Jim Perry Warehouse on Wheels
Summary
In this podcast episode, host Ben interviews Jim Perry, the commercial business director at Warehouse on Wheels. They discuss the company's solutions for warehouse space concerns and the industries they serve. They also highlight the importance of education and communication with clients to provide effective and efficient storage solutions. Warehouse on Wheels helps businesses solve storage problems by providing trailers to act as extra warehouses. They believe that understanding the unique needs of each customer and providing quick solutions is important. They also aim to relieve the stress and frustration of dealing with inadequate storage space. Customers can call in and have a trailer delivered within 24-48 hours, and can even get same-day delivery in emergencies. Warehouse on Wheels aims to be a seamless solution and extension of their customers' operations. They often handle urgent requests for Jim from Advantage Trailer Rentals discusses their business of providing storage trailers for companies. These trailers are used to store excess inventory or provide temporary warehouse space. Advantage Trailer Rentals focuses on providing a flexible solution for their customers, allowing them to deliver and pick up the trailers as needed. The company also has the capability to store trailers on their own yards, providing a more dynamic and strategic option for their customers. Jim reassures listeners about the security of their trailers and the care they take in making sure the Jim Mele, the Vice President of Sales at Warehouse on Wheels (WOW), joins Ben to talk about the services offered and the benefits of mobile warehousing. WOW has 37 locations across the US, Canada, and Mexico, taking pride in delivering high-quality trailers to customers with short notice. This warehouse on wheels can be a lifesaver for companies experiencing overflow in storage or a sudden increase in demand. Jim discusses the importance of building loyalty by being a reliable partner to customers and how WOW Larry begins by introducing Jim Perry, founder and president of Warehouse on Wheels, a mobile technology company that provides innovative solutions for warehouse operations. Jim shares his background in the industry and how he started Warehouse on Wheels. They then discuss some of the common challenges faced by warehouse managers and operators and how Warehouse on Wheels addresses these with their unique solutions. Larry and Jim also talk about the benefits of using mobile technology in warehouse operations, such as increased efficiency and accuracy, improved safety, and real-time data tracking
Transcription
Speaker 2
[00.00.00]
Hey, it's Ben from the Warehouse Underground podcast. Running out of space in your facility. It is one of the worst things that can happen. Completely slows down your OP, but the customer doesn't care. That's your problem, right? But it doesn't have to be. There is a solution out there that can be a shelter in the storm until it blows over, and that can come from warehouse on wheels. They deliver on demand storage trailers when you need them, that flex with your operation and with locations all across North America, there's a very good chance that they can help you to
Speaker 1
[00.00.32]
know. Long term leases for a new facility. No delays, no over Pam for space, you don't need no CapEx, just simple smart storage delivered right to your door. So don't let your dog and your aisles become jam packed with pallets wrecking your operation. No, let Wow be your side storage solution while you go back to focusing on main line operation. Hey, what's up everyone? Welcome to episode number 25 at the Warehouse Underground podcast, Real Talk or Warehouse DC and FC professionals of all levels around the globe. I'm been the host of the show and great show today. I have Jim Perry, who is the commercial business director at Warehouse on Wheels, joining me today. Now, Warehouse on Wheels is partnered with The Warehouse Underground. And I actually have had the CEO of Warehouse on Wheels on my show before on episode 14, and that was a fantastic show. I love talking with Warehouse on Wheels because they provide a solution, a much needed solution for a problem that ails many, many warehouse managers across the country. And that is running out of space. And like I always say, if you're a warehouse manager out there and you have yet to experience this in your career, at some point you will. But Warehouse on Wheels is a fantastic solution for you that can solve some of those pain points, whether that be for the short term and the long term. And now they're becoming very, very well integrated in what is really happening in operations across the country. They really know the teams very well. They know the managers very well, and they really know how to be a solution for them. And so Jim Perry is right in that space. I'm excited to bring him on the show and talk with him, and I will bring him on the stage right now. Jim, my friend. Welcome to the Warehouse Underground. Thank you very much for coming on. How are you today?
Speaker 2
[00.02.41]
Doing well. Thanks for having me, Ben. Look forward to it. Yeah. So I should let the audience know that you're actually. You're in Las Vegas currently. At the moment. You're doing the show from Las Vegas, but
Speaker 1
[00.02.55]
you hit the real jackpot, Jim, because you you're appearing on the Warehouse Underground podcast. So that's the real jackpot.
Speaker 2
[00.03.01]
Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Glad it works out.
Speaker 1
[00.03.05]
Yeah, yeah. Me too. Me too. Right. So I gave a little bit in the intro about Warehouse on Wheels and, and the solution that they're providing. But but for you personally, can you just tell the audience a little bit about who you are, what what's your background and how you ended up where you are today at Warehouse on Wheels? And what's it all about?
Speaker 2
[00.03.25]
Sure. Uh, so for about 23 years now to age myself, I have been in the transportation space, uh, mainly in the technology space. So I was selling GPS temperature monitoring, trailer tracking, which is how I met the folks at Warehouse on Wheels. I was the person who sold them their trailer tracking, because a lot of customers wanted to know when the trailers are full where they're at. So, uh, they were one of my first customers right before the pandemic. So I've known these folks for a very long time, and I got to a point where I wanted to make a move. And you had mentioned in the intro. Our CEO, John Brooks, SC class act when they were a customer of mine. So I reached out to John and true to his nature and his character, he put me in contact with the right folks. And I think it was probably within three weeks I was an employee here.
Speaker 1
[00.04.33]
Yeah. Now, say, I mean, the show's not about John Brooks, but I bet. But I will mention that if you follow him on LinkedIn like I do, you see that there's just tons of goodness coming out of him, right? Like how he thinks about things and how he organizes his company and builds the company. And so, just as an aside, I hope everybody will follow him online because he really is a really great guy. Now we hear that all the time. But John Brooks really is a good guy. And, uh, you know, I'm honored to be honored to be partnered with them. Uh, and warehouse on wheels. So, uh, even even outside of just warehousing stuff. Right. Or stuff. Just just just real world life stuff. Uh, he's always there for that too. I
Speaker 2
[00.05.14]
yeah, that and that's it. It's genuine. It's it's not just for clicks or likes or engagement. It's it's how he is in our meetings. So yeah definitely a good follow.
Speaker 1
[00.05.25]
Yep. Awesome. So now Warehouse on Wheels primarily is in the business of offering storage. Right. You have storage storage trailers, and you offer storage for, uh, customers now. The name of the website I run is the Warehouse Underground. And and the podcast is the Warehouse Underground podcast. And so most of my audience is in, you know, warehouses and distribution centers and the like. So is that is that the I mean, I would imagine that that is the main type of customers that you that you work with, but is it possible that it could also cross into other arenas too, like manufacturing the whole like like who's your, uh, who's your bread and butter out there? Who's your primary customer base?
Speaker 2
[00.06.11]
Yeah. Great question. So it's it's literally everyone that has the need for capacity in almost every industry. So think automotive, retail, manufacturing, food as long as it's, you know, typically not frozen or temp controlled. Um, textile, I mean, you name it, if, if you have the risk of slowing down production, slowing down efficiency, slowing down customer satisfaction because of what I say in a generic form, stuff is in the way. That's where we come into play.
Speaker 1
[00.06.51]
Yeah. I mean, and that's, uh, that's everywhere. You know, like that. Everybody has that problem. I mean, I've worked in many facilities that were at capacity or past capacity. It's awful. It sucks. And so I know it from from personal experience. But sometimes, even if you just drive down the road, like I, I've, I've been around the country and I've been in a lot of warehouses and it's so common. Like every place you go is struggling to figure out what they're going to do with space now, it can ebb and flow a little bit. You know, I mean, you may go there at some point and it's and it's okay. But then another time you may go and it's beyond capacity. So it really just all depends I think. I mean it's all over the map out there now. Go
Speaker 2
[00.07.40]
ahead. Yeah. No I was going to say our our business is based on demand and timing. Right. And that's the beauty of what we do because we are not pinning them down to a six seven, eight year contract that needs overhead, that needs different resources. We have inflow as they do.
Speaker 1
[00.08.03]
Yeah. And that and that's great because inside the warehouse it's not usually warehouses are not very flexible. They're pretty static in the amount of racking that that they have. I mean, in order to increase your racking, it takes a CapEx or it takes a big installation or something like that. So they they usually have what they have. I mean, the square footage is what they have, but the demand and the and the fluctuation of volume kind of goes like an accordion. I think it can go in and out. And so when you when you surge like that, let's say you surge because of Chinese New Year or something to that effect. You mean you're going to be a month or two months where you're just jam packed to the gills and then it will go down. And so typically people just figure it out, right? They just go through and suffer through that pain. Right. That's where Warehouse on Wheels come in and kind of be that relief valve. I think during that two month or that three month time until it subsides and, you know, you don't have to you don't have to buy a whole lot of rack. You just rent a storage trailer and and there you go. Right.
Speaker 2
[00.09.15]
Yeah. No, that's exactly it. And, you know, for some, it's like second nature to use the solution that we provide others. It's an education. And that's something that, you know, myself and, and my colleagues and our GM's, that's what we spend a lot of time doing, is painting that picture, telling the story of how we have solved it. For similar companies or similar challenges, and then making them see that vision within their own walls to say, ah, I got it, and that's a home run for me. If I get that aha moment. Look, I it's a win. It's a win a touchdown 100%. And then it's just figuring out what they need, how they need it, when they're going to need it. And and then that's what we do very, very well here is execute after that aha moment. Yep. Now I remember early in my career. So I started my career in an Amazon FC and it was huge. And so I know there's many other managers out there that could kind of start there. It's pretty common. But space is not really something that you that I thought about at all. Right. There was plenty of space there. So you just kind of grow up running ops and not thinking about it. But then when I left there and I went and worked for a family owned company, it had space problems all the time. But because I had never, you know, lived in that environment or was used to it. I just suffered through it. I didn't really know that there was a solution out there. And so I think it's like you said, it's just great education to say, hey, you know, bringing storage trailers in as part of your contingency plan for space is not only operationally effective, it can be cost effective, too. If you are honest about all of the true costs that come from running a facility that's over capacity, right? If you're
Speaker 1
[00.11.12]
honest about the extra touches and how much it slows down your your order pickers or all those things, okay, those aren't going to show up on the PNL on, hey, here was a one time expense for a storage trailer, right? Or racking or something like that. But all those things go into it, right?
Speaker 2
[00.11.31]
And the hidden ones.
Speaker 1
[00.11.33]
There's no that. Sorry. Sorry to interrupt you, but. Yeah. And even the the ones that aren't. As obvious are going to show up. It's the employee frustration, the risk, the safety, the fire risks. All of those are compounded upon the normal operational challenges. Oh, and I
Speaker 2
[00.11.54]
mean, when that vision becomes clear, then it's a whole different conversation.
Speaker 1
[00.12.00]
Yeah, Jim, you're totally right on that. I mean, employee morale in a building that is chock full is super low. Sure. No, no, no one likes it. They can't stand it. They they they hate it. It's hard to keep them engaged. And where does that show up? That doesn't show up on the sales spreadsheet that tracks the finances, right? You better believe it shows up to the to the ops leaders inside that building.
Speaker 2
[00.12.25]
Yep. Absolutely.
Speaker 1
[00.12.27]
Yeah. And turnover. Turnover can affect you too. So let me ask you this question. I mean, and when we kind of already talked a little bit about the value that you're bringing right in the solutions that you're, you're bringing. But what's the experience like. You know, like if somebody wants to pick up the phone and contact warehouse on wheels for some type of solution, what does that look like? Like, what's the feeling that you want your customers to walk away with when they utilize you as a as a partner or a
Speaker 2
[00.12.59]
solution. Yeah, no. Great question. So what we say often is trailers are what we should be thinking about and storage is what we should be thinking about. They shouldn't be. They should feel once it's deployed that it's an expansion of their operation. So when when they call in to any one of our 37 branches from from Canada to, to Mexico and throughout the US, it should be a very seamless process. We then we then it's our job to understand what they're dealing with, what type of storage that they're going to be looking for. Meaning is it going to be a 53 foot trailer that sits idle? Is it going to be one that has to have some road capability? Do they need swing doors or overhead doors because of capacity or space limitations on their dock? So there's more than just saying we're going to put a box on wheels at your door. Is it going to be at your door? Is it going to be in the back of your lot? So many things to for us to consider, to make sure we are delivering what they need to solve that problem. And then after that, we don't want them having to worry about the trailer. So they call us. We like to say it's a one call resolution, meaning anyone that they're talking to at the branch in their area is going to listen to them, take what they're looking for, and then get to work and make sure that that's resolved. And, you know, on that initial call, in most cases, we could have a trailer ready to deliver. Sometimes if it's an emergency, we can have it same day. Um, but I think in, in realistic terms, 24, 48 hours at the latest, and they're going to be able to start feeling that capacity relief and, and start using our asset.
Speaker 1
[00.14.51]
Yeah, I think that's a I think that's huge because you mentioned something there where to the effect of, hey, the the manager there already has enough problems that that they're dealing with. Right. Like they already have enough things that they're balancing on their plate. And so we don't want to create another one for them to, to to to balance or manage. So we're trying to come in and solve their problem, make it stress free for them like a relief valve because that's really what they're looking for right. Like
Speaker 2
[00.15.25]
yep. They're not really looking for the trailer. Right. They're looking for the solution that it can provide for them and the and the relief so that they can get back to running their operation, like how they, they want to run it. So I think by really kind of integrating yourself with them and understanding what the uniqueness is of their particular need, their particular site. I think in the eyes of an ops manager or warehouse manager, to me that shows. Okay. I feel like they are here to partner with me, and so that means that I'm going to go back to them every single time that this is an issue, an issue for me. Um, because, you know, they're trying to solve problems for their customers. They're trying to ship orders. They're trying to keep their employees happy. And we already said that running out of space is a barrier to all of that. So if you can remove this one barrier, it solves ten other issues that they had going on in their facility. And so I think that's I think that's huge. I mean, I think that is critically important to kind of be an extension of what they're already trying to do in their ops. So I love that about the house. I think
Speaker 1
[00.16.37]
that is just great. Um, now, you mentioned that people will call you like, and you can get sometimes out the same day. The people, um, like, give you enough time in advance. I mean, do you see customers that say, hey, 2 or 3 weeks from now, I'm going to need this amount? Or is most of the calls? Holy crap, I'm out of space now and I need five trailers tomorrow or yesterday. If you could get in here yesterday.
Speaker 2
[00.17.05]
Oh, what do you see? All the. All the above. Yeah, all the above. So I said it's a demand and timing business that that we're in. And in some cases we do have the planning as the third lever there. But that's not always right. It's typically a hair on fire. Um, whether it's a surge from a supplier, whether it's a change in manufacturing line, I see this often to where a new hot product is hitting that manufacturer's plate, and they have to switch out the line. They know what's going to come back. But in the meantime, where am I going to put that equipment that's not going to cause even more issues on top of the all the other stuff that I have. So they use us as a hub and spoke type model to where our trailers become the spoke. And it can either be at the dock, ready to to access in the back of their lot. If they have that space on one of our remote storage yards, if that's that works within their supply chain. But it really it's it's limitless. On what you can do from from one trailer that's 450ft . Um, I always use this math because it's easy for me if I, if I'm bringing you 23 trailers, you're going to have 10,000ft from which now to act, and you're going to have access to act because it's not across town. It's not sitting at another warehouse that that you are going to have to have resources to do that access to act to me, is one of the most critical things that we do for our customers. They can, I think, get it? That's savvy. I mean, I think when you say when you convert it into square feet, sometimes the light bulb can go off. Oh, 10,000ft . Sure sounds great right now versus, oh, you're going to have a bunch of trailers on your yard. Oh, right. You're gonna have 10,000ft . Okay, sign me up for that. I'm I'm I'm definitely I'm definitely game for that. So now, Jim, I follow you on LinkedIn just like I do many of the the wow employees. Right. So five and 53 seeing five, five and 53. Uh, you know, like you saw my comment on that. So you don't know what I'm you don't know what we're talking about. Go check out Jim Perry in five and 53. I really think he's on to something up there. But I've heard you say before with a certain customer that you you there's renting trailers, quote unquote, renting trailers, and then there's turning them into warehouses on wheels. Yeah. So
Speaker 1
[00.19.42]
what you know, what's kind of the difference there. What what did you mean when when you said that? Because I think that that was a pretty insightful post that you made about that concept that a certain customer out there had done.
Speaker 2
[00.19.56]
Yes. So. As I just mentioned. So the hair on fire is always going to happen, right? There's going to be a surge. There's going to be an impact. There's going to be a front loaded order that arrives before you thought, right, that's more spot storage. But when you look at it and really start planning and looking at the operation and start thinking, okay, so here's our main warehouse, which we're never looking to replace, obviously, that's always going to be the critical hub, but if you can start creating segments off of that and stage them in strategic ways and then use a contingency plan, which we have a couple of our customers that do, they'll have trailers. They're sitting empty, ready to take it from one place to another. They'll use it for transferring between facilities. If it's if it's a road ready cartage. Yep. So it's really looking at the supply chain and and looking at maybe some of the more legacy ways of buying and acquiring assets, as opposed to using it more as a project based. And even along these, these customers that I'm talking about have been using us in one for 30 years. Um, yeah. Because our business, as, as I'm sure John shared, is through acquisition. So some of our, our family companies have been doing this in their communities for a long time. So when you look at a company that's using 802,000 trailers and it's the veins of that core hub, that that's when you really know you're on to something. And I say to a lot of net new prospects that are considering this, listen, we sell a very simple solution that can solve very complex problems. If you think beyond, oh, I have to rent a box on wheels, right? A box on wheels on our yard is just that. It's a box on wheels once it's delivered. Now it's ideas. It's solutions. It's a way to mitigate those problems that you're having behind those walls.
Speaker 1
[00.22.10]
Yeah. And I think, like if I, if I was running a facility that had tons of space in it. Right. Tons of open pallet positions and the whole thing, there would be no reason for me to have a warehouse on wheels as a as a partner. Right. Really. Like my facility is open. But the thing is though, is that so many facilities are full, like they get full. And so I think if you if you build in repetition like the, like the, the, the loyal customers that you're talking about, you build in this rhythm, right? This rhythm year over year over year. And you create this, this system that works. And you rely on the service that, that they get from warehouse on wheels. Like, why change that? Right. I mean, that that is working. It's cost effective. It's a it's efficient. Our customers are happy. Our employees are happy. Our costs are under control. Our inventory is is accurate. It's not getting damaged. It's not getting stalled like none of these things are happening. So let's just stick with it. Like we found something that's working and let's go. So, um, I, I like that and I appreciate that because in warehousing, you see people sometimes that have been doing it for a long time, they've been in the same facility for ten years or 15 years or a family owned company. And they're they're an interesting bunch. They don't they don't like change a whole lot. Right. And so if they if they if they if you've earned their trust. Right. And they know that, that they can work with you, they're not going to stray from that. Uh, and so, you know, I think that, that that's a really good thing. Now, let me ask you this question though, Jim. Sure. When like. And I and John and I talked a little bit about this too. There are at companies there, CEOs, there's chief operating officers, there's chief financial officers. There's all this. But who calls you. Right. Like who is the person that is calling you that is your actual person, right? That is your actual customer. Is it the chief operating officer or the CEO? Probably not, I'm guessing, but who's picking up the phone?
Speaker 2
[00.24.22]
Like what they were. Sorry to interrupt you again. Uh, it is based on size, right? But for the most part, our our core persona as, as it said in the marketing world is going to be the material handler, the the warehouse manager, the distribution center manager, the plant manager. Um, but then we'll also get procurement, that is, we're really starting to see that come into play, because they want to make sure that they have a touch, uh, on the rogue operators. Right. Because even though, uh, a trailer is not an expensive addition to the supply chain, if you if you don't have a mechanism and the size of a company like we have that can help you control that, it can be why? We have 100 of them and we know where 70 are, right? Where, where? I've worked with some of our core customers and said, let us give you a monthly automatic visibility report that's going to show you who's renting and where they're located. So they so they can really know that, okay, these guys aren't just giving me a transactional trailer here. They are really concerned and have care that they're providing us a solution that we can manage as well in partnership with them.
Speaker 1
[00.25.42]
Yeah, I love that because to all the warehouse managers that might be listening out there, this is just like buying pallets, right? There's no CapEx. There's no right. It's just it's just an extra line on your budget that you spend that's very similar to supplies. I've done this before. So you don't have to like you don't have to raise the interests of the CEO like anybody like that. You can just have a immediate, immediate solution. So now and you brought up a point and and I've thought about this long and hard. Have you can you store trailers on your own yard. And I think you said earlier in the show that you do that mostly. Oh, I like that. I can think of a lot of reasons why that would be effective to have some of my stuff stored on your yard, but what's your what's your ability there? What say you?
Speaker 2
[00.26.32]
Yeah, most have the capability. For instance, I'm in Vegas as, as you had mentioned. And the folks here at advantage, they have the ability to do it. Right. So what that does is it frees up the limit because I've, I've noticed with being in the market for the last several days, a lot of these folks don't have huge yards here, right. Some of them in the Midwest, they're expansive. Um, but here's a here's a cool story that goes along with with that topic. So we have, um, someone that is a non-for-profit business in the Midwest that uses our trailers as an inventory control and management system in conjunction with our O branch miser. And in that area. So what they'll do is they'll put stock based on seasonality, based on, on, you know, what the, uh, what the urgency is at that given point. They'll store it on our yard. But then when they need it for their customers, they just give us a call and say, you know, I'll just use myself. Hey, Jim, we need, uh, trailers one, two, three, four, five ready for us to pick up. And they'll come and get them. So they're it's it's really a cool way that most people wouldn't think of a storage show. Most people think of a storage trailer similar to that yard that's in almost every town that has an old rail container sitting in it that has rusted, is just sitting there and never gets used. That's that's not what we're looking to do. We're really looking to change the way that they're controlling their supply chain, moving their product and then expanding that capacity. So hopefully that answer your question. But that's not everyone has that. But here's here's the cool thing that John has instilled in all of us. Our first reaction is not to say no. Now that doesn't mean we have every capability. And there are times that we have to say, listen, we might not be the best for that, but we have acquired space. We will go out and work on their behalf to do that. Um, myself and one of our regional operations managers are doing that right now for a major company where they were looking to expand because they were constrained on their yard in conjunction with trailers. So if we really look to go beyond just again, I keep saying that that transaction of here, here's a trailer. You know, use it. It really goes beyond that.
Speaker 1
[00.29.07]
That's big, because now you're moving out of just this, uh, static storage and moving more into, like, hey, we can be a chess piece for you. Correct. You know, like, you you can move us around like a chess piece. We can help you move inventory around and help your operation run. And that's a whole different ball game than, just like you said, the image of just an old trailer just sitting there on the ground. And, you know, that's not really how ops run today, right? They're they're more strategic and dynamic and fluid. And it sounds like you're right there with them. Like you can be fluid right there with them and and eat them at the, at at that at that game where they're
Speaker 2
[00.29.45]
at. Yeah. We we absolutely can be and that's what we love. I mean that's, you know, give us a problem to solve. Right. It's you know, these guys have been doing it. Unfortunately I've been here now for for about 18 months. They've been doing this a long time. Delivering a trailer is second nature. But give us a problem to solve. And and the resources that we have within the organization to make that happen. It's impressive and it's cool and it's nimble because, you know, we're big in this space, but we're not so big that we have multiple multiple layers. John's. John's a call away. Our our COO Brent matters. Call away. Let's figure it out. Make it happen and secure that customer for not only this project, but ideally for the future.
Speaker 1
[00.30.34]
Yeah. And I think that's very endearing to to warehouse leaders out there, ops leaders out there because that's what they do, right? They they pride themselves on being flexible and creative and dynamic. I mean, they have to be all those things to run operation. And so if they meet a partner that also has that in their DNA too, then it it's like, hey, you're speaking my language, right? Like that. That's what I'm going through. And and you're right there. So I love that part of it. I mean, that's just that's just the nature of the beast in the business now. It's way more dynamic than people think. You know, if you just see a warehouse, you just think, oh, it's a dusty, old, empty warehouse. You know, the whole thing. But inside it is way more dynamic than I think the average person would realize. Uh, but you guys realize that. And so I appreciate that and respect
Speaker 2
[00.31.25]
that. Appreciate
Speaker 1
[00.31.26]
it. Yeah. So let me ask this question, Jim. I'm sure that most people bring up this is a very common question, right. Whether security can I really trust my stuff and a trailer long term, that type of thing. I would venture that 90% of the people that call you for the first time, probably at some point, bring up this question. So what say you on this one?
Speaker 2
[00.31.49]
Yeah. So you know our our branches in in all of our locations put the trailers through um, a reverberation when we acquire them. So again, I'm sure John mentioned that these are typically former Otter type trailers. We bring him in, put him through a revitalization, um, and make sure they're dry, safe and dark. That is those are the three words that everyone in while is going to be able to tell you right away. Because without that, then then it's not serving its purpose. Our our goal is to make sure that the product inside is secure, just as the customer is going to expect it to be. So it is, uh, I understand the concern. I get it because it's not brick and mortar and it's a new idea, but that is what we specialize in is making sure photos are taken that, you know, before they're delivered. They're taken when they're return. We really go through that process of making sure prior. And then when they come back, that is we call it the rent ready. They're ready to go, ready to go to work. Yeah. I love that
Speaker 1
[00.32.59]
job. That leads to the ease of doing business. You know, warehouse managers like. Oh, okay. Crap. You know, storage trailer. I gotta wrap all my stuff to protect it from the rain because it's going to leak. So it's such a nice relief to say, nope. It's going to be safe, dry and dark. And that's where you can trust and and your stuff will be good and they're good to go. So yes, huge, huge headache listed I think uh on that one now. So Jim, I, I I'll say and I let John know this too that I have used other I don't want to say competitors. This is a while ago, maybe 8 or 9 years ago. Um, and it was kind of like what you had already mentioned. It was very static. It was very still, they weren't really looking to solve any of my problems. It was just, do you want the do you want the storage container? It was actually a container. It wasn't even a trailer. Do you want the storage container or not? You know, here's the fee. Tell us when, when, when we we can come get it. That type thing. And that left the really bad taste in my mouth. So you know what? What differentiates you warehouse on wheels from some of those traditional people that are out there like there. And I know you know who they are. You know, their names are not going to mention your names on the show, but what's the what's the difference maker for? Wow.
Speaker 2
[00.34.16]
Yeah. First and for I always. Yeah, I even say it to our internal folks. There are some some good companies doing what we do. I think it's, it's naive and I think it's, you know, no one on the other end of this on this podcast is going to want me to say that we're the only ones that do it right. But what makes us different is, is really starts at the top with with how the company was built. And when you have 37 locations singing from the the same songbook that has the the one call resolution from from the start of the relationship, it becomes an emergency on our end when a when a customer says that our trailer needs to do this, or our trailer maybe has a broken light, right, somehow it got hit or something like that. Our job is to make sure that trailer is ready to be in the in the form and the shape that they originally requested, and we delivered to make sure, going back to your previous question, that their material inside, whether it's corrugated, whether it's resin or whether it's a finished good ready to go to a customer that that remains in that state of being dry, safe and dark because without it. We're we're just, you know, snake oil salesmen, you know, doing. And that's not at all what what we do. This is not a transaction. That's why I try to have a conversation, understand what they're currently experiencing, seeing what they want to see in the future, and then filling that gap with the right solution on our end.
Speaker 1
[00.35.53]
Gotcha. I love that. Now, what about what I mean? So we talked a little bit about your yard and the customer yard. But what about the logistics of it? Jim I mean, you know, you know, how far can you go to deliver? How far have you gone? Or are you nearby where where your customers are? How are you doing? The transition of trailers in and out. How does all that song and dance part of the organization run for you? Because I would think that that could become a little bit complex with how many customers you serve.
Speaker 2
[00.36.26]
Yeah. So that's that's really one of the the beauties of having 37 locations, you know, peppered throughout not only the US, but like I said, in in Canada and then our, our newest market in, in Mexico. So we always say on the surface it's 150 mile radius for for delivery. But there's always instances where we have gone farther. Now that does come with a transportation fee, which no one is surprised by. Everyone understands that. So we have for for folks that say, listen, we like what you do for us locally, but we have a remote yard, a remote office, or our a sister company, and we need it farther into Pennsylvania. Or we need it a little outside of what Dallas would normally do. Um, we have done that. And whether we have our own drivers, what some of our locations do, or we have partners that, uh, live, for instance, the, the folks in, in Las Vegas, I would swear their partner delivery company is like a part of advantage trailer here. I have heard this person's name held in high regard for the last 72 hours, and I wish I had this guy in every one of my markets. And that's not to say we don't. I'm just I'm just giving this guy credit where credit is due. So it is it's our job to source when we need to go a little bit outside the box. We also want to make sure that it's in the right price range for them. And you know, we have and and every one of our branches have said, listen, that might be something that you might want to source local to their. And then we'll still get pushback and say, yeah, we like what you guys do. We trust you. We know that you're going to give us a good product. And, uh, and we make it happen for.
Speaker 1
[00.38.22]
Yeah, I think that at that. That's, that's but I mean you're in the business of. You try not to say no. Right. That that is. As one of the tenants. And you're in the business of building loyalty with all these different people out here during their time of need. Right. Like during the. So once you saw the solution for someone, I think when they're in a struggle, then that that I mean, that is forming a very ironclad bond. I think it's one thing to just. Oh, well, we were provider for somebody and and they had a good experience, whatever. But no, I was in a struggle. I was I was fighting and these guys kind of gave me a life raft when I was drowning. And now I'm like, insanely loyal because I appreciate that, that relief. And that can go a long way because I it's very, very stressful to run out of space in the facility
Speaker 2
[00.39.15]
as you. Yeah. And but they also appreciate it when we're, when we're forthcoming and saying, hey, that's you know, you might be in this instance well and, and we'll even we've helped coordinate it. So I mean it really that's the partnership of it. And and you know yes delivering a quality trailer on time builds loyalty. But using outside of our normal resources to help them solve their problems. Now we now we have a pretty good relationship with that customer. And and that's something that we take great pride in.
Speaker 1
[00.39.50]
Yeah. I mean, now there's just a level of respect, right? There's just a level of respect and appreciation and understanding on both sides and that that's, um, that's gold. And I think, uh, in today's age, particularly in this industry, you know, it's, uh, it's an industry of people that are typically very hard working, very gritty, very resourceful. Uh, and so they, I think they respond to that type of, of company that is also that way, like, like warehouse on wheels is that, that they can really respect. Uh, so I appreciate that. It's
Speaker 2
[00.40.25]
smart as heck. I, I've met some of the most creative, strategic, intelligent, um, funny, you know, and getting inside of a warehouse, it's one of my favorite things to do is to get inside, get into the bones and the veins of what they're doing, and see if there's any identifiable bottlenecks that we can help identify, because we've done it so many times. You know, that's what that's what energizes me. Every conversation I have to to to get that opportunity.
Speaker 1
[00.40.58]
I love that. I mean, you go into a lot I mean, I've been in a lot of different warehouses and I know you have to and they're. They're always different. There's always something that is a little bit different where it's the problem or the layout or the staffing or the product or whatever. And so sometimes when you come upon these unique solutions that people created and came up with at their particular site, I'm always just amazed I would look at it and go with that. That is brilliant. I mean, you that is brilliant that you guys came up. I mean, they had to come up with it as necessity. But still though, it's just I look at some of these things and I go, that's just that's so creative, that's so
Speaker 2
[00.41.39]
brilliant. It's one of the, the most fun parts of my job by far. And I've seen some of the coolest stuff getting made. You know, while I'm there, trying to help them with other stuff, but just to see how stuff gets, you know, my my brain doesn't work that way. I, I'm creative in other ways, but what they have accomplished, it's amazing. Yeah.
Speaker 1
[00.42.00]
America runs on distribution. Like I say, we get runs on Dunkin. You think again the this is where it runs. All right. So where can people find out more about more about you. More about warehouse on wheels? I know like I have the link posted to Warehouse on Wheels on on my website and the former podcast and everything so people can get can get some stuff there, but where can they? Where can they find out more?
Speaker 2
[00.42.23]
Yeah. So we are really starting to blow up on all channels of social media. So LinkedIn for sure is is our mainstay. Right. That's where we do a lot of our thought leadership pieces. You know we we do some personal like John does. Um, because it really shows, you know, our goal is to show that it's not we're just not only thinking about trailers, even though we are um, but we're now on Facebook. We're now on Instagram. Uh, we are on X. I almost said, uh, the the old name. Uh, we have a YouTube channel now. Um, that content is starting to get developed. We work with amazing partners in the marketing space, helping us to develop all this partnering with with folks like you, Ben. Um, it's hard not to find us, you know. You know what? What I what I always say, and I and I've said it internal and I've said it to to prospects. No one wakes up on a Monday saying this would be a great week if I could add trailers, right? It's just that's just fact. But they don't they don't necessarily always know that they need us until they need us. So I what I would say is have a conversation with us, let us know. What you're currently doing with them. Maybe everything's great to your point. Maybe they have all the space, they have all the racking until they don't. And that's right. We would just love to be and earn the right to be that call, to even strategize if they're going to plan it or if the the, uh, hair's on fire. Let us help you solve it. And and the markets that that we can do it in and, uh. And you won't regret it. You will. You will understand. It's a partnership from from minute one.
Speaker 1
[00.44.11]
Awesome. A human city, right? I saw John John preaches. It's on the website I appreciate that. So we're dealing with humans and, uh, human capacity. So I love that. Well, Jim, my friend, uh, you know, I've taken you away from the. Well, you're not a casino guy, right? So, uh, but but I'm taking you away from from the shows for far too long. So thank you again for coming on the podcast. Man, it was awesome. I always love talking with the Warehouse on Wheels and really helping to kind of spread the message to everybody out there because I, you know, I, I've been there, I've been in that warehouse manager shoes and I, and I know how valuable it is to have a solution like warehouse on Wheels. And I appreciate chatting with you. And, uh, it was great, my friend.
Speaker 2
[00.44.55]
I appreciate you having me. It's been a good time. Thank you.
Speaker 1
[00.44.58]
Yeah, yeah, you got it. I'll see you. I'll see you around on LinkedIn, Jim. That's where. That's where I live. So I look forward to more five and 53 videos.
Speaker 2
[00.45.07]
This sounds great. Thanks. But
Speaker 1
[00.45.10]
all right. Thanks. Take care, my friend. All right, guys, that concludes today's show. Thanks again. Jim Perry from Warehouse on Wheels for coming on to talk about some of those solutions that they are providing. Yes, very proud and honored to be partnered with them. And they are a fantastic organization. So I encourage you to to follow Jonathan Brooks to follow Warehouse on Wheels, see what's going on there, because there's some very good stuff in addition to the fantastic solutions that they provide for operators everywhere. As the warehouse underground goes, if you have not signed up for the community on the website, please do that. I think we have 210 people now that have signed up to the community, so expect lots more community live events coming down the pike. And I think you guys will really like that. And remember, check out the Tiger team, which is the show that I do with my co-host Jordan, with some wit, humor and sarcasm. All things that are happening in the world of distribution with a funny slant. I think you guys will like that. Look for episode six later this month and as this podcast goes, take care. I will see you next week for podcast number 26. God bless.
