MSM Exclusives

When Hardy Met Helen: starting Storage In Hong Kong

Brad Hadfield — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 00:30:25 GMT

Known as a vertical city, where land is scarce and the only way to go is up, Hong Kong holds millions of untold stories. Hardy Good and Helen Ng may be just two of them, but their impact has reshaped the commercial real estate sector and the way Hongkongers live. Good is the American pioneer who helped launch Hong Kong’s self-storage industry; Ng is the Asian trailblazer who broke barriers to build a successful, female-led enterprise.

2026 Self-Storage Outlook: 10 Industry Expert Speak Out

Brad Hadfield — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 13:23:47 GMT

Rising tides lift all ships, but in 2025 it was Warren Buffett’s addendum to that which mattered most: “It’s only when the tide goes out that you see who’s been swimming naked.” Last year revealed a number of economic truths and industry vulnerabilities, as assumptions that once worked began to show cracks. The question now is whether those stress points ease in 2026, or if the industry will face more headwinds. MSM’s panel of 10 industry experts weigh in on what you can expect in the new year and beyond. [Interviews held Oct. 25-Nov 20]

U-Haul CEO Joe Shoen Calls To End Deceptive Pricing Practices

Brad Hadfield — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 16:37:41 GMT

Joe Shoen is taking a stand. In our exclusive interview, Shoen sat down with MSM to explain why he’s going against the grain when it comes to pricing. He says he’s “fed up” with what he describes as a strategy among major players: offering low introductory rates and then increasing them multiple times a year—sometimes before customers even move in. So he’s taking a different approach: offering customers a one-year rate lock guarantee.

2025 Facility Of The Year Construction: Trojan Storage

Alejandra Zilak — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 18:41:15 GMT

This year’s Facility of the Year winner for the construction category is Trojan Storage in Englewood, N.J. Like the overall winner, Trojan Englewood rises through the ranks thanks to various elements: practical architectural components, implementation of innovative technologies, and incorporation of sustainability at an exceptionally large scale. The five-story building boasts 162,446 square feet of space, with 1,030 square feet dedicated to offices, and houses 1,368 climate-controlled units with the finest components provided by Janus International.

2025 Facility of The Year Conversion: Fletcher Storage

Sascha Zuger — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 17:56:54 GMT

The Fletcher Storage facility in Redding, Conn., is a stunning development by Nick and Ryan Fletcher, who each brought their own unique talents to the team. Nick came from a background in technology, brother Ryan construction. Nine years ago, they joined forces to become operators and developers within commercial real estate.

2025 New Facility Of The Year Winner: Storelocal

Brad Hadfield — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 04:36:40 GMT

Like its name suggests, Surprise, Ariz., is full of them. First off, it’s one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, with its population projected to reach nearly 250,000 by 2030. The city is also adding 2,000 to 3,000 single-family homes each year, and major projects, such as the $65 billion Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company site and a $7 billion mixed-use development along Loop 303, are fueling a surge in jobs and housing. Now ready to meet the needs of the community is Storelocal, a Class-A self-storage facility that came with quite a few surprises of its own.

2025 Smart Facility Of The Year: CubeSmart

Ciera Rupp — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 04:10:34 GMT

In recognition of innovation and technology adoption, a CubeSmart facility in Nashville, Tenn., has been honored as MSM’s 2025 Smart Facility of the Year. This award underlines not only the facility’s commitment to advanced self-storage solutions but also marks a showcase of how smart technology is transforming the self-storage industry.

2025 Facility Of The Year International: Woodbridge Self Storage

Brad Hadfield — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 03:06:30 GMT

Things don’t always go as planned in self-storage development. But sometimes, that’s by design. Woodbridge Self Storage, MSM’s 2025 International Facility of the Year, was originally conceived as a simple single-story facility, a straightforward build in a busy corridor of Vaughan, Ont. Through bold reimagining and meticulous design, it became something extraordinary: a two-story, modern, Class-A facility that’s as functional as it is visually striking.

Twelve Drama-Free Ideas for Holding People Accountable

Kate Zabriskie — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 01:48:07 GMT

Most of us have been there: a deadline whooshes by, a teammate consistently shows up late to meetings, or someone just isn’t pulling their weight. And what do we often do? We avoid the conversation, hoping the problem will magically resolve itself. Spoiler alert: It never does.

Five Ways To Protect Your Bottom Line In The Age Of AI

Joe Curcillo — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 01:18:43 GMT

intelligence (AI) has moved from shiny headline to background noise. It drafts reports, crunches numbers, and spits out answers before you finish your coffee. Sure, it’s impressive, but here’s the truth: AI doesn’t carry consequences. It doesn’t look a client in the eye. It doesn’t feel the ripple effects of a decision. And it doesn’t take responsibility for your bottom line.