Challenge:
Various challenges were faced by both our customer and ourselves at Century Containers. In the initial development stages communication was critical to understand the needs of our customer to ensure that we created the best container unit possible to suite the challenges that they faced as a company and overall create a solution to their needs.
- Security: The customer was facing significant security issues regarding their remote super fast vehicle charging stations. With numerous reported thefts of their assets, mainly the caballing used within the charging station. They came to us in order to help create a protective container to both deter and stop the thieves from accessing the chargers, whilst still allowing reliable access to the container and charging units.
- Fitting: With the charging stations already been in place at fixed locations- A design was required that could simply fit over the top of the station. Fairly unique, but certain not something we have not accomplished before. The size of the super charger units also had to be taken into account to ensure the container was big enough for them to both fit and allow access around them for both instillation purposes and general use.
- Access: our customer required easy access to the container and chargers, both in use and instillation. We discussed options in order to create the best solution for access challenges.
Solution:
During the design and development stages we as a team discussed various option to solve the challenges faced as listed above. Nothing was to hard to overcome, however creating unit that was robust and secure, accessible and easy to use meant that we had to change some aspects of how we would normally go about creating a shipping container of this size.
Security: A 6ft Standard Height Shipping container was the chosen unit style that we would use as the base of our design. However our choice of materials used was changed in order to create a more robust and secure unit. We started by using much larger and thicker box section lengths to create our end frames. This not only gave the container more rigidity and strength, but also went a long way to making the container more secure and robust, Creating a visual deterrent.
Fitting & Sizing: The choice to use the 6ft Container size was base upon the size of our the super charger, allow access to the charger and for personnel space around it to allow for any instillation or any required maintenance to take place. The other challenge faced was that the chargers were already in place. This means that the undercarriage of the container would need to be removed in order to place the container over the top of the fixed charging station.
This is another reason that led our team to creating the unit with the robust and upsized box section. Giving rigidity to the container to stop any twisting from occurring. This would be even more important due to the opening system we chose to install. It also meant that we did not need to place any further cross beams or corner supports into the unit.
Access: The team chose in conjunction with the customer to use an internally fitted electric, remote opening - roller shutter for the door opening. This solved multiple challenges. Firstly, easy clean full access to the container and charger unit. Security concerns with the installation been internal, and easy of access. The users would all receive fobs that would allow consistent easy to use access to the chargers. We chose to go with galvanized black 8ft wide shutter that gave a sleek finish to the container.
Beyond these factors, aesthetical considerations were made. The choice of RAL by our customer to go with RAL 3003 Ruby Red. It paired up fantastically with the black shutter and really made the unit both stand out and make a statement.
Outcome:
In all respects to the above challenges and solutions, we feel that we met them and went above and beyond the original spec that was put to us from the customer. Our decision to upgrade our materials was worth wile and made a big difference to the security and overall look and feel of the container, which all went towards the solution of security that the project was based upon.
The ability for the customer to easily access the container with use of the electronic fobs, as well as it generally looking stylish and modern in its feel whilst still maintaining security was a big positive for all parties.
Conclusion:
In conclusion; the team would firstly like to say a big thank you to Sterling Power for trusting us in creating this bespoke Shipping Container Solution for their unique needs. They were consistently easy to work with and positive in all aspect of the project. Its a big positive to be able to work alongside a company working in this sector, especially when it comes to creating this style of unit with a retrofitting aspect to it. This unit was seen as something of a trial unit and I hope that we will be able to produce more of these for the customer
The unit shall be up and running in due course and we shall up date via our social media pages as it goes into use.
Why Work with Us?
We have years of experience providing shipping containers for grassroots football clubs and businesses alike. We know the requirements inside-out and can tailor containers for easy access and efficient storage. Our services are designed to make your grant application successful, and we ensure your football team gets the best storage solution for its needs.
Get in touch now and to discuss your project and our team will help to find your solution to fit your needs.
If you would like to learn more about our transportation services, give us a call on 01482 891111 or Send us an email: sales@centurycontainers.com
