Highlights from the SSA UK Supplier Summit in Manchester

December 2, 2024

Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to attend the SSA UK Supplier Summit at the Lowry in Manchester. It was a long train ride from London, but thankfully, the weather cooperated (though chilly)—it wasn’t the typical rainy day you’d expect this time of year!

The meeting brought together a variety of supplier-side self-storage professionals, including CCTV providers, container suppliers, website designers, and security fencing companies. It was fantastic catching up with many familiar faces and making new connections.

Rennie Schafer, SSA UK’s CEO, shared an insightful update on the state of self-storage. He noted that 2024 saw relatively flat growth with a return to seasonality and a rise in debtors. Technology is playing a bigger role, especially as criminal activity rises, with Europe leading the charge on remotely managed facilities. Marketing costs have surged by 20%, shifting operators’ focus to improving customer retention and length of stay.

A big thank you to SSA UK for hosting such a well-organized event. I’m looking forward to what 2025 holds and the next opportunity to connect with industry colleagues.