Site in the Spotlight - 2006

Owner:	Dave Davies
Manager:	Dave Davies
Location:	Erda, UT
Specs:	53,350 square feet, 360 rentable units + 105 RV and boat storage

How long have you been in the self-storage industry?

I have been in the industry for almost two years now. I built three buildings with another self storage manufacturer in 2004, and am very unhappy with the results. After much more research, planning, and visiting different self storage sites I knew Trachte Building Systems was the manufacturer I wanted to use to develop the remainder of my site.

What profession did you hold before entering self storage?

I was in the appraisal business for 15 years.

What sparked your interest in self storage?

After much research, I found that a self-storage facility was the best economical business for me as well as a different source of income. Having 5.58 acres of land has enabled us to market boat/RV storage for ancillary income.

How did you choose Trachte as your building supplier?

I had such a negative experience with my first three buildings and the company that I bought from that I decided to do extensive research on manufacturers before I continued with the rest of my project. Once I saw what Trachte could offer and the quality of their work, I knew immediately that Trachte and their buildings were right for my expansion. Trachte is so much more than just a manufacturer of buildings. They are very professional, they take pride in the quality of work they do, and they are very easy to work with.

Who is your target market?

We are located about 30 miles from Salt Lake City and right off the major artery into Tooele County. The growth in Tooele County is increasing and we rent to customers building new homes or moving into existing homes. We also have many recreational areas around us and our customers have found our site convenient to store their RVs.

How do you market your facility?

Primarily I market through word of mouth, signage and location. Since my facility is right off a major highway we get great visibility and recognition. We also utilize billboard signage.

How do you manage your facility?

Our main tools for management are Sitelink Management Software and Digitech Gate Control System. With digital access, digital surveillance, and on-site living quarters, we are in constant control of our facility. We offer our customers access from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. This manages traffic on-site. The owner, manager, assistant, and maintenance staff are on-site Monday through Saturday for rentals, sales, and customer service. Contact numbers are posted on-site in case of emergency. Customer service is our top priority and we will not hesitate to make appointments for our customers after hours.

What would you say to someone considering a self-storage business?

Make sure you do extensive research on market feasibility, location of land, zoning, and other code regulations, and competition of other self storage businesses.

What is your opinion of the self-storage investment concept?

The self-storage business is a great investment over time but many people have to realize that it does take time to recoup the money you have invested in your site.