Automotive Industry Shipping Container Solutions

Storage for parts, tyres and workshop equipment

A standard container can help separate automotive stock from the main workshop or showroom. Body panels, engines, gearboxes, wheels, tools, diagnostic equipment, oils, lubricants and cleaning supplies can each require different storage arrangements, so consider how the contents will be handled before choosing a size.

• Parts and bulky components: A 40ft shipping container provides more storage length than a 20ft unit and may suit larger inventories or bulky items.
• Tyres and wheels: A 20ft shipping container can suit a smaller parts store where the available space is limited. Racking and stacking arrangements should allow safe loading and straightforward access.
• Tools and diagnostic equipment: Enclosed storage keeps equipment separate from the working area. Choose suitable locking arrangements and consider ventilation, condensation and the conditions required for sensitive items.
• Workshop consumables: Oils, lubricants and cleaning products can be kept organised away from busy work areas, subject to the storage requirements for each product.

Wind and watertight describes resistance to wind and rain. It does not mean that the inside of a container is airtight, so ventilation and the way goods are packed still need consideration.

Options for heavy or oversized automotive components

Some automotive parts are difficult to handle through standard end doors. The loading method may be just as important as the storage volume, particularly where engine blocks, heavy machinery or long components are involved.

An open-top container or 40ft open-top container has a removable tarpaulin rather than a fixed steel roof. This can help where goods need to be loaded from above, although the proposed lifting method and site access should be checked before choosing this type.

A 20ft open-side container allows access along the side of the unit. This can be useful for loading pallets or retrieving items without moving everything near the end doors.

For vehicle chassis, plant or other loads that need a platform rather than enclosed side walls, a 20ft flat-rack container or 40ft flat-rack container may be considered. The load, lifting equipment and transport arrangements should be assessed for the specific application.

Workshop and motorsport storage

Automotive businesses may need more than a simple parts store. A container can be considered as a base for tools, spares or workshop equipment, while motorsport teams may need a transportable space for equipment used at different venues.

Where the unit is intended for regular staff use, modifications may be appropriate. Possible options supported for automotive applications include internal racking, workbenches, personnel doors, windows, insulation, lining and electrical fit-outs. These features should be specified around the intended use rather than added without considering ventilation, condensation, safe access and the equipment being used.

Find out more about container modifications if the unit needs to support workshop activity or a more organised technician space. Any electrical, structural or workplace requirements should be reviewed for the proposed use before work begins.

Buying or hiring for an automotive operation

Buying may suit a business that expects to keep its storage unit in one place for longer-term parts, tyre or equipment storage. Hiring can provide a temporary option during seasonal demand, a refurbishment or a short-term change in the way the site is being used. The decision should also take account of future access, the likely storage period and whether the unit may need to be moved later.

Choose the container size around the items that need to go inside, not just the space available outside. Leave room for doors to operate and for staff to reach frequently used stock. If a vehicle or large component will be stored inside, check the internal dimensions and access requirements against the item before ordering.

A lockbox can shield a padlock from direct access, but it should form part of wider site security arrangements rather than being treated as a guarantee against theft. Storage conditions also matter. Ventilation may help manage condensation, while insulation and lining can be considered where the contents or working environment require them.

HIAB delivery and site preparation

Container deliveries use HIAB. In the UK, HIAB commonly means a lorry-mounted crane used to unload and position a container. A container can fit the intended storage area but still be unsuitable for delivery if the vehicle cannot reach a suitable lifting position.

Check the route into the site, turning space, vehicle position, ground condition and any overhead obstructions before delivery is arranged. Consider the final door orientation as well as future collection or relocation access. Do not assume that a HIAB can lift over buildings, walls, fences, trees, cables or other obstacles.

The proposed position should provide firm, reasonably level support suited to the site and expected load. Soft or uneven ground can contribute to settlement and affect door operation. Drainage should also be considered so water does not collect around the container or its access points.

If an automotive container needs to be relocated later, discuss the requirements for moving a container before filling the unit or placing it in a difficult-to-reach position.

Choose a container around the work being done

Automotive storage works best when the container reflects the way the business loads, handles and retrieves its goods. Standard 20ft and 40ft units cover many storage needs, while open-top, open-side and flat-rack designs may help with particular loading challenges. Buying, hiring and modification can then be considered around the expected period of use and the site layout.

To compare the options for your automotive operation, request container prices and include the intended contents, loading method, preferred position and whether the unit is for purchase, hire or later movement.