Zippy Shell
Zippy Shell operates a national containerized moving and storage platform serving residential, commercial, and corporate relocation customers across 94 US locations using 800+ trucks and 70,000+ portable containers delivered via a patented hydraulic system.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersWake Forest, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Zippy Shell does
Zippy Shell is a US-based containerized moving and storage company that delivers portable galvanized steel mesh containers directly to customer locations for self-paced packing, then transports those containers to a destination or to its own storage facilities. The company's core product is a 15-foot container (7ft x 7ft x 15ft, 680 cubic feet, 5,500 lb capacity) deployed via a patented hydraulic delivery system requiring 12ft width, 13.5ft height, and 55ft length of clearance. Service lines include local moving, long-distance and cross-country moving with 30 days of included storage, full-service moving with third-party labor referrals, corporate relocation, and short- and long-term residential storage at temperature-controlled facilities.
The company operates through a franchise and corporate-location hybrid model with 94 independently owned and operated locations across the United States, supported by 800+ trucks and 70,000+ containers nationwide. Zippy Shell generates revenue primarily on a per-container subscription/transactional basis, with quote-based pricing that varies by distance, container count, storage duration, and ancillary services such as contents protection plans (up to $50,000 coverage) and labor referrals. Customer segments are predominantly residential consumers, with growing corporate relocation and business/commercial storage segments. Marketing is multi-channel digital (website, blog, social, email) plus a B2B enterprise sales motion for corporate relocations.
Originally founded in Australia in 2007, Zippy Shell entered the US market in 2010 and was formally incorporated as Zippy Shell Incorporated in 2015. It merged with 1-800-PACK-RAT in 2018 under CEO Mark Kuhns, with both brands now operating under 1-800-PACK-RAT, LLC, alongside a Storage Squad sub-brand. The company has raised approximately $345 million in cumulative capital, including a $180 million preferred equity investment from The Carlyle Group in May 2024, and received its 8th overall (4th consecutive) Inc. 5000 recognition in 2023.
Zippy Shell firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Zippy Shell
- Legal name
- Zippy Shell Incorporated
- Website
- https://zippyshell.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Zippy Shell operates a national containerized moving and storage platform serving residential, commercial, and corporate relocation customers across 94 US locations using 800+ trucks and 70,000+ portable containers delivered via a patented hydraulic system.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Zippy Shell is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wake Forest
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices7 records
Markets served
Zippy Shell business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Moving Services: Portable moving container services including local, long-distance, and cross-country moves. Revenue is generated per container based on distance, number of containers, and optional labor services. Payment structure includes 50% deposit 2 business days prior to delivery and 50% billed at destination or day 31.
- Storage Services: On-site and off-site portable storage solutions. Customers can keep containers on their property or store them at Zippy Shell facilities. Revenue is based on number of containers, storage duration, and whether storage is on-site or at facilities.
- Contents Protection Plans: Optional contents protection plans providing coverage for items in containers. Plan levels range from basic (container damage only) up to $50,000 worth of contents protection. One-time purchase added to initial order.
- Professional Labor Services: Third-party referral services for loading, unloading, and packing assistance. These services are contracted through trusted third-party companies and are not provided directly by Zippy Shell.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Moving Container Service |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Contents Protection Plans |
| Subscription | Monthly | Storage Solutions |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Zippy Shell product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Zippy Shell provides portable moving and storage services using its own 15ft galvanized steel mesh containers delivered to customer locations via a patented hydraulic system. Customers pack at their own pace (up to three days), after which Zippy Shell transports the containers to a new residence or to secure, temperature-controlled storage facilities. The offering covers local moves, long-distance and cross-country moves, full-service moves, corporate relocations, and short- and long-term residential storage.
Product overview
Zippy Shell offers a containerized moving and storage platform centered on its 15ft galvanized steel mesh portable containers (680 cubic feet, 5500lb capacity). The core offering combines mobile container delivery, customer-paced packing (up to 3 days), and transportation by Zippy Shell. Services span local moving, long-distance/cross-country moving, full-service moving with third-party labor referrals, and corporate relocation. Storage services include residential, short-term (month-to-month), and long-term (3+ months) options with on-site or facility storage. The company operates as part of a two-brand portfolio (Zippy Shell and 1-800-PACK-RAT, merged in 2018) under CEO Mark Kuhns, with over 90 locations nationwide and a growing network of secure warehouse facilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- 1-800-PACK-RAT: Portable storage and moving division operating under the same corporate umbrella as Zippy Shell
- Storage Squad
Products and services
- Portable Storage Containers Zippy Shell's core physical asset, the 15ft galvanized steel mesh container is delivered to customer locations via a patented hydraulic system, holds 680 cubic feet, supports up to 5,500 lb of contents, and can be loaded on-site or stored at Zippy Shell facilities. Used by residential customers, corporate relocation clients, and commercial storage buyers.
- Local Moving Services Portable moving container service for moves within a local market. Zippy Shell delivers the container to the customer's home, allows up to three days of packing, then picks up and transports the container to the destination residence. Targeted at homeowners and renters who want to avoid driving a rental truck.
- Long-Distance Moving Services Containerized moving across state lines with 30 days of included storage and custom solutions tailored to budget and scheduling. Targeted at households relocating between states who want container-based convenience with built-in storage flexibility.
- Cross-Country Moving Long-haul containerized moves between distant U.S. cities, including optional free storage during transit. Designed for households relocating coast-to-coast who want flexible timing and container-based handling throughout the journey.
- Full-Service Moving Comprehensive moving solution that bundles move planning, third-party labor referrals for packing and loading, and complete transportation to the new home. Targeted at customers who want a hands-off move beyond the standard self-packed container offering.
- Corporate Relocation Services Enterprise employee relocation program including long-distance and local moves, secure facility storage, and on-site storage options, supported by a dedicated account team, 24/7 direct support, and a single point of contact. Targeted at HR and mobility teams managing employee relocations across multiple locations.
- Residential Storage Solutions On-demand mobile storage containers delivered to a customer's home with the option of secure, temperature-controlled facility storage. Targeted at homeowners needing temporary or ongoing storage during moves, renovations, or life transitions.
- Long-Term Storage Storage solutions for periods longer than three months, with climate-controlled facilities and flexible container access. Targeted at residential and commercial customers needing extended-duration storage.
- Short-Term Storage Month-to-month portable storage with flexible access for temporary needs during moves, renovations, or emergencies. Targeted at customers needing short-duration, on-demand storage with the option to keep containers on-site.
Quantifiable outcome
- Claims rate well below industry average
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Zippy Shell
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Zippy Shell technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Zippy Shell partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and supporting.
- Durham BullsminorZippy Shell entered into a partnership with the Durham Bulls baseball team to become the team's official moving and storage partner. This sponsorship provides brand visibility in the local North Carolina market.
- 1-800-PACK-RATcoreZippy Shell merged with 1-800-PACK-RAT in 2018, with CEO Mark Kuhns assuming the same role for both brands. The merger combined ideas and technology to create a broader suite of moving and storage services. Both brands operate under 1-800-PACK-RAT, LLC.
- Third-Party Labor Service ProviderssupportingZippy Shell refers customers to trusted third-party professional labor providers for loading, unloading, and packing services. These are independent contractors not affiliated with Zippy Shell Inc.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Zippy Shell competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- PODS: PODS is the most direct competitor to Zippy Shell in portable storage container rental and moving, offering comparable container delivery, on-site and warehouse storage, and local/long-distance moves to the same residential and corporate customer base.
- 1-800-PACK-RAT: 1-800-PACK-RAT is a sister brand under the same 1-800-PACK-RAT, LLC parent following the 2018 merger, offering nearly identical portable storage container and moving services to overlapping customers in many of the same US markets.
- U-Pack: U-Pack (operated by ArcBest) is a direct competitor focused on long-distance and interstate containerized moving, addressing the same customer pain points around rental trucks and storage that Zippy Shell targets with its long-distance container offering.
- SMARTBOX: SMARTBOX is a direct competitor in portable storage container rental and moving, providing door-to-door delivery and storage services to residential customers in overlapping US regional markets.
- Storage Squad: Storage Squad is a wholly-owned subsidiary/divisional brand of Zippy Shell offering storage services, included here as a portfolio peer; it competes in portable storage and serves as a brand-extension reference for adjacent storage-only models in the market.
Broad incumbents
- U-Haul: U-Haul is a broad incumbent in self-moving with truck/trailer rentals, portable storage (U-Box), and self-storage facilities. While much larger and broader than Zippy Shell, it competes for the same residential and small-business moving and storage demand.
- Penske Truck Rental: Penske is a broad incumbent in truck rental for DIY moves and commercial logistics, competing indirectly with Zippy Shell's full-service and long-distance moving offerings by serving customers who prefer to drive a rental truck themselves.
- Budget Truck Rental: Budget Truck Rental is a broad incumbent in consumer and small-business truck rental for self-moves, offering a lower-cost alternative that competes for the same customers Zippy Shell targets with its portable container service.
Others
- Public Storage: Public Storage is the largest US self-storage facility operator; while its customers drive to facilities rather than have containers delivered, it competes for the same storage wallet and partially overlaps Zippy Shell's facility storage services.
- CubeSmart: CubeSmart operates a national self-storage facility portfolio and overlaps with Zippy Shell's facility storage segment, particularly for customers wanting month-to-month or long-term storage without on-site containers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Zippy Shell social profiles
Digital presenceZippy Shell compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Zippy Shell financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Zippy Shell leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Zippy Shell subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Zippy Shell funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Zippy Shell M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Zippy Shell
What does Zippy Shell do?
Zippy Shell provides portable moving and storage services using its own 15ft galvanized steel mesh containers delivered to customer locations via a patented hydraulic system. Customers pack at their own pace (up to three days), after which Zippy Shell transports the containers to a new residence or to secure, temperature-controlled storage facilities. The offering covers local moves, long-distance and cross-country moves, full-service moves, corporate relocations, and short- and long-term residential storage.
Is Zippy Shell a public or private company?
Zippy Shell is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was Zippy Shell founded?
Zippy Shell was founded in 2007. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Zippy Shell based?
Zippy Shell is headquartered in Wake Forest, United States, in the North America region.
How does Zippy Shell make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Moving Services are the primary driver. The others are storage Services, contents Protection Plans and professional Labor Services.
Who are Zippy Shell's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are PODS, 1-800-PACK-RAT, U-Pack, SMARTBOX and Storage Squad. Broad incumbents are U-Haul, Penske Truck Rental and Budget Truck Rental. Others are Public Storage and CubeSmart.
Does Zippy Shell have an API?
No public API is recorded for Zippy Shell.