Large businesses often rely on self-storage units for convenient extra space. For certain industries, the use of rented storage space is central to their way of business. At Extra Space, our customers may include:
- Marketing and advertising firms storing point-of-sale collateral or promotional giveaways.
- Pharmaceutical and healthcare companies storing drug samples, pamphlets or medical equipment in PDMA-compliant climate-controlled units.
- Retail stores storing seasonal inventory, signage and fixtures.
- Restaurants storing equipment and furniture.
- Service technicians setting up shed programs to store parts and equipment.
- Builders storing supplies and equipment.
These companies may use their storage space all year long as home bases for mobile account representatives, or periodically.
As a way of keeping things simple, and reducing corporate spend, businesses may choose to set up a national account with a storage company. By doing so, they obtain a tiered discount based on the number of units leased.
Setting up a national account is a straightforward process. The business provides a list of locations where they will need units. The storage company’s national account manager will map the two closest facilities within a given mile radius of each location. Then, depending on the number of units required, the business usually has a choice of programs like these:
Quick Start
Designed for businesses that are seeking 25-45 units, this program offers a reasonable discount.
Non-Managed
For businesses seeking greater than 45 units, this program offers a moderate discount through a coupon program. Businesses provide coupons to their representatives, who locate, establish and pay for their own unit with a corporate card.
Managed
Also for businesses seeking greater than 45 storage units, managed programs reduce corporate spend by relying on the storage company to find units, establish contracts and handle payment arrangements. The key benefit to programs like this is the simplicity. Even if a business has 10,000 representatives, they still receive one invoice customized to their billing system.
Most of these businesses have the same kind of storage unit in mind:
- Approximately 40% of leased units are drive-up units with roll-up doors. These are popular because they offer convenient access.
- About 60% of leased units are indoor units with climate control. Using central air cooling and heat, climate control keeps the temperature within the unit between 50 and 80 degrees. This provides a comfortable environment for frequent visits, as well as preserving stored merchandise.
- Desired unit sizes typically have a footprint of 5 x 5, 5 x 10 or 10 x10.
For more information about how national accounts work, contact your storage company’s national accounts office.