The global supply chain is like an intricate web of people and businesses, all connected at the center. However, transferring goods from one continent to another often requires airplanes or boats. Air travel is typically suitable for small-scale orders or more miniature goods. It can be too expensive to ship large quantities of heavy products, such as furniture, worldwide. That’s where storage containers for sale come into play.
Worldwide Shipping
The global supply chain has expanded greatly to ensure cargo ships can easily move from one country to another. Massive cargo ships transfer plenty of goods from one country to another. According to Food Circle, 20 million shipping containers travel across the oceans yearly. These containers allow people to enjoy products and goods from all over the world.
Several Advancements
Storage containers for sale aren’t all rusted old metal boxes. Instead, technology has advanced to make it possible to ship almost anything with these containers. Refrigerated containers help keep goods and products at a safe temperature until they reach their destination. Security systems can be installed to help ensure no one gets into the container, making processing times through customs faster. Technological systems also alert people to a shipping container’s current temperature and location to ensure everyone knows what’s happening with their products.
Integral Part of the Chain
Cargo ships and shipping containers are just one part of a vast supply chain but are one of the most crucial components. Cargo ships travel through canals and across oceans to ensure goods make it from one port to another. Ports have cranes and specialized equipment to move containers from one location to another easily, and railways have the same equipment. This vast supply system wouldn’t be possible without containers.
Companies Save Money
Companies that utilize shipping containers for sale save money and can pass those savings on to customers. Containers are cheap and easy to maintain compared to other methods. Shipping items via sea instead of air is more cost-effective. Items are less likely to get damaged because they are packed tightly in containers, so they don’t move around and break. Containers are also durable, so they don’t need to be replaced or repaired as often, further saving companies money.
Integrated Equipment Sales is proud to offer several types of storage containers for sale, including new and used ones. Our containers are suitable for global shipping, container homes, storage units, and more. Check out the rest of our site to see what we have available.
Have you noticed more companies using shipping containers lately? Businesses both small and large are turning to shipping containers as an affordable and sustainable solution for expansion. Read on to learn why container construction is becoming more popular for commercial uses.
Cost-Effective Building Solution
Constructing a new building or expanding your location using traditional materials like wood, concrete, and steel can get very expensive. According to Container Home Hub, 85% of all shipping containers worldwide are standard containers. This ample supply makes used shipping containers extremely budget-friendly to source. The durable steel construction also requires less maintenance over time compared to other materials. Setting up a new shipping container on your property is fast and economical.
Customizable and Flexible Design
Shipping containers are like giant blank canvases when it comes to design. Containers can be stacked and connected to create spaces of any layout or size. They can be easily modified with doors, windows, and other features that suit your business. You can give your new shipping container office, retail space, or warehouse a unique look with paint, siding, or other finishes. The versatility makes containers ideal for businesses that need a space that can adapt as operations evolve.
Eco-Friendly Construction
Reusing shipping containers is much better for the environment than other construction methods. Repurposing containers saves raw materials, water, and energy that would be used to create new building materials. Minimal site disturbance is required since containers are pre-fabricated units simply set in place. They also have a smaller physical footprint compared to traditional buildings. If eco-friendly choices are important for your company’s brand, a shipping container structure can help reflect those values.
Fast Project Timeline
Expanding quickly to meet growth demands while minimizing business disruptions is crucial. Constructing a new building the standard way can take months of site work, demolition, foundation pouring, framing, and more. With shipping containers, you can create functional new spaces in just days or weeks. The ability to extend or reconfigure your location rapidly using containers gives businesses an edge. Taking advantage of opportunities at the right moment often leads to even more growth.
As businesses strive to cost-effectively expand and evolve, shipping containers have become an attractive option. More companies are discovering the perks of thinking inside the box and maximizing these durable steel structures. With some creative vision, shipping containers offer the functionality and flexibility businesses need to grow on their own terms. If your company is looking to purchase a new shipping container, reach out to Integrated Equipment Sales to learn more.
As you start your search for new shipping containers for sale, the process can seem a bit overwhelming. With this handy guide, you’ll be prepared to find the perfect container to meet your needs. Let’s get started!
Choosing a Container Type
When looking at new shipping containers for sale, you’ll first want to consider what type of container you need. The most common options are standard dry storage containers which come in either 20 or 40-foot lengths and are great for basic storage needs. They offer a waterproof and secure space. There are also refrigerated containers that allow you to control the internal temperature and are ideal for transporting perishable goods like food. Tank containers hold liquids, like chemicals, and oils, and have special seals and attachments. Open-top containers, as the name suggests, have an open-top, so you can easily load goods from above. They work well for oversized cargo. Flat rack containers have an open side and can accommodate very large items. Think about what you’ll be storing or moving to choose the best container type.
Finding Containers for Sale
Once you’ve decided on a container type, it’s time to find some new shipping containers for sale! Here are some options to consider. Container dealers specifically sell shipping containers, both new and used. This is often the easiest route. They will have the experience you need to find a great container. They’ll work with you to understand your needs and make recommendations based on your own unique requirements.
Inspecting Your Purchase
When you’ve found some promising new shipping containers for sale, carefully inspect them before making a purchase. Check for rust, dents, or other damage. Make sure doors and locks are functioning properly. Look for any major leaks and check the condition of the wind/water seal. A careful inspection will help avoid getting stuck with a useless container.
With some savvy searching and proper inspection, you’ll soon have the perfect shipping container to meet your needs. According to Discover Containers, 70% of the world’s goods are carried by sea, and 52% of the world’s sea trade is transported in shipping containers – so you’ll have the same equipment used by a huge portion of global industry. Reach out to Integrated Equipment Sales when you’re looking to purchase a shipping container.
Steel shipping containers are sort of like the Swiss Army knife of industrial assets. There are so many ways to modify and use them that it would take an entire search engine just to fit them all into one place. Whether you want doors or windows or are using them for work purposes or leisure, the possibilities are endless.
For starters, here are the basics of shipping containers. They’re typically used for the transportation of cargo, and they play a huge role in world imports and exports. In fact, shipping constitutes about 90% of the world’s trade, and most of that is done through the magic of roughly 20 million weather-resistant, water-tight steel shipping containers.
Now, for the fun stuff. Custom containers can be created for just about anything you can think of. They are absolutely ideal for remote projects that you need housing for, and there are a ton of other great ways to repurpose them at an extremely low cost. Here are just a few of the most popular uses for steel shipping containers:
Portable office containers
There is no better solution for your portable office needs than shipping containers. It allows you to bring your work wherever it needs to be, and they’re also perfect to add to your existing workplace. In a recent study of more than 2,400 employees, it was found that the more employees work in tight quarters, the more they take sick days. While this is just an ancillary benefit of a portable office, it goes to show just how much they can do for your workplace.
Pop-up shop
Shipping containers can be outfitted with climate control, windows, doors with locks, and everything else you need to work out of what is essentially a small, inexpensive store. Whether it’s a boutique clothing store or your own little café, a shipping container can provide the tools you need to succeed. You can have them outfitted with shelves, lighting, awnings, and tons of other add-ons to accommodate your business.
Playroom for kids
One of the most popular trends in the steel shipping container industry is placing them in the backyard as a clubhouse for children. Every kid wants their own place to bring friends and play, and shipping containers make the perfect private space for your children to make their own. They allow kids to get creative and offer protection from rain and snow to let them play for as long as they’d like.
These are just three of the infinite ways that shipping containers can be useful to you. A great distributor can customize your container to fit your needs, and once you have them, you can do any number of things to truly personalize your shipping container experience. Have fun!
Why Should I Use Steel Shipping Containers to Create an Office Addition?
Is your small business expanding? Do you want to onboard a bunch of new employees but don’t have the space for them in your current office? Instead of going through the hassle of finding new office space or constructing a new office space altogether, you can invest in shipping container office addition construction. This method is a great way to meet your space requirements while remaining in your typical office space. They’re cheaper, highly durable, and simple to use. Here are three key advantages of using steel shipping containers for your office addition project.
Cost-Effectiveness
Building an office addition using shipping containers is more cost-effective than traditional building methods. According to Container Exchange, you can get a shipping container for as low as $2,000. Constructing your shipping container office addition requires fewer building materials and labor. All you need to do is find a reliable contractor to help you with the construction. Here at Integrated Equipment Sales, we specialize in office modifications for shipping containers!
Availability
According to Show House, there are around 17 million steel shipping containers worldwide. Of these, only six million are in use. This means about 11 million shipping containers are currently lying unused. These could be converted into structures for people to utilize. As you might imagine, this also means that finding a shipping container to use for your office addition won’t be a huge struggle. That, coupled with the fact that they’re quite affordable, makes them perfect for office additions.
Ease of Construction
Another advantage of using steel shipping containers to create an office addition is that structures built using containers are quick to construct. In fact, you can get a prefabricated addition. This significantly cuts down the time needed for construction. Plus, when you hire professional modifiers, you can focus on your business expansion and let the experts get to work!
There are countless advantages to using shipping containers for your office addition. It’s not only cheaper but you can quickly create a space for your new employees to work while remaining in your usual office. If you’re looking for steel shipping containers to use for your office addition, get in touch with Integrated Equipment Sales today! We’re happy to assist you in modifying a container so your business can expand and flourish.
3 Alternative Uses for a Steel Cargo Container
Once modified, a steel cargo container can have almost unlimited uses beyond its traditional use as a place to store or transport supplies. They also come in a variety of sizes, from 40 foot containers, which are fairly standard, to sizes as great as 180 feet wide and 1,3000 feet long. Furthermore, because shipping containers are meant to be moved around, they can be placed wherever you need them, like as a pop-up business or an addition to a work site. This means that there are endless options for a modified shipping container, limited only by what you want out of a steel cargo container.
Here are three of the many options for modifying a storage container:
They Can Act as a Modified Office
Many businesses are looking towards modified shipping containers as a new way of constructing their offices. This is because of the flexibility that they offer, as they can be moved where they are needed. This is great for a construction company, which won’t always work in the same location or other work that happens at off-site locations like an archeological dig. This environmentally friendly option is also customizable to fit the needs of the portable office. It’s not a one-size-fits-all all, generic office that you’d be getting. On top of all that, they’re also a great economic decision for a business. It’s both cheaper than building an office from scratch, but can also be sold later for a profit, or if not a profit then at least a portion of the initial cost.
They Make Great Concessions Stands
Almost every sporting event, from youth sports for children through professional sports, have concessions stands at them. Of course, sports aren’t the only place that you’ll find a concession stand. Fireworks, parades, air shows, fun runs, and any event that draws a notable crowd will need a concession stand to help keep everyone full and happy.
Steel cargo containers are easily converted into concession stands, and much like food trucks the mobility that is offered by a shipping container allows the shipping container to become a portable concession stand, going to events throughout the region. Furthermore, due to their size, shipping containers can offer some shelter to sit and eat at if there is bad weather for the event they’re serving, making them a great option to replace the traditional concession stand that typically amounts to some folding tables and a tent.
They Can Become a Seasonal Shop
In shopping malls, strip malls, empty lots, and parking lots across the country there are seasonal pop-up shops that appear over the course of the year. Around October they’ll sell costumes and Halloween decorations, and come the winter those spaces tend to be filled with Christmas trees, ornaments, and other winter holiday supplies. They’ll even pop up to sell fireworks at the start of summer in states where they’re legal.
A converted steel cargo container makes a great alternative to traditional pop-up shops. It can be moved wherever there is space or would be the best for the business, while also being customized to fit the needs of whichever particular season they’re in, versatile when necessary, and is easily turned over into different seasons. Furthermore, because modified shipping containers are a cheaper option than traditional structures it helps the bottom line of a pop-up seasonal shop.
Because these modified shipping containers are customizable, they can fit almost any need you can think of for them. These are just three options in a world full of possibilities beyond these. That’s the true strength of using a modified shipping container, their versatility in purpose.
Shipping containers can be modified into awesome living spaces, offices, shops, and more. If you’re thinking about buying this product, there are some key modifications you’ll want to make. Here are the top shipping container modifications to make.
Pick Your Container
First things first; you’ll need to buy shipping containers. You can purchase new or used containers in standard 20ft and 40ft sizes. According to Food Circle, most container ships carry up to 15,000 to 18,000 standard shipping containers. So don’t worry, there are plenty of containers out there. Consider how you’ll use the space when making your choice. A 20ft container gives about 160 sq ft of room, perfect for a small office or guest house. 40ft containers offer double the space at 320 sq ft for larger builds like a home or apartment. Think about your needs before buying containers.
Doors and Windows
One essential modification to make is the addition of doors and windows. Shipping containers are closed metal boxes, so you’ll need to cut openings. Standard containers have doors on one end. Ask your supplier to create window openings before delivery or have a metal shop cut custom shapes later. Consider placement carefully to maximize light and views.
Electrical and Plumbing
You’ll also need electrical and plumbing for lighting, outlets, bathrooms, and even tiny kitchens. Choose interior wall placement wisely so pipes and wires can be installed efficiently. LED lighting works great and saves energy. Consider solar power as an eco-friendly option too.
Insulation
Don’t forget insulation. Unmodified containers transfer lots of heat and cold. Spray foam or fiberglass batt insulation will keep interiors comfortable year-round. Vapor barriers and interior paneling give added insulation.
Flooring and Wall Treatments
Once sealed up, it’s time to make the interior your own. With this part of the process, make sure you are picking materials that fit your style preferences and functionality needs. Epoxy coatings create seamless, durable floors. For walls, go with wood paneling, drywall, fabric, or anything you desire. The possibilities are endless.
With smart modifications and custom finishes, shipping containers can become amazing living spaces perfect for you. Regardless of how you want to modify a container, you must first buy shipping containers with a quality provider. Turn to Integrated Equipment Sales to get the perfect one for your needs.