LEONARD NEILL TANK CONTAINER manufacturer Consani Engineering has closed its doors, with management citing the strengthening of the rand against the US dollar as the main reason. The Cape Town-based company, which announced a profit in its annual report at end of 2003, has been placed in liquidation, with investment developers Murray & Roberts the chief creditor. The closure of business has meant 450 job losses. The 2004 annual report indicated that Consani was under considerable financial pressure, with exports diminished by the strong rand, competition from China and a loss of interest in tank containers from investors. Consani owed R216-million, with Murray & Roberts in the red to the tune of R162-million, and a further R54-million owing to suppliers according to M&R’s group financial director Roger Rees.