5 useful tips for choosing the right self storage supplier in Asia
All businesses require capital, and you want to ensure that your investment is in safe hands, with a trusted supplier. When starting a new self storage business or expanding your current business, one of the most important decisions you will make is choosing the right self storage supplier. A good working relationship with your supplier can lead to a reliable service and profitable business. A bad partnership can lead to unfulfilled profits, disappointed customers and worst-case a failed business.
If you are in search for a new self storage supplier, or are currently researching potential suppliers, below are five factors to consider, to help find a supplier that is right for your business.
1. Quality & Reliability
Quality and reliability come hand-in-hand, a consistent high-quality product and service demonstrates a reliable supplier. Inspecting the quality of materials should be considered as this is what your customers will also look for when renting a unit. Remember, your customers will associate poor quality steel, rust, dampness, and dented walls to you, not your supplier.
So, how do you know if a supplier’s products and services are reliable? Research, you can learn more about your potential supplier online and from their website, but it is always best to pick up the phone and have a conversation too. Asking the right questions is important, such as:
· What is the steel specification?
· Does the supplier have a warranty on materials?
· Do they have a quality management accreditation?
Visiting the supplier’s office or manufacturing plant can also be useful to identify the quality of their business operations and service. It also gives you an opportunity to meet the team you will be working with.
2. Experienced Team
A supplier that invests in its people can only mean they want to provide the highest level of service for their customers. The best suppliers will want to talk with you regularly to find out what needs you have now and how they can serve you better in the future. Working with a company that has an experienced team and a main point of contact is beneficial, especially if you are new to self storage with little or no industry knowledge. The team you work with can utilise their years of self storage experience and guide you throughout your journey.
Once you have built your self storage site, continue communicating with your supplier when needed. A good supplier will provide you with aftercare sales and support you as your business grows.
3. Value for Money
“Quality will remain when the price is forgotten” – Henry Royce
The lowest price is not always the best value for money. If you want to work with a supplier that provides reliability, quality or even technological innovation, you'll have to decide how much you're willing to pay. Find the right balance for you between cost, reliability, quality, innovation, and service by researching what is available to you, the costs involved, and have a budget in mind.
When planning your budget and investigating the financial gains, the long-term return of investment for your facility may outweigh the short-term return. Opting for second-rate, lower-quality steel products could not only have a very negative impact on your site’s look and maintenance, but can be very costly when selling your business.
4. Innovation & Technology
Remaining competitive in this industry can be a challenge, a supplier who understands the importance of this will look at ways to expand upon or improve products. Working with a supplier who provides innovative products and advanced technology solutions gives you a competitive advantage. There are many technological innovations in the self storage industry that can be explored and even help to enhance your facilities security.
Security is a top priority for self storage, and it is important to explore innovative technology so your customers can trust that their items are safe, and you can also keep up with consumer trends. For example, the Nokē Smart Entry System by Janus International is the perfect combination of the latest access control technology that can enhance security through its motion sensors and Smart Entry App notifications.
Working with a supplier that keeps up with consumer trends, provides innovative products and advanced technology solutions, within a growing industry can help keep you ahead of your competition.
5. Financial Security
Learning about your suppliers strong cashflow is important to deliver what you want, when you need it. A credit check can help reassure you that they will not go out of business when you need them the most. Understanding the size of the business is also important, for example, a global business will have its parent companies to rely on, if needed, ensuring you have support from your local self storage supplier as well as their global entities.
Ultimately, finding a new supplier is a decision that’s not to be taken lightly and it can take time to find the right relationship. Researching different suppliers and asking the right questions that fit your business goals is key.
About Janus International Asia
Invest in Asian Self Storage confidently with Janus, specialist in the consultation, design, manufacture, installation, and access control for self storage facilities across Asia.
As experts in facility automation and access control technology, Janus offers the award-winning Nokē Smart Entry system. Our aim is to add long-term value to facilities and help our customers throughout their self storage journey.
While our head office and manufacturing plant are based in Singapore, we also have connections with facilities in the UK, USA, and Australia. Our capability and capacity allow us to fulfil a range of self storage projects, from new construction to amending existing facilities.
If you would like to find out more about Janus International Asia or our products, please feel free to get in touch.
Jack Perrins, General Manager, Janus International Asia
Web: janusasia.com
Phone: +65 6862 9365
Email: sales@janusasia.com