PODS invade Springfield: Portable On Demand Storage

Now, PODS – Portable On Demand Storage – is invading Springfield.

“There’s room for Go Mini’s, there’s room for PODS, and there will be other competitors in the Springfield market – it is a virtual certainty,” said PODS franchisee Brian Cates, who will begin operations Feb. 1.

Cates said Clearwater, Fla.-based PODS has 151 franchises in the United States. Nine markets with PODS are smaller than Springfield, so Cates is confident he’ll find success in the Ozarks. He’s so confident that he’s invested $650,000 already and plans steady growth over the next few years.

“It is a business that is poised for growth, because it gives new options to the customer,” he said.

PODS are portable, weatherproof storage containers that will be available in two sizes: 12-by-8-by-8 feet for $119 a month or 16-by-8-by-8 for $139 a month. There is also a $40 transportation fee.

Cates is starting with two transport trucks, 100 containers and three employees. He plans to add 100 containers per quarter until he has about 500 at his 62,000-square-foot leased warehouse at 1315 W. Chestnut Expressway.

He will serve most of southwest Missouri, including Branson, and plans to market PODS on billboards, in the yellow pages and at trade shows.

Cates is the son of former Seminole Décor owners Francis and Sharon Cates. Since 2003, he’s been a national sales manager for Leggett & Platt, but he is leaving that position.

Go Mini’s

Meanwhile, Barr, who founded Ozark Mailing Service more than 20 years ago, is experiencing slow but steady growth with Go Mini’s.

Barr began his dealership with 35 containers, and now he’s up to about 45. He said most of his containers stay leased at all times, and he’s planning to add about 15 more within the next few months.

“Business has been good, (but) it’s a work in progress,” said Barr, who declined to disclose revenues.

Go Mini’s offers three container sizes: 12-by-8-by-8 feet for $99 a month; 16-by-8-by-8 for $129 a month; and 20-by-8-by-8 for $159 a month. A $130 transportation fee is required with all three.