Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc.
Family-owned Phoenix-based provider of shipping container rentals, sales, and custom modifications serving commercial, construction, government, and residential customers across the Southwest US and nationwide for fabrication projects.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersPhoenix, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc. does
Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc. is a privately held, family-owned company founded in 1995 and headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, that rents, sells, and fabricates shipping-container-based storage and office solutions. The company serves commercial, construction, government, and residential end markets across the Southwest United States (Arizona, California, Colorado, Texas) for its rental operations and on a nationwide, increasingly global basis for container sales and custom modifications. Its core products are steel ISO shipping containers (10' to 45') repurposed through in-house welding, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and painting work into storage containers, mobile offices (Open Bay, Split Bay, Office/Storage Combo), and bespoke configurations delivered nationwide.
The technical backbone is an 11-acre Phoenix headquarters anchored by a 90,000 sq ft indoor fabrication facility, staffed by 70+ certified engineers, welders, fabricators, electricians, carpenters, and painters with over 500 years of combined container modification experience. The facility enables simultaneous multi-project assembly lines, contamination-free welding for structural integrity, and proprietary jigs developed over thousands of custom builds—including projects for NASA, the US Navy, the US Army, the City of Los Angeles, Boeing, Amazon, Walmart, Universal Studios, and Sundt. Capability breadth spans doors (roll-up, cargo, personnel), windows, skylights, HVAC, spray foam insulation, electrical, lighting, custom paint and branding, ventilation, shelving, stairs, and platforms. Supporting platform products include a 24/7 web Customer Portal for rental tracking, invoicing, and service scheduling, and an AI-powered website virtual assistant ('Sammie') for quote intake.
The business model blends recurring and transactional revenue. Container rentals are billed on 28-day cycles with daily prorating after the first cycle, with an optional Damage Liability Waiver at 12% of the billing rate. Container sales are one-time transactions across three conditions (As Is, Refurbished, New One-Trip) carrying a 6-month warranty on used units and a 1-year warranty on new units. Custom modifications are professional-services revenue collected via a 50% upfront deposit and 50% pre-shipment balance, with a 1-year warranty. Go-to-market is sales-led: inside-sales with dedicated account managers supported by phone (800.686.9114), online quote forms, and eight physical branch locations with container show yards. Pricing is uniformly quote-based and not publicly disclosed.
Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc.
- Legal name
- Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc.
- Website
- https://swmobilestorage.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Family-owned Phoenix-based provider of shipping container rentals, sales, and custom modifications serving commercial, construction, government, and residential customers across the Southwest US and nationwide for fabrication projects.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Portable Storage Container Rental & Modification Services
- NAICS
- General Rental Centers (5323), Warehousing and Storage (4931)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Equipment Rental & Leasing (7350), Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Commercial & Office Portable Storage Container Rental & Moving (HSAKAIAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- On-Site Portable Storage (Driveway/Jobsite) Container Placement (HSAKAIAC), Portable Storage Container Delivery, Pickup & Repositioning Services (HSAKAIAE), Residential Portable Storage Container Rental & Moving (HSAKAIAA)
Keywords
Where Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Phoenix
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices8 records
Markets served
Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Container Rental: 28-day rental agreements with prorating by the day after first billing cycle. Month-to-month terms with flexible pickup scheduling. Minimum one month rental period. Rental options include storage containers (10', 15', 20', 24', 30', 40', 45' sizes) and portable offices (10', 20', 24', 40' sizes). Add-ons available including gorilla racks, pipe racks, padded blankets, dolly ramps, puck locks, pad locks.
- Container Sales: One-time purchase of storage containers and portable offices in various conditions: As Is, Refurbished, or New (one-trip). 6-month warranty on used containers, 1-year warranty on new and modified containers. Container show yards available for viewing before purchase.
- Container Modifications: Custom container modifications including expanded/shortened sizes, roll-up doors, cargo doors, personnel doors, windows, skylights, HVAC, electrical, custom paint, shelving, stairs, platforms. 50% deposit required before fabrication begins, remaining 50% due before shipment. 1-year warranty on modified containers.
- Damage Liability Waiver (DLW): Optional Damage Liability Waiver insurance for rental containers costing 12% of the 28-day billing rate. Covers damages to storage container and mobile office rentals (except graffiti) but not contents. Mandatory unless customer provides own insurance.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Rental billing based on 28-day cycles with prorating after first cycle |
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Container rental sizes from 10ft to 45ft |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Container purchase pricing varies by condition and size |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Custom modification with 50% upfront deposit |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc. rents, sells, and custom-fabricates shipping containers and portable container offices for commercial, construction, government, and residential customers. The company operates an 11-acre Phoenix, AZ headquarters with a 90,000 sq ft indoor fabrication facility staffed by 70+ certified tradespeople delivering custom modifications such as doors, windows, HVAC, electrical, shelving, painting, and custom sizing. Services span short- and long-term rentals (10' to 45' sizes), purchase of new/refurbished/as-is containers, and bespoke container builds delivered regionally in AZ, CA, CO, TX and nationwide for sales/modifications.
Product overview
Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc. operates as a family-owned business founded in 1995, offering a comprehensive suite of shipping container solutions. The core product portfolio consists of three main pillars: (1) Storage Container Rentals and Sales with sizes ranging from 10' to 45', available in multiple door configurations (single door, double door/tunnel, roll-up doors) and conditions (As Is, Refurbished, New One-Trip); (2) Container Modifications providing in-house custom fabrication at a 90,000 sq ft facility with over 500 years combined experience, enabling any size modification, custom doors/windows, HVAC, electrical, painting, and specialty features; and (3) Container Office solutions available for rent and purchase in Open Bay, Split Bay, and Office/Storage Combo configurations. The company enhances its core offerings with optional add-ons including Gorilla Racks, Pipe Racks, Padded Blankets, Dolly Ramps, security locks, plan tables, and desk tops. Additional services include climate control, spray foam insulation, custom painting with logo application, and ventilation modifications. Customers access account management through a web-based Customer Portal with 24/7 access to rental tracking, payment processing, and service scheduling.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Storage Container Rentals Short and long-term rental of shipping containers in sizes from 10' to 45' on flexible 28-day billing agreements with daily prorating. Available in single-door, double-door (tunnel), and roll-up door configurations including high-cube options, delivered wind- and watertight to commercial and construction sites.
- Storage Container Sales One-time purchase of shipping containers in three conditions: As Is (may have rust, dents, or discoloring), Refurbished (repainted and waterproofed), and New One-Trip (used only once). Sizes range from 10' to 40' and include a 6-month warranty on used units and 1-year warranty on new units.
- Container Modifications Custom in-house fabrication and modification services for shipping containers including expanded or shortened sizes, roll-up doors, cargo doors, personnel doors, sliding doors, storage cabinets, tool cribs, racks, shelving, partitions, stairs, ladders, platforms, ramps, vents, skylights, windows, lights, electrical, communications, HVAC, specialty painting, and signage. Requires 50% deposit before fabrication, with 1-year warranty on modified containers.
- Container Office Rentals Ground-level portable office containers for rent with electrical systems, lighting, multiple outlets, HVAC temperature control, insulated wood-paneled walls, and epoxy-coated flooring. Available in Open Bay, Split Bay, and Office/Storage Combo configurations in 10', 20', 24', and 40' sizes.
- Container Office Sales Portable container offices for purchase, including Open Bay and Split Bay units with insulated walls, built-in lighting, HVAC, and epoxy-coated floors, plus Office/Storage Combo units with refinished interiors and partitioned storage areas. Comes with 1-year warranty.
- Customer Portal Online self-service portal providing 24/7 account access for customers to view current rentals, rental and purchase history, terminate rentals online, print close-out invoices, pay invoices, and schedule service calls.
- Damage Liability Waiver (DLW) Optional insurance program covering damage to rented storage containers and mobile offices (excluding graffiti and contents) at 12% of the 28-day billing rate. Mandatory unless customer provides proof of own insurance.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 500 years combined container modification experience
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc.
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators10 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- WillScot Mobile Mini: Largest North American provider of mobile offices, portable storage, and modular space with a national branch network. Directly competes with SMS across rentals and sales, but operates at vastly larger fleet scale and is publicly listed.
- PODS (Portable On-Demand Storage): National portable storage container company serving residential and commercial customers with container rentals and moves. Closely comparable business model to SMS, though PODS emphasizes moving/relocation use cases while SMS emphasizes jobsite and modification.
- U-Box (U-Haul): Portable container rental program from U-Haul targeting moving and self-storage use cases nationally. Competes with SMS for portable storage demand and benefits from the broader U-Haul footprint.
- 1-800-PACK-RAT: Portable storage container rental and moving company operating across multiple US states. Directly comparable business model with focus on residential and commercial storage/moving rentals.
- Go Mini's: Portable storage container franchise system with multi-state US presence. Competes head-to-head with SMS for portable container rentals serving residential, commercial, and construction customers.
- Conexwest: Shipping container sales, rental, and modification company. Most directly comparable to SMS on the modification side, offering custom fabricated containers alongside rentals.
- ContainerOne: Provider of shipping containers for sale, rent, and modification across multiple US markets. Overlaps with SMS on both core product lines and on custom container fabrication.
- ModSpace: Provider of modular buildings and portable storage serving construction, commercial, and government customers. Direct competitor to SMS in jobsite offices and ground-level portable space.
Broad incumbents
- McGrath RentCorp: Public company through Mobile Modular and Mobile Mini Brands providing modular buildings, portable storage, and electronic test equipment. Larger, more diversified incumbent serving overlapping customer segments.
- United Rentals: Largest equipment rental company in the world offering an extensive fleet including storage containers and site offices. Competes with SMS for construction and industrial customers though containers are a small part of its portfolio.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc. social profiles
Digital presenceSouthwest Mobile Storage, Inc. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc. M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc.
What does Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc. do?
Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc. rents, sells, and custom-fabricates shipping containers and portable container offices for commercial, construction, government, and residential customers. The company operates an 11-acre Phoenix, AZ headquarters with a 90,000 sq ft indoor fabrication facility staffed by 70+ certified tradespeople delivering custom modifications such as doors, windows, HVAC, electrical, shelving, painting, and custom sizing. Services span short- and long-term rentals (10' to 45' sizes), purchase of new/refurbished/as-is containers, and bespoke container builds delivered regionally in AZ, CA, CO, TX and nationwide for sales/modifications.
Is Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc. a public or private company?
Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc. is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc. founded?
Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc. was founded in 1995. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc. based?
Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc. is headquartered in Phoenix, United States, in the North America region.
How does Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc. make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Container Rental is the primary driver. The others are container Sales, container Modifications and damage Liability Waiver (DLW).
Who are Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc.'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are WillScot Mobile Mini, PODS (Portable On-Demand Storage), U-Box (U-Haul), 1-800-PACK-RAT, Go Mini's, Conexwest, ContainerOne and ModSpace. Broad incumbents are McGrath RentCorp and United Rentals.
Does Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc. have an API?
No public API is recorded for Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc..
What industry is Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc. in?
Southwest Mobile Storage, Inc.'s product category is Portable Storage Container Rental & Modification Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSAKAIAB, Commercial & Office Portable Storage Container Rental & Moving, with a secondary code of HSAKAIAC, On-Site Portable Storage (Driveway/Jobsite) Container Placement. Its NAICS code is 5323 and its SIC code is 7350.