Working with customers to develop and enhance new and existing container products has helped drive cost benefits and increase efficiencies across a diverse range of industries this year.
Launching the latest Royal Wolf Site Hub, a 100% self-contained work site that can be set up within minutes with no external infrastructure, was a key product innovation in 2023.
Developed in collaboration with customers to meet their specific needs, the Site Hub was designed to deliver fast, efficient setup, cost savings, and a low environmental impact.
“Our product innovation is driven heavily by what customers want from a container,” says Royal Wolf Managing Director Neil Littlewood.
“To reduce set-up time and provide significant cost savings, customers told us they required a site container that could be operational almost immediately without the need for power or wastewater connections.
“To make it a real game changer, it had to be fully self-sufficient which is why solar power was the only answer.”
The Site Hub has been deployed at scale this year across a range of sectors, from remote infrastructure projects to inner-city construction sites.
Focus on sustainability
Mr. Littlewood says the use of renewable energy is also critical to helping companies and government organisations meet Green Star requirements and reduce carbon emissions.
“Our containers are supporting businesses to increase efficiencies and move towards a more sustainable future,” he says.
Sustainability is a key part of Royal Wolf’s DNA and continues to be a key driver in the future of the business.
Mr Littlewood says the strength and long-term life span of shipping containers mean they are ideal for creating products that companies can use to implement sustainable practices into core parts of their business.
“From multi-stack containers and storage platforms, which provide safe, space-saving construction site solutions, to products such as the Site Hub, containers have the power to help businesses reduce costs, gain a competitive advantage, and support them to meet and exceed sustainability targets.”
Large scale, big impact
One of the year’s largest-scale container projects saw Royal Wolf partner with McConnell Dowell to supply and install 53 containers for facilities to service up to 230 staff at the Swanson Dock West Remediation Project in Melbourne.
The facilities, including lunchrooms, offices, ablutions, and a first-aid room, provide critical support and amenities for those working on the three-stage project due for completion in 2027.
The temporary double-stack container facility, which provides maximum facilities while taking up minimal space, also included engineered walkways and a large dome shelter.
Royal Wolf Project Supervisor Harry Schubaji says the containers provided essential facilities and some home comforts for workers during a multi-stage, long-term project.
“A large-scale site like this one also highlights the incredible versatility and capability of containers,” he says.
Also in Melbourne, containers were used to mount five big-screen TVs for crowds to watch tennis action during the Australian Open.
Mr Schubaji says the triple stack containers also included food and beverage kiosks on the bottom layer.
“On top of the bottom stack, the containers in the middle are filled with concrete block and act as a counterweight holding the whole structure down. The top containers are where the screens are bracketed on,” he says.
Container demand continues
Traditional shipping container products also continue to support and solve business challenges for companies and organisations across numerous sectors.
Mr Littlewood says current demand is being driven by ongoing infrastructure and construction work, requirements for storage containers in sectors such as retail and the primary sector, and a growing need for storage and self-storage space.
“From refrigerated containers and dry storage in the events and primary sector through to dangerous goods units and portable buildings for the construction industry, businesses continue to take advantage of the cost benefits and efficiencies shipping containers provide.”
