A standout year for mezzanines and for Hi-Level
Mezzanines have been central to growth across warehousing, logistics, manufacturing and self-storage throughout 2025, as businesses look for smarter ways to expand without relocating. It has been a standout year for Hi-Level Mezzanines too, a period defined by strong demand, landmark installations, industry recognition and continued investment in the expertise that sets us apart.
Sales Director Chris Baxter has summed up the mood perfectly:
“2025 has been a standout year for Hi-Level Mezzanines. We were proud to join the Self Storage Association UK, strengthening our position in a fast-growing sector and supporting operators as demand for space continues to rise.
“A major highlight was completing a large multi-tier project for Space Station in Doncaster. Being invited to their launch event and personally acknowledged during the speeches was a real honour and a testament to the strong partnership we’ve built.
“Across the wider market, mezzanines are becoming increasingly important as businesses look to maximise capacity without relocating. The resurgence of large logistics facilities and the rise of automation continue to drive demand for flexible, scalable solutions. Our project with Wayland Games illustrates this well, showing how a tailored mezzanine can unlock significant extra space.
“Looking ahead to 2026, we expect significant growth driven by e-commerce and last-mile logistics, where space efficiency and speed are everything. Our bespoke, automation-ready mezzanine systems position us well to support customers as they expand and adapt in this rapidly evolving landscape.
“Thank you to our clients, partners, and team for a successful 2025.”
A positive year for the self-storage market
The UK self-storage sector continues to grow at pace, driven by rising rental demand, shifting consumer habits and urban space pressures. Operators are expanding footprints to keep up with enquiries and mezzanines are proving one of the most effective ways to increase rentable units quickly and safely. With multi-tier structures now common across both new and existing sites, the sector remains one of the most exciting areas for growth and a perfect fit for Hi-Level’s value-engineered, large-scale capability.
This momentum made 2025 the perfect year for Hi-Level to join the Self Storage Association (SSA), strengthening our commitment to the sector and building even closer relationships with operators. We are already planning to exhibit at the SSA Conference in 2026, helping operators explore how mezzanines can increase capacity and long-term asset value.
Space Station: a flagship multi-tier installation in Doncaster
Our work with Space Station in Doncaster was a major highlight of the year. The operator needed to maximise floor area in a highly competitive region, and our multi-tier mezzanine system provided the ideal solution. The project delivered extensive additional storage space while maintaining clear, efficient walkways, excellent fire safety measures and strong integration with the building’s operational layout.
The scale and complexity of the build meant every stage, from design and engineering through to installation, had to be carefully coordinated to maintain quality and minimise disruption. The completed structure has transformed the site’s capacity, enabling Space Station to meet growing customer demand and increase operational flexibility.
We were delighted to be invited to the launch event, where our contribution was acknowledged in the speeches. It was a moment that underlined the strength of our relationship with the Space Station team and demonstrated how mezzanines can unlock strong investor returns for self-storage operators.
Industry analysis shows big sheds are making a comeback
The warehouse and logistics market saw renewed investment in larger regional hubs during 2025. Developers and occupiers alike began shifting back towards high-capacity, strategically located “big shed” sites — a trend closely linked to the growth of e-commerce and the increasing need for fulfilment speed.
We explored this shift in detail in our blog on big sheds making a comeback. This changing landscape has increased demand for mezzanines that are capable of supporting higher throughput, heavy automation and future expansion.
Automation and robotics continue to rise and Hi-Level is ready
Automation continues to shape how modern warehouse and production facilities operate. Conveyor systems, automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), robotics and automated packing lines are now central to many operations — and mezzanines must be designed to support these loads safely and efficiently.
Hi-Level’s engineering-led approach ensures every mezzanine is automation-ready, with appropriate load bearing, service access and integration with systems above and below.
A recent example is our installation for a major health and beauty retailer, where our Hi-Tile robot-ready flooring delivered the strength and fire performance required for robotic equipment.
Our Budget Calculator saw a 50% rise in use
The Hi-Level Budget Calculator saw a 50% increase in quotes compared with 2024 — a strong sign of pipeline activity across several sectors.
Our Budget Calculator gives an instant, data-driven estimate for mezzanines that’s quick, accurate and easy to use, helping clients scope projects with confidence before deciding on a full design.
Built on Hi-Level’s proprietary IQD live-pricing system the technology that secured the King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation, it’s one of the most advanced and trusted cost estimation tools in the industry, offering a clear, reliable starting point to guide investment decisions.
IMHX 2025: a productive and enjoyable event
At IMHX 2025 in Birmingham, the Hi-Level team had the opportunity to meet hundreds of professionals from across logistics, manufacturing, automation and warehousing. The event provided a valuable platform to showcase our mezzanine expertise, discuss upcoming projects and explore emerging technologies that are reshaping the sector.
Across three busy days, we spoke with end users, developers, consultants and intermediaries about their plans for expansion and how mezzanines can support both short-term and long-term growth. Many conversations centred around automation, high-density storage and the need for flexible solutions that can be adapted as organisations scale.
We were particularly encouraged by the strong interest in our Hi-Tile system and the number of enquiries from businesses looking to maximise capacity without relocating. IMHX remains one of the most important events in our calendar, and 2025 proved to be our most productive visit yet.
Charity, community and team events
2025 also gave us many opportunities to support organisations doing meaningful work across the UK.
A team from Hi-Level spent a day fundraising for and visiting Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (HIWWT) at St Catherine’s Hill and the wider Itchen Valley. The visit was a chance to contribute directly to conservation efforts on the chalk downland and learn more about the challenges facing local habitats.
We also raised funds through a Macmillan Cancer Support coffee morning, Save the Children Christmas Jumper Day and made donations to Petersfield Food Bank — causes our team feel strongly about.
Our summer BBQ at Queen Elizabeth Country Park was a real high point, complete with our own Hi-Level “Olympics”, which brought out plenty of friendly competition and left us talking happily about the day afterwards.
We closed the year with our staff Christmas lunch, bringing colleagues together from across the UK and overseas.
Welcoming three new team members
We were pleased to welcome three new colleagues in 2025:
Steve Bowman
Surveyor
Kim Hancox
Purchasing Administrator
Suzanne Cooley
Accounts Manager
Steve brings extensive experience in industrial surveying and has already played a key role in supporting several major client projects. His practical approach and strong attention to detail are helping to keep projects moving efficiently.
Kim joined the team with a strong background in procurement and supplier coordination. Her structured, organised way of working is helping to strengthen our supply chain processes and support timely delivery for clients.
Suzanne arrived with years of financial management experience.
Her clear communication and steady guidance are already proving invaluable in internal finance operations and client support.
Project highlights from 2025
As well as our flagship multi-tier installation for Space Station, Doncaster, and our automation-ready mezzanine for a health and beauty retailer, we carried out a landmark project for Wayland Games.
Wayland Games required a mezzanine solution that could grow with them, accommodate changing operational needs and align with their long-term expansion plans. We supported them through a detailed and evolving design process, helping refine the structure as their requirements changed.
Our engineering expertise and understanding of load requirements made us the natural partner for the project. The resulting mezzanine has given Wayland Games the additional space they needed to expand product lines, streamline logistics and improve order processing.
This testimonial captures the result:
“The knowledge Hi-Level demonstrated during the design process was second-to-none and made them the clear choice when deciding on a mezzanine floor supplier.
We are extremely pleased with the solution provided, which has allowed us to maximise the warehouse space we have at our new facility. We are very happy with the overall project, and Hi-Level have been a great company to work with.”
Facilities Project Manager – Wayland Games
Two fun projects
Beyond large warehouse and logistics work, we have also enjoyed two more unusual projects this year:
- A major installation for a leading film-industry prop hire company, giving them space to store, manage and prepare an extensive range of production assets
- A bespoke mezzanine for a global high-end audio provider, supporting operations from sporting events to live concerts and royal occasions.
These were fantastic projects to be part of and highlight the versatility of mezzanines beyond core industrial sectors.
Customer feedback in 2025
We received excellent feedback from clients this year, including:
Contact Us if we can help you in 2026 or beyond.
