The Self Storage Association of Australasia (SSAA) is pleased to announce its partnership with the Building 4.0 Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) and Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in a collaboration that aims to deliver a dynamic digital platform offering real-time industry research and insights to its members.
The self storage industry continues to experience significant growth, driven by evolving factors including living and lifestyle arrangements, business requirements, urban densification and population growth. The expansion of the sector is set to continue, with further demand forecast and a strong supply pipeline of new self storage facilities.
The SSAA is the trusted source for industry research, guided by its commitment to supporting and tracking the success of the sector across Australasia. This new digital resource will enable industry mapping, the benchmarking of operational performance and highlight the potential supply pipeline, allowing for greater accuracy in forecasting and demand planning for members. Utilising demographic, financial, operational, and geospatial data, the software platform will assist members in better understanding their local operating environment and the current and future state of their market.
SSAA sought to collaborate with the Building 4.0 CRC and QUT to bring together technical, research and industry expertise to deliver an independent and transparent platform for the sector. Partnering with the Building 4.0 CRC has also delivered funding benefits, with each partner contributing funds and expertise to the project over a three year term.
Building 4.0 CRC is a research initiative co-funded by industry partners and the Australian Government. It is tasked with revolutionising how buildings are designed, constructed and operated to build faster, safer, more sustainably and at a lower cost. It aims to create significant demonstration projects where industry, government and the community can experience those buildings or projects using innovation and new methods of construction.
SSAA CEO Makala Ffrench Castelli is confident the collaboration will result in a platform that will benefit members and the industry at large. “As the self storage industry continues to mature, being able to map and measure sector performance becomes increasingly important. This platform will be co-designed with members to ensure it is fit-for-purpose and will provide valuable insights for independent and larger operators alike” said Ms Ffrench Castelli.
With secured funding and partnership expertise, this project marks a transformative change in how data and research is collected, stored, and disseminated within the industry. The project brief was constructed from member feedback received via the research survey earlier this year and the project is designed to align with other research activities being undertaken as part of reporting for State of the Industry 2024.
Further updates will be shared with members as the project progresses, with a preview planned for GC24 this November. This exciting initiative further solidifies SSAA’s role as the custodians of industry data and strengthens its commitment to research for the sector.
