Edition 133, October 2024

Simplify Reverse Logistics and Cut Warehousing Costs with a National Storage Trailer Provider

By Chuck Cannata, Milestone Equipment Holdings


Retailers are increasingly facing a storage dilemma as liberal return policies and growing demand for quick delivery require more inventory on hand. With the limited availability of warehouse space, many businesses struggle to secure storage space, especially as ecommerce grows. The pressure from these trends is compounded by inflation, which has pushed rents higher, making it challenging for companies to maintain profits.

Using trailers for storage provides a flexible and cost-effective alternative to traditional warehouse space. These “mobile warehouses” offer the storage needed for managing inventory and reverse logistics as an extension of your facilities. They allow companies to adjust their storage capacity based on demand, without the long-term commitment or high cost of leasing physical warehouse space, making it easier to adapt to changing business needs.

Retailers can use storage trailers to hold returned products during the sorting process, deciding whether to restock or sell them on secondary markets. For low-value items, sorting costs may exceed potential profits. Storage trailers offer affordable, flexible space for storing items that can be recycled or responsibly disposed of, helping retailers save money while supporting sustainability efforts. A well-organized reverse logistics system helps retailers meet consumer expectations for fast and easy returns. Having enough space to store items waiting to be sorted, restocked, or recycled also helps track return rates, improving the recovery process and boosting revenue.

For national companies, managing storage trailers across multiple locations can be difficult if working with several leasing companies. That’s why it's important to choose a national provider that offers the equipment, services, and coverage for a seamless nationwide storage solution. Here are some of the benefits of partnering with a national storage trailer provider.

One point of contact for nationwide coverage

Managing storage needs across various locations doesn’t have to be complicated. A national provider offers a seamless solution with just one point of contact who can address all your needs. Whether you need one trailer in one location for a month – or a thousand trailers in 200 locations for a year, a national provider will get you what you need.

Fast, flexible and competitively priced

Timing is crucial for your business operations. Need a trailer in Houston tomorrow? Or perhaps a whole fleet in Los Angeles by next week? Just give them a call, and they will make it happen – often in as little as one business day.

The size and scale of a national provider allows it to offer competitive pricing that ensures you get the best value – plus, with special leasing terms available for volume orders, you won’t find a better deal. With storage trailers, you can save up to 50% per square foot compared to traditional warehousing costs.


Simplified fleet management

Overseeing a fleet of storage trailers shouldn’t be a full-time job. Working with one national provider means you can keep track of all your rented or leased trailers easily via a customer web portal or account manager. This reduces the chances of paying for mislocated or underutilized assets, saving you both time and money.

Streamlined billing and payment

One of the biggest headaches of working with multiple vendors is navigating different billing systems and processes. With straightforward billing from a single provider, you will avoid the constant need for new vendor approvals and purchase orders, knowing exactly what to expect each month.

Expect the expected

With one national storage partner, you can rely on a seamless experience tailored to your specific needs. They work to understand your business, helping you avoid unexpected issues and unwanted surprises. For example, a fair and reasonable approach to turn-in conditions and repair costs frees you from dealing with the costly demands of multiple vendors. Just one more way they take the hassle out of managing your storage logistics.

Multiple storage trailer solutions

National providers can offer both mobile and fixed storage trailer solutions to accommodate your needs in a particular location. Mobile storage trailers offer instant, unlimited floor space when you need it with flexibility to move it wherever you need it locally. Fixed storage trailers are perfect if you need stationary storage delivered to your location. It’s the hassle-free, affordable storage solution that comes with professional support.

Choose a national storage trailer provider for your needs

A national storage trailer provider offers an unparalleled solution for businesses with a nationwide footprint. With one point of contact, a vast network of locations, fast and flexible service, and simplified billing, they save you time and money while ensuring your storage requirements are met efficiently. Even if you don’t need storage now, give them a chance to show you the many reasons a national provider is your best choice for all your storage trailer needs!


Chuck Cannata
Chuck Cannata is Executive Vice President of the highway division at Milestone Equipment Holdings, a leading trailer, chassis and container leasing and rental company in the U.S. with one of the nation’s largest and most diverse fleets of over 100,000 pieces of equipment, including a trailer fleet of over 65,000.