Shipping containers are used pretty much everywhere and in any industry you can think of. According to Container Home Hub, 85% of all shipping containers worldwide are standardized containers that can be used in a variety of industries and applications. Let’s look at a few industries that often use shipping containers and how they are used.
Construction
There is often a need for storage on construction sites. Container sales often help to provide construction sites with a place for storing equipment and building materials. It’s often necessary that materials stay stored on the project site and these materials must be protected from theft. Shipping and storage containers are the perfect solution to this problem. Containers are made of steel, which ensures they are very strong and hard to break into. They are also water and air-tight as well as windproof which ensures that the equipment or materials being stored in them are safe from the elements.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing facilities can also make good use of shipping containers obtained through container sales. They make great additional storage and, within this industry, there is always a need for more storage. Using shipping containers cuts down on the need for warehouse construction and provides facilities with a greater amount of flexibility. When storage is needed, containers can be easily obtained through container sales.
Education
Globally, there are a multitude of uses for shipping containers that might surprise you. Many countries often use these types of containers to set up schools in areas that don’t have access to formal education. When properly modified, the containers can become makeshift classrooms.
Automotive
Shipping containers have long been used in the automotive industry to transport vehicles. Dealerships and showrooms can also use shipping containers to scale up inventory before a special event or during renovations. Containers can also be useful for parts storage.
Retail
For the retail industry, container sales are often sought to provide a secure method of transportation and storage of inventory. This can be a useful way to increase property storage while also keeping open the option of moving inventory quickly. Ensure you have enough inventory by investing in these containers.
If you are interested in container sales, then please contact us today. We are here for all of your container needs. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Historically, shipping containers are a vital part of the global trade industry. The introduction of standardized containers revolutionized the shipping market enabling the safe transportation of goods around the world. According to Discover Containers, 70% of the world’s goods are carried by sea, and 52% of the world’s sea trade uses shipping containers. Keep reading to learn why shipping containers play such a key role in global trade.
Standardization Efficiency
When it comes to global trade the most vital element is efficiency and, when shipping methods are standardized, efficiency is increased and there is a profound impact on global trade. Standardization has allowed seamless intermodal transportation around the world. When containers are designed with uniform dimensions and specs, they are more easily fitted into different transportation modes. Vendors within the industry can more efficiently plan for these shipments and know they have the space and accommodations for everything coming in. This includes ships for sea travel.
The practice of using standardized shipping containers for sea travel has reduced the time and labor needed for cargo handling. This has dramatically revolutionized the logistics process in sea trade. In the past, goods had to be loaded and unloaded individually or packed into many differing types of containers. This was time-consuming and created huge margins for errors. Today, with standardized containers, the entire process has been streamlined. This saves time and money.
Cost Reduction
The standardization and efficiency improvements mentioned above directly translate into cost savings for companies. With the use of shipping and storage containers, the need for manual labor has been reduced. Transporting containers has been largely automated and assisted through the use of machinery, such as cranes, reducing labor expenses and the expense of injuries that often occur in this industry.
Shipping container sales can be viewed as a wise investment for companies. Once that investment has been made, containers can be used over and over literally for years. Containers require very little maintenance and can be used for many different types of cargo and applications. Companies can reduce their overhead significantly as shipping containers also serve as storage containers as well.
If you are interested in shipping container sales, then please contact us today. We will be happy to assist you with your storage and shipping container needs. Don’t wait to call us today!
It is outside the shipping industry that steel shipping containers become multi-purpose thanks to their durability and flexible design. You can modify a steel shipping container to fit your needs, whether it’s for commercial or domestic use. Luckily we have enough supply of new and used shipping containers, given that more than 17 million shipping containers are in circulation today. Of these, five million are actively involved in the shipping industry, and they make around 200 million trips a year, as Billie Box says.
Why, though, are steel shipping containers so reliable even beyond the shipping industry? Here’s how their use extends beyond the shipping industry, into the military and government, as well as why their qualities lend to such flexible uses.
Steel Shipping Containers are Made Using Sturdy Materials
Corten steel is the primary material used to make shipping containers. From the corrugated walls, cross members to cargo doors and frames of a shipping container, sturdy corten steel is utilized. Corten steel is also known as weathering steel. It’s a group of steel alloys specially made to be rust-resistant, weldable, and eliminate the need for painting shipping containers. For this reason, steel shipping containers can withstand adverse weather conditions with zero to minimum damage. For instance, if you’re a contractor who works in remote areas with harsh climates, you can modify a steel shipping container into a site office or a storage facility for your tools, machinery, and equipment.
Shipping Containers are Easily Portable
Steel shipping containers are specifically designed to allow for crane rigging. The corner castings of a steel cargo container are reinforced to make the container strong enough for crane lifting even when it’s loaded to the maximum. The forklift pockets and twist locks also enhance the portability of a shipping container. Since steel shipping containers are easy to move, you can make a portable concession stand, mobile offices, or container pop up shops. Having the capacity to take your services and products where the customers are is necessary in the modern business world. Even as you move around showcasing your products, you’ll not worry about your products’ security because steel shipping containers are secure and hard to break into. Additionally, you can have reinforced cargo doors and install an alarm and monitoring system to enhance your products’ security.
Steel Shipping Containers Can Accommodate Various Modifications
Being made from weldable steel, it’s easy for technicians to make modifications to a shipping container without incurring huge costs. You can install doors, windows, ventilation, shelves, cabinets, and insulation to custom-make a shipping container to fit your needs. The ease of modifications on steel shipping containers increases not only their efficiency but also their utility. Many businesses in different industries can modify a shipping container to serve twin purposes in their line of work. For instance, a logistics company may modify a 40 feet container to serve as a pick-up office and a temporary storage facility.
A business can also modify a shipping container to capitalize on branding. The exterior walls of a shipping container are a perfect space for a business to paint its logo, corporate colors, and advertising message. Since steel shipping containers are easy to modify, it’s faster and affordable for a business to customize several containers to fit their brand’s needs.
Steel Shipping Containers are Long Lasting
The corrugated steel used to make shipping containers has no elements of organic materials, and it’s likely to last a lifetime. Ultimately, 98% of shipping container parts are recyclable. Therefore, when your shipping containers have outlived their usefulness, you can send them to a steel recycling company instead of the dumpsite. After doing a solid 10 or 12 years in the shipping industry, a shipping container can last for another 15 years in different services. If you modify a new steel shipping container and maintain it well, it may serve your business for a lifetime.
These are the qualities that make steel shipping containers extremely useful outside the shipping industry. The good thing is that shipping containers are plenty in supply and easy to customize to serve different business purposes.
Government and Military Usage
Shipping lines own almost half of all shipping containers. However, such containers are popular with the military and government as they serve many purposes. Shipping containers are made of steel which makes them very strong and durable. They are also weatherproof and can withstand all types of climates. Here are some ways the military puts steel containers to good use.
Storage
These containers conveniently store many items ranging from food and water to ammunition and medical supplies. Shipping containers can also store equipment and vehicles. During deployments, soldiers may be in harsh conditions and need to be able to access supplies quickly. Storing food and equipment supplies in a steel container provides a temperature-controlled environment and keeps supplies organized.
Barracks
Steel shipping containers are used by the military to create barracks when soldiers are away from an official military base. They can be stacked on top of each other to create two or three-story barracks. The military can also place them side-by-side to create long, linear barracks. These containers can be outfitted with all the necessary amenities to provide soldiers with a temp home, including electricity and running water.
Offices
When working in remote locations, the military often uses steel containers as offices and command centers. They are outfitted with furniture and supplies to provide a private space for soldiers to work. They provide a secure location for soldiers to coordinate operations and communicate with other units.
Training
The military always needs ongoing training. Luckily, shipping containers become training facilities for a variety of purposes. They can be used as mockups for urban warfare, provide a realistic environment for medical training, and make a suitable location for target practice.
Barrier
Shipping containers can become strong barriers. By placing them in the water to create a floating barrier or on the ground to create a barricade, they can block roads or create checkpoints.
The military has no problems putting steel shipping containers to good use. They are strong, durable, and weatherproof. They can be used for storage, housing, training, and barriers. In other words, soldiers have reliable steel shipping containers to thank for many of their comforts while deployed.
The versatility of steel shipping containers makes them incredibly useful in the business world. The design, size, and shape of shipping containers makes them appropriate for different uses such as storage, pop up shops, mobile offices, and portable concession stands. Today, businesses of all sizes are modifying shipping containers to provide solutions for their various needs. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons steel shipping containers are so popular among business owners right now.
Readily Available for Purchase and Use
Billie Box estimates that there’re more than 17 million shipping containers in circulation globally. After their service in the shipping industry, most steel containers are still in great shape and can be reused for different purposes. Therefore, you can buy used shipping containers at an affordable price. Alternatively, you can buy new shipping containers for sale from a dealer near you. Since new and used shipping containers are plenty in the market, you can buy one at a great price.
Easy and Affordable to Modify
It is convenient to modify your shipping container to fit different applications. You can custom-modify your new or used shipping containers at an affordable price. For instance, you can install windows, doors, storage cabinets, ventilation, insulation, and air conditioning for a mobile office container. It doesn’t take long to modify a shipping container and install all the extra amenities that you need for your operations. This makes it particularly attractive for big companies looking for quick turn-around solutions to provide extra office space or storage space. Even when you conduct extensive modifications to your shipping container, it will still be more affordable than the traditional brick-and-mortar offices.
Sturdy and Long-Lasting
According to Container Auction, shipping containers can last for more than two decades if they are taken care of with regular maintenance. It does not take much to maintain your steel shipping container. You only need to dust it down and pressure-wash it occasionally. Other than that, your shipping container will withstand adverse weather conditions without sustaining damage. This is because steel shipping containers are made from corrugated steel that can accommodate heavy loads and hostile weather conditions. That is why steel shipping containers will endure adverse conditions such as heavy ocean waves, high pressure, gale-force winds, or hammering rain. Additionally, the corrugated steel is mold and rust-resistant because it contains zero organic material. For this reason, steel shipping containers are ideal for specialty projects that may require you to work in remote places with inhospitable climates.
Sufficient Space for Your Goods
Steel shipping containers vary in size. The most common size is 40 feet and 20 feet shipping containers. Depending on your application, you may need a bigger or smaller container. It is therefore convenient that shipping containers vary in size. If you need extra space, you can buy another container and stack it on the existing one. This also saves you ground space, as you can stack several containers without eating up your warehouse space.
Steel shipping containers provide handy solutions for companies in need of storage or office space. Since it is easy to modify shipping containers, they’re convenient for companies of all sizes in search of custom solutions. Steel shipping containers are sturdy, affordable, and durable, making them ideal for any number of uses.
To learn more about securing used and new steel shipping containers, contact Integrated Equipment Sales today! We’re happy to provide you with these products and assist you with utilizing them in accordance with the industry they’re needed in.
A lot of people and companies are looking to buy a shipping container. In fact, the whole container fleet capacity is projected to grow 7.5% in 2023, according to Statista. Who should use these containers? Here are several industries that could benefit from them.
Construction
Construction requires the use of equipment, and that equipment needs to be stored when it’s not in use. There are sheds that can be leased, but that can quickly make costs add up. Instead, shipping containers can quickly be assembled to hold these items. It’s a much better way of protecting the equipment. That’s not all, though. The construction workers could convert these containers into homes for people, too.
Manufacturing
Manufacturers run into storage issues, too. They have a lot of raw goods, and they need to have places to put them. Rather than having to get one large warehouse, they can create several of them with the containers and even be able to have them set up to maintain certain thermal conditions. Pharmaceuticals are one of the manufacturers who could benefit from this since they can be sure to have the containers modified to meet every regulatory guideline for the storage of their components.
Automotive
This one is a given. A lot of car manufacturers send their finished vehicles overseas in shipping containers. They are large enough to hold multiple vehicles and keep them safe from all kinds of outside conditions, like rain, heat, and cold.
Education
If a school is under construction, one way to continue to teach classes when classroom space isn’t available is by utilizing shipping containers. They can be turned into temporary classrooms equipped with insulation, a whiteboard, tables and chairs, and more.
As you can see, shipping containers are used for far more than just transporting items across the seas to ultimately be put in warehouses. They can be really inexpensive solutions for scenarios that might otherwise see you facing long-term leases. You will find that your decision to buy a shipping container could be one of the best ones that you’ve ever made. If you’re looking to buy a shipping container, we can help you find ones that fit the dimensions you need. Contact Integrated Equipment Sales today to learn more!
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.
