Public Storage vs Toyota: Founders, CEOs and History
Public Storage was founded in 1972 by B. Wayne Hughes, Kenneth Volk Jr. and is led by Tom Boyle. Toyota was founded in 1937 by Kiichiro Toyoda, Sakichi Toyoda and is led by Kenta Kon.
Company facts
Public Storage
- Founded
- 1972
- Headquarters
- Frisco, Texas
- Current CEO
- Tom Boyle
- Employees
- 5,770
Toyota
- Founded
- 1937
- Headquarters
- Toyota City, Aichi, Japan
- Current CEO
- Kenta Kon
- Employees
- 375,235
Founders
Public Storage
B. Wayne Hughes
B. Wayne Hughes (1933-2021) co-founded Public Storage in 1972 with Kenneth Volk Jr. and led it for three decades, building the orange-door brand and financing growth through real estate partnerships before consolidating them into a public REIT.
Kenneth Volk Jr.
Kenneth Volk Jr. co-founded Public Storage in 1972 alongside B. Wayne Hughes. While Hughes was the absolute visionary who recognized the massive potential of the self-storage concept, Volk provided the crucial initial real estate expertise and seed capital req…
Toyota
Kiichiro Toyoda
Kiichiro Toyoda (1894-1952) founded the Toyota Motor Corporation in 1937, spinning it out of his father's successful textile machinery business.
Sakichi Toyoda
Sakichi Toyoda was not the founder of Toyota Motor Corporation but his inventions and philosophy created the foundation on which it was built. His loom patents generated the capital Kiichiro needed to experiment with automobiles.
CEOs and their tenures
Public Storage
- Joseph D. Russell Jr.2019–2026
President and Chief Executive Officer
Serving as CEO, he aggressively defends Public Storage's position as the absolute largest self-storage owner on Earth, strictly maintaining its premium pricing power.
Source - Tom Boyle2026–present
Chief Executive Officer
As CFO, he acts as the absolute financial backbone of the REIT, ensuring it generates the massive free cash flow required to consistently increase its legendary dividend.
Source - Joe Fisher2026–present
President and Chief Financial Officer
As CFO (and eventually President), he drove the massive technological modernization of the company's incredibly vast, legacy property portfolio.
Source
Toyota
- Akio Toyoda2009–2023
President and Chief Executive Officer (now Chairman)
Akio Toyoda took leadership during one of Toyota's hardest modern periods, including the global financial crisis and the unintended acceleration recall crisis.
Source - Koji Sato2023–2026
President and Chief Executive Officer (now Vice Chairman)
Koji Sato inherited a profitable but scrutinized Toyota.
Source - Kenta Kon2026–present
President and Chief Executive Officer
As CFO, he managed the immense capital allocation required for Toyota's massive $35 billion commitment to fully electrify its vehicle lineup by 2030.
Source
Timeline: Public Storage and Toyota side by side
1937Toyota
Toyota Motor Corporation incorporated
Toyota Motor Corporation was incorporated after Kiichiro Toyoda expanded the Toyoda family business from automatic looms into automobile manufacturing.
1955Toyota
Toyopet Crown launched
The Toyopet Crown gave Toyota a postwar passenger-car platform and later became its first passenger car exported to the United States.
1966Toyota
Corolla launched
Toyota launched the Corolla, a compact car that became central to its mass-market export strategy.
1972Public Storage
Founding
B. Wayne Hughes and Kenneth Volk Jr. found Public Storage and open a first facility in El Cajon, California.
1989Toyota
Lexus launches
Toyota launched Lexus with the LS 400, moving into premium vehicles with a quality-led strategy.
1995Public Storage
Public Storage Inc. and Storage Equities Merge
Public Storage Inc. and Storage Equities merged in 1995 to form the REIT now known as Public Storage.
1997Toyota
Prius launches in Japan
Toyota launched the Prius, turning hybrid technology into a mass-produced passenger vehicle.
2006Public Storage
Shurgard acquisition
Public Storage acquires Shurgard Storage Centers, adding U.S. properties and a European business later spun out as Shurgard, in which it keeps an equity stake.
2016Public Storage
Joe Russell Becomes CEO
Joe Russell succeeded Ronald Havner as chief executive in January 2016.
2016Toyota
Acquired Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.
Toyota Motor acquired Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd..
2021Toyota
Acquired Lyft Level 5
Toyota Motor acquired Lyft Level 5 for $550 million.
2021Toyota
Acquired CARMERA
Toyota Motor acquired CARMERA.
2023Public Storage
Simply Self Storage acquisition
Public Storage buys Simply Self Storage from Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust for $2.2 billion, adding 127 properties.
2026Public Storage
PS4.0, new CEO and Texas headquarters
In February 2026 the company announces its PS4.0 plan, names Tom Boyle CEO effective April 1, 2026, and says it will move its headquarters to Frisco, Texas.
2026Public Storage
NSA acquisition closes
On July 22, 2026 Public Storage completes its all-stock acquisition of National Storage Affiliates, valued at about $10.5 billion including debt.
2026Public Storage
Q2 2026 results and PS Canada deal
Q2 2026 Core FFO is $4.17 per share; the company raises 2026 guidance and agrees to buy Public Storage Canada's 68 properties for US$1.2 billion.
2026Toyota
Kenta Kon becomes president and CEO
Kenta Kon became president and CEO on April 1, 2026, while Koji Sato moved to vice chairman and chief industry officer.
2026Toyota
FY2026 sales revenues reach ~$340B (JPY 50.685T)
Toyota reported FY2026 sales revenues of ~$340 billion (JPY 50,684.952 billion) and net income attributable to Toyota Motor Corporation of ~$25.8 billion (JPY 3,848.098 billion).
Acquisitions
Public Storage
- National Storage Affiliates Trust (NSA)2026$10.5B
- Public Storage Canada2026$1.2B
- Simply Self Storage2023$2.2B
- Shurgard Storage Centers2006Undisclosed
Toyota
- Lyft Level 52021$550M
- CARMERA2021Undisclosed
- Renovo Motors2021Undisclosed
- Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.2016Undisclosed
- Toyota Auto Body2012Undisclosed
Questions about Public Storage vs Toyota
Who is the CEO of Public Storage and Toyota Motor Corporation?
Public Storage is led by Tom Boyle and Toyota Motor Corporation is led by Kenta Kon. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Public Storage founded vs Toyota Motor Corporation?
Toyota Motor Corporation was founded in 1937 — 35 years before Public Storage, which was founded in 1972. Toyota Motor Corporation's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Public Storage.
How many employees does Public Storage have compared to Toyota Motor Corporation?
Public Storage employs approximately 5,770 people, while Toyota Motor Corporation employs approximately 375,235. Toyota Motor Corporation has the larger workforce at 375,235 employees, compared to Public Storage's 5,770. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Public Storage and Toyota Motor Corporation headquartered?
Public Storage is headquartered in United States and Toyota Motor Corporation is headquartered in Japan. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Public Storage and Toyota Motor Corporation?
Public Storage was founded by B. Wayne Hughes, Kenneth Volk Jr.. Toyota Motor Corporation was founded by Kiichiro Toyoda, Sakichi Toyoda.
Which company has a longer operating history — Public Storage or Toyota Motor Corporation?
Toyota Motor Corporation has been operating for approximately 89 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Public Storage has been in operation for around 54 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Public Storage vs Toyota overview