7Days
05 May 2005
FROM HOME TO HOME

Say goodbye to storing suitcases under beds and stacking boxes on top of wardrobes.

If you’re moving home or need somewhere to store your extra furniture look no further than Sentinel Storage LLC, the first modern self storage facility of its kind to open in the UAE.

The 20,000 square foot warehouse Al Quoz industrial area of Dubai means there’s nowhere too small to store that grand piano, extra king-sized or precious stereo system.

Self storage customers can have a quick and easy access to their belongings, and can hire units in the temperature-controlled warehouse that they can hire on a monthly basis.

“We have designed a unique self storage facility that offers self storage customers much needed extra space to use as an extension of their businesses and homes,” said Prajit Arora, managing partner of Sentinel Storage.

“How our facility differs from other self storage firms is we offer easily-accessible, secure, temperature controlled units. Self storage Customers can choose sizes which suits their requirements on a monthly basis.

“If storage needs were being met then we would not see office conference rooms cluttered with demo equipment and samples, nor would we see suitcases and boxes on top of wardrobes and under beds.”

The company can also pack, deliver and transport belongings within the UAE and overseas for consumers and businesses.

Sentinel Storage predicts that it will reach full capacity within six months so is already looking for set up shop elsewhere in the Dubai.

Timeout
16 June 2005
STORE SPACE…AT YOUR CALL

Clutter is always directly proportional to space, with the balance heavily favouring the former: This is one of the greatest truths you would have stumbled upon if you are a city resident who tried your hand at doing your home at least for once.

Expanding urban landscapes always have space ad their major casualty. The result: Huge apartment blocks with shrinking rooms where suitcases, cartons and gadgets spill over to fill every nook and cranny.

Computers and printers occupying stairways, corridors and janitor rooms in otherwise immaculate buildings are also a common sight in towns and cities, where every square-foot fetches a fortune. Warehouses provide extra space and thereby an immediate solution for larger commercial enterprises who can afford such facilities.

The real estate boom in Dubai has sent property prices soaring to unprecedented heights. Long-term leasing is seen as a cost-effective option as against renting. But leased out spaces and exorbitant rents limit the possibility of shifting to spacious homes and premises when requirements grow.

The growing city of Dubai demands a simple yet secure self storage facility accessible without the hassles of a large warehouse. And that is precisely what Dubai-based Sentinel Storage LLC has set up in the industrial suburb of Al Quoz.

The company opened the “first, modern self storage facility in the UAE” in Al Quoz last March. The 20,000 square foot warehouse is designed to accommodate both business and home users looking for effective and safe self storage solutions.

Self-storage, though new to Dubai, is a concept that has been successful in the US and Europe. “Freehold properties have become a norm in Dubai. Soon this freehold way of living will be popular in the whole region. Living in a neighbourhood like The Greens or The Springs with all modern amenities is something that appeals to most residents,” says Prajit Arora, managing partner of Sentinel Storage.

“But there has been a huge gap in this market, of a self storage facility that would help those communities to better manage space,” adds Arora. “So we looked at building a scalable model, a brand name which would be easy to expand, and thus Sentinel Storage was born.”

The Dhs3.5 million facility has state-of-the-art security systems, which allows Sentinel to offer round-the-clock access to users.

“The relatively young population of Dubai was a major factor in planning and designing a facility like this. The youngsters want to store their jet skis or quad bikes in a safe place, take them out whenever they need and put them back, often within few hours. It’s difficult for them to in line with the opening and closing hours of a conventional warehouse,” says Arora.

Definitely that is not the only advantage which Sentinel offers to compare to storage and warehousing already offered by existing companies. “Our facility is temperature-controlled and self storage customers can choose a unit size that suits their requirements on a monthly basis or annual basis. The warehouse is amply ventilated and we do regular cleaning as well as pest control. Self storage Customers can also use our reception, which is well-lit, quiet and cozy, unlike work spaces adjoining normal warehouses,” Arora explains.

A standard self storage space at Sentinel is 5 x 5 feet in size and self storage customers have the option of clubbing such standard storage into a larger space as per their requirement. Monthly storage charges start from Dhs500 and vary according to space and duration of storage.

“The company targets a variety of self storage customers from all sectors, ranging from businesses that require storage for their commercial operations, to individuals who do not have sufficient space in their homes for personal belongings. If self storage needs were being met then we would not see office conference rooms cluttered with demo equipment and samples, nor would we see suitcases and boxes on top of wardrobes and under beds,” says Arora.

Sister company, Sentinel Security LLC, supplied and installed an IP surveillance system from Sony, Japan and a networked access control system with proximity card technology from Toye Corporation, US.

“These systems are an integral part of our service offering and give our self storage customers peace of mind that their belongings are safe and secure, as well as allowing 24 hours access. We also provide self storage insurance based on the value of stored foods,” adds Arora.

Sentinel Storage keeps a check on storage goods to see that they do not flout regulations regarding hazardous goods. Jet skis and quad bikes should empty their fuel tanks before they are allowed into the self storage area. All self storage customers should sign a declaration that states they are the legal owners of the stored goods.

The range of services offered extends beyond simply self-storage, and Sentinel Storage LLC offers its self storage customers packaging materials, local transportation, inventory control and freight solutions in conjunction with industry partners.

Within three months of its launch, Sentinel Storage has filled 50 per cent of the total capacity of 180 clients. The target is to reach capacity within the first six months of operation.

The company is already looking to expand to other areas in Dubai. “Currently 80 per cent of our self storage customer base is made of corporates. These corporate keep their marketing materials with us and we are proud to have some of the major enterprises in Dubai among our clients. However, with the predominantly expatriate population in Dubai and projections that the emirate’s population is set to grow, we hope to count more individuals among our self storage customers in the near future. We are also exploring the possibility of allowing parking spaces for cars and other vehicles, as there is a strong demand from expatriates leaving on vacation,” says Arora.

Logistics Middle East
June 2005

The first self storage warehouse in the UAE has recently opened in the Al Quoz area of Dubai. Operated by Sentinel Storage, the 1900m2  facility, which is targeted at both domestic and corporate self storage customers, offers a range of services, including forwarding, local transport and packaging. However, the primary focus is giving self storage customers convenient access to cost effective and flexible storage.

Self storage is a proven concept in the US and Europe, but it is untested in the Middle East so far. However, Prajit Arora, managing partner, Sentinel Storage, argues that the time is right to introduce the concept into the local market, particularly now that people are able to buy their own homes in the UAE.

“If people are using corporate housing allowances to buy properties, typically, they downsize - moving from a villa in Jumeirah to an apartment in a new development,” he said. “As such, it tends to be a bit smaller and so they need self storage space.”

“We looked at the alternatives [available for storage] in Dubai and everything seemed to be in a free zone, such as logistics companies in Jebel Ali, and in terms of access, the paperwork required and the distance, they were not ideal. We therefore started looking for something that would solve the problem,” he added.

Sentinel offers self storage customers a choice of three sizes of self storage units, 25m2, 50m2 or 100m2, which can be hired on a monthly basis at a cost of US $136, $204 or $272, respectively. Self storage Customers are able to access the units 24/7, using proximity card system from Toye Corporation, which was installed by Sentinel Security, along with a Sony IP surveillance system.

Although the facility was mainly set up with householders in mind, so far it has seen stronger demand from businesses including the likes of Cisco Systems, Computer Associates and Emirates Holidays. These companies have leased self storage units, often on yearlong contracts, as it is considerably cheaper and more flexible that using office space. This is particularly true for companies in the nearby free zones, which often rent extra office space because of lace of alternatives. “We are in talks with one company that is renting a third floor in Dubai Media City just for storage,” noted Arora.

A wide range of items is held in the self storage units, including sacks of powdered milk, motorcycle equipment, boxes of shampoo and marketing paraphernalia. The self storage customers also visit the facility with varying degrees of frequencies, although the average is around twice a week, “We do have some customers in almost daily though,” said Arora. “Office assistant coming to collect stationery, for instance.”

Most of the self storage customers just use the facility for storage, but Sentinel also offers a range of services including self storage insurance, receiving goods, packaging and basic inventory control. It is also looking to begin some local delivery/removal services using vans. This could either be to help self storage customers that are moving house, for instance, or to do regular deliveries for small companies.

Following the demand it has had in its first facility, Sentinel is already looking to open other sites within Dubai. However, the expansion is being slowed by the need for suitable facilities that self storage customers will be able to find easily. “The location is vital because if you are inside an industrial area it puts people off if you have to give them complicated directions,” said Arora. “As such, it was tricky finding a decent location for the first facility.

Emirates Home
June 2005
CLUTTER FREE

If you’re tired of living surrounded by boxes or other clutter some items, why not move them off site and out of sight? Sentinel Storage will allow you to do just that. Its huge warehouse facility in Al Quoz allows you to store all your excess items in secure temperature controlled units. And with 24-hour access, you can easily grab any items that you urgently require. Call 04 340 6962 for further details.