Shipping containers have revolutionized global trade. Before the invention of shipping containers, loading and unloading ships took a long time, and space was often used inefficiently. It should come as no surprise then that Container Home Hub reports global cargo shipping reached 1.85 billion metric tons in 2020, up from 0.1 billion metric tons in 1980. Yet while modern shipping containers have improved trade, they’re still an investment, even if you pick them up during a shipping containers sale, and you may wonder just how long they’ll last.
The Expected Lifespan of a Shipping Container
In ideal conditions, a shipping container can last 25 years or more. However, “ideal” is the keyword. For shipping containers to last this long, you’ll have to minimize exposure to the elements and other risk factors. Proper maintenance and regular cleaning will also be needed to maximize the lifespan of the container.
Many cargo companies will retire shipping containers after about 10 to 12 years. These containers are often subject to high use and constant exposure to saltwater, rain, the sun, and everything else. The high seas can be a harsh environment. You can sometimes pick up used containers during a shipping containers sale.
Shipping containers are made out of COR-TEN steel, or weathering steel as it’s sometimes called. Unfortunately, like other types of steel, weathering steel can still rust, especially if exposed to salt water. That said, Cor-ten steel is more resistant to rusting than other forms of steel.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Shipping Containers
Special paints and protective layers can be applied to protect the steel from rusting. Of course, if this paint should wear out or be damaged, then it may no longer provide adequate protection. Properly applied zinc-aluminum coatings can extend the lifespan of a shipping container by a few decades.
If you own shipping containers, you’ll want to make sure that they are well-maintained. You may need to reapply coats of paint and protective coatings. Pay close attention to hinges and other components as they are sometimes the most prone to rusting.
If you’re not going to be using your shipping container for an extended length of time, proper storage could extend its lifespan. Ideally, you’ll keep it indoors, say in a warehouse. If you can’t store it inside, protecting it with a tarp may help.
Are you looking for new shipping containers? Have more questions about how you can get the most years out of them? Feel free to contact us. Also, if you’re looking for a shipping containers sale, get in touch.
Shipping containers are an integral part of the global economy. They make it possible to efficiently transport goods around the world. However, storage containers can also be used for other purposes as well. The government and the military have found the following uses for shipping/storage containers.
Temporarily Housing Soldiers
Shipping or storage containers can be converted into temporary housing. Once completed with insulation, air conditioning, and electricity, these prove to be great housing options that can be set up quickly. These are often used in remote locations, such as combat zones. They can also be used during disaster relief for victims who have lost their homes as well. A shipping container for sale can be used by anyone to create housing options as long as local building codes allow.
Equipment Supplies Storage
According to iContainers, about 50% of all containers are owned by shipping lines, but the U.S. military also owns containers that are used for equipment and supply storage. These containers can be kept in one location for storage or moved when needed. Because most shipping containers are weather-resistant and durable, they can be used to store sensitive equipment and ammunition or weapons used by the military.
Temporary Training Facilities
Shipping containers can also be used by the military to create training areas such as shooting ranges or obstacle courses. These facilities can be set up quickly and in remote areas because shipping containers can be moved easily. The options are nearly endless.
Field Hospitals
Containers can even be used to set up field hospitals when needed. These can be completed with operating rooms, recovery rooms, and other medical areas. A fully functional hospital can be set up quickly in a remote location using containers. These hospitals can be used to provide medical treatment to soldiers and civilians.
Security Barriers
When shipping containers are stacked and welded together, they can create strong security barriers for vulnerable areas. This is often necessary in war zones. This is a quick and cost-effective way to accomplish this.
The government and the U.S. military use shipping containers because they are versatile, inexpensive, and durable. If you are looking for a shipping container for sale for your needs, please contact us today. We have a variety of options available to suit your needs.
Thinking of ways to grow your brand? Container pop-up shops can do a lot for your business’ growth. Containers are usually used to transport goods in high-volume ships. Considering that 95% of the world’s cargo moves by ship, it means there are a lot of containers lying around. It, therefore, follows that obtaining a container to use as a pop-up shop will not be difficult. Here are some ways you can grow your brand with container pop-up shops.
How Pop-Up Shops Can Help Your Brand Grow
Easy to Move
One of the most significant differences between container pop-up shops and traditional retail stores is the flexibility factor. You can easily move container pop-up shops. This means you can take your business to where your customers are. This is different from a brick-and-mortar store where you will have to wait for people to come to you. Your brand can easily grow if you can put yourself in front of your customers. For instance, you can easily attend events like trade shows, musical festivals, and sporting competitions. You can also take your shop to parks, markets, and other spaces where people gather. This makes it a lot easier to get traffic to your store and to introduce your business to new customers. If you have new products, you can easily take them to your target market. For instance, if you are manufacturing sporting equipment, you can take your shop to a baseball game.
Easy to Squeeze in Tight Setups
Most businesses nowadays depend on online customers to make sales. However, there are instances where you might want to set up something physical for your customers. A container shop is easy to set up. It’s also quite easy to customize. This means you will have more time to interact with customers and less time to unpack your merchandise. You can transport the shop set up as it is. There is no need to remove your goods from the shop before you move the container.
Super-Fast Construction
A container pop-up shop is super easy to set up. It can take as little as three weeks to set one up for yourself. The good thing is once you have it, all you will need to do is move it around and follow where you think you will get a lot of business. This is a good thing for your brand because you will be able to take advantage of opportunities that happen in real time. If there is a new market for your products somewhere, you need to start selling right away, and that can’t happen if you want to first look for a shop to rent and then remodel it or customize it to suit your preferences. With container pop-up shops, you can start selling right away.
These are some ways you can grow your brand with container pop-up shops. These shops are quite convenient, and they enable you to take advantage of opportunities that would otherwise be impossible to harness if you tried using a brick-and-mortar store.
5 Benefits You Can Reap with a Shipping Container Pop-Up Shop
If you’re thinking about setting up a pop-up shop, it might be in your best interest to use a shipping container. It can be tempting to simply set up a booth in another retail location, but the truth is that shipping container pop-up shop locations offer a few unique benefits. Here are some of the biggest benefits that come with using a shipping container pop-up shop.
1. Fast Construction
One of the biggest benefits of using a shipping container pop-up shop is that there’s virtually no construction required. Almost 50% of shipping containers are already owned by shipping lines, but when these containers are no longer used to ship goods, they’re already built and ready to be repurposed. A pop-up shop inside of a repurposed shipping container is great for anyone who’s on a strict budget or doesn’t want to deal with a lengthy construction phase before opening.
2. No Monthly Shop Floor Rent
Another excellent benefit of a shipping container pop-up shop is that there’s no need to worry about paying a rental fee to another shop for using their floor space. A shipping container is a great standalone venue for a pop-up shop that doesn’t require any huge expenses rent-wise. In addition, you have the option to decide when, where, and how to open up your pop-up shop without having to answer to another business owner whose space you’re using.
3. Take Your Business Directly to Buyers
Shipping containers are already designed to move things across land and sea. Who’s to say these containers can’t move your pop-up shop from place to place? Whether you frequent exhibitions, local and state fairs, or other networking events, a shipping container pop-up shop guarantees that your product is ready for your audience wherever they might be. So long as you have the means to get your steel shipping container from place to place, you’re ready to bring your business right to your target audience.
4. Security
When you’re running a pop-up shop, you might be in an area you’re unfamiliar with. Most pop-up shops are temporary, after all. One of the best things about using steel storage containers for this kind of specialty project is that they’re designed to be incredibly secure. They’re designed to securely carry cargo overseas, after all! So when you lock up for the day, you can rest easy knowing that your products are safe.
5. The Wow Factor
Shipping containers can be modified for all sorts of things. However, when you use one for a pop-up shop, you’re making sure that you stand out from the crowd. Whether you choose subtle colors, add a few more windows, or paint it screaming green, a shipping container is bound to turn heads regardless of how you modify it. And at the end of the day, that’s the best kind of marketing for your business.
Why Shipping Containers Are All-Around Great Business Investments
In the past decade, repurposing shipping containers to function as more than a storage bin has grown in popularity. We see new and interesting uses for shipping containers all the time, from modular office buildings to living spaces. With a few simple modifications, these structures can not only provide a sturdy space to work with, but they also cost much less than the construction of traditional buildings. If you happen to be in the market for simple structures, or you’re a business owner looking for a cost-effective way to create a physical location for your company, you might want to consider the benefits of a pop-up shop container.
Take Advantage of the Popularity of Pop Up Shops
Running a business out of a pop-up shop container has become not only a cost-effective way of bringing a business to customers, but it’s also more convenient than standard buildings being that pop-up shops are portable. Shops don’t have to stay in one space anymore, and thanks to the sturdy build of a shipping container, business owners can take their companies with them, parking at festivals, carnivals, and other large public events where they stand to expand their reach to new customers without losing established customers by relocating.
It’s a win by not only offering the flexibility of location but also helping owners cut expenses they’d ordinarily run into with building rental, time spent out of business while in the construction and set-up phase, creation of parking space if not already established, and as mentioned, the reduction for need of building material. It should also be noted that with proper maintenance, a shipping container can last 20 years, much longer than a standard food or coffee truck.
Looking to bolster your business in a creative, flexible, and convenient way? Turn to the experts at Integrated Equipment Sales to find a new or used shipping container that can be repurposed into a pop-up shop. Our team is happy to provide you with more information about the modifications we provide to turn your container into a new business venture. IES provides modifications that add climate control, locking mechanisms, flooring, shelving, and more!
Any business owner knows that unforeseen circumstances and world events can disrupt operations and put the future of your organization in jeopardy. Being flexible with your business space in response to difficult business challenges does not have to be complex or overly expensive. First, let’s take a closer look at the base benefits of having office containers repurposed into a portable office space.
4 Advantages of Working Inside an Office Container
No matter what career field you’re working in, it can be so difficult to focus on both minor and major tasks throughout the day. According to the University of California at Irvine, after studying IT and accounting professionals, employees actually switch their focus from one project to another on an average of every 10.5 minutes. Additionally, these workers were interrupted during more than half of their 10.5-minute project segments.
Thankfully, working in creative areas is more available than ever before. Shipping containers can be transformed into office containers and offer all kinds of professional advantages.
Here are some fantastic benefits of working inside portable office containers:
- Mobility — In the past, mobile offices weren’t even in existence. Now, since so much work is performed online, all you need for an office is an open space, a laptop, and an internet connection. Even freelance writers can benefit from working inside a mobile office — they just need some lighting, a pad, and pencil.
- Flexibility — With a container office, you can adjust the dimensions, layout, and overall design virtually any time you want to. Though you’ll have to work with an organization that can provide quality container modifications, you’ll be able to add windows, compartments, and revamp your entire office to your wants and needs.
- Affordable — Office containers are far less expensive than constructing a new building just for you to get some more work done. Especially if you’re only planning on temporarily working inside these containers, you can even rent office space at an even more reasonable cost.
- Improved focus — Since it’s so difficult to focus during the workday in traditional office environments, you’ll be able to concentrate much better on your tasks from working inside a container office. Limiting distractions and noise in an open office environment can be extremely tough. But inside your own secluded container office, you’ll be able to stay productive throughout the day, week, and as long as you plan on working inside your own portable office.
How Can Office Containers Help After a Natural Disaster?
When you hear about a devastating flood, hurricane, or wildfire, you normally don’t think about portable office containers. However, 20 or 40 foot containers typically used for shipping can be extremely useful when sent to regions and communities affected by nature’s fury.
How can emergency personnel, government agencies, nonprofits, and other relief-focused organizations utilize office containers to help survivors of natural disasters? Read on to hear about some of the most practical reasons to begin seeing office containers in a different light.
Climate Controlled Containers Can Become Temporary Shelters
A 40 foot shipping container can be quickly modified into housing for dislocated people and families. In fact, they’re surprisingly roomy. As one statistic notes, a standard-sized container holds no less than the equivalent of 3,500 shoe boxes. Though no climate-controlled container will be as large as a palace, it can provide a comfortable spot to rest, relax, prepare meals, and eat.
Office Containers Make Fast Work Spaces for Emergency Teams
When emergency teams head to disaster areas, they can’t be sure where they’ll be able to conduct work. Will they have to sleep in their vehicles? Is there a hotel hours away, requiring them to drive to and from the site and lose valuable time every day? By making a few cargo container modifications, they can create a customized workspace that meets their daily needs. As long as the container is outfitted with a heavy-duty lock to protect private information, emergency professionals can feel confident that it will be the perfect arrangement for them until they’re no longer needed on site 24/7.
Containers Can Be Made Into Food Storage Banks
With so many people in need of the basic necessities after a natural disaster, having a container pop up shop nearby can make life easier. Climate controlled office containers can hold plenty of boxes of food and beverages. The container can be used as a centralized storage facility or even a place where commerce and transactions happen, as needed.
Office Containers Can Become One-Room Schoolhouses
Although online education is almost always feasible after a natural disaster, some children thrive on being able to continue school in a face-to-face arena. Although a mobile office container can never replace a traditional classroom, it can provide a makeshift location for youngsters to learn. Some kids may find it fun to return to a sense of normalcy by being with their peers for several hours a day, regardless of the fact that they’re getting knowledge while seated in an office container.
Office Containers May Inspire Future Area Homes
Many people don’t realize that houses made out of shipping containers have begun to spring up across the country. After living in an office container, an individual or family may start to wonder if this type of eco-friendly housing might be a permanent solution. Lots of creative folks interested in making use of reclaimed materials buy used shipping containers and turn them into amazingly unique residences.
Storage Containers Can Offer a Spot for People’s Saved Mementoes
One of the biggest tragedies of any natural disaster is that people lose tangible personal items. Sometimes, though, they’re able to find treasures they thought they lost. And storage containers can provide a climate-controlled, secure spot for them to place those gems until they’re able to return to a home base.
Though office containers aren’t able to solve all the problems that occur as a result of Mother Nature’s wrath, they can at least help out in important ways.
How Office Containers Help Companies In The Post Pandemic Era
We are all adjusting to our new post-pandemic world. We have all had to make adjustments. Many offices have changed how they do business and are adding some new features to their business settings. Office containers are helping offices adjust to the post-pandemic world and get back on track.
Office Containers Provide Easy Solutions
About 50% of the containers in circulation are shipping company-owned. While they are powerful tools in logistics, that is not the only use for these sturdy containers. Shipping containers can be modified to provide the ideal office space.
Containers that are modified to specific specifications can double as a pop-up office space that is affordable, aesthetically pleasing, and spacious. In this post-pandemic era, having the room you need to keep your employees safe is vital.
Social Distancing Possibilities
Gone are the days when offices could cram as many people as possible into limited square footage. Businesses are choosing to expand their space by using modified shipping containers. These containers can be used to create additional office space within your warehouse at a fraction of the cost of a new build.
Having the elbow room that you need for your employees without accumulating the debt that a stick-built building can cost is easy with these containers. It is easy to compartmentalize a work area with container modification. In fact, social distancing in the office space is easier with shipping container offices.
It’s Cost-Effective
Budgets are tight across the board in this post-pandemic world. While most industries are wide open, the economic recovery has been slow. Business owners are looking for new ways to save, and modified container office spaces are answering the call.
Modified shipping containers can cost about one-third of the cost of having a brick and mortar building constructed. It can be a tremendous saving for these trying times, and business owners are taking full advantage of the possibilities. An office container space can deliver a lot of value, which is more important than ever.
Businesses across the country are finding unique ways to benefit from using office containers. They can help you to find the solutions that you need to create a durable, affordable space during this post-pandemic recovery period. Learn more about modified containers and what they can offer your organization.
Who Can Benefit From a Climate-Controlled Container?
One of the fastest-growing trends is using a climate-controlled container for your business. This comes back to a few simple factors that steel shipping containers bring to the table. They are customizable to fit the individual needs of your business. A steel cargo container is also cheaper in several ways than traditional business locations, as it is cheaper in both initial acquisition costs and the maintenance costs of the facility in the long term. Finally, these 40-foot containers are versatile and can be moved anywhere they’re needed with ease and without taking up too much space.
So, who actually benefits from a climate-controlled container?
Festivals and Fairgrounds
A climate-controlled container or containers can work great when you need a series of food options for a lot of guests. That makes them a great option for fairs, festivals, carnivals, and anything similar to them. As they are inexpensive, especially when compared to building complete structures in their place, this makes them a great option to line up and offer different food options, from burgers to tacos and anything else imaginable.
Pop-Up Shops
Everyone knows about pop-up shops that appear during different holidays. Around Halloween, they sell costumes and decorations. Come Christmastime, they’ll often be found selling trees, stockings, and other traditional decorations. These pop-up shops are year-round occurrences in different iterations. This means that they enter and leave spaces quickly while needing to make as much money as possible for as little cost. They need to be in a convenient location for customers to reach. This is where the shipping containers come into play. They are cheap, customizable, and versatile, which makes container pop-up shops wildly popular and only increasing in popularity.
Seasonal Business Owners
In a ski town, what happens to businesses when the snow melts? How about an ice cream shop in a beach town during the winter months? They close down, as they are seasonal businesses that make their money for the year during one particular season. This means they need to make as much money as possible as quickly as possible. The low cost of a climate-controlled container makes them a great option for businesses that operate on a seasonal cycle.
That ice cream shop at the beach doesn’t need to worry about high rent or a mortgage if they operate with a climate-controlled container. Of course, they’re not limited to being an ice cream shop or a food stop in general. They could easily operate as a gift shop, selling shirts, bathing suits, and postcards. The same is true for businesses that operate during the winter months, like a coffee and donut shop at the base of a ski resort. Between cost and versatility, these are an amazing option for anyone who owns a seasonal business.
Construction Companies
Any construction company that wants to have managers on location to oversee the work being done can benefit from using a mobile office built out of a climate-controlled container. This will give them an office to work out of that they can simultaneously oversee the construction. It saves them the trouble of commuting back and forth between an office for everything that they need, which can be an extreme hassle without the portable office container.
People might think of shipping containers as being only for shipping goods from one place to another. It’s easy enough to see why, as there are over five million shipping containers in use today and another 12 million that are out of usage for one reason or another. Emphasis is placed on their usage as a means to actively ship things rather than their potential as a business solution. Consider how your business can benefit from a climate-controlled container.
What Should You Use Climate-Controlled Containers for?
Climate-controlled containers are a great solution for a wide range of storage needs. They offer storage protection for goods that cannot be stored otherwise. Some of the things that should be kept protected in climate-controlled storage containers may surprise you. Let’s review a few!
Household Furniture
If you’re going to store your household furniture for any period, you want to make sure that the container you are storing your furniture in is climate-controlled. It does not matter if your furniture is made from solid wood, pressboard, or metal; it is essential that it is protected from humidity as well as hot and cold temperature changes.
Clothing and Leather Goods
Temperature changes and humidity can easily ravage your clothing and leather goods. These items are not designed to stand up to excessive heat or cold or damp conditions. Climate-controlled containers are a must if you want to protect your goods from damage. It is especially important for leather and suede apparel to be protected.
Media, Games, and Electronics
If you have ever flipped over a TV or a gaming system, a DVD, or other electronics, there are optimal temperature ranges for operation and storage. If you have any of these goods, you want to be sure that you choose climate-controlled containers to keep these goods safe. Heat, moisture, and even very cold weather damage all types of electronics. Climate control can help protect your electronic goods.
Art, Antiques, and Other Collectibles
Any item that is precious to you or valuable needs to be stored in a climate-controlled setting. Artwork, antiques, stamps, photographs, and more can be destroyed by heat, cold, and humidity. Climate-controlled storage will protect the things that you value.
According to Container World, there are about 55,000 ships that carry cargo. Of those cargo-carrying ships, many of them depend on climate-controlled storage containers to protect goods. If manufacturers are willing to pay the cost to protect their goods, you absolutely should do the same. Investing in this type of storage for all your goods will ensure that all your goods stay safe.
What Items Should Be Stored In Climate-Controlled Containers?
Climate-controlled containers are units that help to protect possessions from various elements. There are plenty of items that should be stored in a climate-controlled unit. Let’s examine some of the items that should be stored in climate-controlled containers to ensure that valuables and sensitive items remain in their best condition once shipped.
Wooden Furniture
Whether it’s antique wooden furniture, classic wooden furniture, or contemporary wooden furniture, wooden furniture should never be exposed to the elements. Elements such as temperature fluctuations, moisture, and mold have the potential to degrade and even warp even the most well–crafted wooden furniture. Climate-controlled containers are the perfect solution for shipping. The furniture pieces will remain intact, and the wood structure of the pieces will never be compromised.
Electronic Equipment
Electronic equipment is another item that should always be stored and shipped in climate-controlled containers. Perhaps you have a mobile office and need storage of computers, computer parts, audio equipment, or some other type of electronics. You should choose a quality climate-controlled office container as the best storage and shipping solution. Even the tiniest amount of moisture can have a huge impact on the functionality of your electronics.
Small amounts of humidity can short-circuit electronic equipment, causing effects on their operation that will be of no benefit to you. Rusting can also be a huge concern when storing and shipping electronic equipment. Your electronic equipment is an investment, used for specialty projects and more. So, place that investment into sturdy, climate-controlled containers for safe shipping and storage.
Important Documents
If you’re shipping and storing important documents for any length of time, you want your containers to be climate-controlled. Tax files, birth certificates, contracts, home deeds, legal documents, and other important paperwork should always be stored in climate-controlled containers. Shipping them in regular mobile office containers may cause degradation. The paperwork may also become illegible.
Medical and Pharmaceutical Supplies
Your medical and pharmaceutical supplies should always be shipped in climate-controlled containers. You may also want to check your prescription bottles to see what the correct storage requirements are. Generally, medical and pharmaceutical supplies have recommended temperature ranges printed on the bottles.
Artwork
Do you have rare and valuable artwork that must arrive at another destination? Choose climate-controlled containers for storage and shipping. When you pack your art in a climate-controlled container, the artwork will remain in pristine condition because fading, chipping, fracturing, and cracking are kept at bay.
The Importance of Climate-Controlled Containers
Each of these items should be shipped in climate-controlled containers. Wood, for example, can become cracked, warped, or even rotted from moisture and humidity. Electronics can also rust, crack, or even break. You want your items free of mold and mildew too. Climate-controlled containers are also beneficial if you plan on storing your items for months or even years. These units are also ideal if you live in a region prone to high humidity or heat.
For the climate-controlled containers or container solutions you need for your business and beyond, contact Integrated Equipment Sales today!
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