2 minute read
INVENTIVE STORAGE SPACES
TAXIBOX. creates local storage. in St Kilda, Melbourne.
Providing flexible and convenient solutions has always been at the top of the priority list for TAXIBOX. For many years, the team have been working behind the scenes to continuously innovate in the industry, finding ways to expand on the mobility of TAXIBOX services and therefore extend its capabilities and reach as a business.
With this in mind, it identified an opportunity to launch hyper-local storage locations. Premised on using TAXIBOX’s existing infrastructure to create 24/access, these self storage centres use smart-access technology, allowing them to operate unmanned. Unlike traditional storage locations, the capital costs required to get a facility up and running are particularly low as all that’s required is space and leveraging TAXIBOX’s existing metal units.
Due to the mobility and flexibility of their units, TAXIBOX can occupy underutilised space to create local storage sites, including inactive lots, corporate car parking spaces, unused car parking space in large format retail, etc. This opportunity exists in both metropolitan as well as regional areas.
The most recent acquisition was a joint venture with the landlord of a vacant block of land in St Kilda, Melbourne. This site is a flagship proving ground and an example for any future projects for TAXIBOX. It was an opportunity to step forward by refining the model, technology, and processes. The site offers local flexible services to residential customers and commercial services (i.e. nearby retail, e-commerce delivery network, and local businesses).
As this concept rolls out to other areas, the plan is to provide hyper-local 24/7 storage to residential customers, local retail and commercial operators. It has also identified opportunities for providing a flexible solution as a mid-step in consumer logistics such as delivered goods, food and beverage, etc as TAXIBOX also provides cool rooms.
A lot of hard work behind the scenes was required to make this happen. Local storage by TAXIBOX is something of a technological world first using mobile storage in this capacity, fully equipped with impressive innovation to run an unmanned, yet secure storage centre.
The key benefits of this type of storage offers:
l Low capital outlay for set-up and quick set-up time l Hyper-local storage with 24/7 access offered at competitive pricing without fixed contracts l Digital bookings and onboarding l Smart-access technology for units, security, gates, cameras. l Unmanned facilities l Ability to move units between local centres l Expands TAXIBOX’s network to interstate and regional areas
St Kilda (and particularly Grey St) is known for its ‘colourful’ demographic and there have been some operational challenges in administering unmanned facilities. TAXIBOX has found that most of these issues have been overcome with surveillance and active monitoring. Since setting up operations in September last year, the site has reached nearly 95% occupancy. According to TAXIBOX, the response has been tremendous with cross-sharing of leads taking place between the existing mobile storage and local storage side of the business.
The next step in the journey for TAXIBOX is to continue to refine the model and work with strategic partners to identify and secure properties within major Australian cities and regionally. l
