Shipping containers have long transcended their original overseas shipping purpose. While many are still used to transport goods internationally, businesses and individuals have found various applications for these versatile products. Before investing in a new container, consider these ideas.
Desired Purpose
What you plan to use the container for will determine the type you purchase. For example, refrigerated shipping containers for sale must be used to store things that need a cooler environment. You’ll want to check out the possibility of modifications if you need one for business purposes, and storage containers must be in good condition to ensure they can be used for years.
Approximate Age
According to SP Global, about 12% of containers are too old to be scrapped. However, some people still purchase these containers at a discount to transport goods. Companies can use them for overseas transportation until they end their lifespan. On the other hand, an aged shipping container may not be the best option for a workspace. Consider how old it is and whether that will work for your desired purpose.
Previous Use
It’s essential to consider what a shipping container was used for previously. Ones used to store toxic chemicals shouldn’t be used for something where people will be inside it. Take the time to ask a company what a container was previously used for, the cleaning methods used, if it was sanitized, and any other questions you may have before making a purchase.
Current Condition
When looking at new shipping containers for sale, you can expect them to be in fantastic condition. Seals shouldn’t be worn down, and it should be sparkling clean. However, when it comes to used ones, you’ll need to closely inspect the condition to ensure the seals are watertight and corrosion-free.
Delivery Services
Before buying a new container, it’s essential to ask the company you’re purchasing the product from if they offer a delivery service. Ask how much the delivery fee is. New shipping containers for sale require special equipment to move them, as they can be heavy and awkward. An inexperienced person attempting to move a shipping container can cause an injury.
We offer both new and used shipping containers, and we ensure that all the seals are in good condition before selling them. Contact Integrated Equipment Sales for more information today.
Storage containers are gaining popularity for all kinds of different businesses. Why is that, though? How are storage containers useful for small and medium-sized businesses? Well, if you’re like most people, then you probably don’t know too much about how storage containers can be used to fit a variety of needs. Here are a few things you probably didn’t know about storage containers.
Most storage containers can be customized to meet your needs.
Of course, you probably wouldn’t want to use a storage container as is, unless you’re using it for its original intent. The good news is that with the right vision and help by your side, you can make some truly outstanding transformations to a storage container. Looking to make a pop-up shop or storefront, but you’re concerned about the internal environment and temperature? Well, you can make your storage container into a climate-controlled location that provides a unique look and feel. Don’t like the bland surfaces? Paint over them to advertise your business and attract new customers. The options are endless.
Steel cargo containers have become a popular choice for many small businesses.
Most small businesses want to cut costs when possible. The costs of renting a space for office workers, merchandise storage, or storefront can get quite pricey quite fast. When you make use of a used storage container, though, you can achieve all the same levels of productivity without the cost. It also doesn’t hurt to know that other small businesses are seeing the benefits to using the unique advantages that come with storage containers.
Steel cargo containers are the perfect place to try out specialty projects.
Of course, there are numerous business applications for storage containers. But that doesn’t mean buying a used storage container for sale limits you to storefront endeavors alone. In fact, there are many more use cases for steel cargo containers and the like.
For example, we’re living in a world where remote work is becoming more and more important in a variety of industries. As a result, many companies are considering alternative workplace environments. As such, portable offices and workspaces are more popular than ever before. After all, were you aware of the fact that The average individual workstation has shrunk from 80 square feet in 1992 to 39 square feet this year? At least that’s the average for projects that were taken on by Jacobs, a major design and workspace construction firm. Because used shipping containers are so flexible in terms of custom designs, many business owners looking to create portable workspaces find that outfitting steel cargo containers or shipping containers is far easier than making changes to a brick-and-mortar location.
As the world changes for all sorts of businesses, it’s important for the people running those businesses to keep up. Making use of storage containers is one beneficial way to do just that.
What Should I Consider When Buying a Used Storage Container?
Storage containers for sale are a popular way to provide both short term and long term storage solutions. They can be found all over the world, with 97% of them manufactured in China. With the many options that are available, there are a few things you’ll want to consider before you invest in these storage containers. Here are four factors to keep in mind when you buy used shipping containers.
Delivery Space
You’ll need to have plenty of delivery space available for the storage containers. Ideally, you’ll want at least twice the length of the container plus around 10 feet in a straight line. There needs to be enough adequate clearance to avoid any potential problems. There should be plenty of space for the driver to be able to maneuver and unload the containers to avoid any potential damage from occurring.
Restrictions
Certain cities may have restrictions regarding uses for storage containers. Before you buy used shipping containers, you may want to ask your local city or county government about any rules or regulations. You may need to purchase a permit or adhere to certain zoning laws for specialty projects.
Location
It’s important to consider the location where you’ll place your used shipping containers. If the location isn’t level, the doors may not work properly. To level the container on uneven ground, you’ll need to be prepared with woodblocks on hand when the delivery driver arrives. The location for your containers should also have adequate drainage to prevent the containers from sitting or sinking in standing water.
Container Size
Storage containers in New Jersey are available in sizes that range from 10 feet to 45 feet long. You’ll need to consider carefully what you’ll be putting inside the container in order to select the right size. If you research shipping container capacities online, you can get information regarding what size containers you’ll need for specific items. You can also contact one of our professionals who will be happy to help you select the right size for your exact needs.
Nearly all international cargo–a full 95%–travels by ship. Shipping containers are the most cost-effective means of transporting large amounts of goods. However, these containers have many uses beyond moving dry cargo and perishables across the ocean.
With the average container lasting 20 years or more, most of them are repurposed for new uses after shipping. Learn about some of the most unexpected and creative applications of storage container modifications below.
How Many Ways Can Used Storage Containers Be Modified?
Nearly all international cargo–a full 95%–travels by ship. Shipping containers are the most cost-effective means of transporting large amounts of goods. However, these containers have many uses beyond moving dry cargo and perishables across the ocean.
With the average container lasting 20 years or more, most of them are repurposed for new uses after shipping. Learn about some of the most unexpected and creative applications of storage container modifications below.
1. Your next desk job might be inside a shipping container.
Perhaps one of the many things you didnt know about storage containers is that one of them may end up standing in for an actual building if you work in an office or at a desk job. Shipping container offices are especially trendy among startups and new businesses. Why?
Storage container offices are cost-efficient and eco-friendly. Entrepreneurs can start out with an office made out of one or two containers and add on to this building if their business continues to grow. In addition to being highly customizable, these types of offices are portable meaning that businesses can easily relocate if need be.
2. There are storage container restaurants!
That’s right! The storage container provides a perfect compromise between a food truck and a run-of-the-mill building. Just like you can modify storage containers to live in, a growing number of restaurants are modifying them to create kitchens, bars, and dining areas. Even Subway is getting on-board with this trend. One of its locations in New York City is crafted from nine repurposed shipping containers strung together.
3. Farmers are tackling challenges with 40 foot shipping containers.
It is not always possible to predict the weather–unless you can somehow create a predictable, temperature-controlled environment. With a storage container, you can. Many reefer containers are already equipped with temperature controls and ventilation systems that make it possible to ship fresh or frozen food items at a particular humidity.
Storage containers give farmers the freedom of growing crops anywhere, during any season. Farmers typically use fewer resources as they do not have to shield plants from animals and pests. Finally, if people wish to move or ship their farm, it is already self-contained, portable, and ready to go.
4. Some countries are using storage containers to re-grow coral reefs.
What are some things you didnt know about storage containers? More and more shipping containers are being recycled for specialty projects, including projects that may help save the planet. Some, in particular, are being used to create artificial coral reefs.
Cambodia is kicking off efforts by purposely sinking storage containers. Once underwater, fish use the containers as shelters and nurseries to repopulate dwindling fish populations. Just like we use farm-grown coral fragments to help repair and regrow existing reefs, these fragments can be placed strategically around underwater shipping containers to encourage and nurture new reefs.
5. Storage container homes are reducing homelessness and affording people more options.
Major cities including Los Angeles and London are experimenting with ways to curb their homeless populations using storage container housing. Shipping containers are cost-effective and eco-friendly, making them an appealing option for addressing homelessness.
For those reasons, shipping container homes also appeal to the general public. With storage containers, people can enjoy bigger homes for less. Plus, storage containers are extremely hardy, making them safe and durable in all weather conditions.
What are the things you didn’t know about storage containers? Used storage containers are being put to new, exciting uses every day. Ask a shipping container company if your modification or crazy idea can become a reality.
Container pop-up shops are innovative, fun, and attractive to customers. Whether or not your shop is going to be serving beverages, offering piercings and tattoos, or even a haven for retail shoppers, a pop-up shop will be an affordable way to operate your own business and build your following. Here are a few things to consider if you’re a business person or entrepreneur interested in utilizing storage containers as a site for your store.
Why Are Container Pop-Up Shops Effective for Entrepreneurs and Customers?
- Pricing: Overall, the pricing for container pop-up shops is quite effective. This is because they’re purchased and designed according to your own budget and interests. Outright purchasing of container pop-up shops eliminates long-term leasing and interest payments which are common in brick-and-mortar locations.
- Design: Initially, you may have a vision of what your pop-up should look like. However, this is most likely to change over time. Many factors would contribute to this, such as customer input, store layout, and budget. Eventually, you may want to expand the size of your store.
- Layout: A good pop-up is effective because it is an exercise in experiential retail. This is a strategy that is used by retailers. It is designed to increase foot traffic, interest, and excitement about the product that is being sold. Often, customers are engaged and interact with the product. For example, one could offer a tasting session, or give customers free takeaways such as a complimentary photograph taken on-site as a memory of their experience.
- Custom Features: One of the most attractive features of a pop-up shop is that it can be tailored to suit the specifications of your business. If you have a jewelry retail store, for instance, glass display cases can be installed. Also, these mobile stores can be modified to include windows, doors, shelving, and other features to enhance the experience for your customers.
- Mobility: A great advantage that is offered by container pop-up shops is their mobility. This allows you, as the owner, to position your mobile store near an area where there is a lot of foot traffic. This could lead to an increase in the entries of your business. For instance, you could position your store near, events hosted by the community, or other areas where people may be congregating on a temporary basis.
Of course, utilizing storage containers as container pop-up shops is not the only modification possibility. Only 6 million of the 17 million shipping containers in the world are currently being used to transport cargo. This means there are about 11 million unused shipping containers, which could be converted into housing, portable concession stands, medical units, and even portable offices.
There are so many unique uses for storage containers, it’s exciting to see what people will come up with next!
What Kinds of Businesses Could Benefit From Using Shipping Containers As Pop-Up Shops?
While shipping lines own about half of all containers, according to iContainers, shipping containers are available to others who can find creative ways to repurpose them. These large containers are becoming a popular solution for businesses looking for a cost-effective and flexible way to open a pop-up shop. Here are four businesses that could benefit from this trend.
1. Boutiques and Small Retail Stores
For small retail businesses, the biggest advantage of using a shipping container as a pop-up shop is the low cost. Shipping containers are typically much cheaper to rent or buy than traditional retail space. They’re also easier and faster to set up, which can save on construction costs. Store owners can use them as is or input shelves, racks, and other fixtures to create a more traditional retail space. Paint or brand them to match the look and feel of the rest of your business for a cohesive look.
2. Food Trucks and Carts
Food trucks and carts can utilize shipping containers as storage space for food, supplies, and equipment. One can free up space in the truck or cart for prep work and cooking. Shipping containers can also become mobile kitchens, outfitted with stoves, sinks, and other fixtures. Such functionality allows food truck and cart owners to prepare food on-site, rather than at a commissary kitchen. Since shipping containers can be parked almost anywhere, they provide food truck and cart businesses with greater flexibility in terms of location.
3. Artists
Shipping containers serve as both work and exhibition spaces for artists. Use them to store art supplies, materials, and finished pieces. Artists can install lighting, sound systems, and other features to create a temporary gallery space. These containers easily serve as pop-up shops to sell their work.
4. Clinics
Shipping containers can be outfitted with examination tables and other medical equipment to create a temporary clinic space. These clinics may be able to serve more people depending on where the pop up shop lands, which can be especially helpful in communities with limited medical access.
Why Are Steel Shipping Containers My Solution?
As a business owner, you likely understand the necessity of widening your brand’s visibility, selling more products, and ultimately expanding your active customer base. If you’re prioritizing becoming more accessible to customers new and old, it’s a good idea to invest in a pop-up shop. Steel shipping containers are a great option when it comes to creating your portable pop-up shop that you can set up and transport from one location to the next with the least amount of effort possible.
Room For All Of Your Products
A standard TEU shipping container can hold somewhere around 3,500 shoe boxes. This means that whatever you sell, you’ll be able to fit enough inventory for the duration of your pop-up shop into your pop-up shop shipping container. If you have a larger, 40-foot shipping container, you could fit the equivalent of 8,000 shoe boxes, which would allow you to keep even more inventory on-site if you plan on having longer pop-ups.
According to Marine Insight, some of the largest container ships are around 1,300 feet long. This is equal to the circumference of an Olympic running track. The ships have a maximum width of 180 feet (55 meters), and they carry different sizes of shipping containers that can be modified into whatever you envision. For instance, you can fit yours with desks, coffee machines, or even salon chairs to turn it into a container pop-up shop.
Designed to Be Transported
Steel shipping containers are literally designed to be shipped and transported, which means you’ll have an easier time getting your mobile store to its designated location. You’ll just have to arrange for a truck to take your container to your pop-up location from your business or warehouse’s property and back at the end of your pop-up event. When you arrive, you’ll just have to open up your container’s doors and you’ll be ready to go!
Easy Setup
With a steel shipping container pop-up shop, you can set up your store entirely ahead of time and just arrange small, moveable items once you’ve arrived. Instead of showing up and assembling a tent, tables, chairs, clothing racks, shelves, or more, you can already have these things assembled inside your shipping container shop. This means that you’ll have more time to add small finishing touches and not have the stress of making sure that the larger parts of your pop-up are present and set up — they’ll still be in the container from your last pop-up!
If you’re a business looking for a cost-effective way to reach more customers, capitalize on modern shopping trends, and build brand awareness, utilizing storage containers as pop-up shops is beyond worth considering. To learn more about this venture and how we can assist you, contact Integrated Equipment Sales today! We have a wide range of container options for you to choose from, as well as a number of modifications that we can make to fit your business’ needs. From the simplest project to the most elaborate, the expert team at Integrated Equipment Sales has you covered.
New shipping container sales have impacted more than just the companies that use them. According to Port Technology International, it’s estimated that only 6 million of the 17 million existing shipping containers are currently in use. With the expanded number of uses that these containers now have, it’s easy to overlook how much of an impact they’ve had on globalization. Let’s take a closer look.
Shorter Time to Move Products
The main way that shipping containers affected globalization was by making it easier to move products across great distances over shorter periods of time. The design of shipping tanks was adjusted to accommodate the containers, which makes it easier to load more products onto smaller vessels. These changes meant that it no longer took weeks or even months to get inventory from low-cost production areas to countries where they were sold.
Supply Chain Synchronization Around the World
As containers became the norm for the shipping industry, companies and countries were better able to meet demands around the world. These containers could now also be loaded and unloaded using machinery, which makes the entire process quicker and more streamlined. All of these increases in efficiency meant that international manufacturers and wholesale purchasers could use a more time-sensitive approach to their buying and selling. With more regular shipping schedules, it was no longer necessary to hold massive amounts of inventory for fear of shipping delays. All of these changes made the global supply chain more synchronized and simplified.
Lower Level of Emissions
Containers are uniform in size and shipping vessels are designed to accommodate them. This means that manufacturers know how to package their goods to fit into the containers, allowing them to ship more products in a single trip. Soon, new shipping container sales reached a tipping point, with most shipping companies utilizing this option. Due to the uniform size of the containers, and the way that the vessels were designed to accommodate them, fewer trips were needed to transport the same amount of goods. With fewer trips needed, there was a reduction in the amount of emissions caused by the shipping industry.</p
If you’re looking for a company that provides new shipping container sales, then you’re in the right place. Let us help you with all of your shipping needs today! Contact us to learn more about our products and services. We look forward to hearing from you!
