Chief Storage - Belton, Missouri

About the Project

Andy Irwin and Mark Hays, co-owners of Chief Storage, first connected with Forge Building Company at the SSA Conference in 2023 during a roundtable discussion with Director of Sales Melissa Anderson. About a year later, they reconnected at another conference, where they toured three completed Forge facilities in Idaho.

“Seeing their work in person and hearing firsthand experiences from other owners helped solidify our confidence in their capabilities,” said Andy Irwin, Co-Founder of Chief Storage.

As first-time developers, the team carefully evaluated several builders before making their decision. “What ultimately set Forge apart was the strength of the relationship and their communication approach. They demonstrated deep industry expertise, were competitive in pricing, and offered something especially valuable to us – the ability to work directly with them. Having direct access to ownership, along with their experience and guidance from their team, was critical for our first project,” Irwin explained.

The project included six steel buildings totaling 59,410 square feet and 85 units. Designed to accommodate enclosed boat and RV storage, contractor needs, and small business use, the facility delivers a flexible, durable solution that serves both recreational and commercial tenants.

Like most construction projects, the development presented challenges—primarily related to scheduling. The original timeline was structured for traditional mini-storage, but once the issue was identified, Forge responded quickly by adjusting the schedule and increasing on-site labor to meet the original contract deadline.

“That level of responsiveness and accountability demonstrated real strength, credibility, and professionalism,” said Irwin.

“Overall, our partnership with the Forge team was built on trust and transparency. They were detail-oriented, followed through consistently, and made the entire process smooth and relatively stress-free. From ownership to Project Manager Michael Buckles, Vice President of Operations Kraig Hutchison, and the on-site crew, everyone was easy to work with and willing to adapt as needed.

In our opinion, the number one thing that sets Forge apart is the relationship. The team delivered true white-glove service, giving us direct access to leadership and a collaborative, solution-oriented field team. Compared to our past experiences, working with Forge was a breath of fresh air—and a partnership we will continue to use and confidently recommend,” Irwin concluded.