As worldwide demand increases across high-performance sectors such as information technology, energy and raw materials, the global logistics industry faces mounting pressure to develop forward-thinking systems in storage, transshipment and auxiliary cargo services. In the Netherlands, a container development company has carved a niche in delivering inventive solutions that cater to the rapidly changing needs of intercontinental trade. UNIT45 specialises in customisable, multipurpose 45-foot containers that adhere to international specifications and EU regulatory demands for optimised cargo capacity. The 45-foot container concept reflects the company's expertise in addressing logistical hindrances to business, solving the dimensional limitations of traditional 20- to 40-foot storage boxes and the fragile construction of standard freight containers. "We are intermodal innovators," says Jan Koolen, managing director. "Because a container can go over water, rail or road, we specialise in multimodal transport developments particularly in the road transport business." The company patented an 800-litre diesel-electric reefer unit designed to protect temperature-sensitive products such as electronics and pharmaceuticals during long journeys. Completely temperature-controlled, the unit is a cost-effective transport option available at a quarter of the price of conventional airfreight shipping. A passive refrigeration system, which minimises product spoilage and weight loss by significantly reducing air flow, is also in development. As the new silk route connecting Asia and Europe presents further trade possibilities between the company and the mainland, Koolen reflects on UNIT45's long-term, relationship-centred approach to business. "We work like partners. If you treat clients and suppliers in a way that everybody gains a little bit, you'll succeed," Koolen says. "We're in a reasonably small and highly specialised market. We always have a partner arrangement with our suppliers, who tell their clients 'you have to go to UNIT45'. That's how we operate, and why we're performing very well." UNIT45 http://www.unit45.com
