Does Your Business Have Dead Space?
When a business runs out of space, the obvious answer is often to move, expand the building or lease additional commercial space.
But those options, especially here in Ontario, can be expensive, slow and often completely unnecessary.
For many businesses, the real problem is not that they have too little space. It is that the space they have is being used inefficiently.
Shipping containers are great resources to expand space and make use of valuable space!
What Is “Dead Space” in a Business?
Dead space is any area that is technically available but is not being used productively.
It could be:
- A corner of a warehouse filled with rarely accessed inventory
- Office space being used to store boxes
- A loading area occupied by materials
- Valuable production space being used for overflow storage
- A retail back room packed with seasonal merchandise
- Outdoor space that is available but currently unused
- Equipment or materials taking up space needed for day-to-day operations
The problem is that dead space costs YOU money.
Every square foot used for storage is a square foot that cannot be used for production, sales, employees, customers or other revenue-generating activities.
A simple way to look at the problem
Imagine being a manufacturer with 10,000 square feet of usable building space.
If 2,000 square feet is being used for inventory storage, your company is effectively operating its production and business activities within the remaining 8,000 square feet.
Rather than immediately looking for a larger building, your company could ask a simpler question:
Can some of that storage be moved somewhere else?
That’s where temporary or permanent external storage can make a surprisingly big difference.
The cost of using valuable space for storage
There isn’t one universal cost for unused business space because commercial rents, property costs and operating expenses vary considerably by location.
But the basic calculation is simple:
Cost of storage space = space occupied × cost per square foot
For example, if a business uses 1,500 square feet of valuable commercial space primarily for storage, that space has an opportunity cost even if the company owns the building.
That area could potentially be used for additional production, inventory turnover, employee workstations, customer-facing space or equipment.
The point isn’t that every business should move its storage outside.
The point is that storage should not occupy the most valuable space in the building.
When Moving Storage Into a Targetbox Shipping Container Makes Sense
External storage can be especially useful when the items stored don’t need constant access.
Think about things such as:
- Seasonal inventory
- Packaging materials
- Spare equipment
- Construction materials
- Archived records
- Trade show displays
- Furniture
- Promotional materials
- Maintenance supplies
- Overstock
- Renovation materials
If employees need to walk through a warehouse every day to get to something, keeping it inside may make sense.
If they need it twice a year, it may be a very different calculation.
Targetbox Storage Can Also Help During a Renovation
One of the most overlooked uses for portable storage is temporary space during construction and renovations.
A business renovating an office, retail store, warehouse or other commercial property still has to deal with everything inside the space.
Furniture, inventory, equipment and supplies have to go somewhere.
Putting everything into another leased building can create unnecessary costs and logistical headaches.
A portable storage container can provide temporary space on-site or elsewhere while the renovation takes place.
Once the project is complete, the space can be cleared and the stored items moved back.
This can be particularly useful for businesses that need to remain operational while work is being completed.
A Targetbox Seacan Creates Space Without Expanding the Building
A shipping container does not have to be thought of only as a way to move cargo.
For businesses, it can also function as an additional storage area.
TargetBox offers shipping containers for purchase or rental, giving businesses flexibility depending on whether the need is temporary or ongoing.
Standard options include 20-foot and 40-foot high-cube containers, while specialized options meet different storage and workspace needs.
For businesses that need something beyond basic storage, modified containers can also be configured for uses such as offices, workshops and other functional spaces.
The key is matching the container to the job.
Temporary Storage vs. Permanent Expansion
One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is treating every space problem as a permanent one.
Ask a few questions first:
- Is the extra space needed permanently?
- Is the problem caused by seasonal demand?
- Is the business renovating or reorganizing?
- Is inventory temporarily higher than normal?
- Is the company growing quickly but not ready to commit to another building?
The answer can change the best solution considerably.
When temporary storage may make sense
Temporary storage can be a good fit for:
- Seasonal inventory
- Construction projects
- Renovations
- Temporary business growth
- Equipment overflow
- Short-term projects
- Emergency storage needs
- Moving or relocating
When permanent storage may make sense
A purchased container may be more appropriate when a business has a long-term need for:
- Inventory storage
- Equipment storage
- Materials
- Tools
- Agricultural supplies
- Business records
- Workshop space
The Real Goal Is Better Space.
Businesses often think about expansion in terms of square footage.
But square footage isn’t necessarily the problem.
Usable space is.
If storage, equipment, seasonal inventory and miscellaneous materials are occupying areas that employees need for productive work, the business may already have enough space. It simply isn’t being used efficiently.
Moving some of that material into dedicated external TargetBox storage gives the business its existing space back.
And sometimes, that’s all the expansion a business needs.
Sometimes the smartest way to get more room isn’t to move.
It’s to move the stuff. Let us know if you need help with this dilemma.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can a TargetBox shipping container be used for business storage?
Yes. Shipping containers are commonly used for storing inventory, equipment, materials, tools, furniture and other business items. The appropriate container depends on what is being stored, how frequently it needs to be accessed and where it will be placed.
2. Is renting a shipping container better than buying one?
It depends on how long the storage is needed. Renting can make sense for temporary projects, renovations, seasonal inventory or short-term capacity increases. Buying may make more sense for a long-term storage requirement.
3. Can I put a shipping container at my business?
Potentially, but the property must have suitable access and placement conditions. Depending on the municipality and intended use, zoning, permits or other requirements may apply. It is important to check local requirements before arranging delivery.
4. What can businesses store in a shipping container?
Businesses can use containers for many types of non-hazardous goods, including inventory, equipment, tools, construction materials, furniture, supplies and seasonal items. The container and storage environment should be appropriate for the specific materials being stored.
5. Can shipping containers be modified into business space?
Yes. Containers can be modified for applications beyond basic storage, including offices, workshops and other specialized spaces. Modifications can include doors, windows, insulation, electrical systems, lighting, HVAC and interior finishes, depending on the project.
6. Where can I rent or buy a shipping container in Ontario?
TargetBox supplies shipping containers for businesses and organizations across Ontario. Options include standard shipping containers, specialized containers and modified units, with rental and purchase options available depending on the application.
Leave A Comment