Andrew Work, executive director of Self Storage Association Asia (SSAA), sees bright prospects for self storage in Thailand.

"We had our Expo last year in Bangkok on account of the rapid growth of self storage there and in other cities in Thailand," said Work. "One of our members Storage Asia PLC - is listed on the junior board of the Stock Exchange of Thailand, known as the TES LIVE Board, and they have been attracting a lot of local investment from logistics giants. Thailand's self storage story is very exciting."

Thailand storage pioneer Pakdee Anivat, founder and CEO of Storage Asia PLC, had his "aha" moment in 2015 when he saw how self storage was growing in other countries, such as the U.S., UK, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and China.

"I have always been interested in the real estate industry," said Mr. Pakdee. "Plus, I thought self storage had potential in Thailand because of the customers' behavior, especially those who live in condominiums, and also the density of population in the Bangkok urban area."
(Cultural note: By contrast with the U.S., Thai naming conventions put more emphasis on one's given name, which precedes one's family name. Thus: Mr. Pakdee rather than Mr. Anivat.)

He launched Storage Asia PLC in June 2015, then opened the company's first facility under its i-Store Self Storage brand in Silom in October 2017. i-Store's 1,700-square-foot foray into the industry drew a modest response initially. "During the first three months, we only had fivecustomers," Mr. Pakdee said. "However, with more awareness and our team's hard work, we now have 100,000 square feet with seven branches.

Mr. Pakdee pointed to several factors driving the growth of i-Store Self Storage and of the industry more broadly in Thailand - among them urbanization, population density, rising condo prices in Bangkok, growing e-commerce, more people adopting a digital-nomad lifestyle, and greater awareness of self storage as a service.

In addition to condos costing more, their size is shrinking, leaving residents pressed for space. Mr. Pakdee said the average one-bedroom unit in the Bangkok area is 250-300 square feet, with an average cost of $400 per square foot.

In addition to residential storage, e-commerce growth stats for Thailand indicate a rapid and significant increase now and in the years ahead. "For online merchants, they need a place to stock their items while buyers need a place to keep what is rarely used," observed Mr. Pakdee. "Thus, self storage can serve as business storage as well." On top of those trends, he noted, more foreigners are coming to Thailand, sometimes to work and sometimes to retire. "Self storage is needed during their relocation and while they are living in Thailand," he said.

An estimated 3 to 4 million of Thailand's 71.85 million residents are foreigners. Most of those are from nearby nations in Southeast Asia, but many are from other countries around the globe. Thailand which is about twice the geographic size of Oregon, for example - ranked sixth out of 53 nations as the best place for expats, according to the latest survey by InterNations, a
Germany-based global community of 5+ million members in 420 cities around the world that offers networking and socializing opportunities for expats. Bangkok ranked ninth out of 49 cities in InterNations' 2023 Expat City Ranking.

Mr. Pakdee sees plenty of room for further growth in Thailand's self storage market. He said Thailand has about 500,000 square feet of self storage, compared to around 30 million square feet throughout Asia.

"We would like to expand the business within five years," said Mr. Pakdee. "We are planning to open in Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and other provinces." His planned expansion would add 300,000 more square feet of net leasable area to his current 100,000. Mr. Pakdee said he welcomes any partners or investors who are interested in expanding i-Store Self Storage which has won several awards from the SSAA in Thailand and into other Southeast Asian countries, especially in those other countries' capital cities.

He attributed some of i-Store's success to the technology that has enabled his team to provide a positive customer experience. They developed their own proprietary unit rental and storage management system so it would work with the Thai accounting system. They are trying different payment systems and platforms to see which one best suits their needs. They developed their own booking system (website and UX/UI) but outsourced its implementation. And they are testing different access-control providers as they integrate it into their website and management system.

Credit : SSA Magazine July 2024

Currently, Storage Asia Public Company Limited has instilled a sustainability mindset in staff members by starting with awareness of environmental issues, waste, and energy. This begins with some initiatives, such as developing an e-Document system for internal use, planting replacement trees to increase green spaces, and properly separating and disposing of electronic waste.

In our mission to promote sustainability, the focus is on creating leaders within the organization and fostering a sustainable culture. The company supports and encourages everyone to participate in driving the organization forward according to ESG policies, ensuring success and maximizing benefits. This work requires a dedicated workforce driven by knowledge and willingness, so leaders must serve as role models and support participation to coordinate everyone's efforts in building a strong culture.

Developing employee skills to effectively implement and advance ESG policies is achieved through collaborative activities within the organization and promoting sustainability in social aspects, including ensuring the safety, health, and well-being of employees and the surrounding community. This includes promoting equality and diversity within the organization, creating a positive work atmosphere to attract quality personnel.

Sustainable growth for the self-storage business must extend beyond expanding service areas and increasing revenue. It requires integrating development and designing services that meet customer needs, while communicating the value of an environmentally and socially responsible business to attract customers who prioritize sustainability. Creating content or guidelines for customers on sustainable storage practices also enhances the company’s trustworthy image, positively impacting brand perception and customer loyalty in the long term.

Stepping into the 9th location, it reaffirms our position as the leading storage service provider in Thailand, aiming for a total of 10 branches this year.

Mr. Pakdee Anivat, CEO & Founder, officially launched the i-Store branch at Ploenchit-Nana on October 31, 2024, to meet the growing demand from customers in the Ploenchit-Nana area—a prime location ideal for residents of condominiums and office buildings. The new branch is located in Soi 1 on Sukhumvit Road, just 450 meters from the BTS Ploen Chit station, providing convenient parking for customers to easily move their belongings.

The opening of the i-Store Ploen Chit-Nana branch is part of our planned expansion strategy, targeting 10 branches in Bangkok by the end of 2024, with a total service area exceeding 10,000 square meters. This expansion not only accelerates our branch openings but also reflects a 100% growth in customer usage compared to 2023. This surge is attributed to increased awareness of storage services among the Thai population, along with a rise in foreign investors and expatriates working in Thailand.

If anyone asks what they get from choosing i-Store ... how is i-Store similar to or different from other brands, besides being located in a prime location? This question drives i-Store to think, develop, and create differences to show a clear stance in the competitive self-storage market, aiming to provide value and maximize benefits for customers who use our services. We focus on creating a positive experience and repaying customer trust with the values from i-Store PRIME, which highlights the following main points:

• i-Store -P = Premium: Ensures that every customer interaction reflects the difference of using self-storage services at a premium level, conveyed through the design of the location and the welcoming service of cherished belongings, creating a warm atmosphere, making i-Store feel like a part of the customer’s home.
• i-Store -R = Reliable Partner: Values customers as partners who work together to achieve good things, accepting feedback and continuously improving, with the hope that our services will satisfy our customers.
• i-Store -I = International Standard: Builds customer trust with internationally recognized standards, through systematic and efficient operations.
• i-Store -M = Managed by Professionals: Offers management services by a professional team to build credibility through staff who prioritize essential elements in creating the most valuable service experience.
• i-Store -E = Excellent Service: Provides service that exceeds expectations and becomes the top choice for customers, focusing on delivering the best services and benefits to our clients.

At i-Store, we work together as a team. Our staff at each branch are not only happy to provide professional advice and assistance but also continually develop products and services to ensure the highest quality. This way, customers can be confident and trust that storing their belongings at i-Store is worthwhile and will create the best experience when using our services.

On the journey of personal storage services, the i-Store brand has established as one of Thailand's leading brands over the past 7 years, with 10 branches across Bangkok. We have received significant feedback from customers for our convenient locations, cleanliness, standardized security systems, and, most importantly, exceptional service that exceeds expectations.

With the commitment of Mr. Pakdee Anivat, CEO, Storage Asia Public Company Limited, to enhance i-Store's accessibility to customers, the company aims to offer services that go beyond storage service. This includes diverse and comprehensive storage solutions that meet both service and business partner needs. The company's vision serves as a guide in the direction while inspiring the team to contribute to creating something great and valuable. Our vision is to be leader in self storage industry by conducting business professionally and innovatively. We aim to cultivate sustainable growth through collaborative innovation with our partners.

To achieve this long-term vision, the company has 3 missions:

1.        Create Value: Fulfill customers’ needs across all lifestyles and aim for the best customer satisfaction.

2.        Ensure Quality: Enhance product and service excellence through advanced technology and management systems to optimize performance and minimize environmental impact.

3.        Establish Standards: Operate with governance, foster innovation, and expand market presence internationally.

This year’s goal is not only to proceed with the company’s listing on the MAI stock exchange to raise funds for expanding branches throughout Bangkok and other provinces in Thailand, but also to enhance the company’s growth potential and ensure stability for the future. This will enable the development of modern service models that meet customer needs across all lifestyles.

 

 

Storage Asia Public Company Limited participated in the ESG to Capital for Tech Entrepreneurs project organized by AIS The Startup to enhance knowledge in ESG principles over a 3-month period. The program included ESG coursework to establish foundational understanding, ESG Clinic for in-depth business operation strategies, and a showcase featuring technology to support ESG principles.

 

On July 18, 2024, the company received certification from Mr. Somchai Lertsutthiwong, CEO of AIS, who congratulated and presented certificates to the partners participating in the program during the Certificate Ceremony and CEO-Founder Dinner.

 

The company aims to apply the knowledge gained from this project to align its business with ESG plans under the "i-Store Friends”, partnering in ESG for environmental purposes to achieve sustainable growth and create shared societal benefits.

“Not ready to let go.” This phrase is a trap for many people who want to organize their homes but never succeed. Throughout our lives, we constantly encounter stories and changes. Some choose to preserve memories through personal items, awards, clothing, furniture, or various collections. However, as we grow older, the trends around us change. Those items may no longer hold enough value to keep. The only option is to let go. Yet, letting go isn't always an easy decision when those items were once beloved, cherished possessions filled with attachment and memories. It’s tough to part. And if we decide to keep them, how can we ensure they don’t become clutter in our homes, even though they once brought us joy?

 

i-Store Self Storage invites you to reclaim meaningful space for memories at the i-Store On Nut branch, a healing space for those with lots of belongings who enjoy organizing, collecting, and find it hard to throw away memorable items. i-Store On Nut serves as a place to receive those items, allowing customers to store and reflect on whether these belongings still hold value and happiness for them. The design and decor of i-Store On Nut aim to provide a simple, warm hospitality experience suitable for customers of all ages, both Thai and international, accommodating all sizes of items that customers need to store. The building is large and allows for visibility of sample units from outside, making it clear that this is a self-storage facility for those facing storage issues.

What makes i-Store special is not just its beautiful building design and decor. The facility offers standout facilities compared to other branches. i-Store has rooms for online sellers or content creators who need a studio for live streaming or content creation. These rooms come equipped with live-streaming lighting kits, microphones, and tripods, ready for content creation. Additionally, the i-Store On Nut branch is conveniently located in Soi Sukhumvit 52, just 700 meters from the BTS On Nut station. It can accommodate both large and small items, relieving customers of concerns about transportation and the size of their belongings, because no matter how small or large your memories are, they can all be stored at i-Store.

At i-Store, we recognize that employees are the core of driving the organization forward. Therefore, the company places significant emphasis on creating a positive work environment that encourages all employees to work together happily and coexist within a culture that provides a good working experience for everyone. i-Store DNA is a key element in selecting individuals who help create a positive atmosphere and environment within the organization, attracting good things, and sharing and exchanging knowledge that leads to organizational success.

i-Store DNA comprises four main principles:

• Creative: To be able to generate new and beneficial ideas for both customer and organizational needs.
• Self Development: Continuously develop themselves and seek new knowledge to apply in their work.
• Positive Thinking: Maintain a positive perspective and approach towards themselves and their colleagues.
• Multi-Function: To perform assigned tasks and possess a range of skills.

We believe that these four DNA principles are crucial in connecting relationships and attracting individuals with similar DNA to work together under a supportive organizational culture that promotes employee happiness. The company prioritizes employee benefits, making employees feel valued and supported in their quality of life. We are committed to recognizing and believing in the potential of our employees, supporting and encouraging them to fully utilize their skills. We understand that providing good benefits not only wins employees’ hearts, fostering their commitment and satisfaction but also enhances the brand’s image and helps attract talented individuals. Employees are the vital force driving the organization toward success.

Mr. Pakdee Anivat, CEO & Founder, leads the ESG working group to join the mangrove planting project. At the Klong Khon Mangrove Forest Conservation Center, Samut Songkhram Province, to restore the mangrove ecosystem to balance. This i-Store activity: planting trees to reduce pollution is one of the activities that the company makes employees aware of the importance of global warming and greenhouse gas emissions which is mainly caused by carbon dioxide gas. It causes climate change temperature of the earth's surface, various natural disasters affecting people's lifestyles and well-being. This planting project joint with Khlong Khon Mangrove Forest Conservation Center is an activity that the company wanted to provide support to restore the mangrove ecosystem to balance and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide.

The response from customers using i-Store Self Storage services across its 8 branches has been in line with expectations. Storage Asia Public Company Limited, led by Mr. Pakdee Anivat, CEO & Founder, has moved forward with the expansion of i-Store, opening the Chatuchak branch as its 8th location on August 14, 2024.In the event, Mr. Pakdee and team took photos together and celebrated the efforts that led to the rapid expansion of i-Store. For 2024, i-Store plans to open 2 additional branches, specifically in Thonglor and Ploenchit-Nana, bringing the total number of branches to 10 by the end of the year. /*! elementor - v3.17.0 - 01-11-2023 */ .elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=".svg"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}

Storage Asia PLC. has partnered with AIS in the “E-Waste" project, demonstrating a commitment to environmental sustainability and contributing to reducing global warming. On July 23, 2024, the company received tree saplings from the Bangkok Governer, Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt, in support of planting 1 million trees in Bangkok through AIS's initiative "AIS Go Green" on the occasion of Sixth Cycle Birthday Celebration of HM King Rama X.

The company encourages our employees to be aware of global warming and consider its environmental impacts. Therefore, we have registered to participate in AIS's electronic waste collection project to ensure proper disposal. For each piece of e-waste deposited by employees, customers, or external individuals at i-Store Self Storage e-waste collection points, AIS will provide one tree to the company. These trees will be planted to increase green spaces.

For those interested in disposing of electronic waste such as old mobile phones, chargers, notebooks, or tablets that are no longer in use, they can drop off such waste at any i-Store Self Storage branch.

บริษัท สตอเรจ เอเชีย จำกัด (มหาชน) ร่วมเป็นพันธมิตรกับ AIS ในโครงการ “คนไทยไร้ E-Waste” มีเจตนารมณ์มุ่งมั่นให้ความสำคัญต่อการดูแลสิ่งแวดล้อมอย่างยั่งยืน และมีส่วนร่วมในการช่วยลดภาวะโลกร้อน ได้เข้ารับต้นไม้กับผู้ว่าราชการกรุงเทพมหานคร คุณชัชชาติ สิทธิพันธุ์ เมื่อวันที่ 23 กรกฎาคม 2567 เพื่อเป็นการสนับสนุนโครงการปลูกต้นไม้จำนวน 1 ล้านต้น ของกรุงเทพมหานคร ผ่านโครงการของ AIS “ทิ้ง E-Waste เท่ากับปลูก ร่วมสร้างพื้นที่สีเขียว เนื่องในโอกาสพระราชพิธีมหามงคลเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษา 6 รอบ”

ทางบริษัทฯ ผลักดันให้พนักงานมีส่วนร่วมในการตระหนักถึงภาวะโลกร้อนและคำนึงถึงผลกระทบต่อสิ่งแวดล้อม จึงได้ลงทะเบียนเข้าร่วมการเก็บขยะอิเล็กทรอนิกส์กับทาง AIS เพื่อนำไปจัดการอย่างถูกวิธี โดยขยะ e-waste ทุกๆ 1 ชิ้น ที่พนักงาน ลูกค้า หรือ  บุคคลภายนอกได้นำมาทิ้งไว้ที่จุดรับ e-waste ที่ i-Store Self Storage ทาง AIS จะมอบต้นไม้ 1 ต้นให้แก่บริษัทฯ เพื่อนำไปปลูกและสร้างพื้นที่สีเขียวมากขึ้น

สำหรับผู้ที่สนใจในการกำจัดขยะอิเล็กทรอนิกส์ เช่น โทรศัพท์มือถือเก่า สายชาร์ต Notebook หรือ Tablet ที่ไม่ได้ใช้แล้ว สามารถทำขยะดังกล่าวมาทิ้งได้ที่จุดรับ e-waste ที่ i-Store Self Storage ทุกสาขา