Real estate investment firm Inland Private Capital Corp. has hired Robert Braun as vice president of self-storage asset management. In this newly created position, Braun will oversee the company’s self-storage portfolio, which includes 110 properties across 14 states. In addition, he’ll maintain relationships with Inland’s strategic partners.

Braun has more than 25 years of experience in self-storage management, having held positions with self-storage real estate investment trusts CubeSmart and Public Storage Inc. Most recently, he served as a regional manager and trainer for The Lock Up Self Storage, where he managed nine Chicago locations comprising 750,000 rentable square feet.

“We are pleased to welcome an industry veteran of Robert’s caliber to the team and look forward to drawing upon the impressive experience he brings to our growing self-storage portfolio,” said Dan Zatloukal, Inland’s executive vice president and head of asset management. “This new role underscores our continued dedication to adding industry-leading talent to our already exceptional team of asset managers, with a continued focus on delivering strong, risk-adjusted returns to our investors.”

Based in Oak Brook, Ill., Inland is a sponsor of real estate securities and a part of the Inland Real Estate Group of Cos. Inc., which is comprised of independent legal entities. For more than 50 years, the group has been engaged in property management, leasing, marketing, acquisition, real estate brokerage, development, redevelopment, construction, real estate financing and other related services.

Source:
Business Wire, Inland Asset Management Team Expands by Hiring Vice President of Self-Storage

 

OpenTech Alliance Inc., a Phoenix-based provider of self-storage kiosks, call-center services and other technology, will soon offer an integration between its INSOMNIAC CIA (Central Intelligent Access) access-control product and the DaVinci Lock system, launched last year by 10 Federal Storage LLC. As part of OpenTech’s IoE (Internet of Everything) platform, DaVinci will allow facility operators to remotely rent new units or release overlocked units using a standard combination lock with an encrypted serial code. Tenant notifications can be automated, with unlock codes sent via text through the CIA keypad or Storage Genie mobile app, according to a press release.

The integration is available at no additional charge for CIA customers. There’s a one-time setup, training and customization fee of $29 per facility, and the DaVinci locks are $9.99 each.

“We are excited to partner with OpenTech and their CIA product line,” said Brad Minsley, president of 10 Federal. “We are big believers in what they are doing with smart technology and are excited to be part of their platform.”

The OpenTech IoE platform is designed with an open application programming interface that allows integration with systems and components from outside suppliers. DaVinci is the ninth product integration. The eighth was a wired-alarm multiplexer for CIA announced earlier this week.  

“OpenTech is committed to continuously improving our solutions for property owners and storage customers—an initiative that is fueled by our relationships with other companies that share that vision,” said Jon Loftin, vice president of OpenTech and IoE product owner. “The integration between the DaVinci Lock and CIA will provide another level of automation for self-storage operators, streamlining the overlock process and reducing friction in the customer experience.”

OpenTech provides several models of INSOMNIAC self-serve kiosks as well as a range of self-storage rental solutions including the INSOMNIAC Live! Call Center, INSOMNIAC Online Web and mobile applications, LiveAgent! software products, and the INSOMNIAC ILock Security System, all available through the company's self-storage cloud.

Based in Raleigh, N.C., 10 Federal acquires, develops and manages self-storage properties in Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Specializing in automated operation, it has more than 25 facilities in its portfolio. Integrating technology into its operation is a core tenet of the business, according to the company website.

 

Update 9/4/19 – The Extra Space Storage facility developed in Knoxville by Miller-Valentine and Coastal Storage has officially opened. The facility at 111 Eubanks Ave. contains indoor and drive-up climate-controlled units. It’s 1.5 miles from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

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8/30/18 – Real estate development firm Miller-Valentine Group and self-storage developer Coastal Storage Group have broken ground on a three-story self-storage facility in Knoxville, Tenn. The property will comprise 100,300 square feet near the intersection of Western Avenue and University Avenue, according to a press release. Expected to be complete in fall 2019, the site will be managed by Extra Space Storage Inc., a real estate investment trust and third-party management company, and branded under its name.

“Our modern Knoxville self-storage building strives to provide its customers with a storage experience they won’t find anywhere else based on the quality of the units, security features and convenient location,” said Aaron Rowley, a partner in the project.

Miller-Valentine and Coastal are also jointly developing a pair of three-story storage facilities in Murrells Inlet and North Charleston, S.C. In March, they completed construction on a similar property in Goose Creek, S.C. All three projects include “commercial-grade” climate control.

Founded in 1963, Miller-Valentine provides design/build construction, development and property-management services in the Midwest, Southeast and Southwest. The company has built more than 83 million square feet of commercial space and more than 15,000 residential housing units.

Based in Charleston, S.C., Coastal was founded in 2016 by Brent Case of CBC Atlantic, Steve Koewler of the Miller-Valentine Group and Aaron Rowley of Dominion Holdings Inc. The company owns five self-storage facilities in the Charleston market.

Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Extra Space owns or operates 1,568 self-storage properties in 39 states; Washington, D.C.; and Puerto Rico. The company’s properties comprise approximately 1.09 million units and 119 million square feet of rentable space.

Source:
Extra Space Storage, Website

Update 9/4/19 – WCSS DuPont WA LLC, an entity of West Coast Self-Storage Group (WCSSG), which operates 63 facilities in the Pacific Northwest, has opened its mixed-use project in DuPont. The Ace Hardware store opened in July, according to a press release.

The facility on the corner of Center Drive and McNeil St. comprises 56,450 rentable square feet of storage in 568 climate-controlled and drive-up units. In addition to a covered loading area, it offers truck rentals and a retail store that sells moving and packing supplies.

Designed by architect Stephen Bourne of Site + Plan + Mix, the project was developed by Drew Bowlds, principal of Bowlds Real Estate Development Group, and built by Issaquah, Wash.-based JPR Construction.

“We’re excited to be able to bring the West Coast brand to DuPont,” said John Eisenbarth, vice president of operations for WCSSG. “The storage facility is beautiful and is going to fit in well with the surrounding businesses. It will also provide a great experience for DuPont-area storage consumers.”

WCSSG is an acquisition, development and property-management company headquartered in Everett, Wash. Its portfolio of managed and owned properties includes 47 sites in Washington, seven in Oregon and nine in California.

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4/26/17 – A mixed-use development that will include self-storage and an Ace Hardware store is being considered in DuPont, Wash. Seattle-based architectural firm Site + Plan + Mix LLC has submitted an application to the city to build a three-story building on a 1.13-acre vacant lot at 1585 McNeil St. The self-storage management office and hardware store would be on the ground floor of the 92,545-square-foot building, with the storage units housed on the upper levels, according to the source.

Parking for the project would include 20 spaces added to an adjacent daycare-center lot as part of a reciprocal parking agreement, the source reported.

City officials have reviewed the proposal for adverse environmental impacts and expect to issue a mitigated determination of non-significance. However, other impacts including noise, light and glare, and traffic could require further consideration.

A public hearing to discuss the project will be held in the council chambers on June 14. Community members may submit written comments on the proposal until May 8.

Site + Plan + Mix provides architectural services, site selection and project management for self-storage facilities as well as restaurants, retail and mixed-use developments.

Sources: 
The Suburban Times: Combo Ace Hardware, Self-Storage Coming to DuPont

Update 9/4/19 – On the heels of announcing its new CEO, Janus has promoted Pete Frayser to vice president of sales and hired Theresa Gallas as a regional sales manager for its Nokē Smart Entry System Division.

Frayser joined Janus in 2016. Since May 2018, he’s been serving dual roles for the company, both as vice president of international sales and as a business-development manager in the Northeast for the company’s R3 (Restore, Rebuild, Replace) Division. Prior to joining Janus, he worked with a real estate developer in Valencia, Spain, and was employed in business development for Major League Baseball and the National Basketball Association (NBA).

“Pete’s background in domestic and international business development, paired with his experience in sales and marketing for the NBA prior to coming to Janus, make him an invaluable asset and perfectly position him for this new role,” Jackson said.

Gallas has been working in the self-storage industry for nine years. She’s the co-founder and former president of List Self Storage, a website where real estate professionals can list and identify facilities for sale. She most recently worked as chief business development officer for Union Realtime LLC, a technology-services company that specializes in self-storage development data. Before that, she was vice president of sales and marketing for the Storage Business Owners Alliance, a buying group for the U.S. self-storage industry.

“For years I’ve admired the culture at Janus and the quality of their products. To be part of a team that embodies these principles is an honor,” Gallas said. “Smart-entry systems, specifically Nokē, are part of the next generation of self-storage facility automation, and I could not be more thrilled to be part of this growth.”

“We’re thrilled to have Theresa join our team during a period of significant growth for our Smart Entry Division. As we look to constantly reimagine solutions that address real business challenges for self-storage owner-operators, Theresa’s business development acumen as well as her wealth of industry knowledge will help us amplify our growth even further,” said Christine DeBord, vice president of business development for the Smart Entry and Facility Automation Division. “As we continue to expand our product offering and add new capabilities to our suite of smart-entry and automation technology, Theresa is an ideal addition to the team and will only help us continue to grow.”

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8/27/19 – Janus International, a global manufacturer and supplier of building solutions and technology for the self-storage industry, has named Ramey Jackson as CEO, effective Sept. 2. He’ll succeed founder and current CEO David Curtis, who announced his retirement but will remain with the company as co-chairman of the board, according to a press release.

Jackson has more than 20 years of industry experience. He’s served in several executive and leadership roles within Janus, most recently as vice president of sales.

“Ramey is an executive with the knowledge, experience, commitment and vision required to lead Janus into the future, and we look forward to partnering with him as we work together to take Janus to the next stage of growth,” said José E. Feliciano, co-founder and managing partner, and Colin Leonard, partner, of private investment firm Clearlake Capital Group LP, which acquired Janus last year. “On behalf of Clearlake and the board, we want to thank David for his exemplary service to Janus, wish him well in his well-deserved retirement and look forward to his continued contributions as co-chairman.”

“I am honored to serve as the next CEO of Janus, and I want to thank David, Clearlake and the entire team at Janus for the confidence they have placed in me to lead this incredible organization,” Jackson said. “The self-storage business is undergoing exciting changes as new technological solutions are developed and applied, and Janus looks forward to offering the most innovative, customer-friendly options.”

Curtis has more than 35 years of executive experience within the industry, having founded and led multiple companies at the forefront of the self-storage and commercial sectors. “I am proud of the incredible global platform we have built with the best employees in the industry,” he said. “Janus is just getting started in its growth trajectory, and I am excited to watch Ramey execute on our compelling growth plan to pioneer new technologies like access control while expanding our core business lines. Ramey is a proven and respected leader in our organization, [and] who has delivered strong results through an unwavering commitment to our customers and people.”

Headquartered in Temple, Ga., and founded in 2002, Janus sells roll-up and swing doors, hallway systems, and re-locatable storage units. It also has a technology division designed to help self-storage operators automate facility operation, improve security, and create a more convenient customer experience. It operates 10 U.S. locations as well as manufacturing facilities in Europe and Mexico.

Founded in 2006, Clearlake’s core target sectors are industrials and energy, software and technology-enabled services, and consumer. It has managed more than $10 billion of institutional capital since inception.

Source:
Yahoo Finance, Clearlake Capital-Backed Janus International Names Industry Veteran Ramey Jackson as CEO

Police are investigating the death of a 60-year-old man whose body was found last week inside an Onalaska, Wis., self-storage unit. An employee of Edwards Mini Storage at 1285 County Road PH contacted authorities at 3:32 p.m. on Aug. 29 after making the discovery, according to several sources.

Due to the location of the body, police are investigating the death as suspicious, but they don’t suspect foul play, according to Onalaska Police Chief Charles Ashbeck. An autopsy is underway, and a DNA test to confirm the man’s identity could take up to three months, Ashbeck said.

Anyone with information about the case should contact Onalaska Police Investigator Pete Jakowski at 608.392.0285.

Edwards Mini Storage is owned by Edwards Investments, a family-owned and -operated business with more than 25 self-storage facilities in Minnesota and Wisconsin. It also owns offers commercial and residential rentals including apartments, rental homes and mobile-home lots.

Sources:
WXOW, Onalaska Police Investigating Suspicious Death
Channel 3000, Man's Body Found in Onalaska Storage Unit; Police Investigate Suspicious Death
News 8000, UPDATE: Man's Body Found in Onalaska Storage Unit to Be Autopsied, DNA Tested

Self-Storage Talk (SST), the industry's largest online community, surpassed the 10,000-member mark on Tuesday. The newest member, using the handle “kathyess,” is building a new self-storage facility in Eugene, Ore., with her husband. They hope to open in November.

“When we launched this community in 2008, we had no idea how much of an impact it would have on the storage industry,” said Amy Campbell, community manager. “SST has become a hub for industry professionals to share knowledge and get advice. It has also become a strong community of like-minded individuals who support one another and celebrate each other’s achievements.”

SST comprises facility managers, owners, investors, developers and suppliers who use the site to discuss a diverse range of topics, from day-to-day operation to marketing to development and much more. The site also offers 20 topical subforums, including a resource center, job fair and state-specific forums, in which members can communicate about issues within their regions. SST boasts nearly 13,000 discussion threads and more than 124,000 posts. Registration is free at www.selfstoragetalk.com.

Campbell is also an editor for Inside Self-Storage (ISS), a 28-year-old brand that provides informational resources for the self-storage industry. Its educational offerings include ISS Magazine, the annual ISS World Expo, an extensive website, the ISS Store and SST.

 

A new technology-development firm, Tenant Inc., has launched to serve self-storage renters and provide facility operators with business-process tools. The company’s service suite includes tenant identity verification, omnichannel communication, responsive website design, payment processing and single sign-on (SSO) capability, according to a press release. Leading the company will be Bruce Heverly, president, and Lance Watkins, CEO, who most recently served as chief marketing officer and CEO, respectively, of Storelocal, a cooperative created by independent self-storage operators to offer member benefits with economies of scale.

Storelocal partnered with Tenant Inc. in May to integrate Storelocal’s “Tenant” suite of services, including access control and mobile management, expanding the co-op’s move-in technology offerings to members.

“Based on storage-owner feedback, Tenant Inc. is excited to unveil its latest technology piece that addresses specific day-to-day challenges voiced by the industry,” Heverly said. Other service features include enabling facility-access compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act and multiple payment methods, including automated clearing house, Apple Pay, Amazon Pay and Google Wallet. SSO and social-login capability allow customers to use one ID and password through a third-party social media account. Tenant Inc. will use an open, unrestricted Application Programming Interface (API).

“Incorporating such valuable features requires deep experience in the industry in order to identify user challenges, and we are proud to address them with real solutions that create a better experience for business owners and customers,” Watkins said.

Prior to Storelocal, Heverly was an entrepreneur, developing multiple companies including Synergy1, a workflow-management software-integration company, and Cost Segregation Services Inc., a provider of engineering-based cost-segregation studies.

Watkins has a long history of leading self-storage companies including Charity Storage, Storage Outlet and StorageTreasures. “I am excited about expanding on the Tenant technology platform developed by Storelocal and continuing to improve its current capabilities, while engaging in new products that help self storage owners prosper,” he said.

Based in Newport Beach, Calif., Tenant Inc. develops real estate property technologies designed to create a seamless user experience. Its open platform is designed to create customizable “prop-tech solutions” to benefit operators, the release stated.

Storelocal leverages the combined strength of its membership for services such as customer acquisition, financing, marketing and technology. The coop also owns online self-storage directories StorageFront.com and SelfStorageHounds.com. Its total membership includes more than 1,200 self-storage facilities through its owner-member companies.

In a pair of related transactions, self-storage insurance provider Storsmart Insurance Co. acquired competitor Bader Co., and then joined forces with Storable, a supplier of cloud-based access control, management software, marketing, payment processing, website development and other services to the self-storage industry. In June, self-storage suppliers SiteLink, SpareFoot and storEDGE, which were already operating as a united business, announced they were rebranding under the Storable name. Now, Storsmart President Mike Rhoads will lead Storable’s combined insurance division, with Bader CEO Darrell Gambero retiring, according to a press release.

As a result of the addition, insurance features will be built into SiteLink and storEDGE branded products. Storable will also explore “deeper technology and business integration in the future,” the release stated. “Our goal is to create an all-in-one platform for self-storage operators,” said company CEO Chuck Gordon. “Adding the compelling insurance products of Storsmart and Bader to our offering takes us two major steps closer to achieving that vision for our customers.”

“The simple truth is, the storage industry is in the midst of a technology revolution,” Rhoads added. “Upon meeting Chuck and his team, we quickly realized we shared a similar customer-focused company culture. After several interactions, we knew this was the right move for our company, employees and client partners.”

Bader and Storsmart offer both commercial and tenant insurance. Based in Indianapolis, Bader has served the industry for about 38 years. York, Pa.-based Storsmart offers its policies exclusively through insurance company Property First Group LP, according to its website.

“This news represents an important step for Storable as they continue on their journey to become the destination for comprehensive technology and service to the self-storage industry,” said Andrew Balson, managing partner of private equity firm Cove Hill Partners, which backs the Storable venture. “It is our intention to continue to invest in Storable for the long term to unlock new value for storage operators both now and into the future.”

Boston-based Cove Hill was founded in 2017 by a team of private-equity investors focused on partnering with management teams to build consumer and technology companies. It manages an inaugural fund of more than $1 billion.

Source:
Storable, Storable Welcomes Insurance Providers Storsmart & Bader Into Its Family of Companies, With the Storsmart Team Leading the New Combined Insurance Division