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Mobile Storage Services in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Seth Lee Seth Lee New York, United States Last Updated: October 2024 NAICS OD5529

Revenue

$11.6bn

2024

$11.6bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$X.Xbn

Employees

111k

Businesses

5,570

Wages

$X.Xbn

Mobile Storage Services in the US industry analysis

Mobile storage services have seen significant growth over the past five years, especially through the early period.  Revenue spiked in 2021 as high residential construction values and manageable interest rates encouraged homeowners to sell their properties. Surging diesel prices pushed mobile storage services to raise delivery fees, bolstering revenue. Mobile storage companies' upward trend has gradually tapered off in the years since as inflationary pressures gave way to interest rate hikes that stifled home sales and construction activity, but solid business from existing customers and commercial clients has helped buoy portable storage providers. Office vacancies are raising concerns for this industry and whether they will have ramifications on their revenue streams. Mobile storage services' revenue has been surging at a CAGR of 3.6% to an estimated $13.3 billion over the five years through 2024 despite an expected decline of 3.3% in 2024.

Trends and Insights

  • Mobile storage services surged as consumers moved away from cities. A mass exodus from urban areas through COVID-19 combined with skyrocketing diesel prices to bring on a jump in revenue for mobile storage services.
  • Storage fees make up most of mobile storage companies' revenue. Long-term rentals help portable storage services generate solid income with almost no additional labor expenses.
  • Mobile storage services operate in line with population trends, given that companies typically locate near large consumer markets to limit transportation expenses.
  • Suppliers hold power over this industry. The high spending bar makes switching to a new supplier harder, giving their suppliers more leverage in negotiations.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.4 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $11.6bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

High interest rates are curbing demand from movers

  • Many consumers and businesses rely on portable storage units when moving to avoid expensive moving services. Mobile storage services' revenue jumped in 2021 as the high value of residential construction incited new construction and encouraged homeowners to sell their houses. Concerns surrounding COVID-19 further bolstered moving activity as consumers left cities for the suburbs.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Mobile Storage Services in the US
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Growing demand from commercial clients will support revenue and profit

  • The office vacancy rate is set to decline as businesses push for employees to return to in-office work. As businesses emerge in need of an office, mobile storage services will see greater demand. A greater in-office presence will also lead some businesses to move to larger offices with the help of mobile storage units.

Biggest companies in the Mobile Storage Services in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($m)
2024
Profit ($m)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024
Mobile Mini Inc.
1,776.6
191.0
10.7
PODS Enterprises LLC
341.3
48.8
14.3

To view the market share and analysis for all 2 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Mobile Storage Services in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Delivery fees, Storage fees and Merchandise sales. Delivery fees is the largest segment of the Mobile Storage Services in the US.

Trends and Insights

Long-term rentals make storage fees the top revenue stream

  • Mobile storage services charge monthly fees for the continued use of each container. Nearly three-quarters of mobile storage unit renters plan to keep their units for more than six months, so storage fees stack up and are responsible for the vast majority of mobile storage providers' revenue.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

This industry provides mobile self-storage services to consumers and commercial customers. This industry is different from the self-storage companies in the Storage and Warehouse Leasing industry (IBISWorld report 53113) in that companies provide customers with door-to-door pickup and delivery.

What's included in this industry?

Providing storageProviding moving servicesSelling merchandise

Companies

Mobile Mini Inc.PODS Enterprises LLC

Purchase this report to view all 2 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

PORTABLE STORAGE SERVICESSELF-STORAGEMOVING COMPANIES

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 49311 - Mobile Storage Services in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Mobile storage services surged as consumers moved away from cities. A mass exodus from urban areas through COVID-19 combined with skyrocketing diesel prices to bring on a jum...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Storage fees make up most of mobile storage companies' revenue. Long-term rentals help portable storage services generate solid income with almost no additional labor expense...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Mobile storage services operate in line with population trends, given that companies typically locate near large consumer markets to limit transportation expenses.

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Suppliers hold power over this industry. The high spending bar makes switching to a new supplier harder, giving their suppliers more leverage in negotiations.

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

WillScot (Mobile Mini) has been acquiring companies. By making this decision, now the company has been reaping in a larger chunk of the market.

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Mobile Mini Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of PODS Enterprises LLC's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Mobile Mini Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for PODS Enterprises LLC, and factors influencing its performance in the industry

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Federal, state and local regulations govern environmental protection and rental agreements. Mobile storage services typically draft lease agreements limiting the value of the...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Expanding workforces are eating into profit. Mobile storage services' delivery capacities are directly tied to their workforce sizes, so bringing new team members is essentia...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
  • Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
  • Income Statement (2017-2022)
  • Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
  • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Mobile Storage Services in the US industry in United States in 2024?

The market size of the Mobile Storage Services in the US industry in United States is $11.6bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Mobile Storage Services in the US industry in 2024?

There are 5,570 businesses in the Mobile Storage Services in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 2.4 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Mobile Storage Services in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Mobile Storage Services in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 1.4 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Mobile Storage Services in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Mobile Storage Services in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Mobile Storage Services in the US market in United States?

The biggest companies operating in the Mobile Storage Services market in United States are Mobile Mini Inc. and PODS Enterprises LLC

What does the Mobile Storage Services in the US in United States include?

Providing storage and Providing moving services are part of the Mobile Storage Services in the US industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Mobile Storage Services in the US in United States?

The company holding the most market share in United States is Mobile Mini Inc..

How competitive is the Mobile Storage Services in the US industry in United States?

The level of competition is low and increasing in the Mobile Storage Services in the US industry in United States.

Related Industries

Widen you competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • Moving Services in the US
  • General Warehousing & Storage in the US
  • Storage & Warehouse Leasing in the US

Complementors

  • Apartment Rental in the US

International industries

  • General Warehousing & Storage in Canada
  • General Warehousing and Cold Storage in Australia
  • Warehousing and Storage Services in New Zealand
  • Warehousing & Storage in the UK
  • Warehousing & Storage in Ireland

View all industries in United States

Methodology

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Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the US include: 

  • US Census Bureau
  • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • US International Trade Commission

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

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