| Mobile storage is a new and innovative alternative to | | | | approximately 2, 000 pounds which is equivalent to 1 |
| traditional self storage. The concept is quite simple, | | | | room of furniture or 50 banker boxes for files. |
| states Bob DiBlasi, a consultant to Mobile Storage | | | | Depending on the location and optional services |
| Solutions, Inc., a Council Bluffs, Iowa based company. | | | | offered, monthly rates for mobile storage range |
| The mobile storage company delivers storage | | | | between $50.00 and $85.00 per month. Tim Riley, |
| containers directly to the customer's location. The | | | | founder of Door To Door Storage, says when |
| customer loads the container(s) according to their | | | | customers are educated about the advantages of |
| needs and schedule. Once the storage container(s) | | | | mobile storage-including the fact it eliminates the |
| are loaded, the customer locks the container(s) and | | | | need for truck rental, as well as for double loading |
| the mobile storage company returns to the | | | | and unloading- they are willing to pay higher rates. |
| customer's location, picks up the container(s) and | | | | "Customers recognize the convenience", Riley says. |
| returns it to a secure, climate controlled warehouse | | | | Where did it come from? |
| for safekeeping. The customer can access the | | | | Door To Door Storage was the first U.S. self-storage |
| container either by going to the warehouse or having | | | | company to offer a 'deliverable storage unit' which |
| the container(s) redelivered to their location. | | | | customers load at their home or business. With the |
| Self Storage customers want convenience, | | | | slogan, "You pack it up. We pick it up", Door To Door |
| accessibility and reasonable rates says Ed Byrd, chief | | | | set out to revolutionize the mobile storage delivery |
| executive officer of Kontane, Inc, a Hickory, North | | | | service. Door To Door Storage was founded by Tim |
| Carolina based container supplier. "It is so easy for | | | | Riley, a former self-storage executive, who wanted |
| the customer", Byrd indicates. No longer does the | | | | to provide a secure and convenient alternative to the |
| customer have to rent a truck, pack it, drive across | | | | hassles customers face when storing their belongings. |
| town to a mini storage facility, unload the truck and | | | | Door To Door Storage met with rave reviews from |
| then return the truck. All the customer has to do is | | | | its customers. By 1998, the company had expanded |
| make one phone call and the container(s) are | | | | into Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San |
| delivered directly to them. | | | | Diego. Currently, the Kent, Washington based |
| Randy Weissman, President of the Storage Banc, a | | | | company services over 3,000 towns and cities |
| St. Louis, Missouri based storage company echoes | | | | nationwide. |
| the comments of Byrd. "Every self-storage customer | | | | Where is it going? |
| has a need for transportation. Why not solve that | | | | Mobile storage is still in its infancy. Emerging on the |
| need? If we make it easy to get things into storage, | | | | market approximately 10 years ago, customers are |
| maybe we will attract customers who would love to | | | | still learning about the unique advantages the service |
| clean out the basement, garage or attic, but doesn't | | | | has to offer. Industry observers liken the challenges |
| want to hassle with renting a truck to get their | | | | faced by mobile storage companies to those faced |
| belongings into storage". | | | | by traditional self-stage during its early development. |
| Although storage containers range in size and | | | | Lack of customer awareness is chief among the |
| material, the industry appears to be settling on a 5'by | | | | concerns. Many users believe mobile storage offers |
| 8' by 7' tall model with a door in the front, according | | | | the ultimate in convenience, which is an increasingly |
| to Rob Nist, marketing manager for Seattle-Tacoma | | | | popular attribute in today's fast paced world. As |
| Box Co. Nist says it's a pretty ideal container because | | | | customers become aware of the advantages of this |
| it maximizes stability; gives people the ability to store | | | | new and innovative alternative to traditional |
| their couches and can be stored 4 high in most | | | | self-storage the business will continue to expand. |
| warehouses. Each container has the capacity to store | | | | |