Cavale: a European leader in steel self storage fit-outs
Cavale was founded in 1994 and was based on a model pioneered in the USA for the manufacture of self storage and car wash facilities. In the early days, it worked exclusively with Shurgard and, since then, it has risen to be one of Europe’s leading manufacturers in the field of self storage.
A complete service
“Our experienced team of engineers, designers and project managers,” says its publicity, “will assess the most effective and economic system for your new development, renovation or extension, giving advice and guidance from conceptual design stage to the finished product.”
Debbie Clark, managing director of Cavale UK, adds, “I think we are unique in offering full construction services as well as design, manufacture and project management – the full turnkey project.”
It’s “turnkey” in the sense that Cavale will see a project right the way through, from the raw site (a piece of land, or a derelict industrial building) to the moment when the keys of the completed building are handed over to the owners, ready for use.
Debbie Clark should know: she started her career in construction in 1988. At home on site “in wellies and a hardhat”, she was Marley’s first woman sales manager. In the days when construction was definitely still a male-dominated business, she opened up markets for Marley in Turkey, Africa and South America. She later moved to Steel Storage, covering Europe, before joining Cavale in 2009. Based in Canterbury, she focuses on the UK, but she also has a remit across Europe (Cavale is a member of both the SSAUK and FEDESSA).
New markets
The geographic spread of Cavale’s work in Europe is impressive. For example, it has completed projects in the UK, Holland, Belgium, Spain, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Hungary, Romania and Latvia, including the following:
- Shurgard throughout Europe, including three Design & Build projects in London
- MyPlace Selfstorage and Lagerbox in Germany and Austria
- Homebox in France
- CityBox and Allsafe in Holland
Debbie Clark acknowledges that the UK market is currently difficult, as finance is tight in the independent sector. Yet there is plenty of room for innovative thinking. For instance, now that rates are being charged on empty buildings, property owners should consider putting their assets to more active use by converting them to self storage units.
Likewise, Cavale can help removals companies that wish to turn some of their storage capacity into self storage units – which many are doing in response to a sluggish housing market.
Quality products
Cavale itself is innovative in its field of steel manufacture. It makes three self storage systems, designed to suit varying circumstances: Economic Corrugated Systems, Standard Cassette, and the newest, Premium Interlock (pictured above).
Roller doors, swing doors, divider walls and floor systems are all part of output. Cavale also makes steel “mobile boxes” for the burgeoning mobile storage industry, in which self storage companies bring a storage container to the customer’s home for loading, then drive it to the self storage facility.
Another of Cavale’s innovations is its steel “Scooterbox” specially built to house motorbikes and motor scooters, so they can be stored outside, either at self storage facilities, or beside blocks of flats.
All can be viewed on Cavale’s newly launched website.
The factory
Cavale’s manufacturing facility is located in Diepenbeek, near Hasselt, in the Flemish province of Limburg, eastern Belgium. This gives it a state-of-the-art manufacturing base at the heart of Europe.
5 Responses to “Cavale: a European leader in steel self storage fit-outs”
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Cavale definitely sounds innovative on self storage systems.
Moving can be a hassle for anyone whether it is a local or a cross country move. Finding the right moving and storage company is the key to making the move as smooth as possible. Luckily there was A1 Moving & Storage to help me with my move. They are a family owned and operated business, but their service is as professional as any other company. They made sure that my belongings were moved in a very safe and efficient manner. If you would like to get a quote or get more information call them at (561) 625-0600 or visit their website at http://www.a1moving.com.
Self storage units come in a broad assortment of sizes intended to fit the wants of persons with a few items or public need to store enough furniture to fill a house. How will you manage this?
It is a good question 92021 Storage Facilities;The European market is quite complicated because every Country is different and the unit mix (sizes of units) changes from country to country. UK market has the largest average unit size of 7.5ft2, smaller than USA average of 10ft2. It is only through experience of working in these markets that you know what works and where. Cavale has worked with Shurgard (part of Public Storage Group) since they began opening Self Storage facilities in Europe in the early 1990’s so Cavale has a lot of experience throughout Europe, including Eastern Europe where we have built several facilities.
My apologies 92021 Storage Facilities: UK 7.5ft2 should read 75ft2 or 7.5m2 and USA 100ft2 or 10m2.