ISBU Shipping Container Benefits

What are the benefits of using ISBU for construction…

Cheap, Plentiful, Strong, and Global Surplus? In the beginning, the greatest interest in ISBU Shipping Container homes and construction seemed to be the need to remove hundreds of thousands of surplus Shipping Containers sitting in United States and other Global ports. And the benefits would help the environment, and save money…                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   [Graphics: ISBU Association]                                                                                                                                                                              Was it Global surplus, or simply Global inventory? By 2005 the news media and mis-informed professionals reported there were an estimated 700,000 surplus shipping containers sitting in the US ports due to the exploding growth of imports from Mainland China. This statement was never true. It’s very important to understand this one principle, …there is a very big difference between the terms surplus, and seasonal inventory.  • Surplus Inventory: Un-used; not needed  • Seasonal Inventory:  Needed, but temporarily un-used; reserved for peak seasons The shipping and logistics industry have peak seasons for various types commodities. Also, during the seasons, some ports have temporary shortages, and other ports have surplus. The containers are then moved to areas they are needed, and also returned to China gradually to prepare for the peak seasons. Every country has Seasonal Inventory a few times a year for one reason or another. This is not the same as Surplus inventory that needs to be sold. No Global Surplus? Certainly, there was some temporary surplus, but only about 100,000 units globally for a short time, but not just in the United States. That small global surplus was quickly reduced due to the increased awareness from the news media, and the ISBU Association websites. There is no doubt that this surge in global interest was due to the awareness of benefits the containers offered in the design and construction industry. Rugged, but flexible steel modules with quick and low cost construction were grabbing the attention of everyone everywhere. This surplus number was finally corrected after the formation of the ISBU Association in 2006 and after the Association began calculating actual totals from Dealers and Shipping Companies in 2007. All were surprised to learn the inventories of 'surplus' shipping containers at US and global ports were reportedly down about 75% of what the News Media and trade professionals were reporting. However, even as truth of no surplus was being exposed, the huge interest in ISBU modules for container home construction continued. Now the biggest interest was the incredible strength and versatility of an ISBU, not the surplus or low cost. The trend and interest in solid ISO Containers continued, and hasn’t stopped….                     From global surplus, to global shortages… Global Shortages? By February and March 2010, due to the increased consumer demand, news media, and global economy, an actual shortage of Shipping Containers and ISBU had been created. Container manufactures in China had mis-calculated the economy in 2009 and cut back too much on production. Or as some ask, “Was it intentional”? The shipping companies also mis-calculated in 2009, or so they say, with AP-Maersk leading the frenzy, they cut back on ships for the transport of shipping containers and ISBU as well as closing hundreds of offices world-wide. The demand was actually increasing in early 2010 and soon disastrous shortages were created in the shipping and ISBU industry. Again many ask the obvious questions, “How could such knowledgeable, experienced global corporations mis-calculate so badly…”?              The result, …shipping prices rose to record highs,            and the cost of shipping containers did the same. It took nearly 2 years for the global correction. By spring of 2013 inventories were quite stabilized, however many global Container Dealers and related professionals were either out of business or in serious financial condition. Container Homes Are Here To Stay? After those 3 years of much publicity, hype and interest, it seems that ISBU modular construction was not a fad at all,, but an incredible growing trend. ...not because of the US and global economy getting healthier, but because ISBU modules are so strong, easy to use, and versatile--almost like stacking blocks.                                                                                                                      [Graphic: ISBU Association)] Although some builders, such as Travelodge build a frame and then insert the ISBU's 8 or more levels high, other, even larger builders such as Container City, and TempoHousing, are very successful with just stacking them as the ocean shipping companies do, then connect them to each other in almost the same way.  ...a definite trend, not a fad. ISBU Modules Are Unibody Construction Although unibody construction is the strongest and most common body architecture in automobiles, SUV's, yachts, and airplanes today, you may not realize that connecting multiple ISBU shipping containers together is also unibody construction. In fact, by connecting multiple ISBU modules together, whether multiple one- level, or multiple ten-level, you have created the ultimate unibody  construction unit with far more strength than the already, super stronger container alone.                                           “The honeycomb effect…” If you are impressed with the strength and durability of just one ISBU, imagine the incredible strength when 2, 4, 6, or 100 are connected together--top, bottom, and sides. Even with fairly extreme modification and wall cut outs, the strength of multiple ISBU modules is far greater than any conventional home or building. The total ISBU container structure becomes one, single, strong "honeycomb unit”.  Sweet…! The Uses for ISBU Shipping Container construction are absolutely endless...  Storage Boxes- safe, vandal proof • Products and Equipment • Internet Servers • Instant warehouse • Construction supplies • Farm equipment • Security storage • Home storage sheds    Modular Construction- pre-modified single units • Construction offices • Work shops, home • Work shops, business • Sales offices • Laboratories • Shower modules • Restrooms & Toilets • Kitchens • Canteens • Business Kiosks • Classrooms • Refrigerators / Freezers • Emergency Housing • Emergency Office • Computer Data Centers • Garages • Recreation Vehicles  Modular Construction Blocks- multiple container units • Housing, traditional architecture • Housing, low income • Apartments • Condominiums • Campus housing • Mountain homes • Trendy homes • Office buildings • Storage units • Multi-car garages • Commercial U-Store type storage units • Emergency Shelters  Benefits of ISBU construction- • Sustainable--very! • Recyclable, and Upcyclable • Unibody construction. The honeycomb effect… • Strongest modular building construction on the planet • Earthquake resistant • Fire resistant • Tornado / Hurricane resistant • Strong non-corrosion Corten steel • Extreme security • Green construction and modifications • Saves trees • Ideal for multiple floors and levels • Fast construction • Insulation: bonds easily spray-foam, and with reflective space-age   Ceramic coatings • Exceeds local and International Building Codes • Easily adapted to Prefab automation • Easily adapted to Custom homes • Economically covered with traditional stucco, vinyl siding, woods,   brick, and other cladding. • Mobile and transport via road without special permits. Even rail and   ocean shipping. After 10 years as an Organization we find there is still no end to this list of Creative uses....                                   ___________________________________________                                                                                  ___________________________________________                                        Copyright © 2006-2016 ISBU Association.                                                                  All Rights Reserved.  Contact  •  RSS  •  Legal  •  Privacy  •  Terms Of Service   •  Join   •  Media