PODS (company)
Encyclopedia
PODS, or Portable On Demand Storage is a moving and storage company. It was founded in 1998 and is based in Clearwater, Florida.
to use wireless GPS that can be used to track trucks in the fleet and to give directions to drivers making deliveries.
In February 2007, PODS was acquired by Atlanta-based Arcapita
for $451.4 million. In June 2008, PODS and the Real Estate Staging Association reached an agreement to form a strategic partnership. In September 2008, PODS and Mobility Services International (MSI) announced a partnership where PODS would be providing services for MSI client transferees and assignees. In December 2008, PODS and Wabash National
announced they have signed a multi-year agreement to build and service all of PODS' portable storage container requirements. In August 2009, PODS and UniGroup reached an agreement to share services. Under the agreement, PODS will have access the packing and loading services of United Van Lines and Mayflower Transit while UniGroup can access 138,000
PODS moving and storage containers. In November 2009, 1-800-GOT-JUNK?
and PODS formed a strategic alliance offering discounts and special services. In June 2010, PODS announced the sale of the first franchise in the United Kingdom. In October 2010, PODS announced their continued expansion into Canada with the sale of the Halifax Territory.
. PODS has also served in many situations that are less conventional than moving, assisting in recovery efforts during the Malibu fires and the recent Midwest flooding in Iowa, and routinely delivers PODS containers around the nation to communities experiencing emergency situations.
PODS containers are left either in the customers driveway, or in certain areas, on the street, which some local governments require permits or charge fees. Other towns have passed ordinances stating where the storage units can be placed.
Business
PODS operates by delivering a storage container to the customer's house. The containers are constructed of plywood over steel frames, are available in three sizes, and customers have the only set of keys to the units. The customer can pack their items in it and have the unit stored at a warehouse, or it can be delivered to another location. The units and warehouse are owned by local franchises. PODS is working with Sprint NextelSprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel Corporation is an American telecommunications company based in Overland Park, Kansas. The company owns and operates Sprint, the third largest wireless telecommunications network in the United States, with 53.4 million customers, behind Verizon Wireless and AT&T Mobility...
to use wireless GPS that can be used to track trucks in the fleet and to give directions to drivers making deliveries.
History
PODS was founded in 1998 by Peter Warhurst who was looking to expand his family's storage business. He invented the PODS, as well as a hydraulic lift system that enables operators to easily deliver and transport the units, which he named PODZILLA. In 2005, PODS grossed over $200 million in revenue. In addition, as of 2005, PODS was still privately owned, however, PODS is now franchised in 45 states, and logs 2,500 pickups and deliveries a day. Between 2005 and August 2009, PODS service expanded to include 48 states, as well as Australia and Canada.In February 2007, PODS was acquired by Atlanta-based Arcapita
Arcapita
Arcapita Inc. is a Delaware-incorporated holding and real estate company, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia....
for $451.4 million. In June 2008, PODS and the Real Estate Staging Association reached an agreement to form a strategic partnership. In September 2008, PODS and Mobility Services International (MSI) announced a partnership where PODS would be providing services for MSI client transferees and assignees. In December 2008, PODS and Wabash National
Wabash National
Wabash National is one of the world's largest manufacturers of semi-truck trailers. Founded in 1985 and publicly traded since 1991, the company had annual sales for 2006 of approximately $1.3 billion USD.-Partnerships:...
announced they have signed a multi-year agreement to build and service all of PODS' portable storage container requirements. In August 2009, PODS and UniGroup reached an agreement to share services. Under the agreement, PODS will have access the packing and loading services of United Van Lines and Mayflower Transit while UniGroup can access 138,000
PODS moving and storage containers. In November 2009, 1-800-GOT-JUNK?
1-800-GOT-JUNK?
1-800-GOT-JUNK? is a full-service junk removal company with 200 franchises in Canada, the United States and Australia. On average, up to 60% of the junk that is hauled is diverted from the landfill and is then either recycled or donated to charity and non-profit...
and PODS formed a strategic alliance offering discounts and special services. In June 2010, PODS announced the sale of the first franchise in the United Kingdom. In October 2010, PODS announced their continued expansion into Canada with the sale of the Halifax Territory.
Products
The new PODS containers built by Wabash have a steel frame construction with completely recyclable panels made of steel skins and a high-density polyethylene core and are produced in three sizes: approximately 8-by-7-by-7 feet, 8-by-8-by-12 feet and 8-by-8-by-16 feet. The 12-foot and 16-foot containers have been tested to withstand winds of more than 110-mph when partially loaded.Disaster Recovery
PODS franchises around the country provided units for collection of donations as well as providing units for storm victims of Hurricane KatrinaHurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
. PODS has also served in many situations that are less conventional than moving, assisting in recovery efforts during the Malibu fires and the recent Midwest flooding in Iowa, and routinely delivers PODS containers around the nation to communities experiencing emergency situations.
Activity
PODS has delivered more than one million units, and there are more than 141,000 containers in service.PODS containers are left either in the customers driveway, or in certain areas, on the street, which some local governments require permits or charge fees. Other towns have passed ordinances stating where the storage units can be placed.