Universal Storage Containers

What Universal Storage Containers does

Universal Storage Containers BV (USC), headquartered in Deventer, Netherlands, designs and supplies collapsible outdoor storage containers — primarily the Z-Box product family — to self-storage operators across Europe. The company's proprietary foldable architecture allows up to 12 units to ship flat-packed in a single 40ft sea container, and the Z-Box is fully insulated, ventilated, condensation-free, SKG***-rated, and configurable into multiple independent compartments. USC complements the hardware with Smart Lock integrations that connect to third-party management platforms (Kinnovis, Stora, Janus Nokē, MyLock, PlaceB, Sedisto) for unmanned, keyless operation, and offers add-ons including solar/off-grid power, green roofs, and LED lighting.

The business operates a multi-channel go-to-market combining enterprise field sales, inside sales via website quote requests, and an active presence at European industry events (FEDESSA, SSA UK, AESS, BAR, Movers & Storers). Revenue is generated through one-time container sales, recurring leasing and shortlease subscriptions, professional services (delivery, assembly, aftersales), and marketing support. Customers range from large European operators such as Lagerbox (Berlin), Big Yellow (UK), and 1BOX (Netherlands) to SMB independents across the Netherlands, Ireland, Sweden, Germany, France, Spain, the UK, and Italy.

USC was founded in 2018 by brothers Jan-Hein and Maarten Streppel, who together bring more than 15 years of storage industry experience. The company operates autonomously from its Dutch office, achieved a 2025 FEDESSA Sustainability Award, and in 2025 completed a strategic separation from former American partners to continue as an independent European business. No external funding rounds, M&A activity, or institutional ownership is evidenced in the available data.

Name

Universal Storage Containers

Legal name

Universal Storage Containers BV

Website

https://universalstoragecontainers.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Universal Storage Containers (Deventer, Netherlands) designs and supplies collapsible Z-Box storage containers, smart lock integrations, and leasing services to self-storage operators across Europe, founded by brothers Jan-Hein and Maarten Streppel.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Modular Storage Containers

NAICS

Lessors of Miniwarehouses and Self-Storage Units (531130), General Warehousing and Storage (493110), Transportation and Warehousing (48-49)

SIC

Public Warehousing & Storage (4220)

akta.pro primary industry

On-Site Portable Storage (Driveway/Jobsite) Container Placement (HSAKAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Residential Portable Storage Container Rental & Moving (HSAKAIAA), Warehouse-Hosted Portable Storage (Off-Site Storage + Redelivery) (HSAKAIAD), Portable Storage Container Delivery, Pickup & Repositioning Services (HSAKAIAE), Portable Storage Container Packing/Loading & Unloading Labor Services (HSAKAIAF)

Keywords

• Foldable storage containers
• Self storage solutions
• Portable container leasing
• Outdoor storage parks
• Container assembly services

Headquarters

HQ city

New Canaan

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Container Sales: Direct sale of Z-Box containers and other container models to self storage operators. Containers can be customized with various options including insulation, color, and features.
2. Leasing and Shortlease: Flexible leasing options allowing operators to rent containers rather than purchase, reducing upfront capital requirements and enabling faster market entry.
3. After-sales Services: Ongoing maintenance, repair, and rental support services provided after initial delivery, helping customers maximize container performance.
4. Delivery and Assembly: Professional installation services using trained internal construction teams for rapid, efficient, and safe container park assembly.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Universal Storage Containers designs, manufactures, and supplies the Z-Box, a foldable outdoor storage container built for self-storage operators, alongside the Mover Box for moving companies. The containers are fully insulated, condensation-free, SKG*** secured, and divisible into multiple independent units, and are sold or leased with professional delivery, on-site assembly, after-sales maintenance, and smart-lock integrations that enable unmanned facility operation.

Product overview

Universal Storage Containers offers a unified product portfolio centered around the Z-Box, a collapsible outdoor storage container designed for self-storage operations. The product range includes six Z-Box models (Models 1-6) with varying features and customization options, plus a newer compact 10ft variant. The ecosystem also includes the Mover Box for the moving industry, and smart lock technology (USC Smart Lock with integrations to Kinnovis, Stora, Nokē, MyLock, PlaceB, and Sedisto) enabling keyless access and remote facility management. Accessories, solar solutions (LED lighting, off-grid systems), and green roofs extend functionality. Services include leasing, shortlease, delivery/assembly, aftersales, and marketing support. The company also provides a calculation tool for sizing storage parks.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Z-Box: The flagship foldable storage container product - fully insulated, ventilated, condensation-free, SKG*** secured, divisible into multiple independent units, easy to move and transport.
• Mover Box
• Smart Lock

Products and services

• Z-Box foldable storage container Universal Storage Containers' flagship foldable outdoor storage container, suitable for self-storage parks and mobile storage applications. Fully insulated, ventilated, condensation-free, SKG*** security rated, and divisible into multiple independent units. Available in Models 1 through 6 spanning entry-level to premium tiers.
• 10ft Container Compact 10-foot Z-Box container designed for tight locations and custom configurations, added to the Z-Box range in 2025 as a smaller alternative to the standard 20ft models.
• Mover Box Container specifically designed for the moving industry, introduced to serve moving specialists and relocation companies as a multifunctional storage unit for moving and storage operations.
• USC Smart Lock USC Smart Lock technology integrates electronic smart locks (Nokē, MyLock, PlaceB, Sedisto) with management platforms such as Kinnovis and Stora, enabling keyless access, online booking, and digital key handover for unmanned storage facilities.
• Off-grid Z-Box Z-Box equipped with custom solar panel construction allowing up to six panels per container, enabling off-grid power for self-storage facilities and supporting motion-activated solar LED lighting inside the container.
• Solar LED Lighting Solar-powered LED lighting solution for Z-Box container interiors featuring motion detection, delivering reliable illumination without requiring a grid connection.
• Green Roof Dutch Greenroof integration for Z-Box containers that adds a sustainable green roof to container storage parks, enhancing sustainability credentials and aesthetic appearance.
• Leasing Flexible leasing program that allows self-storage operators and other buyers to use Z-Box containers via recurring payments instead of an outright purchase, lowering upfront capital requirements and shortening time to market entry.
• Shortlease Short-term rental option for Z-Box containers aimed at customers needing temporary or seasonal storage capacity without committing to a full lease.
• Delivery and Assembly Delivery and on-site assembly service performed by USC's trained in-house construction team, building container parks quickly, efficiently, and safely at the customer's location.
• Aftersales After-sales support service providing maintenance, repair, and rental assistance to help Z-Box customers keep their containers operating at full performance after delivery.
• Marketing Boost Marketing support service that helps self-storage operators quickly fill newly installed Z-Box capacity with end customers, accelerating occupancy ramp-up.
• Sustainable Solutions Bundle of sustainable offerings including solar panels and green-roof installations that help storage operators reduce the environmental footprint of their container parks.

Quantifiable outcome

• 12 units can fit in one 40ft sea container for cost-efficient shipping
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• KinnoviscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025Integration partner for Smart Lock technology. USC's Smart Lock is directly connected to Kinnovis management platform, enabling operators to automate full access control from online booking to digital key handover.
• StoracoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025Software integration partnership for Smarter Storage initiative. Stora platform integrates with USC Smart Lock for automated access control and management.
• Janus International Europe (Janus Nokē)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024First container launched with Janus Nokē smart locks for keyless access. Strategic technology partnership for electronic lock integration.
• MyLockcoreTechnology or IntegrationSmart electronic lock solution offered as part of USC's smart access technology options for self storage operators.
• FEDESSAcoreOthersEuropean Federation of Self Storage Associations founded in 2004. Represents 14 national associations covering over 1,400 facilities, approximately 70% of European market. USC sponsors events and participates in conferences.
• FEDEMACcoreOthersEuropean federation for moving companies founded in 1959. Represents over 1,600 professional moving companies across more than 27 European countries.
• NSSA (Dutch Self Storage Association)coreOthersDutch national association representing self storage businesses. 27 members and growing due to industry growth. Works closely with FEDESSA.
• SSA UKcoreOthersUK Self Storage Association founded in 1995. Leading organization with over 500 members representing more than 2,200 facilities and 51 million sq ft of rental space.
• SSA SwedencoreOthersSwedish Self Storage Association founded in 2004. Leading industry organization with over 60 members representing nearly 230 locations in Sweden.
• AESS (Spain)coreOthersAsociación Española de Self Storage. Spanish self storage conference organizer (17th edition in 2024). USC actively participates and expands presence in Spanish market.
• CISS (France)minorOthersChambre Interprofessionelle Self Stockage. Organization representing major French self storage brands, officially representing French operators within FEDESSA.
• NationalBox (France)minorOthersNetwork of independent self storage providers in France with over 100 member companies. Provides platform for both business members and private customers.
• Inside Self Storage (ISS)coreOthersLeading industry publication and event organizer for over 28 years. Runs ISS World Expo (largest self storage trade show) and maintains interactive online community.
• VDS (Germany)minorOthersVerband Deutscher Selfstorage Unternehmen e.V. German association founded in 2003 working to create DIN standards for the storage industry.
• Belgian Self Storage Association (BSSA)minorOthersBelgian association for moving and storage companies, part of CBD-BKV.
• Irish Self Storage AssociationminorOthersIrish national self storage association representing operators in Ireland.
• BAR (British Association of Removers)coreOthersUK moving industry association. USC sponsors events including BAR Parliamentary Meeting 125th anniversary celebration and participates in Young Movers network.
• Movers & StorerscoreOthersAnnual UK exhibition for moving and storage industry bringing together professionals from moving, storage, and logistics sectors.
• Secure Stores (UK)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK partner holding local stock of USC containers in Felixstowe for faster delivery to UK customers.
• De Roos TransportminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLogistics partner handling container transport and pre-assembly from Rotterdam.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• TITAN Containers: TITAN Containers is a major European provider of portable storage containers and container-based modular space, serving construction, retail, and self-storage customers. Direct competitor to USC in portable storage containers across European markets.
• Janus International: Janus International is a leading global manufacturer of self-storage building components, doors, hallways, and container-based storage solutions. Janus Nokē is also a smart-lock partner of USC, but Janus is itself a competing supplier of self-storage products including containers.
• Mobile Mini: Mobile Mini is one of the largest portable storage container providers in North America and parts of Europe, offering lease and sale of shipping-container-based storage units. Closest direct peer to USC's portable container rental/leasing model.
• Containex: Containex (part of the WALTER GROUP) manufactures and supplies container and modular space systems across Europe, including storage and office containers. Direct product overlap with USC's portable container line.
• Lokabox: Lokabox is a UK-based portable self-storage container provider renting secure storage units to both consumers and businesses. Direct peer in the portable, on-site self-storage container category in the UK market where USC also operates.
• Boxx Storage: Boxx Storage is a UK self-storage operator using container-based storage parks, both operating its own locations and supplying container-based storage solutions. Direct peer in the UK portable self-storage market.

Broad incumbents

• Algeco: Algeco is a major European modular space and portable storage provider with a broad portfolio spanning construction site accommodation, modular buildings, and storage containers. Larger incumbent that overlaps with USC's container offering at the upper end of the market.
• WillScot: WillScot (post-Mobile Mini merger) is a North American leader in mobile offices, modular space, and portable storage, with growing European exposure. Broad incumbent with overlapping container storage product lines and a leasing model similar to USC.

Others

• Stora: Stora is a self-storage management software platform integrated with USC Smart Lock. Not a container peer, but a key ecosystem partner/adapter enabling USC's unmanned storage value proposition.

Regional players

• Snapbox Self Storage: Snapbox is a portable self-storage container operator serving markets outside of USC's primary European footprint (notably US/Canada). Useful comparable for portable container storage business model economics, though not a direct European competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Universal-Storage-Containers-100576944753446
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/1812233
• Xx.com/usceurope

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Universal Storage Containers