THE UK-based Gliderol Self Storage Solutions is close to completing its order to provide self-storage components to the $15-million Takhzeen, the first self-storage initiative of its kind in Bahrain.

Gliderol was selected by Takhzeen’s parent Al Khaleej Development Company (Tameer) and its main building contractor Hi Steel Industries Middle East to be the main supplier to Manama-based Takhzeen, which will provide more than 257,000 sq ft of secure, self-storage units for domestic and business use in the country.

“Gliderol is thus supporting Takhzeen’s mandate, which is to develop, manage, and operate self-storage facilities for domestic and business use starting in Bahrain and expanding the concept to other countries in the GCC and the Middle East,” says a spokesman for the British firm.

Gliderol has supplied all door and partitioning system components for the Takhzeen facility with supplies having started at the end of 2010 and running through 2011.

“Glossy white corrugated steel wall panels and flush headers were supplied to give a smooth contemporary look to the hallways. Along with the panels, a centre checker plate panel was also supplied for protection against knocks and bumps from customer traffic and enhanced with a combination of corrugated swing and quick-to-fit roll-up doors in colours of sunflower gold and marine blue. Soffits were supplied for the centre of the corridors to give a clean finish to the ceilings and maximise lighting for customers,” says the spokesman.

The relationship between Gliderol and Takhzeen began in 2009, when the former submitted its designs and quotations. A lengthy tendering process placed Gliderol in competition with companies from both the US and the Far East.

“Even after Gliderol was successful in the bidding process, before agreeing to place any official orders, representatives from both Tameer and Hi-Steel industries visited existing sites already completed by Gliderol and also inspected the Gliderol UK factory. There they met the team, viewed the high quality of the product and saw the manufacturing process,” the spokesman says.

He continues: “Due to the close proximity of ports near the northern UK factory, Gliderol is able to ship manufactured products to any location with ease, keeping costs controlled, customers happy and goods arriving on time and ready for construction. The flexibility of the business also means that components can be shipped for Gliderol Self Storage construction team to assemble on arrival or the customer can purchase on a supply-only basis as in the case of the Takhzeen build.”

On the benefits of self-storage, the spokesman says: “Owning a self-storage facility is an ideal investment with the concept being a rare example of ventures that are experiencing global growth in the current economic climate. The US currently has over 48,000 self-storage facilities. Europe is expanding fast with around 2,000 facilities and the concept is gaining momentum in both the Far and Middle East. Australia already has an established industry with over 1,000 facilities of its own.”

The Gliderol sales team, which recently attended The Big 5 show in Dubai, identified a growing interest in self-storage amongst business people and entrepreneurs looking for an investment opportunity leading to a good financial return.

Takhzeen’s new purpose-designed and built facility specialises in providing personal and business storage solutions and is aiming to become the leading self-storage company in the region. With an average of 1,470 self-storage units giving a lettable space of 15,860 sq m (171,290 sq ft), this facility will have enough storage space to easily serve the local population. Takhzeen offers a variety of climate-controlled storage room sizes to keep customers’ assets in a clean and safe environment. It provides features such as flexible room sizes ranging from 2.5 sq m to 200 sq m, in order to cater to the differing storage demands of individuals and businesses, varying from appliances, furniture, cars, machinery, equipment, and boats to document files, records, and business archives.

Various tenancy terms from a minimum of one month are available with the facility boasting state-of-the-art security, administration, and support facilities in addition to 24-hour access, seven days a week. The building also contains external direct access units, which enable customers to access their stored property without having to enter the main building, plus additional external boat storage units.

Self-storage is a young and growing sector in the GCC with facilities starting to be available over the entire region, including Bahrain, Dubai, Kuwait and beyond.