adds Plunkett.

Some would say self-storage in it's traditional state is inherently green already. “People don't realize that self-storage has a lot of green elements that exist by virtue of the way [the buildings] are typically constructed,” Plunkett says. “This includes the use of metal framing, which includes a high percentage of recycled content. And most of the metal is manufactured within a reasonably short distance of the facility.”

Self-storage design is eclipsing the old-fashioned look that says “obviously rental.” From country-club styling to open, bright spaces, a well-designed facility will help an operator attract and retain customers. But there’s another bonus, says Stephanie Tharpe, district sales manager for A Plus Storage, which operates 12 facilities in Tennessee. “My favorite part is when a customer walks in and says, ‘Wow, this is storage?’”

Kay Miller Temple is a physician and recent graduate from the master’s program at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. To reach her, e-mail [email protected].

By Matt Jordan

Signage is no small matter for a self-storage facility. A self-service business requires signs that provide clear if not “idiot proof” instructions for customers. Without clear signage on the interior of your property, tenants may be literally and figuratively lost. Without powerful signage on the exterior, all may be lost.

Let’s talk priorities. The signage on the exterior of your facility is far more important than that on the interior. The reason is simple: Your biggest priority is to rent your available space. Everything else will fall into place if you accomplish this goal. You need customers, which means you need advertise.

One of the most influential and productive advertising mediums for self-storage is an outdoor, LED electronic message center (EMC). This is signage beyond signage. Your exterior road sign will brand your facility and provide contact information, but what else can it really do for you? Save or make room on that pole for an EMC, and you'll quickly grow your business.

How They Work

EMCs are mini LED billboards promoting one thing: your business. They are the hardest-working employee any company can have. No vacations, no weekends ... They'll deliver constant, relentless promotion of your self-storage facility. For example, an EMC will display your calls to action, specials, promos, holiday messages, community spirit, etc., in 4 trillion bright and vivid colors. It can display text, pictures and video, all programmable through easy-to-use software. EMCs are impossible to miss and demand to be read.

In terms of properly targeting your advertising, an EMC is laser accurate. The people most likely to become your customers are those for whom you’re conveniently located. What can be more convenient than the facility people drive by on their way to work or other frequently traveled locations? An EMC knocks on the windshield of every vehicle that passes and says:

• Here we are!
• This is what we do.
• We are conveniently located for you.
• We have the following specials and sales.
• Do business with us.
• When you need storage, come here!

One of the greatest benefits of electronic boards is the ability to quickly and easily change the message. An operator can promote messages such as, “One Month of Free Storage to New-Home Buyers” or “Band Practice Rooms for Rent: No Band Is Too Loud!” Unlike those old beat-up marquis boards where you physically have to change letters, an EMC can display dozens of messages, one right after the other. If one doesn’t appeal to a consumer, the next one will.

These signs also allow you to display your community spirit, whether it’s congratulating the local football team on its recent championship or thanking veterans for their service on Veterans Day. Inserting the occasional nod to the community between your promotional messaging is a perfect way to be neighborly.

Other Signage Options

In addition to an electronic message board, many self-storage facilities have traditional exterior signs and several smaller interior signs. The ones along the road should be as big and easy to read as your budget and city permitting will allow. Go for an internally lit box sign if tolerated by your municipality. The most advanced light boxes are illuminated with long-lasting LEDs. The neon and florescent days are behind us. If your city doesn’t allow internally lit signs, go for the next most visible alternative.

Another option is an indirectly lit sign, which can still make a strong impact if it's clear and readable. In this application, direct as much light onto your sign as possible, but keep the content simple. Facility name, phone number and Web address are all you need. To ensure your text is readable, consult the guidelines in the last paragraph of this article.

Interior Signage

When it comes to the signage inside the facility perimeter, think stupid. Seriously. You already know your way around the property, which could be a disadvantage when designing your navigational aids. Try to forget what you know and put yourself in the shoes of a brand-new customer.

Can you find your unit easily and efficiently? Can you find your way to the exit? Who would you call if your access code didn’t work? What if there's a random car blocking access to your unit? What if you saw something suspicious or criminal? Are there signs that tell you what to do in these situations? There should be!

Being able to see your facility from a consumer’s perspective is the key to properly creating or redesigning your signage plan. Your best advice may come from someone who doesn’t know your facility, so if you have someone willing to help, use him.

Depending on your facility’s size, you may need hundreds of small signs, including those that include a property map. Map signs with X-marks-the-spot, "You are here" indicators are widely appreciated. Plan your facility logically, and identify this logic to guide your consumers to their units easily and quickly.

Think about all the places customers will be when they visit the property and put the signs they might need in those locations. Consider the experience of getting off an elevator in a hotel. The doors open and there’s a sign directly in front of you indicating that rooms 300-350 are to the right, while rooms 350-400 are on the left. Use this clarity as a model.

Regardless of their content, all of your signs should be clean, crisp and clear. Here are some other key pointers:

• Keep colors to a minimum, but use juxtaposition so the content stands out.
• Use big, bold fonts that are easy to read.
• Avoid cursive or italics, which may make reading difficult.
• Use all capital letters when possible because they’re much easier to read than lowercase.
• Most people are able to read a 1-inch capital letter at 50 feet. To be read at 100 feet, a letter or character must be a minimum of 2 inches tall. However, always go larger than these minimums when possible, as there are an increasing number of consumers who can’t see as well as they used to.

Your facility’s signage is an important marketing and customer-service tool. When considering signage design, think about your marketing goals and the messages you wish to convey to tenants. Create memorable and informative signs that will attract new business and provide accurate directions and instructions for existing customers.

Matt Jordan is the director of sales at I.C.E. Signs, a global provider of LED advertising technologies. Based in Kingston, N.H., the company supplies electronic message centers in a variety of sizes. To reach him, call 603.347.3005, e-mail [email protected]; visit www.icesigns.com.