| 41 Unit Storage Co Business built on supporting local need Jo and Mark Mayston. The new facility, currently under construction on State Highway 2 at Te Puna, has been designed with the Tauranga community firmly in mind. T T Anne Boswell “Supporting local” is more than just a catchphrase for the team behind Tauranga’s newest storage facility, Unit Storage Co; it’s the foundation the business has been built on from day one. Owners Jo and Mark Mayston say the new facility, currently under construction on State Highway 2 at Te Puna, has been designed with the Tauranga community firmly in mind. “We are hot on supporting local,” Jo says. “Not only did we want to create something that would benefit the local community, but the project management, engineering and materials were all locally sourced, as were the builders and electricians. We support local businesses as much as possible.” Jo and Mark, who are established kiwifruit orchardists, saw the development as an opportunity to diversify their business interests while also filling a need in the area. After taking over the site — formerly an old garden centre that had been on the market for some time — they began exploring options for its future use. “We were limited as to what we could do with the land,” Jo says. “It had come to the end of its useful life as a garden centre, and a storage unit seemed to tick all the boxes. It was about doing something that would benefit the community.” That people-focused approach has shaped the design of the facility, which will offer 300 storage units in a range of sizes to suit a broad client base. Units will start at 1.5 x 3 metres, with larger options up to 4.5 x 9 metres. Some units will feature moveable walls, allowing customers to expand their space as needed. “There’s quite a bit of variation in size,” Jo says. “We wanted to make sure there was something to suit everyone.” The demand for storage solutions has grown in recent years, particularly as property sizes shrink and lifestyles change. Jo says the facility is expected to appeal to a wide crosssection of the community — from families needing extra space, to retirees downsizing, hobbyists and collectors. “Most people are limited for space at home now, especially with smaller properties in subdivisions,” she says. “You’ve got blended families, or elderly family members moving into retirement “At the end of the day, it’s about creating something useful for our community, and doing it in a way that supports the people around us,” villages. Humans are quite materialistic, so often there are sentimental items that we want to hold onto but can’t fit in our homes. “Or it could be a double-up of a piece of furniture, or something special like a prized Mustang, or a boat.” Construction of the facility is well underway, with development split into two main blocks. Block A, which will house 50 units, is currently having its framework completed, while Block B — the larger of the two with 250 units — is being installed in stages. Jo is optimistic that the first section of the facility will be ready to open its doors in June. “At the end of the day, it’s about creating something useful for our community, and doing it in a way that supports the people around us,” she says. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Specialists in Light Gauge Steel Structures Proudly Supporting Total Shed Solutions madeofsteel.co.nz
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