New container company launched

Just over a year since its launch, specialist container and transport broking company Emmaus Container Solutions is more than satisfied with business growth which appears to be bucking the recessive trend. Focusing on container retailers and offering them an integrated one-stop service for container storage/repairs, container surveys and basic conversions as well as domestic transport, Emmaus has seen significant growth over the past eight months, says co-owner Ralph Peters who set up the company with partner Elvis Pillay. “We are very optimistic and are planning to upgrade our infrastructure,” he told FTW. A new stacker is on the cards for delivery in the first quarter of 2010. “In contrast to last year’s tight container availability, the retailer market has eased up considerably, which has impacted positively on our container movements and other activities,” says Peters. The company’s immediate focus is to consolidate the Johannesburg facility with expansion to coastal regions a future possibility. Both Peters and Pillay have notched up several decades of depot and container management experience. Peters started his career in a depot environment, moving to a well-known shipping company for almost 15 years, managing its container fleet in South Africa on a national basis. Pillay was based at the depot and the two worked closely together for many years. “Until now our business has grown by word of mouth – which is clear evidence that our customers are satisfied with the service that we provide. We now have a firm base from which to move forward.”