Thirty years ago, Kees Izelaar started CTL-ICS. This Dutch company buys, sells, and leases pre-owned refrigerated containers. With around 600 containers readily available at its depots in the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp, coupled with in-house technicians and equipment, the company is well-positioned to meet customer needs quickly. That efficiency has not gone unnoticed, particularly among onion exporters increasingly turning to CTL-ICS for their container needs.
CTL-ICS is a true family business, with sons Brian and Mike actively involved in, respectively, the Rotterdam and Antwerp locations. Lindsay Daniele rounds out the office team. "We primarily focus on second-hand refrigerated containers, but we also cater to clients who need insulated or sea containers or special equipment, like Open Top or Flat Rack containers," Lindsay explains.
"We offer refrigerated containers ranging from 10ft to 45ft High Cube Pallet Wide reefers., manufactured between 2002 and 2019. Our inventory includes several brands, such as Carrier, Daikin, and Thermoking. Our comprehensive in-house management means we can adapt swiftly to our clients' specific requirements. With a dedicated team of around 25 people, our company ensures every container leaves our depot in peak condition."
Recently, the container sector has changed significantly. "During the pandemic, second-hand container demand truly skyrocketed. That frenzy has since subsided, leading to a more erratic pace of business. Two wars and the current economic climate have considerably affected container trade, too," says Lindsey. Refrigerated container prices have, however, remained relatively stable. "If we adjust our price list twice yearly, it's quite a lot. It's a completely different market to dry containers."
"Over the last three years, we've significantly expanded our Dutch onion trade clientele. But, our customer base spans Europe, with the Baltic States representing a major market for us," says Daniele. "As one of the larger providers, we've successfully established our reputation in the market over the years. We also sell containers to traders who, in turn, offer them to local butchers and bakers as additional mobile cooling spaces."
The market for insulated containers, also known as ex-reefers, is growing. A sandwich panel replaces these containers' cooling systems, but they are as well insulated as standard reefer containers. That makes them highly suitable for transport or local storage. "Regardless of the type of container clients want, our biggest challenge remains ensuring timely delivery. Top-notch quality and service are our highest priorities. Whether someone buys one or 50 containers, we treat each with the same dedication and service," Lindsay concludes.
For more information:
CTL-ICS
268 Nieuwesluisweg
3197 KV, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Tel.: +31 (0) 104 954 911
info@containersales.nl
www.containersales.nl