Resources to help keep your world moving

During the COVID-19 pandemic, commercial storage became instrumental to the short-term plans of companies in flux. As businesses adopted remote-friendly workplaces, commercial storage preserved companies’ office equipment, files and furniture. But many companies are not new to commercial-storage — storage solutions have already been foundational to their success for decades. Here are five ways that industries have historically leveraged commercial storage space to stay agile amid changing trends. Fulfilling nationwide e-commerce orders In many industries, e-commerce has replaced brick-and-mortar retail as consumers’ shopping avenue of choice. As a result, e-commerce businesses are snapping up vacant warehousing space to keep up with fulfillment. A recent report by The Business Research Company found that worldwide warehousing usage has accelerated because of a boom in e-commerce orders and an increasing demand for speedy deliveries. E-commerce giants not only rely on commercial storage for available inventory, they also depend on third-party logistics companies (3PLs)...

As consumer demand continues to put the squeeze on the global supply chain, warehouses around the country are rapidly reaching capacity. The Wall Street Journal reported that the average industrial vacancy rate in the United States recently fell to 4 percent, the lowest rate on record. While the U.S. used 800 million square feet of industrial storage space in 2020, companies used more than 1 billion square feet by December 2021. With companies forced to compete for remaining space around the busiest national ports, warehousing rental prices are rising to new heights. Rental rates for industrial space increased in 2021 by more than 10 percent year-over-year, according to real-estate firm CBRE. Approaching the holidays, businesses are seeing an abnormal seasonal surge escalating the already-severe warehousing and supply-chain issues. Here’s what you need to know about the root causes of the space shortage and why companies are turning to third-party logistics...

When moving, you don’t just need to take precautions to protect belongings. You also need to keep the office building in pristine condition to avoid any last-minute fees. Proper property damage prevention ensures your building remains in top condition throughout every stage of the move. If you scratch the floors, walls or doors while moving out of the office, it can lead to a lost security deposit or expensive fix. If you damage the new property while moving in, it can start the relocation off on the wrong foot, forcing you to schedule a repair before the unpacking process even begins. Full-service relocation partners like Armstrong will integrate protective procedures into every move without being asked. However, if you are managing a relocation through contracted labor or internal teams, here are eight tips for preserving the doors, walls and floors of your office during a relocation. Why Property Damage Prevention...

The COVID-19 pandemic permanently changed the way companies use their office space. While many organizations previously held physical workplaces as sacred for productivity and collaboration, the pandemic opened up new possibilities for where and how employees could clock in for the day and flexible working arrangements gained traction among high-growth businesses. An Accenture survey of nearly 10,000 workers found that 83 percent of respondents preferred hybrid models. As companies reimagine the purpose of the workplace, “desk hoteling” is becoming a popular way to maximize in-person office space and allow greater flexibility for employees. Here are answers to frequently asked questions about the history of hoteling, common uses and best practices for implementation. What is hoteling? Instead of assigning desks, companies with hoteling systems allow employees to choose their workspace every morning. Hoteling ensures that workers can seamlessly transition between at-home and in-person working environments. The origins of hoteling trace back...

After a long wait, companies have finally begun drafting Return-to-Office (RTO) plans. Major employers such as Dell, Meta and Wells Fargo have set sights on 2022 for their office reopening. Amid concerns about coronavirus variants, businesses are still moving forward with their RTO strategies, albeit cautiously. If your company is in the process of drafting its own RTO plan, here are eight things to consider. 1. Review and renegotiate your lease. Companies with hybrid-work models no longer need all their office space. Now is the time to review and renegotiate your lease before signing a renewal. Business leaders can make their workplaces and overhead costs more efficient by negotiating contraction or subleasing clauses into their lease agreements. If the negotiations are successful, find a full-service relocation partner as soon as possible to decommission unused floors. 2. Plan a phased return. Consider a gradual transition back into your workplace to minimize...

Even amid pandemic-era disruptions, Huntsville is exploding with new development. Huntsville is already home to some of the fastest-growing companies in the United States. This year, 34 companies in the Huntsville metro made the esteemed Inc. 5000 list. Now, even more of the nation’s corporate giants are bringing their businesses to this thriving city. As the innovation hub of the South, Huntsville is teeming with million-dollar expansion projects and new jobs. In particular, three industries are growing their presences in the Huntsville and Madison County area. Here’s what you need to know about the major local players and why they’re betting on Huntsville to prosper. Aerospace and Defense Aptly nicknamed “Rocket City,” Huntsville has been a capital for aerospace and defense since World War II. In the 1940s, the U.S. government established the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, a 38,000-square-foot facility for chemical manufacturing that now houses the army’s missile and...

Commercial relocations should be times of excitement, not stress. The move marks a new chapter for your company and, with the right partner, the transition to your new location can be seamless. Every year, The Armstrong Company supports the growth of companies across the country by setting up new offices, facilities and warehouses for success. Here are three of the reasons why commercial companies choose to partner with Armstrong for their relocation needs.  1. Armstrong goes the extra mile to take care of property. Whether you are relocating an office, data center, medical facility or warehouse, commercial moves aren’t as simple as transporting items from one building to another. Before the first box is packed, you should take preliminary steps to protect your company’s specialized equipment and valuable furniture. Federal law requires every moving company to provide basic valuation coverage free of charge for your high-value items. In most states,...

For decades, Armstrong has been seamlessly moving companies to new locations across the city and the country. But Armstrong recently had the opportunity to experience a move from the perspective of a client. Driven by a growing client base and a changing supply chain, Armstrong – Houston began the process of transitioning into a larger facility that better meets customer needs. As Armstrong faced the unique opportunity to be its own client, the team was appreciative of the fresh perspective — one which makes continuous innovation possible — and reinforced commitment to easing the loads of partners. Here are four takeaways from navigating this relocation process internally. 1. While planning your move far in advance is ideal, sometimes your business has other plans. Though it is recommended that you prepare for your commercial relocations as soon as possible, growing businesses often have urgent needs and tight timelines. Armstrong – Houston...

Companies are reopening their offices again and employees are returning to physical workspaces at the highest rate since the pandemic began, according to the Wall Street Journal. As businesses return to office work and redesign their spaces to meet new needs, many executives have decided that it’s time to downsize, expand, renovate or relocate their in-person teams. A successful move can bring new life to an in-person work environment while minimizing downtime and distractions. If you’re thinking about relocating your office, ensure a smooth transition by avoiding these six common mistakes. Mistake #1: Scheduling moving dates during a busy season. When relocating your office or facility, you need to minimize downtime to keep your customers, clients and employees happy. Start planning your relocation at least three months in advance, and schedule the physical move to occur outside of your company’s peak season. During the holidays, most CEOs are too busy...

Around nine million Americans live overseas, according to the U.S. Department of State. As countries begin reopening their borders to international travel, more individuals and families are considering relocations to foreign countries. However, international relocations can be complicated and they require significantly more planning than moves across the city, state or coast. If you are planning to move abroad, here are seven things you need to do before settling down in your new location. 1. Start your visa application. Immediately begin researching visa requirements for the country you want to move to. If you are relocating for work, your employer will need to help prove that you are the best person for the job to acquire a long-term work visa through the proper authorities. If you are temporarily relocating for school, you will need to apply to the appropriate consulate about three months before your program’s start date. Some student...