09/06 NEWS

ISS Launches New Website

Inside Self-Storage, provider of a monthly magazine, bi-annual tradeshows and a host of educational services for the self-storage industry, launched a new website rich with features at www.insideselfstorage.com. Some of the sites valuable resources include:

Trachte Adds Enterprise Center to Main Campus

Trachte Building Systems, a manufacturer and supplier of pre-engineered steel building systems for the self-storage industry, added the 30,000-square-foot Trachte Enterprise Center (TEC) to its campus. The building was designed to keep up with industry growth and maintain service levels for the companys customers.

The TEC houses several of Trachtes key organizational departments as well as an Education Center, which has allowed the company to expand its menu of seminar offerings. Trachte currently offers a free session titled The Building Blocks of Self-Storage. It now plans to provide space for related businessessuppliers of management systems, fencing, security systems, etc.to be on site during seminars, making them more multifunctional and beneficial to attendees. The first event at the new facility will take place on Sept. 19.

The TEC also includes an expanded research and development lab, which will be used to continually design, prototype and test new design features for building systems. Trachtes customers and erectors can now see and inspect its products while at the facility. Visit www.trachte.com. 

Mako Relocates East Office

Mako Steel Inc., which designs, supplies and installs self-storage buildings, has relocated its East Coast office. The new address is 1450 Flagler Ave., Suite 15, Jacksonville, FL 32207. The phone number is 904.306.9611; toll-free 888.795.7594. The company is also in the process of revamping its website, www.makosteel.com, to include greater interactivity and a larger photo gallery.

AFC Realty Capital Forms Finance Group

To better serve the specialized requirements of owners of self-storage properties throughout the United States, AFC Realty Capital has recently formed the AFC Self-Storage Finance Group.

Paul Fried, an AFC Realty principal, will serve as president of the new group, which will focus on real estate transactions on behalf of the owners and developers of self-storage facilities. This is a sector largely ignored by investment banks and we see this as an opportunity to work with owners to provide more efficient and profitable capital solutions for their activities, Fried said.

AAAAA Rent-A Space Wins Community Kudos

Rotary Club of Kapolei, Hawaii, named AAAAA Rent-A Space (5A) its 2006 Employer of the Year. The company was recognized for excellence in customer service and involvement in community service in every town where it has a facility.

In the Kapolei community, 5A has participated in the Hawaii Food Drive, Toys for Tots, the Kapolei Christmas Parade, and Sunset in the Park, and acted as sponsors for the Pony League and other worthy events.

Kapolei AAAAA Rent-A-Space has been in business for more than 35 years with 13 facilities in the San Francisco Bay Area and East Bay, and three in the Hawaiian Islands.

Sonne Group and SSE Merge into C&W

The Sonne Group Inc. and Self Storage Economics (SSE) have merged into Cushman & Wakefield (C&W). Sonne Group is a real estate appraisal and consulting company, and (SSE) is a division of the company that specializes in self-storage data, research, market reports, feasibility, valuation and consultation. The companys owner, Christian Sonne, has been named managing director within C&Ws Valuation Services, Self Storage Practice Group; and his entire staff will become part of the C&W team. All of Sonne Groups office and contact information will remain the same.

The merger will allow C&W to significantly expand penetration into the self-storage market, with six SSE professionals completing appraisal reports and market studies for that segment nationwide. In addition, Sonnes group will continue valuation services for commercial, industrial and residential (subdivision and apartment) property types. C&W is one of the largest privately held real estate services firms in the world. Founded in 1917, it has 189 offices in 57 countries, and employs more than 11,000. Visit www.selfstorageeconomics.com. 

Florida SSA Plans Expo

The Florida Self Storage Association will hold its annual Educational Forum & Expo at Disneys Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Oct. 26-27. The two-day program features educational tracks by industry leaders including legal expert Scott Zucker and Gene Bonina of Acordia Insurance. The Developers Seminar will be presented by RK Kliebenstein, John Wilson and Bruce McCardle. Visit floridassa.org; call 941.922.3338.

Janus Expands Facility

Janus International is expanding its facility in Temple, Ga., which will increase working square footage by 30 percentfrom 82,250 to 117,250. The expansion will allow Janus to service clients more effectively and adds 210 jobs to the current staff. Janus has expansion plans for two other plants in the United Statesone in Houston, and another in Surprise, Ariz.

Janus International Corp. specializes in the production of commercial industrial sheet doors and storage-facility components ranging from roll-up doors to self-sustaining hallway systems. Visit www.janusintl.com.