DSV forays into self-storage market with Smarter Storage

DSV will open its first self-storage building as part of the company’s new strategic focus on the B2C self-storage market on October 1. Aimed at consumers and small businesses, DSV’s self-storage concept, Smarter Storage, will be operated and marketed separately from DSV’s business-to-business services, but the strong DSV organisation is still behind the endeavour.

“We have extensive warehouse know-how and believe that we can add value to the self-storage market by introducing an innovative, digital solution that makes self-storage easily accessible and convenient for consumers and small businesses,” said Brian Winther Almind, executive vice president of Group Property at DSV Panalpina.

The core of the new concept developed by DSV is its 100 percent digital platform with the Smarter Storage app being the key component. Customers can use the app on their phone or tablet to enter the unmanned facility, while booking, payment and signing the contract can be done online via phone or tablet.

“User convenience has been high on our priority list during the design phase of our Smarter Storage concept. The facility will be equipped with state-of-the-art electronic solutions for ease of use,” explained Almind.

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The first Smarter Storage facility was recently built in Copenhagen and comprises 5,500 sqm of storage space divided into more than 700 rooms and compartments. The building’s garages have direct access by car, and the other rooms are easily accessible via spacious elevators. Platform carts are available onsite.

The strategic step into the self-storage market has a big potential, according to Almind. With the learnings from the first Smarter Storage facility, DSV plans to build another one, and down the road, the company also wants to take the Smarter Storage concept to other countries in which the company already offers transport and logistics services.