Re:locate magazine, winter 2006/7

Storage Solutions

Whether your employees are relocating abroad or within the UK, storage could well be one of the issues that they need to consider, particularly if they’ll be renting between permanent moves. We look at the options available.

Basically, there are two types of storage option available. Self storage allows individuals to rent space that they’re responsible for. Facilities on offer can include everything from climate-controlled storage ‘rooms’ to more basic units, normally complete with fire-detectors, CCTV and sophisticated alarm systems. It’s big business, too: a recent survey of Self Storage Association UK [SSA UK] members reveals that the industry in the UK now generates revenues of about £310 million.

Says SSA UK chief executive, Rodney Walker, “Self storage is ideal for relocating individuals who move from a house in one area to rent a temporary flat in the new area while looking for another property, and need additional space while they do so. They’ve got the flexibility to access their stored property as and when they need – it’s as if they’ve got an out-of-home spare room at their disposal.”

For corporates, too

Today, there are well over 250 self storage companies operating in the UK.They vary from large multi-centre companies such as Safestore, Big Yellow, Storage King and Armadillo, which between them operate over 235 centres, to single-centre independent enterprises. Although these facilities are aimed primarily at individuals and families, some SSA UK members do provide storage facilities for corporates. “In Macclesfield, for instance,” says Rodney Walker, “one of our members has just helped out a company whose three-storey, 10,000 square-foot office was flooded. This freed up the office space so it can be dried out and repaired as necessary.”

While all the SSA UK’s members are insured, it insists its clients insure their goods, too: “What we don’t do is inventorize for our clients. We consider what they store is their own business – though of course they’re prohibited under their contract with us from storing certain items,” says Mr Walker. In addition to the cost of insurance, rental prices – according to the 2005 survey of SSA members – range from £15.20 per square foot per annum in the north of Britain to £24 in London. It shouldn’t be too hard for HR managers, then, to calculate how much storage will cost if they subsidise their employees.

So what should individuals look for when choosing a self storage provider? Says Rodney Walker, “Do visit the storage facility if at all possible and talk to the management there. Our industry prides itself on talking to potential clients – our members are always happy to discuss products they can offer, and to make sure they can meet clients’ needs.”

Managed storage

Richard Marques is storage manager at Sterling Storage: “We have managed storage options – meaning we handle storage for individuals, rather than their handling it themselves – to suit a wide range of client requirements, and recommend including it as part of a move. Items can be taken into storage at the same time as the household packing process, where they can either be kept until the return of the owner, or dispatched at a later time during the relocation. Whichever way, the process has less potential for complications and additional costs than if it is handled by multiple parties. What’s more, managed storage generally provides greater flexibility for the type of items that can be stored – for example, storage of antiques and items of fine art requiring special care.

Richard says that the key to successful storage is being able to keep tabs on what’s stored: “Managed storage providers should be able to provide an accurate and up-to-date inventory at any given time. The future of storage management lies in on-line inventory controls that the individual can control. Sophisticated storage companies will be able to provide clients with web-based inventories on demand. This has obvious benefits for individuals storing items, but even more for corporate clients, who can potentially track their overall volume of storage.”

Special cases

Comprehensive storage solutions is just one of the bespoke services offered by Cadogan Tate, one of the market leaders in storage, shipping and international relocation.

Cadogan Tate’s advice to clients with a global moving and storage requirement is to look for careful planning and expert project management. “It is imperative that valuable, treasured possessions are carefully packed and stored in suitable conditions, especially when there is a requirement for long term storage,” says Frank McCluskey, Head of Cadogan Tate Worldwide Moving.“Our goal is to provide a seamless service so that clients, when moving overseas, feel confident their personal, valuable effects are being looked after by a caring and professional company.”

When storing valuable art pieces or precious family heirlooms, specialist solutions are very important. “Countless works are damaged or destroyed every year because people entrust their valuable possessions to storage companies with no specialist experience and inferior facilities,” adds Graham Enser, head of the Cadogan Tate fine art division.

Contacts:

Cadogan Tate, www.cadogantate.co.uk, tel 0118 989 5500;

Self Storage Association, www.ssauk.com, tel 01270 623150;

Sterling Storage, www.sterlingstorage.co.uk, tel 020 8841 7000

Choosing a Storage Company Checklist

Vital points

Richard Marques of Sterling Storage makes the following recommendations when choosing a storage company. Consider:

• Whether storage is as part of a move or for general storage reasons
• Type and volume of items to be stored. All items should receive some form of preservation before being put into store. Reputable companies such as Sterling and Cadogan Tate will actually protect items before putting them into storage. Using the correct technique for that item is an extremely important part of the process, especially if you are storing items of personal or financial value.
• How items are packed in the storage unit. Ideally you don’t want your storage items to be moved if at all possible, as this will increase the chance of damage.
• Flexibility
• Will there be additional charges?
• Insurance services
• Specialist storage requirements, such as climate protection or bonded areas.
• Length of time items will be stored for. While there is generally no upper limit to this, there can be limitations on the minimum time.
• Location of storage
• Security
• Inventory control
• Attitude and expertise of staff

When calculating your costs consider the following:

• Transportation & shipping
• Cost per cubic foot or cubic metre
• Packing materials
• Your time
• Any handling charges
• Any other additional charges such as machinery hire
• If you have long-term storage, be watchful of rates that increase at a higher rate than the cost of inflation.