Resilient RedBox finds strength and opportunity during a difficult and uncertain 2021

One year after 2020 was completely devastated by the COVID 19 pandemic, 2021 was supposed to be a bounce back. And while the widespread availability of vaccine helped to diffuse part of the pandemic, there was almost as much uncertainty at the end of 2021 as there was at the beginning. “In spite of all the uncertainty though, I could not be prouder of our team,” said RedBox CEO Tim Alpe. “Not only have they unfailingly managed and serviced our customer’s needs, they have helped to grow our company’s legacy of community service on several fronts.”

2021 began with RedBox being honoured with Expat Living readers (Silver Winner) and Localiiz (Runner Up) awards in the category of Home Storage. In February, RedBox welcomed The Year of the Ox – which is said to bring stability and calmness to a year of great opportunities – by naming Alpe as its new CEO. “It’s quite appropriate that Tim will be coming aboard as CEO at the beginning of the year of the Ox,” RedBox Executive Chairman Simon Tyrrell said at the time. “He has a wealth of international experience and professional management expertise and embodies both stability and leadership.”

April would see more industry recognition for RedBox. This time, however, they would become the first Hong Kong company to earn Gold Accreditation in a new standard and certification programme issued by the Self-Storage Association of Asia (SSAA). RedBox’s Tuen Mun location was named the first local recipient of SSAA’s S.A.F.E. (Self-Storage Assured Fit OUT Endorsement) program, which takes into account a number of Fire Service Department and Buildings Department safety guidelines.

「Trust is something that takes time to develop, reputations are not built over night,” said Alpe. “We don't ask our customers to trust us, we earn that trust. What the Gold Accreditation has done is both officially validate our operation and confirm our core practices.” The award also allowed RedBox the opportunity to get more ambitious in their stated objective of becoming the first operator to apply for and receive the S.A.F.E. accreditation for all RedBox facilities. After RedBox Chai Wan received the Gold Accreditation in July and RedBox Yau Tong in October, the company was well on their way to meeting their goals.

July would find the RedBox community celebrating first-hand with netizens Hong Kong’s first gold medal in Men’s Individual Foil (Fencing) for Cheung Ka-Long, Silver medalist Siobhan Haughey in Women’s 200M in swimming, and Bronze medalist's winners in Women’s double table tennis, Women’s Karate and Women’s Sprint Cycling at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics.

In August as the Hong Kong emigration wave hit a high of 90,000 citizens, RedBox would see a growing demand for long term storage users and enhanced its Summer Sale to accommodate the changing market needs. As a Hong Kong caring company, they would join hands with their partners the Hong Kong Rugby Union, ESF Kennedy School and DHL to play an integral role in collecting shoes and equipment to be sent to Laos rugby. Over the years the group has been responsible for the collection and shipping to Laos of over 2,000 pairs of sports shoes and more than 400 rugby balls. “This represents the next phase in a long-term project of upcycling gently used football boots and trainers to worthy causes,” said Alpe.

September would see Hong Kong citizens receiving the first round pay out from the Government’s Consumption Voucher scheme. In conjunction with the scheme, RedBox would introduce a number of new payment methods to make payments more convenient for customers. September would also find the celebration of Mid-Autumn Festival. However, that was not the only celebration as the company also recognized the five-year anniversary of dedicated service from colleagues Karin Chu, Oliver Leung and Ben Ho. 

October would find RedBox back in a familiar position in an effort to commit to their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) mission of sustainability partnering with Redress for ‘Get Redressed Month 2021’. All five of its facilities acted as collection points for the public to drop off unwanted clothes for reuse, resale and recycling – collecting over 350kgs worth of used textiles!

November would see the slight easing of Covid related social distancing measures and for the first time in 18 months, RedBox would have a long overdue team building exercise when staff enjoyed a night out at a local bowling alley as a membership event with the Self Storage Association Asia, appreciatively sponsored by the team at Storganise. November would also see the introduction of a new and more efficient website and online booking portal, all designed to make the company more responsive and efficient.

Rounding out the year and sharing the festive joy, RedBox again joined forces with the teams at Happy Baton & Branches of Hope to aid in the collection of toys for donation to refugee children in Hong Kong, where the joys of Christmas are not always commonplace.

As 2021 drew to a close, many challenges remained. It was far from business as usual globally. But if the past year has shown anything, it's that RedBox Storage will continue to grow while expanding its efficiency and responsiveness and actively broadening the parameters of its corporate social responsibility.

About RedBox Mini Storage

RedBox Mini Storage, Hong Kong's Premier Storage Provider

RedBox’s storage solutions:

Self Storage | Self-managed storage units to suit every need; 

Door-To-Door Storage | We pick up, store and deliver your items when it suits you; 

Business Storage | We offer tailored and flexible solutions to maximize your business performance; 

Packaging & Merchandise | Everything you need to protect your belongings.

RedBox Mini Storage makes de-cluttering your residence simple and stress-free. For however long you need space, we are here to help. Whether it’s extra furniture, sporting equipment, seasonal clothes or an extensive collection of rare antique books, RedBox Mini Storage has a personal storage solution custom-made for you. Just tell us about your clutter and we’ll advise you the rest of the way. Your valuables are always valued in our care.

For more information on RedBox, visit redboxstorage.com.hk