Member Article

County Durham self-storage firm secures international award

Leading North East self-storage company U Hold The Key is celebrating after success at a major international industry awards event. U Hold The Key has been recognised for its committment to professionalism, innovation, serviceand creativity by the CSTA (Container Self-Storage & Traders Association) at an event in Manchester.

U Hold The Key is a division of the Parsons Containers Group, based in Sedgefield, County Durham. The company was presented with the award for The Best Operator of Multiple Sites at the CSTA 2023 Awards, which were held at the organisation’s annual conference, where industry experts, operators, traders, converters, and innovators convene for two days of networking and presentations.

The CSTA has over 100 members in more than 20 countries and expanded to include self-storage in 2020. Both U Hold The Key and sister company Parsons Containers Ltd are members. U Hold The Key was also highly commended in a number of other categories, including Best Website and Most Original Container Photograph. Ryan Tempest, customer journey manager for the Parsons Containers Group of Companies, was highly commended in the Outstanding Staff Member of the Year category.

Over the past five years, U Hold The Key has experienced strong growth, supported by sustained proactive marketing, and driven by a surge in demand for its services. The company expanded its network of sites to meet the increasing needs of its customer base. U Hold The Key currently operates from 11 locations in the North East, including two self-storage sites based in Stockton-on-Tees (adjacent to the A19, under the Tees flyover and near to the Town Centre), Darlington (on the A66), Mainsforth (near Ferryhill), Bishop Auckland, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, South Shields, , Newcastle upon Tyne, Alnwick, and close to Gateshead Metrocentre. The company also has a 12th site in Grantham, Lincolnshire.

Commenting on the awards success, Helen Parsons, managing director of the Parsons Containers Group, says: “We are incredibly proud to receive these prestigious accolades from the CSTA. It’s a really major moment for U Hold The Key to secure this international award, and it’s also significant for the wider North East business community. This is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and expertise of our entire team. This will drive us on as we continue to provide exceptional self-storage services and seek to lead innovation in our industry.”

CSTA, an international membership body, plays an important role in promoting professionalism, innovation, and best practices among container self-storage operators, container traders, and specialised providers of equipment, systems, and technology.

Patrick Hicks of the CSTA comments: “U Hold The Key’s accomplishments are truly commendable. They exemplify the high standards we encourage within our industry. We congratulate them on their well-deserved recognition.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Chris Lines .