4 minute read
CONSTRUCTION
Member Survey Results & Roadmap
Storco’s take onthe. evolution ofself storage.
Storco’s story dates back to 1980, when the Layton family-owned business opened its doors in Orange, New South Wales. With more than 20 years in the business, Managing Director Jonathan Layton has seen many changes.
Rent a Space - Brookvale
Storage King - Woonoona
One of the most significant changes has been in facility design. In years gone by, Jonathan remarked that self storage facilities were much more industrial. In contrast, the current desire is to make facilities much more commercially appealing. He believes it is essential to keep up with trends worldwide. For example, innovation from the United States has played an important part in design trends, as it has generally been a more mature market than Australia. The Laytons regularly attend trade shows and visit storage facilities in America and then take that knowledge, adapt it, and improve it to meet Australia and New Zealand requirements. As self storage builds change, Storco has evolved its product too, by seeing the potential and bigger picture. Jonathan and the team are always
looking at ways to improve existing models and regularly take on feedback and ideas from installers, staff, clients, and owners.
Jonathan said the current evolution of self storage has seen an increased number of floors in self storage facilities. The recent trend with regional facilities is changing from exclusively single level to a mix of single and two-level buildings, and city sites that, in the past, were developed as two- to three-level sites are now as high as seven. He believes this change is primarily due to rapidly increasing land prices. Another change in recent years has been in the materials used to construct self storage developments. Storage facilities are now fitted out with customised products developed specifically for the self storage market. Storco take great pride in developing many of these products locally, which is one of the drivers behind the decision to build a new stateof-the-art factory. The factory will increase from 3500 square metres to 7000 square metres and is due for completion mid-year . It will house equipment unique to Australia, which will create significantly more advanced products than what is currently available across the self storage industry. One thing that hasn’t changed over the years is the benefits that great partnerships deliver. Jonathan emphasises that partnerships built over time with developers, designers
Safeguard Self Storage – Gisborne
and construction companies such as Patterson Building Group, Mettle (who delivered Woonona Storage King) and Total Construction Group have all helped evolve the industry to the high quality storage solutions we see today. Ninety per cent of Storco’s work is repeat or referral business which is testament to the relationships formed right across the industry. The trust that forms over time, knowing that people will do what they say, take the time to understand needs and work together to achieve them is what sets projects up for success. It’s enabled Storco to deliver projects for all major operators and independents alike - in metro markets, the regions and right out into rural areas.
Advice for new entrants
If you are considering building or renovating, Jonathan’s advice is to ensure you have the necessary funding, and allow a financial buffer as the process can be drawn out . You will also need to be patient. Councils can now take up to 12 months for approvals, materials costs have increased, and there are delays in shipping.
Terry King from Safeguard Self Storage in New Zealand seconds this advice. Terry has been in the industry for 13 years, and Storco has built all of Safeguard’s facilities. Due to this close relationship, the process has become seamless. Storco is in the process of building 10 new sites for Safeguard across the North and South Island. Terry said three years ago, the planning process was a lot simpler. The builder came in, the product came in, and it was built. In the past 12-18 months, there have been delays, and they are spending more time sourcing materials, arranging deliveries and labour. Terry has had to spend a lot more time upfront, planning and establishing timelines to minimise delays. This has helped significantly, and Terry recommends everyone to do the same. Even though it can be a laborious process up front, it is well worth the effort.
Storco currently has 70 projects underway in Australia and New Zealand. Looking ahead, Jonathan predicts that the current growth of self storage will continue for the next couple of years and then potentially reduce to the levels seen before COVID-19. l
For more information: Storco.com.au
