Business storage is an externally rented space in which companies can store items such as inventory, office furniture, and archives. Renting storage space is possible for both short and long terms and is often scalable on a monthly basis, which offers flexibility for entrepreneurs dealing with rapid growth, seasonal peaks, a renovation, or a lack of space.
Business storage is therefore also a suitable alternative to investing in an additional company building, as it helps you avoid high fixed costs and keep the work location organised.
When is business storage the right solution?
In unexpected and dynamic situations, business storage is very useful. Companies grow, experience seasonal peaks, undertake temporary projects, or start a renovation. To ensure that your office furnishings or business inventory do not get in the way, it is wise to place them in external storage. In e-commerce and retail, storage is mainly used for storing inventory, archives, and project materials.
It is also not always easy or possible to suddenly expand your business or invest in an additional building, especially for SMB’s. A fixed lease or expansion is often too expensive or inflexible, and it is also uncertain whether the space will eventually become too large or too small.
The following types of companies often choose business storage:
- E-commerce
- Retail
- Craftsmen and freelancers
- Recreation
- Project-based and administrative companies
If you are not yet sure whether storage can offer a solution for you, go through this checklist:
- Your company regularly deals with volume fluctuations
- The required extra space is for a short or uncertain period
- You do not need daily access to the items
If transport and internal logistics are a hindrance, storage with a collection service offers the option to collect your items and also return them, in full or in part, when you need them again.
This way, your business goods remain safely stored externally without you having to worry about transport.
How does business storage work?
The process you go through partly depends on what you want to store and the service provided by the storage provider. In general, you usually go through the following steps:
- You inventory what you want to store
- You measure all items and boxes
- You choose a storage space and rental period
- You pack all items and label them
- You bring your items to the storage location or have them collected
- You pick up your items or have them delivered when you need them again
Estimating the required storage space can be difficult. It is therefore important to know which items you want to store and how you want to store them. For large quantities of boxes, it can be useful to use shelving and a walking aisle. To store climate-sensitive items, pallets can provide extra security. Storage space is often calculated in volume (m³). Therefore, add up the cubic dimensions of all your boxes and loose items to more easily find a suitable space.
For transporting your items, there are two options:
1 – You bring your items to the location yourself. You retain more control, but also more responsibility.
2 – You have them collected by the storage provider. Storage with a collection service takes the organisation and unexpected transport costs out of your hands.
The advantages of business storage for entrepreneurs
When you need extra space, you have to choose between renting storage space or expanding yourself or renting an additional business premises. Business storage offers advantages in several areas.
Renting storage space is very flexible in terms of costs. You are not tied to a large investment for an indefinite period. Storage is also usually scalable on a monthly basis, which is useful when you need more or less space at short notice.
In addition, external storage reduces internal logistics, allowing you to focus more on your company’s core activities.
Storage also offers greater certainty regarding the preservation of your belongings. Storage units are secured and, depending on the provider, climate controlled. Clear contracts and service agreements ensure that your items are safe and protected.
