Challenge:
Company Overview: British Sugar as part of the AB Sugar group (Associated British Foods) is a globally-renowned food processing and retailing multinational corporation and the UK's largest produce of sugar, as well as medicinal cannabis.
Scope of work: We were asked to produce TWO matching Side Curtain opening 40 foot High Cube Shipping Containers. Matching the brand colours specified by the client and using the best possible containers at our disposal.
Multiple Matching Units: The team at British Sugar tasked us with creating two matching units that were opposite in their door orientation. This was so they could be placed with the doors facing each other in order to increase security on site. The challenge here was ensuring the units we picked for conversion were matching in style and had consistency in their paneling for the chosen sides that would be remaining in place.
Colour Matching & Branding: We wanted to ensure that the containers provided suited the environment they were going to be placed in whilst also looking apart of the British Sugar company profile. Their colour scheme is a mixture of greens and yellows, While British Sugar’s color scheme might not be as flashy as a neon sign, it’s still pretty cool, showing light green hues representing the land in which beets are grown and the sunny buttercream yellows. However, with the understanding these containers where to be placed in a more industrial setting we had to choose a colour scheme that would fit well for this whilst representing the pallet of customer.
Access, Timing and Logistics: Both containers were to be delivered in unison. The plan was to lift on site using equipment operated by the team at British Sugar. This mean we needed a good lead time to ensure this equipment was ready and available. Whilst also having our vehicles arrive in order for the placement of the containers. Lead time running up-to the delivery was tight and we had to ensure we beat our initial suggested date of delivery.
Solution:
Shipping Container conversions are a mainstay of our work here at Century Containers. So when we were tasked by the British Sugar team and their colleagues at ADI Mechanical to create a modified Shipping container, out team was more then happy to oblige.
This year has seen an increase in the procurement of Side Curtain opening Shipping Containers as many more companies realise the potential and versatility of this kind of unit for various storage needs. We have already managed to accomplish this for several companies this year and as well as many other forms of storage solutions using shipping containers. This can be seen in the work done for Hitachi-Linxon and Foregale, who both took on similar units,
40ft High Cube Containers:
One of the first challenges we faced for this project was selecting the correct original units to use for the conversion. This was a simple task however for our Buying and Sales team, who procured two outstanding Triton 40ft High Cubes for our fabrication team to use. These containers with forklift pockets, new style doors, treated bamboo flooring and clean and completely undamaged container paneling created the perfect canvas for our team to work on.
Testing and Improvements:
The team at Century Containers are always looking to create improvements and new ways of working. This is the same when it comes to the output of our products. On our last containers for Hitachi-Linxon we created additional benefits by placing brace protectors down the outer corner brackets. This was to help slipping and any potential damage that could occur to paint work when bracing the unit curtain. We added this feature once more to this unit.
We also created new improvements to pelm placement, positioning and holding. By adding a new fitting system to the pelm to ensure durability and flexibility when the curtain is in operation.
Colour Matching & Branding:
Our client wanted the containers to comfortably fit into the their environment on site, whilst using their company brand colours, without standing out too heavily. With their colours been Green and Yellow hues, we decided to go with the darker side of their green for the canvas, matching this with an Anthracite Grey RAL 6017 for the container. This helped merge the industrial nature of the container, with the environmentally conscious green of the British Sugar logo. The RAL colour in particular on these 40ft Shipping Containers is a favourite among the team at Century Containers, due to its classic look, durability and fresh clean styling. It looks brilliant with additional safety standard stickers.
The team also explored using vinyls and stenciling to display the clients logo onto the container, however this was not opted for due to time constraints and budget requirements.
Outcome:
The outcome of this project was a brilliant looking, fit for purpose pair 40' High Cube, Curtain Sided Shipping Container. The team were able to create the modified container comfortably within the time frame given by our client. The converted containers
Additional features to the containers and a few small touches that you can see below in the pictures created new benefits that can now be passed through to subsequent projects.
Firstly we redesigned how we fit the pelmet, in order to have a more secure system for it to lock in to. Our next upgrade was the addition of a trim fitted to the container for the curtain lashings to sit on. This trim is a rubber lined with a metal insert for extra strength and retention. The lashings hold securely onto this. It looked fantastic, created extra resilience and safety.
Continuous improvement is key to our production at Century Containers. This means we are always looking to better our last project, anytime we are commissioned we always take time to look at previous iterations and see how we can improve on design and working processes. To quote our Production and Workshop manager Garry 'Everything is a Draft'.
Conclusion:
Another fantastic experience for our team to work with one of Europe's biggest companies, that require high standards and strict adherence to policy and process.. Delivering an excellent pair of New converted shipping containers. Though challenges of delivery was not as significant as previous work, it still held challenges having to deliver multiple containers. Matching and ensuring uniformity meant committed work by our fabrication team to work alongside the procurement staff, making this a really positive joint effort throughout the process.
Find out how we can can create bespoke solutions for your shipping container by getting in touch with our team!
