U-Haul Celebrates 50 Years Headquartered in Arizona

Anyone who grew up going to school in Arizona is familiar with the “five C’s” of the state’s economy: copper, cattle, cotton, citrus and climate.

But maybe one day there will be an “M” on that list as well — for mobility. U-Haul, the industry leader in do-it-yourself moving and self-storage, just recently celebrated 50 years of being headquartered in Arizona.

The Company marked its milestone anniversary by holding a reception at the capitol’s Wesley Bolin Plaza. Lawmakers who attended the event surveyed equipment from the U-Haul fleet, many of the Company’s sustainability and safety initiatives, and visuals of the Company’s history, which dates to 1945 (and 1967 as a Phoenix-based operation). 

The state legislature also passed an official resolution declaring March 7 as “U-Haul Day” in Arizona. The resolution recognized the Company as a staple of the Arizona business community.

Asset to Arizona

While copper and climate will always be key components to the Arizona economy, Joe Cook, U-Haul Vice President of Government Relations, explains that providing the fundamental need of mobility should not be understated.

“It’s great to come out to an event like this, spread the word of who we are, that we’ve been here for 50 years and that we’re contributing to Arizona,” Cook noted. “It also makes you real proud to be part of something like that.”

David Bradley is one of those legislators who took notice. The state senator from southern Arizona noted that the Company is playing a key role both inside and outside Arizona.

“U-Haul fills a need,” Bradley observed. “Everyone is going to move at some point, either as a function of their business or as a function of their personal life. So, it’s a crucial role and it’s not going away.”

More than Mobility

U-Haul also demonstrated to state legislators that it is comprised of more than just trucks and trailers. Other displays at Wesley Bolin Plaza included the Marco Garcia Trailer Demonstrator, wellness awards and environmental initiatives.

“These displays and demonstrations help when you’re trying to show legislators our sustainability, social responsibility and environmental efforts that we’re putting into place,” Cook detailed. “It’s kind of an offshoot of our product. The educational pieces are important.”

Rep. Travis Grantham gave the U-Haul MGTD, a great visual aid for teaching safe trailering practices, a try.

Legislators and their staffs were invited to take the wheel of the MGTD. It is a tool the Company uses to educate people about safe trailering and the 60-40 proper loading rule, which also demonstrates that U-Haul is not just providing mobility, but safety education to all drivers.

Rep. Travis Grantham from District 12 took the MGTD for a spin and found it to be a powerful teaching tool.

“I think it’s an extremely valuable tool,” Grantham declared. “It just goes to show how safety-focused U-Haul is and how interested they are in making sure their customers are safe. It’s a great demonstration!”

The Next 50 Years

While celebrating the first 50 years of U-Haul calling Arizona home, both legislators and U-Haul Team Members looked toward the next 50 years.

“We’re proud to be in Arizona!” Cook exclaimed. “We moved here in 1967. We’re proud to be a good corporate citizen and we look forward to continuing to contribute to Arizona.”

“U-Haul is all over the U.S. and all over Canada. How great would it be to see U-Haul trucks all over the world?” Grantham asked. “And maybe that’s what’s in the future, and Arizona could be the headquarters for that.”

Finally, see photos from U-Haul Day below.