FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A New Era for Self-Storage Construction: Trachte Building Systems Acquires MakoRabco

Sun Prairie, WI — March 24, 2025 — Trachte Building Systems, a 100% employee-owned company and national leader in self-storage manufacturing and building solutions, is pleased to announce the acquisition of MakoRabco, a national leader in self-storage design and construction services. This strategic combination unites two highly respected brands, creating new opportunities to better serve customers and strengthen industry leadership.

“This is a very exciting acquisition,” said Brad Relford, President & CEO of Trachte Building Systems. “Trachte and MakoRabco are leading brands that have a shared passion for self-storage, customer relationships and quality. The strategic and complementary nature of our combined organizations will strengthen our position in the industry and benefit our customers and employee owners.”

Individual Brands with a Shared Purpose

Trachte Building Systems, along with its Trac-Rite Door Division and MakoRabco, will continue to operate under their established brands, ensuring continuity in service and expertise. Each company remains dedicated to delivering exceptional value to its unique customer base and market segments.

“This partnership brings together MakoRabco’s renowned customer service and high-end design expertise with Trachte’s deep self-storage roots in design and manufacturing, creating a strong value proposition for contractors and developers nationwide,” says MakoRabco CEO, Jim Reinhart.

Industry-Leading Products and Services

The combined organization offers a comprehensive range of self-storage solutions, including:
• Single-story (climate-controlled and non-climate-controlled)
• Multi-story facilities
• Boat & RV storage
• Canopies
• Doors and hallway systems
• Micro-storage solutions

With end-to-end capabilities, the companies provide full-service support throughout the project lifecycle—from site layout and design to engineering, manufacturing, project management, and erection services.

About Trachte Building Systems

Founded in 1901, Trachte Building Systems, is an employee-owned company and a leading manufacturer of metal prefabricated buildings for self-storage, steel curtain doors, refurbishment services, and public safety training systems. The company creates high-quality, customized solutions by leveraging its extensive industry knowledge and vertically integrated capabilities: Design – Manufacture – Erect.

Trachte is headquartered in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, and operates two manufacturing locations in Sun Prairie, WI, and Vernon, AL.

For more information, visit www.trachte.com.

Media Contact: Robyn Ogden rogden@trachte.com

About MakoRabco

MakoRabco, a leading national provider of self-storage design and construction services, is known for delivering customized, high-quality building solutions across the United States. Formed through the merger of two well-established brands—Mako Steel, LLC (established in 1993) and Rabco Solutions (established in 1989)—MakoRabco has been serving the storage market as a merged brand since 2019. The company brings decades of industry experience and a strong reputation for excellence in construction management. MakoRabco specializes in the design, engineering, and installation of self-storage facilities and pre-engineered metal buildings, and has been recognized with multiple industry awards for its service and innovation. Now operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of Trachte Building Systems, MakoRabco continues to expand its capabilities and commitment to quality, safety, and client success.

MakoRabco operates from offices in California and Florida.

For more information, visit www.makorabco.com.

Media Contact: Sarah Swingler sswingler@makorabco.com

The TNSSA Winter Luncheon, held on February 18, 2025, at the beautiful Gaylord Springs Golf Links in Nashville, was a sold-out success! With over 80 registered attendees, the room was filled with energy, excitement, and a shared commitment to advancing the self-storage industry in Tennessee.

President Clay Powers kicked off the event by welcoming attendees and introducing the 2025 Board of Directors. Board members, easily identified by their special name tags, were on hand throughout the day to connect with members and address any questions or feedback.

A special highlight of the luncheon was the presentation of the 2024 TNSSA Manager of the Year Award. This prestigious honor went to Herb Chelton of Brentwood Stor-N-Lok. With 26 years in the industry and a remarkable track record of innovation, leadership, and exceptional performance across four Tennessee facilities, Herb’s dedication and hard work truly set him apart. We were thrilled to recognize his outstanding contributions.

The event also featured an introduction to TNSSA’s 2025 charitable initiative, Homes For Our Troops. This year, we’re focusing our efforts on supporting Army Specialist Will Thomas and his family as they prepare to move into their specially adapted home in Murfreesboro. With a fundraising goal of $15,000 (including a $5,000 match pledged by TNSSA), we’re excited to rally behind this worthy cause.

One of the most valuable components of the luncheon was the legislative update presented by Melissa Huff and Bev Krueger. Their comprehensive legal review covered important topics such as ADA compliance, tenant insurance licensing, and the removal of newspaper requirements for lien law advertising. A full list of Legal Updates can be found here.

They also provided crucial updates on new 2025 legislation (SB 559), which would streamline the eviction process for behavioral issues and simplify the enforcement of unsigned leases. Attendees gained practical insights and a clear understanding of the regulatory landscape affecting self-storage operations in Tennessee.

The roundtable discussions were a huge success, offering lively and insightful conversations on key industry topics. Participants rotated through focused sessions on third-party management, revenue management strategies, website and marketing essentials, and preparing for acquisitions in the current market. The exchange of ideas and best practices made these discussions an invaluable part of the day’s program.

As always, we’re grateful to everyone who attended and contributed to the success of the Winter Luncheon. We look forward to seeing you at our next event on May 20 at the Crowne Plaza in Downtown Knoxville. Don’t forget to visit TNSSA’s website for updates and details on all our upcoming events!

Mother Nature can be a cruel mistress. Making landfall as a category four hurricane in Florida, she tore through the Sunshine State with wind speeds of more than 100mph on September 26. But she didn’t stop there. Helene continued her destructive path, cutting across the southeast US and wreaking havoc on communities within Georgia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee.  

Analysts are saying that Helene may wind up being one of the country’s most devastating disasters on record, taking the lives of at least 121 people with hundreds more still missing. A preliminary estimate by Moody's Analytics says the storm could carry an economic cost in the tens of billions of dollars.

Self-storage facilities, which often play a role in recovery, have also taken a hit. U-Haul, which generously offers 30 days of free self-storage disaster relief to people impacted by natural disasters, is no exception. Although the company has 437 U-Haul stores providing disaster relief across multiple states, they’re not immune to the fury of Helene as seen in this photo from a U-Haul facility on Swannanoa River Road in Asheville, North Carolina. The before and after photos are both striking – and heartbreaking.

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

PRESS RELEASE

XPS Solutions Partners with KISS (Keep It Simple Storage) and LiveSwitch to Elevate Customer Engagement Through Live Video for Self-Storage Facilities XPS Solutions, the longest-tenured and leading contact center for the self-storage industry, is excited to announce a technology-enabled service integration with strategic providers to provide live video support services for self-storage.  Both technology partners have provided XPS with video gateways that enable live video support services for rentals, remote management, and tenant support services for participating client properties.  These two partners provide the technology that integrates with XPS Solutions self-storage teams.  These tech-enabled partnerships mark another new chapter in virtual solutions, providing cutting-edge live video customer engagement for self-storage facilities. For over 24 years, XPS Solutions has consistently prioritized product enhancement and seamless integration to meet the evolving needs of independent self-storage owners and operators. In alignment with this mission, XPS Solutions now integrates with both KISS and LiveSwitch, allowing facility owners to leverage live video technology supported by XPS Solutions' real-time, professional, self-storage-experienced staff members.

KISS (Keep It Simple Storage), known for its innovative remote-management technology solutions, provides services such as two-way smart video, a mobile app, NFC smart locks, and a self-storage auto-attendant.

LiveSwitch, a leader in live video solutions, provides software that enables real-time, face-to-face communication between self-storage facilities and their customers. Initiate a live video connection through a text or QR code on the facility’s existing hardware and customer's phone without downloading new software or apps.

Through these partnerships, XPS Solutions enhances these technology offerings by providing live video staffing to ensure high-level engagement with tenants and prospects. This allows self-storage owners to manage their facilities remotely while reducing operating expenses (OPEX). XPS Solutions' Remote Managers, based in our Richardson, Texas office, are self-storage experts with facility management backgrounds, delivering professional and knowledgeable service. By integrating our partners' technology with XPS Solutions' Remote Management services, we empower self-storage facilities with 54 hours of live video support weekly, covering tenant assistance, inquiries, and virtual leasing. Clients also benefit from a comprehensive range of contact center services, including 104 hours of phone agent support, the RentUp leasing platform, MyStorPal mobile app, 24/7 IVR payment solutions, and more. This seamless integration enables XPS agents to efficiently manage tenant details, inventory, pricing, and promotions, ensuring a streamlined and effective rental process. “Our mission at XPS is “Xperience Matters”.  At the property level, some tenants prefer a live face and voice.  Hiring and staffing isn’t the easiest task for many properties, so this is our answer to that problem.  Live video allows for this exchange, providing a virtual on-site experience through deploying this technology via our self-storage experienced teams.  Our task is to help properties bring down the cost of support while improving the overall tenant experience.  This combined initiative with KISS and LiveSwitch allows XPS to enable this option for any property,” said John Traver, CEO at XPS Solutions. “By partnering with KISS and LiveSwitch, we can combine live video engagement with our robust remote management services, giving facility owners the tools they need to enhance operations, improve customer experience, and ultimately increase occupancy.” We invite all attendees of the SSA 2024 Fall Conference & Tradeshow to visit Booth 360 to see a live demo and learn more about this exciting new offering. Come see how XPS Solutions, KISS, and LiveSwitch can transform your self-storage operations. For additional insights into XPS Solutions, please contact Andrew Stavros at (972) 865-4256 or astavros@xpsusa.com. For additional insights into KISS, please contact Michael Starkman, COO at (412) 639-5752 or michael@keepitsimplestorage.com For additional insights into LiveSwitch, please visit https://www.liveswitch.com/get-in-touch or contact sales@liveswitch.com. About XPS Solutions Established in 2000 as the self-storage industry’s original dedicated call center, XPS Solutions has continuously provided cutting-edge remote management solutions for self-storage property operators. Over the years, XPS has evolved to offer a full suite of services, including inbound call handling, live video staffing, Remote Management coverage, live tenant support, rental services, and more. Today, XPS Solutions handles thousands of tenant support calls, processes millions in payments, and rents thousands of units per month for thousands of facilities across North America. Xperience Matters. Yours. Theirs. Ours.TM Learn More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

StorSuite Announces the Development of a Full API Integration with StorEdge for FineView Marketing Websites Transforming the Rental Process with a Seamless Checkout Experience

Austin, Texas – August 21, 2024 – StorSuite, a leader in innovative solutions for the self-storage industry, is thrilled to announce the release of its latest product, the StorEdge Full API Integration for FineView marketing websites. This integration transforms the rental process by eliminating the need to redirect customers to the StorEdge rental center upon checkout, offering a more seamless and fluid customer experience. The StorEdge Full API Integration allows customers to complete their rental and checkout process directly on your website, providing a cohesive and uninterrupted experience. This not only enhances customer satisfaction but also allows for more accurate tracking of Google Ads rental conversion activity, giving businesses better insights into their marketing effectiveness. “We are excited to bring the StorEdge Full API Integration to market,” said Christina Alvino, CEO & Cofounder at StorSuite. “This integration allows our clients to maintain their branding and user experience throughout the rental process, which in turn improves customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.” Key features of the StorEdge Full API Integration include: Seamless Customer Experience: Keep the entire rental process on your website without redirecting to the StorEdge rental center. One Fluid Rental and Checkout Process: Customers enjoy a streamlined, uninterrupted rental journey. Enhanced Tracking: More accurately track Google Ads rental conversion activity, improving marketing analytics and strategy. Early adopters of the StorEdge Full API Integration have praised its ability to provide a consistent user experience and its positive impact on customer retention and satisfaction. StorSuite, based in Austin, Texas, has a proven track record of delivering cutting-edge solutions tailored to the needs of the self-storage industry. With the introduction of the StorEdge Full API Integration, StorSuite continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation and excellence

For more information about the StorEdge Full API Integration or to schedule a demo, visit our website at www.storsuite.com or contact Scott Worden at 520-652-0851 or scottw@storsuite.com. About StorSuite StorSuite is a premier service provider in the self-storage industry, offering a comprehensive suite of services, including tenant protection, marketing and website solutions, tenant communication, and third-party management. StorSuite is committed to elevating the self-storage experience through exceptional service, technological innovation, and a strong focus on customer relationships. For more information, please visit www.fineviewmarketing.com or www.storsuite.com or contact: Scott Worden Director of Business Development Email: scottw@storsuite.com Phone: 520-652-0851

PRESS RELEASE

OpenTech Alliance Announces C-Suite Promotions For Immediate Release (June 28th, 2024) – Phoenix, AZ, OpenTech Alliance, the PropTech leader in self storage, has expanded its leadership team and today announced the promotion of four leaders responsible for finance, marketing and support operations. This announcement comes just one year after the company announced its official international business expansion, supporting the company’s rapid growth and vision to become a worldwide provider of innovative, high-quality self storage technology solutions. “We have amazing leaders at OpenTech and we are happy to be promoting a few. I am eager to make some room in the C-Suite for Tania, Kristi and Dan Scaman, recently promoted to COO, and support them as they usher in a new era at OpenTech,” said Robert A. Chiti, Founder and CEO at OpenTech Alliance. “They are already setting higher bars for both the customer and employee experience and driving phenomenal outcomes for our organization. I am confident our customers and employees will enjoy the fresh ideas and positive vibes from all of these leaders.”   Today’s C-level promotions include:  Tania Miaoulis, Chief Financial Officer – Miaoulis, a licensed CPA in Arizona since 2009, brings a wealth of experience to OpenTech, having previously served as Controller for a $400M organization and Finance Director for a company that grew from $50M to $200M. She joined OpenTech as Vice President of Accounting & Finance in 2023 and led the implementation of new processes, systems, and internal controls to improve company efficiency and risk mitigation, and payment processing for its customers. As the Chief Financial Officer, Miaoulis will lead financial operations, drive strategic financial planning and analysis, develop strategies for capital allocation, optimize working capital to minimize costs and risks and provide insights for decision-making and growth strategies. Kristi Adams, Chief Marketing Officer – Adams has led marketing efforts at CubeSmart, Fort Box and other self storage operations across the U.S. and in Europe, responsible for establishing and maintaining brand identity and spearheading innovative marketing efforts to drive demand from consumers. She joined OpenTech in 2019 as the Vice President of Marketing. Adams is responsible for delivering marketing support for 8 product lines, including the e-commerce brand StorageTreasures. Under her leadership, the OpenTech marketing team has significantly advanced brand recognition and helped grow company revenue to over $50M in five years. As the Chief Marketing Officer, Adams will leverage her 20 years of self storage experience to oversee global marketing initiatives, brand strategy and customer engagement to ensure OpenTech’s continued market leadership and expansion. In addition, OpenTech has also promoted the following key performers:  Tina Berlingeri, VP of Call Center Operations – Berlingeri served as Director of Member Services at NASM and United Healthcare before joining OpenTech Alliance in 2016. As the Call Center Director, Berlingeri has been instrumental in supporting the growth and development of policies, procedures, and personnel to deliver exceptional service to storage operators and their customers. As Vice President of Call Center Operations, Berlingeri will oversee operational processes and implement strategies to improve efficiency, support customer satisfaction and enhance service delivery. Kimberly Robinson, VP of Marketing – Prior to joining OpenTech, Robinson served in Director roles for statewide non-profit organizations, heading up marketing, fundraising, and event-management functions for nine years. Robinson joined OpenTech in 2019 as Creative Content Manager where she leveraged her content expertise to help market the company’s industry-leading technology solutions. She was promoted to Director of Marketing Communications in 2022, and now joins the leadership team as Vice President of Marketing to lead demand generation, product marketing and support and paid media strategy.   These strategic appointments reinforce the company’s commitment to leveraging internal talent and continued investment in opportunities for its people to develop their careers at OpenTech.

About OpenTech Alliance, Inc. OpenTech Alliance, Inc. is the leading PropTech provider in the self storage industry. The company's products and services include the INSOMNIAC® line of full-service kiosks, INSOMNIAC Live! call center solutions, INSOMNIAC CIA access control systems, INSOMNIAC SmartLock electronic locks and the StorageTreasures.com online storage auctions website. OpenTech solutions are designed to improve the customer experience, reduce operating costs and increase revenues for self storage facilities. OpenTech Alliance, the OpenTech logo and INSOMNIAC are trademarks of OpenTech Alliance, Inc. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Storable Acquires StorageAuctions.com Elevating Delinquency Management

Integration Delivers Truly Comprehensive End-to-End Solution for Self-Storage Operations

AUSTIN, TX – June 11, 2024 – Storable, the leader in integrated technology solutions for the self-storage industry, is proud to announce its acquisition of StorageAuctions.com, the premier online platform for self-storage auctions. This strategic partnership marks a significant milestone, creating the only platform to offer an end-to-end corporate delinquency solution in-house.

“Bringing StorageAuctions.com into the Storable family solidifies us as a truly comprehensive technology platform that spans the entire self-storage lifecycle,” stated Chuck Gordon, CEO of Storable. “Most operators find auctions challenging and time-consuming. We can now simplify the auction process as part of our end-to-end offering, transforming it into a more efficient experience that removes friction and enhances operations..”

By integrating StorageAuctions.com’s robust online auction services, Storable will improve its existing offerings to include a dynamic auction module that addresses the often dreaded but necessary part of storage management—clearing delinquent units. This integration allows for smoother transitions and greater efficiency in vacating units, thereby optimizing the re-rental process and enhancing overall operational effectiveness.

“Becoming part of the Storable team is a huge step forward for us,” said Lonnie Bickford, Owner of StorageAuctions.com. “It allows us to expand our auction services and capabilities by tapping into Storable’s cutting-edge technology and their wide presence across the storage industry. This partnership is going to transform how storage auctions are run and will help self-storage operators get the highest possible returns while providing an improved experience for bidders and buyers”

The acquisition was finalized on June 4, 2024. StorageAuctions.com will operate as a division of Storable. Current customers of both companies can expect seamless continuation of all existing services and support.

About Storable

Storable is the leading provider of integrated technology solutions, powering the self-storage, marine and RV/Campground  industries. Storable is committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation, offering a suite of products that includes management software, marketplace, websites, access control, insurance, payments, and more. Storable takes pride in supporting operators and managers along each step of their journey and enabling them to achieve their goals. For more information, visit www.storable.com.

About StorageAuctions.com

StorageAuctions.com is a leading online platform specializing in storage unit auctions. Established by a veteran in the self-storage sector, the platform caters to a broad audience by simplifying the auction process and expanding the reach of auction events, thereby increasing unit sales potential. For more details, visit StorageAuctions.com’s website.

https://www.storable.com/about-us/news/storable-acquires-storageauctions-com-elevating-deliquency-management/

Storagely Partners with Calcumate to End Unit Size Errors and Confusion for Self Storage Customers

Storagely becomes the first to integrate Calcumate as a standard feature.

Winston-Salem, USA and Melbourne, Australia - 6 June 2024 – Storagely has today become the first company in the world to choose to integrate Calcumate, the world’s leading 3D storage calculator (size guide), directly into its technology as a standard feature.

From today, all customers on Storagely’s Professional and Enterprise packages will have access to Calcumate as a standard inclusion. Not only will Calcumate be included as standard, but it will be integrated deeply within the Storagely booking flow. The Calcumate functionality will be rolled out progressively to Storagely’s existing customers over the next six weeks.

A staggering ~80% of self-storage tenants have never rented a unit before, often resulting in unnecessary stress and confusion during the rental process. The primary source of this anxiety and confusion is not knowing the right unit size to rent, and it is frequently a reason why website visitors choose to “abandon cart” and not rent straight away online. 

Click to read read the full Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3.5.2024  Elevate Structures Now Offers Doors and Hallway Systems

National Leader in Innovation and Design for the Self-Storage Industry Introduces a broader package: Primary Structure, Partition, Exterior Metal Walls, Roof, Doors and Hallways VILLA RICA, GA – March 5, 2024 – Elevate Structures, the national leader in innovation and design for the self-storage industry and 100% employee-owned business, offers doors and hallways. This new addition offers Elevate's customers an expanded product offering and exceptional service with a more comprehensive storage solution. Elevate’s expanded package will now include primary structure, partition, exterior metal walls, roof, doors and hallways. The company’s door offering will feature a variety of national manufacturers. “Elevate is constantly striving for ways to serve our customers better and provide them with the confidence and assurance they require for project excellence,” said Richard Allen, President of Elevate Structures. “Offering doors and hallway systems means our experts can simplify your construction project." Doors and hallway systems are available to customers now through a simple inclusion to the contract for the metal building package. Elevate Structures (elevatecs.com), formally known as Storage Structures, was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Villa Rica, Georgia. Elevate is a Central States Company and a national leader in innovation and design for the self-storage industry with a dedicated nationwide team of experts who design, procure, and install metal building components for single-story, boat and RV storage, and multi-story self-storage buildings. Elevate is the exclusive provider of the patented Alpha Framing System, which is engineered to significantly shorten construction time for multi-story construction and eliminate concrete staining on partition panels. Central States Manufacturing (www.centralstatesco.com) is 100% employee-owned. Founded in 1988, the company now has 1,300 employee-owners, 11 manufacturing facilities, and serves over 6,000 commercial, architectural, post frame, and residential contractors and customers across the United States. Construction has begun on two new plants, including a rigid frame plant for metal building systems and a panel and trim plant in Utah, both expected to open in 2025. Central States has three business groups: Central States Manufacturing, Central States Building Works, and Elevate Structures (formerly Storage Structures, Inc) each serving their customers with a commitment to customer service and innovation.

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The Florida Self Storage Association (FSSA) and Tennessee Self Storage Association (TNSSA) have each named their 2023 “Manager of the Year.” The accolade is given annually to a property manager who demonstrates outstanding commitment to leadership, creativity, operational efficiency and community involvement, according to sources. The FSSA winner is Julio Otero of A+ Storage in Winter Haven, Florida, while the TNSSA winner is Chimane Boyd of Citizen Storage in Memphis.

Read the full article by Inside Self Storage here.