Helping Moorspace Storage Unlock Valuable Extra Capacity with a Bespoke Mezz Lift
Moorspace Storage is a self-storage provider based on Blackmoorfoot Road in Huddersfield. Managing Director, Chris Betts had aspirations of starting a Self-Storage business for a number of years. When a tenant left a local building, the opportunity to create a best in class self-storage unit was too good to miss.
After careful planning, Chris knew that he needed a mezzanine floor installed to maximise the volume of storage units. Having a mezzanine lift was the only way to make the units easily accessible for customers and staff alike, as well as allowing them to move items between floors, with ease.
With a strict project timeline, limited space, and multiple contractors involved in the development, Moorspace Storage turned to Penny Engineering to design, manufacture, and install a bespoke MezzPro 500kg goods lift within just 4-6 weeks.
The Challenge
In the self-storage industry, maximising available space is key to increasing capacity and supporting long-term revenue. For Moorspace Storage, the installation of a new mezzanine floor was necessary to create additional storage units and make better use of the building's footprint.
The success of the project, however, depended on more than simply installing the mezzanine floor itself. Customers needed a safe, practical way to transport their belongings to the upper floor, making a goods lift an essential part of the facility's design.
Adding further pressure was a tight project schedule and limited headroom available. Moorspace Storage was working towards an opening date and required a supplier that could confidently deliver a completely custom built goods lift within a 4-6 week timeframe, without unexpected costs or delays.
Project Objectives
Approaching Penny Engineering, Moorspace Storage wanted to:
- Provide safe and convenient access to the mezzanine floor
- Ensure top class build quality and colour scheme to keep on brand
- Open the site as quickly as possible without delays to the wider project
- Design a bespoke unit to sit under limited headroom available
- Invest in a reliable solution that would support the business for years to come
The Moorspace Storage team have a very keen eye for detail, so wanted a partner who would work to their high standard and provide honest advice throughout the project. By taking the time to understand the site, explain what was achievable, and provide a clear, transparent quotation with no hidden additional fees, Penny Engineering gave the client confidence that the project would be delivered on time, budget and to the quality they expect.
Project Constraints
Project success depended on effective coordination between several parties. The goods lift needed to integrate perfectly with the new mezzanine floor and existing roof apex, meaning dimensions, layouts, and installation requirements had to be communicated clearly throughout the build. Any misunderstandings could have created delays or required costly alterations later in the project.
To keep everything on track, Penny Engineering worked closely with Moorspace Storage, the mezzanine floor installers (Kuboid), electrical contractors, and other key stakeholders. Regular communication, site meetings, and detailed drawings ensured everyone understood exactly what was required before installation began.
The Solution
Understanding the Project
The project began with an initial phone call to understand exactly what Moorspace Storage wanted to achieve for their new self-storage site and whether a suitable solution could be delivered within their budget.
Our sales representative, Martin, then visited the site to carry out a detailed survey and discuss the project in greater depth. This gave our team a clear understanding of the available space, the customer's requirements, and how the lift would fit into the wider development.
Just as importantly, it gave Moorspace Storage the opportunity to ask any questions and gain a clear picture of what to expect throughout the project. Establishing this understanding early helped create a smooth and collaborative working relationship from the outset.
Developing the Vision
Following the site survey Penny Engineering's design team developed a bespoke mezzanine goods lift specification tailored to the building and the client’s specific load handling requirements.
The drawings and 3D model immediately brought the project to life, allowing all parties involved to visualise the finished installation and confirm key dimensions before manufacture began. These were also shared with contractors working on the site to ensure everyone was working from the same information.
Because we design and manufacture all our lifts in-house, the project wasn’t limited to the constraints of a standard off-the-shelf product. Instead, the lift was designed specifically for the client’s facility, ensuring the best possible fit and helping maximise the available space.
Making it Happen
Once the designs were approved, manufacture of the bespoke MezzPro 500kg goods lift began at Penny Engineering's UK facility. As work progressed, our teams carried out regular checks to make sure everything stayed aligned with the agreed design, along with our stringent standards for quality, safety, and compliance.
After the mezzanine floor had been installed, Martin returned to the site to carry out further checks and confirm that all requirements had been met ahead of the goods lift installation. This proactive approach helped identify any potential issues early and gave the client additional reassurance that the project was progressing as planned.
The Results
As promised, Penny Engineering completed the project within the required timeframe. Our industry-leading 4-6 week lead times helped Moorspace Storage keep its wider development plans on schedule and move closer to opening the facility as planned.
The completed MezzPro 500kg goods lift now provides customers with a safe and straightforward way to move their belongings between floors, while helping the business maximise the return on its vertical space, having effectively doubled the number of storage units available.
As a finishing touch, the lift was painted in Moorspace Storage's brand colour, creating a professional and consistent appearance that complements the rest of the storage facility and reinforces the company's brand identity and long-standing reputation.
Client Feedback
Following initial enquiry with Penny Engineering, they were able to provide us with an accurate cost of what it would be to design, manufacture and install a lift. They also carried out a site survey, and their open and honest approach, along with the fact that they could guarantee they could manufacture and install the lift within 4-6 weeks, really put us at ease as we were trying to get the facility open as soon as possible.
Helping Self-Storage Businesses Make More of Their Space
At Penny Engineering, we help businesses unlock the full potential of their buildings through bespoke goods lift solutions designed around their exact requirements. From initial consultation, site surveys and bespoke design through to manufacture, installation and ongoing support, we work closely with our customers to ensure every project delivers long-term value.
For Moorspace Storage, that meant more than installing a goods lift. It meant helping transform a mezzanine floor into a usable, accessible storage space that supports the future success of the business. We're proud to have played a part in the development of the new facility and look forward to seeing Moorspace Storage continue to grow in the years ahead.
Discover how a goods lift could improve your operations!
Whether you're developing a new facility, expanding an existing site, or looking for ways to make better use of your available space, Penny Engineering can help.