To better suit market needs, Maersk Container Industry announces that is has taken the decision to consolidate its manufacturing of reefer containers in the company’s original facility in Qingdao in China. As a result, manufacturing at Maersk Container Industry’s facility in San Antonio, Chile will cease with immediate effect.
Starting production in 1998, the facility in Qingdao was the original Maersk Container Industry reefer factory and has during changing market conditions proved its capability to produce high quality products for the industry.
Since 2015, the San Antonio facility has delivered Star Cool Integrated™ containers to Maersk Container Industry’s global customers directly in the export hub on the west coast of Latin America. In the past several years, the reefer container market has changed fundamentally towards heavy overcapacity. At the same time, it has been challenging for Maersk Container Industry to develop a localised supply chain base of raw materials and key components to support its factory. As a result, manufacturing at the facility has shown not to be competitive in the global market.
“The harsh reality is that to be competitive today requires us to adapt our operations constantly. Fundamental market factors have changed and so must we to grow with the market,” added Fitzgerald. “Regrettably, this decision impacts our 1,209 skilled colleagues in San Antonio and we are committed to supporting them and honouring our obligations.”
For more information:
Janina von Spalding
Maersk Container Industry
Tel.: +45 3363 1979 / +45 2176 2454
Web: www.maersk.com