For decades, industries have used shipping containers to get their products from point A to point B. For instance, construction companies use them for temporary storage or as portable housing units. Similarly, manufacturers use them to store items before shipment. Car dealers and auto parts suppliers also use them as showrooms and commercial storage units.
Shipping containers are primarily used for storage while transporting goods. However, most entrepreneurs aren’t aware that they can use these containers as a tool to help their companies grow and expand:
Here are five ways businesses can take advantage of shipping containers.
Table of Contents
1. As A Temporary Workspace
When starting a startup company or expanding to a new location, you need a commercial space to do business. This means you’ll miss out on sales opportunities if you don’t have a place to set up your products or operations.
But this won’t be an issue if you have a shipping container because you can use it as a temporary workspace. For instance, you may use it to set up an office for your employees or customers who need access to your product line. Instead of waiting for your commercial space to be ready, you can start making sales and revenue from the moment the container is delivered.
Another way to leverage shipping containers is by using them to set up shop temporarily near concerts, trade shows, or festivals. This way, you can be closer to your target customers who might be interested in buying your products. You may also outsource the modification services of shipping container experts so that you can customise your shipping container based on your company’s needs.
2. Reducing Costs
The expenses can be costly when shipping your goods to a different place. For instance, when sending a container full of goods to another country, it may take several weeks before the goods arrive at their destination. You must pay storage fees and other expenses during this time.
However, you can reduce these costs when you use shipping containers for your company’s shipments. This is because the containers are large enough to hold multiple shipping pallets or crates, which allows for more items and less weight per shipment.
In addition, using containers instead of standard boxes will help you save on packaging materials like tape and bubble wrap. These resources can be expensive when used on every package.
3. Facilitating Easier Relocation
If you’re moving to a new location, the last thing you want is to spend hours packing and unpacking all your belongings. This might cause you to lose productive time because everything packed needs to be unpacked.
With shipping containers, you can make relocating more effortless by saving time and money, improving business productivity. They’re available in every size and shape, from small containers that can transport furniture to large containers that can house entire buildings. They can be rented for just a few weeks or months, making them ideal for businesses requiring temporary storage for extended periods.
4. Boosting Security
When you’re delivering cargo to a different location, losing them during the transportation is the last thing you want to happen. Similarly, you don’t want to send or receive damaged items because this can be costly and can ruin your reputation as a business owner.
To ensure the safety of your cargo during transportation, you can use secure shipping containers to protect your shipments. The bottom part of these containers is protected by twist locks—which lock them down to the vessel’s deck—as well as turnbuckles and lashing rods that support the weight of any cargo inside them. This prevents unauthorized users from opening the containers, ensuring they arrive at their destination safely.
5. Increasing Storage Space
Storage space is often an issue for most businesses because they need more space to store all their inventory. Shipping containers have been proven to significantly increase storage space, allowing you to keep more merchandise in your shop. This increases inventory management efficiency and saves storage costs by reducing the amount of inventory that needs to be held on hand at any given time.
Key Takeaway
If your company regularly delivers cargo to different locations, you should ensure that you have a proper way of transporting your goods. An excellent way to do this is by using shipping containers made from solid materials that can withstand various elements for years without getting damaged.
In addition, your business will also benefit from shipping containers because they’re a cheaper option for transporting your goods. You may also use them to showcase your products to more prospective clients, which can boost your revenue.
