MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Insider: You've been in the industry for just over a year now - tell us about your background? Hayden Gage:I have been working in the construction industry for the past 15 years. Starting as a carpenter-joiner apprentice before progressing through to project management within corporate commercial fit-outs. This has provided me with experience across a broad array of projects and clients throughout Australasia. I fell into sales approximately seven years ago. By understanding the endto-end challenges faced in fitting out onsite and not carrying the car salesman mindset helps me consult with clients to deliver projects.

IN: What surprised you most about self storage? HG: The biggest shock I had coming into the industry was the industry's size and just how many facilities. When casually driving through the streets, what I had been blind to previously started to stand out and around every fifth corner seems to be a storage facility or marketing to one close by. It is amazing to see how tight-knit the self storage community is, with everyone being incredibly welcoming.

IN: Where do you see the opportunities in design and construction? HG: The various types of construction is dependent on location, current demand and proposed growth and development of local areas. With the growth in the current market,all areas of design and construction are surging due to the demand for self storage. There is definitely an opportunity for owners and operators to shape the future of self storage during this wave of growth

Member Spotlight Hayden Gage

This issue of Insider Member Spotlight is with Hayden Gage, National Sales Manager of Steel Storage Australia. We asked him a few questions on where he sees the industry going from a design and construction perspective.

and demand. There’s exciting new offerings too, that we'll be bringing to market in the next year or so.

IN: Given your background, how do these opportunities compare to what you've seen across other industries? HG: The hotel industry, evolves every five to ten years with a standard of room or expectations from guests to be modern and fresh. Office space is the same, due to lease terms requiring a new fit-out out or to be attractive to new staff or tenants, with vibrant, welcoming environments. The self storage industry hasn't seen this happen, it is a massive opportunity that could revolutionise the industry and help owners think outside the box.

IN: What are some of the current challenges you see the industry facing? HG: The industry faces many supply chain challenges that have been impacted by the current global climate. All playoff against each other as a knock-on effect from reduced shipping due to the pandemic to steel availability. One of the major suppliers closed down its manufacturing mill, leaving a major gap in the market. It has led to increased prices globally over the past 18 months. We have helped clients minimise the impacts as much as possible by working closely with them from the earliest point possible to procure early and source material/transport needs.

Another pressing challenge the industry will shortly face will be around fire code and compliance. It will become a pressing issue/ question for all owners and operators. The number of incidents locally and globally, has raised a few eyebrows from various agencies. IN: Your role involves talking to both existing and prospective owners/operators – what kind of questions are they asking? Any key themes? HG: The number one question is always "How much does it cost to build a storage facility?" Closely followed by "Is there technology that enables me to manage a site remotely?". Luckily, I can answer yes and tell them about the Nokē smart access system (sorry for the sell).

IN: We are often focused on what is happening here in Australasia – what is it like being part of a global self storage team? HG: Exciting and insightful. Reaching out to some of the greatest minds in the industry and gain in-depth insight into different global markets is valuable. Australia is welldeveloped market, closely with the leading USA markets, with are a lot of similarities. The markets in Asia and Europe that are still relatively young are very different due to many factors (government regulations, living conditions, lease of space, size and market requirements).

IN: What does innovation mean to you? How do you think this will play out in self storage? HG: Innovation is a word that is getting thrown around a lot in all industries. I feel the relevance and opportunity are not as substantial as what we are currently seeing in the self storage market. Looking to the future, I think the technological innovations in the self storage market will bring a massive shift from what the previous standard self storage facility has offered, moving towards an in-person and online shopping, retail and premium experience. l