A satellite office is a space created by the company away from its main office; it can also be called a branch. It can be established in the same city, a different city, or even in a different country.
There are many reasons why companies create satellite spaces. Most of the time, it’s when they expand and can’t fit in their original main office space. They may also want to expand to new markets or provide additional office space to accommodate the latest trend in hybrid model working.
One creative and cost-effective option to establish a satellite space is to transform a shipping container into a small office. Shipping containers are versatile, durable, and eco-friendly. It seems a popular choice because, of 16 million shipping containers in circulation worldwide, only 6 million are being used for overseas transport. The other 10 million are used for other purposes, and becoming satellite offices is one of them.
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Consider These Key Benefits
A business may benefit from opening a satellite office space using a shipping container. For one, it is a cost-effective way to create a comfortable and productive environment for your employees. It can save you money on rent, utilities, and maintenance costs, as shipping containers are more energy-efficient than traditional buildings.
One of the businesses more likely to benefit from having satellite offices in various parts of the city is the locksmith industry. According to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, the country has about 24,371 registered locksmiths. A locksmith company can benefit from having multiple centers throughout the city by reducing the time and cost of employees’ travel to serve their customers. The business can also foster a connection to local customers and provide more efficient customer service.
Other benefits include:
- Exploring new markets
- Attracting a different pool of employees that live closer to the satellite location
- Providing more opportunities for collaboration with other individuals and cultures in the area
You can also reap the unconventional benefit of growing your business image by transforming shipping containers into satellite offices, showcasing the company’s creativity, innovation, and commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.
Hire Expert Help for a Proper Transformation
Transforming a shipping container into a suitable office space that meets your specifications and budget is not difficult. After you find your container, you must secure a piece of land where it can be placed. It means you must obtain all the necessary permits and approvals from local authorities. You’ll also need to comply with your area’s zoning, building, and safety codes. You may want to hire a real estate professional to take care of these steps for you.
Once your container is properly sitting at your location, you need to refurbish it to become a cozy place for working. Hire professionals who can help you design, install, and modify your containers. Professional trades like architects, engineers, electricians, and plumbers will ensure the quality and safety of your project. Your container will need installed plumbing and windows for natural light; it will need to be insulated and have flooring installed. Be sure the electrical cables run to outlets for all the electrical equipment, too.
To finish your transformation, you must furnish and equip your container satellite office with the necessary amenities and devices. You may need to hire movers to help you move items such as desks, chairs, shelves, cabinets, computers, printers, phones, internet routers, air conditioners, and more from your original office space. In the U.S., 38% of moving requests are from businesses! Your company can benefit from this professional service, too. The last thing is to ensure that your container has all your branding. Paint the outside with your business colors and transfer all slogans and logos onto it.
Creating a satellite office by converting a shipping container is a great way to create a new working space without compromising productivity and creativity. It can be a rewarding experience for you and your employees, and it allows your business to be present in multiple areas without a huge capital outlay.
