Containers Direct

What Containers Direct does

Containers Direct Ltd is a Liverpool-based UK supplier and one of few British manufacturers of new-build shipping containers. Founded in 2008, the company sells new, once-used, and quality-used ISO shipping containers in sizes from 5ft to 45ft, and operates an in-house fabrication depot (opened 2010) that converts second-hand containers into purpose-built products including portable offices (ModiBox®), classrooms (StudyBox®), catering units (MenuBox®), vehicle garages (CarTainer®), workshops (WorkBox®), gym spaces (GymBox), chemical stores, and pop-up retail units. Its WideLine® range of extra-wide 10ft containers is a first-of-kind product in the UK market. The company also offers flat-pack self-assembly units under the ExpandaStore and ExpandaKiosk brands, narrow-width SlimLine containers, cladded and ply-lined/insulated variants, and accessories such as living roofs, ramps, shelving, and lock boxes.

The business runs a sales-led, quote-based go-to-market model: customers submit a Quick Quote form or call the sales line (0800 061 2575) and receive a personalised quote within 24 hours, with nationwide UK delivery and port delivery for export customers holding valid CSC plates. Revenue is generated through one-time sales of containers and accessories plus project-based conversion services. The customer base is broad, spanning construction and engineering firms, retail and event operators, schools, automotive businesses, domestic/residential buyers, and export customers; marquee past projects include containers supplied to Superdry, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Harley-Davidson, the Ministry of Defence, the Environment Agency, National Trust, Balfour Beatty, British Gas, Network Rail, ITV, Hilti, Ocado, Jet2 Holidays, and Mears Services. Marketing is multi-channel, combining an SEO-optimised website with 23+ city landing pages, content marketing via blogs and case studies, an active social presence (Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube), email newsletters, and ISO 9001:2015 certification via ISOQAR plus JOSCAR registration to support enterprise and government sales.

Name

Containers Direct

Legal name

Containers Direct Ltd.

Website

https://shippingcontainersuk.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Containers Direct is a Liverpool-based UK manufacturer, reseller, and converter of shipping containers, supplying new, used, and purpose-built converted units to construction, retail, education, automotive, domestic, and export customers via direct nationwide sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Shipping Containers

NAICS

Boiler, Tank, and Shipping Container Manufacturing (3324), Other Metal Container Manufacturing (332439)

SIC

Truck & Bus Bodies (3713)

akta.pro primary industry

Storage Containers & Bins Retail (Plastic, Glass, Modular) (CRAIAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Portable Storage Container Delivery, Pickup & Repositioning Services (HSAKAIAE), International Packing, Export Crating & Containerization (HSAKACAB)

Keywords

• Shipping containers
• Container conversions
• New build containers
• Container offices
• Portable buildings

Headquarters

HQ city

Liverpool

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. New Shipping Container Sales: Sale of new and once-used shipping containers in various sizes (5ft to 45ft)
2. Used Container Sales: Sale of quality used and second-hand shipping containers at reduced prices
3. Container Conversions: Custom conversion services including offices, catering units, chemical stores, workshops, pop-up shops, classrooms using in-house team of welders, joiners, painters, plumbers and electricians
4. Flat Pack Containers: Sale of ExpandaStore flat pack containers for self-assembly in locations with restricted access
5. Container Accessories: Sale of optional extras including ply lining, insulation, shelving, vents, ramps, living roofs, padlocks and lock boxes
6. Portable Toilets: Sale of portable toilet units from single cubicles to blocks

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Containers Direct manufactures and supplies ISO shipping containers in sizes from 5ft to 45ft, available new, once-used or quality-used, alongside bespoke new-build containers and an in-house conversion service for offices, catering units, classrooms, gyms, workshops, garages, chemical stores, and pop-up retail spaces. The company also sells flat-pack self-assembly containers, cladded and ply-lined variants, portable toilets, and accessories, with nationwide UK delivery and CSC-plate export capability.

Product overview

Containers Direct is an award-winning UK supplier and manufacturer of shipping containers, offering a comprehensive portfolio of physical container products rather than a software platform. The core offering spans standard shipping containers (from 5ft to 45ft in new, once-used, and quality-used conditions) alongside a range of branded conversion products. Key branded lines include the WideLine® Range (extra-wide 10ft containers), CarTainer® (vehicle garages), ModiBox® (portable offices), StudyBox® (classrooms), MenuBox® (catering units), GymBox (home gyms), and WorkBox® (workshops). The company also offers bespoke new-build containers, flat-pack self-assembly units under the ExpandaStore brand, and specialist chemical stores (Falcon and Kite brands). Conversion services include cladding, ply-lining, insulation, living roofs, and joined-up configurations. Container accessories such as ramps, shelving, vents, and security features round out the product portfolio. The business operates from a fabrication depot with in-house capabilities for welding, joinery, painting, plumbing, and electrical work.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WideLine®: Extra wide shipping container range pioneered by Containers Direct
• CarTainer®
• ModiBox®
• MenuBox®
• StudyBox®
• GymBox
• WorkBox®
• ExpandaStore
• ExpandaKiosk
• DryBox®

Products and services

• Standard Shipping Containers

Quantifiable outcome

• Containers designed to endure shipment in harsh marine environments and stacking up to 9 containers high with cargo loads up to 27 tons

Named customers15 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• ISOQARcoreOthersISOQAR provides ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems certification to Containers Direct, demonstrating commitment to quality standards

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• OneCall Containers: UK supplier of new, used and converted shipping containers including portable offices, storage, and bespoke conversions. Direct competitor in the same nationwide UK sales-and-delivery model.
• S Jones Containers: UK-based shipping container retailer and converter selling new, used and converted containers across a comparable product range. Closest direct overlap to Containers Direct in size, geography (UK), and product mix of standard plus converted units.
• Almar Container Group: International container conversion specialist (offices, accommodation, custom builds) serving European and global markets; comparable technology and product set to Containers Direct but at larger scale and broader geographic reach.
• Containerbase: UK supplier and converter of shipping containers for storage and bespoke conversions. Overlaps with Containers Direct's core standard-container-plus-conversion offering and customer base.
• Containers 2020: UK shipping container supplier offering new and used containers and basic conversion services to construction and storage customers. Targets the same SMB/enterprise storage and site-cabinet buyers as Containers Direct.

Broad incumbents

• Wernick Group: UK provider of portable and modular buildings for hire and sale across construction, education and public-sector clients. Competes with Containers Direct on site offices and classroom use cases (ModiBox / StudyBox equivalents).
• Mobile Mini UK: WillScot-owned portable storage container rental and sales company with UK presence; adjacent rather than identical because its primary model is rental of standardized steel units versus Containers Direct's conversion/sales focus.
• Portakabin: UK leader in modular and portable buildings (site offices, classrooms, welfare units). Competes for overlapping use cases (ModiBox, StudyBox) but is much larger and offers full modular building systems rather than container-based conversions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/containersuk
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/Shippingcontainersuk
• Facebookfacebook.com/containersdirect
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/containers-direct
• Instagraminstagram.com/shippingcontainersdirect

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Containers Direct