Jerry contains the competition

It is amazing what you can do with a freight container. The uses to which it can be put are as limitless as the inventiveness of the human mind, writes John Loughran.

Calnan Containers of New Park, Centre Park Road, Cork has converted containers to site offices, canteens, workshops, stores and anything else you can think of since 1973. Jerry Calnan is happy to report that company is the largest sales and container hire business in Ireland with depots in Cork and Dublin and a new manufacturing facility ( Calnan Engineering) in Athboy in Co Meath.

When Jerry set up in business in 1973 containerisation was still revolutionary. Using freight containers as a building or flexible storage area was absolutely innovative and Calnan Containers was probably one of the first companies in the world specifically geared towards finding alternative uses for shipping containers.
Like all great ideas it was straight forward and has stood the test of time. The myriad of uses to which converted containers have been put- from creating additional space at airports, to scientific exploration, to storage units on building sites, or solving an immediate need for extra space - are legendary.

It doesn’t matter whether your need is temporary or permanent, you can buy or hire a container from Calnan Containers, have it designed and fitted to your specification and have it delivered anywhere you require with the minimum of fuss and maximum efficiency.

The containers can be fitted with single or double glazing, sliding security shutters, double locks, insulated to the highest standards and fitted with plumbing and electrics. Additional security features such as retractable steel shutter windows can also be fitted. Bathrooms, showers, toilets, offices and cold storage are also within the company’s capabilities.
Calnan Containers provides the sort of flexibility that can give your business a competitive edge. Clients of the company reads like a Who’s Who of Irish business and industry.

The company’s ongoing success can be partially attributed to Ireland’s buoyant economy but the quality and diversity of its product range is another important factor. “Due to Ireland’s powerful economy, demand for the Calnan product range has been phenomenal, especially in the building trade,” Jerry commented.
Calnan Containers recently acquired an 16,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Athboy, Co Meath, where the company now produce everything from a mini-flushing toilet right through to office complexes and classrooms. In the near future it will also have a sales function.

The demand for these high security products has been extraordinary. “There is also a very strong demand from these high security units from the UK. The strength of Sterling against the euro is also helping in that respect. We are seriously considering putting on a second shift to cope with the demand,” Jerry enthused.

He continued: “The plant has the most modern, computerised equipment on the market with workers health and safety of paramount importance. Calnan Containers and Calnan Engineering both work hand in hand with the Health and Safety Authority and government agencies. We do not believe in taking chances with employees’ health and safety and its is company policy to make health and safety a top priority.”

With almost 30 years of experience in the trade Jerry recalls how he first got started. “Back in the early 1970’s I ran an import business. The goods were imported by truck which was very costly. I decided to purchase a container in the UK when buying the goods and ship it to Ireland instead. I sold the first container. A little later I decided to put a window in the side of one of the containers. That was the beginning of Calnan Containers. In the initial stages, I had seven of these containers fully finished as offices, complete with window, front partition and electrics, that were sitting in the yard and I was beginning to get worried if I would get sale for them. John Murphy of Murphy International arrived and bought all seven of them and placed an order for a further eight containers.”

Due to a huge increase in vandalism, the company has introduced the “tow along mobile” with resounding success. All the experience and skill built up over the last 30 years in coverting 20 foot and 40 foot containers to site offices, canteens, workshops, retail units etc has been applied to the “tow along mobile”.

The unit is ideal for small groups of personnel working on sites for a short duration and can be towed along behind a pick-up truck or four wheel drive jeep. The “tow along mobile” is approximately 12 foot long, seven foot six inches wide, and seven foot six inches tall. It is fitted with its own wheels, towing facilities, braking and rear lighting system.
It can be fitted with anti-vandal steel shutters, lockable from the inside and the doors can be fitted with an anti-vandal locking system. The unit comes fitted with canteen, toilet and electrics, which can be run from a mains supply or a small generator. In fact the permutations are endless.

Calnan Containers also supplies refrigerated cold storage containers (ex shipping reefers) which can be used as additional cold storage space or when existing storage space is under maintenance. The containers can be used for products from deep frozen to chilled and are an ideal way of coping with fluctuating storage requirements. Like all Calnan Containers’ products they are backed up by a full after-sales service as well as a nationwide delivery and collection service.
Over the years the company has established close working relationships with a variety of customers in the state, semi-state, multi-national, pharmaceutical, oil, gas, agri-business, retailing, exploration and construction sectors. These companies have remained loyal to Calnan Containers because of its excellent product range and dedication to customer service.

The group provides a nationwide delivery service and through a network of agents in the UK, mainland Europe, the US and beyond, can position a container practically anywhere in the world.
In the near future the group intends to erect a new factory at Little Island in Cork, which will be on a par with its new manufacturing plant in Athboy in Co Meath. The company will continue to convert containers hand-in-hand with its other activities at the new facilities.

The company’s promotional mobile unit will be appearing at numerous events throughout the year and is well worth a visit. So if you have storage problems, think Calnan Containers. You will be amazed what you can do with a container.
For further information contact Jerry Calnan, chief executive, Joe Walsh, managing director or Dave Dunlea, operations manager on 021-4316958

Website:
www.calnancontainers.ie
email: calnan@eircom.net