Founded in 1890, Hansen Bros. Moving & Storage the parent company of Portabox has successfully weathered many history-changing events including the Great Seattle Fire, WWI, the Spanish Flu of 1918, the Great Depression, WWII, the 2008 recession, and 9/11 among many other public crises. We are taking the current COVID-19 threat very seriously and will promptly adhere to any and all directives from local, state and federal government officials. Hansen Bros. and Portabox have been categorized as an essential industry business (moving & relocation) within the current mandate established by Washington State Governor Jay Inslee.

As essential services, we will maintain normal operations until such time as either company management determines we must close our offices or we are directed to do so by a governmental authority. We are taking extensive precautionary measures including the adoption of all CDC guidelines and the establishment of our own policies intended to minimize health risks for all customers, employees, contractors, vendors, and community stakeholders. We are proud to be able to support the needs of our customers during this crucial time but are prepared to quickly change course as required.

Stay safe together with Hansen Bros. and Portabox

The COVID-19 crisis is fluid and there are many uncertainties and factors outside of our control that may, with little or no advance notice, impact our delivery of moving & storage services. Please be aware the current crisis could potentially result in small inconveniences such as a delayed project start time or significant inconveniences such as the complete rescheduling of services.

Although there are many unknowns to be navigated, you can be certain that Hansen Bros. and Portabox will be timely and transparent in our communications regarding servicing your moving & storage needs, and our professional relocation consultants will work diligently to offer creative solutions in the event your project is impacted by the current health crisis.

Steps We're Taking:

  • Company-wide Implementation of all precautionary measures recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
  • Office staff and crews are being monitored daily for symptoms and/or known exposure by management and asked to go home, contact their healthcare provider, and self-quarantine as directed. Staff that experience symptoms and/or aware of exposure when not at work have been directed to stay home and notify their supervisor.
  • Office staff and crews are receiving daily briefings on precautionary measures and have been directed to follow them on and off the job.
  • Office staff and crews are being instructed to maintain appropriate “social distance” of 6 feet minimum between one another, customers, and all other people.
  • Office staff and crews are being provided with appropriate hand sanitizer and surface disinfecting supplies. They have been directed to disinfect truck cabs and moving equipment between each move to the best of their ability. These supplies will continue to be replenished as we are able, based on availability from retailers.
  • We are limiting visitation to our branch offices. If you wish to purchase moving boxes or supplies, please simply call in your order and we will happily deliver to your vehicle outside.

We are all in this together.  The team at Hansen Bros. and Portabox is proud to continue offering our services in accordance with the necessary precautions outlined above. We are here to make the process of storing belongings seamless & safe for you.

How to manage inventory in self storage

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There’s no better for businesses to keep their storage safe and accounted for than self-storage. Compared to a large warehouse, which brings with it the complications of a commercial lease, self storage Marysville is a great alternative! It offers the perfect mix of flexibility and low prices, making it an ideal choice for any business owner. If you’re a small business that’s just starting to grow, a large warehouse can be outside your budget range. But with self-storage, you can get the perfect amount of space, and pay for it on a monthly level. But, once you opt for this service, you need to know how to manage inventory in self-storage. And that’s why we’re here today! We would like to help you learn how to manage inventory in self storage, and make the most of your self-storage. So, let’s explore a few convenient inventory management tips!

You can’t manage inventory in self storage without an organized system

Before you place your inventory in a storage unit, you need to work out a system. This system will be your best friend, and help you keep a close eye on all of your stored items. To be effective, it needs to cover all of the important aspects of stock management, based on the data you enter. With it, you can work out the best and worst-selling items. Once you have this information, you can reorganize your inventory storage Seattle based on it. Then, it is important to know when to restock your storage or take some of it out, in order to never run out of stock. Many small businesses rely on spreadsheets to keep their data, and in most cases, they are sufficient. However, if you want to take your organization a step further, you can use an inventory management app.

business owners trying to manage inventory in self storage
Before you rent a self storage unit, make a complete inventory list

Once you arm yourself with a good organization system, you can easily keep tabs on your stock, know exactly how much inventory you have, and ensure it keeps up with your business. When you completely work out your inventory size, you can figure out the perfect size of self-storage for yourself. Work out the volume of storage you need based on the dimensions of your stock, and find a solution that works best for you. The good thing is, that most storage facilities offer very flexible solutions to their customers. With PortaBox Storage Seattle for example, all of the units have the same standardized size. However, you can order as many self-storage units as you need. This makes inventory management all the simpler, as you can divide everything into easily manageable chunks.

Be careful when choosing a storage facility

These days, there are so many storage facilities to choose from. With that in mind, it can be quite challenging to find the perfect one. Your first goal is to decide which features you want, and what your budget is. Think about the location of your potential facility, and consider it a trade-off between convenience and expense. If you need to visit your self-storage frequently, it makes sense to choose a facility that is near you. But, if you don’t have to manage inventory in self storage that often, then it isn’t a bad idea to go for an out-of-town facility. If your inventory is delicate or requires certain conditions, you’ll have to find a facility that provides features like temperature and humidity control. Lastly, check the level of security and surveillance at your chosen facility to ensure your inventory stays safe at all times.

inventory boxes stacked on pallets
An organized self storage unit is easy to navigate and use

You can easily manage inventory in self storage with a good space layout

If you want to manage your inventory with ease, you need to rely on a bit of sorting magic. When you use a self-storage unit, space can sometimes be a luxury. This is why you need to work with what you have and make the most of it. The items you use the most, or inventory that sells the most, need to be placed close to the door and within reach. Seasonal or less popular items can go to the back of the unit. If you run out of space on the floor, don’t hesitate to go vertical! Place a few vertical shelves in the unit if possible, and create a small clearing in the center of the unit so you have good access to everything. Lastly, to ensure quick access to whatever you need,  label your inventory. Place the labels outward so you can see them at all times.

A detailed floor map and key can help you stay organized

We are visual creatures, which is why we function the best with the help of visual aids. If you want to simplify your inventory management, create a map and key of where different boxes are located, and which items they contain. This becomes even more useful if you have a larger unit, and even if your inventory is split between a few smaller units. A detailed diagram also comes in handy if you send someone else to retrieve items from the unit. A detailed floor map helps you manage inventory in self storage by saving time and simplifying the entire process.

woman holding a storage unit floor map
You can easily manage inventory in self storage with a detailed floor map

Remember to regularly take stock of your stored inventory

Although good inventory management makes your life easier, you still need to regularly inspect your units and update your stock. Frequent check-ups allow you to effortlessly manage inventory in self storage, and avoid confusion. If you want to make sure your numbers add up, and that your inventory is accounted for, remember to visit your self storage units at least once in a couple of months. Take your inventory list with you, and with the help of your floor map, do a full walkthrough of your self storage. Once you make sure everything is in order, update your spreadsheet or inventory management app. If you reorganized the boxes in your unit, remember to update the floor map as well.

 

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