RELIABILITY IS EVERYTHING FOR
PODS MOVING AND STORAGE FLEET
PODS is in the business of helping people move and store their belongings, which also means helping bring their customers peace of mind during major life events. To successfully deliver for those customers, PODS requires predictable partners who are in it for the long haul.
A couple years ago, PODS, a residential and commercial moving and storage leader in the U.S., was having a tough time procuring the equipment and solutions needed to serve their customers effectively. PODS needed new equipment, but a one-and-done truck provider wasn’t going to cut it. Instead, the company sought a long-term relationship with an original equipment manufacturer (OEM).
This year, International Motors, LLC, is delivering 200 new MV Series trucks and comprehensive end-to-end fleet solutions to help PODS keep its business moving forward. But the journey has only just begun.
Tom Martin, vice president of Enterprise Procurement for PODS, attended NTEA’s Work Truck event a couple of years ago, to find an OEM partner. At the time, PODS had recently repurchased most of their franchises and rolled them into a corporate business. Many of the vehicles from those franchises were worn out and old, requiring PODS to implement an aggressive equipment replacement program.
“Our customers rely on us during some of the most important moments in their lives — moving to a new home, starting a new job, major life transitions,” Martin explained.
During NTEA’s conference, Martin reached out to various truck OEMs who were unable to fulfill the company’s evolving needs. Then, he approached Ian Shackleton, region vice president of Sales for International.
“International said ‘we will make it work’ and build the trucks we need,” Martin said. “That was a breath of fresh air.”
“Some people think procurement is three bids and a buy,” Martin added. “But the trucks, our containers, the forklifts, our PODZILLAs — they run our business. I like to have a partner to grow with and have a good relationship that is beyond the purchase. It’s also about how we maintain and finance the vehicles.”
PODS has more than 220 Storage Center locations in the U.S. and in six Canadian provinces. The company, whose corporate headquarters is in Clearwater, Fla., worked closely with experts across International and with dealer Sun State International to not only procure the right equipment, but to customize solutions that provide consistency for PODS customers.
“International and Sun State gained PODS trust first by demonstrating through their actions that they are reliable, honest, competent, care about their customers, and they operate with integrity and authenticity,” Martin said. “During the relationship and trust building process, PODS was able to really learn and understand the capabilities of International and Sun State and the benefit they can provide.”
That deep understanding was particularly important for PODS as it runs more than 1,200 vehicles across 46 states and has limited fleet department staffing. PODS runs a mixed fleet, including 33,000 gross vehicle weight flatbeds that haul a unit the company calls “PODZILLA,” a level-lift system that allows PODS to move containers onto and off PODS trucks and maneuver them into place while helping keep customers' belongings level.
The International team, including Sun State International, analyzed PODS’ entire replacement cycle over 24 months, allowing PODS time to vet potential solutions. That meant everything from hosting factory tours and meeting with engine and transmission suppliers to inspecting the trucks so drivers would be comfortable and safe.
“What impressed me most was the breadth of what International brought to the table,” Martin said. “It wasn’t just about selling a truck. They opened the door to their engineering teams, their suppliers, and even factory tours. They wanted us to understand the product and have a voice in how it was spec’d for our drivers and our business.”
“And when they introduced us to Sun State International, the partnership deepened,” he added. “Their team helped us spec the trucks, coordinate with our upfitters, and ensure deliveries aligned with our seasonal peaks. It felt like a true partnership, not a transaction.”
Over time, the team discovered that PODS needed:
- properly spec’d trucks
- seamless truck equipment manufacturer (TEM) integration
- parts reliability
- fleet maintenance management and diagnostics
- nationwide service contracts
- comprehensive fleet lifecycle and financial solutions
PODS also operates in the Canadian market, so having a partner familiar with operating in Canada was also important. Sun State International checked that box as well.
“It’s important that they have good trucks, don’t break down, they’re clean, they look good and the customer has the confidence that their personal belongings are going to get from point A to point B without getting lost, stolen or damaged,” Shackleton said.
“It’s a big personal commitment when someone hires a moving company or PODS in this case to move their possessions,” he added. “PODS is very much into the philosophy of their business and the core values of the business, which align well with what we do and Sun State’s values. It all starts and ends with the customer.”
After gaining that deep understanding, International and Sun State got to work tailoring solutions specifically for PODS. That included providing captive finance solutions through International Financial and service and maintenance bundles.
“One of the biggest surprises for us was International Financial,” Martin said. “We weren’t just evaluating trucks; we were evaluating total cost of ownership. And International Financial brought options we simply couldn’t get from traditional banks or leasing companies.”
“Because they’re captive, they understand truck fleets,” he added. “They understand seasonality. They understand the realities of operating a national network like ours. They offered flexible payment structures, deferred payments during upfitting, and even seasonal payment schedules that mirror our cash flow. That level of customization just doesn’t exist with traditional lenders.”
PODS also needed to know that if a truck broke down outside of Sun State International’s area of repair it could be serviced at any International dealer. International offered PODS a consolidated, nationwide Fleet Charge account, as well as nationwide Planned Service Contracts, to ensure PODS vehicles were up and running.
Fleet Charge is a no-fee billing program that gives truck and bus fleets guaranteed pricing, consolidated invoicing and extensive nationwide support across the entire International and IC Bus dealer network. Fleet Charge is also available at various Love’s Travel Center locations.
“I was very surprised to learn about the breadth and scope of services that International could provide," Martin said. “They developed a planned maintenance program that we can get some consistent pricing and service across the country. They seem to have a solution for everything that we were looking for."
The key for Brannon Hufstetler, PODS director of fleet and equipment operations, is the flexibility of the Fleet Charge program and prepaid preventive maintenance intervals.
“International and Sun State were flexible in creating the financing and the flexibility of timing,” Hufstetler said. “They were willing to bend over backwards to get us across the finish line. Between that, the value of service contracts, and the willingness to provide a solution to any of our challenges, they won us over.”
“It felt like a partnership from the start rather than a business transaction,” added Cass Taylor, PODS truck fleet manager. “International listened to us. They made adjustments on the fly, and they made us feel comfortable.”
As the partnership between PODS and Sun State International continues to evolve, PODS is actively planning out additional orders for Q4 production and early 2027 delivery.
