14 September 2006
Hello friends and family. I'm finally starting the website I've talked about for the past couple months, I've decided to name it
ISBU INFORMATION
WHY? Here is a little introduction of how I learned of this ISBU concept and the business research I'm engaged in to determine
the feasibility of beginning a small but efficient ISBU home construction business somewhere in the U.S.
I've learned one key point in the past couple months of researching shipping containers. The professionals refer to a shipping
container or cargo container used for construction, storage or housing as an ISBU, meaning Intermodal Steel Building Unit.
Therefore to comply with the professionals I'm speaking with I've used the name ISBU in my research project.
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15 September 2006
Obtaining Information-
I've actually been researching this slowly over the past 3 months. I will begin posting my thoughts and evaluation.
I'm treating this ISBU project as I would any new product or business. I'm trying to gather several types of information to see
the maximum potential of ISBU construction and any related businesses, pro's and con's.
Although my first goal is to go back to the U.S. and build some creative ISBU homes, cabins, work shops, etc., I'm very open
to locating all areas of revenue using the shipping container technology in the U.S. Maybe not all the potential income opportunity
is simply in the construction of the units alone.
Here are some Job and Services categories that should be related and may require business development:
-Designers and architects
I'm not finding very impressive designs right now and I don't know why. Unless you're building a cabin in a rural area or near a
lake, the rustic "shipping container look" would not be well accepted. Paneling or a stucco type exterior should not be difficult.
-Welders, Fabricators
I've learned that most work on these is done with a Plasma torch. I verified this by visiting some of the principle factories here
in China. It appears to be quite simple with the Plasma type torch, therefore much of the work can be performed quite rapidly
and with little experience.
-Delivery, especially inland from ports and to smaller areas.
Initially my logistics experience and contacts in the U.S. help me to realize the surplus's in the U.S. or any country are only near
the ports. However the cost of moving them inland could be prohibitive by normal trucking carriers.
Since a 40HC is quite lite compared to the standard fully loaded shipping container, there is really no need for the big rig tractors
and trailers. A 40' can easily be hauled on a flat bed trailer and towed with a normal truck, thus reducing the local shipping costs.
-Structural engineers
According to the factories here in China and also some container dealers I recently contacted in the U.S., structural modifications
should be planned with some knowledge. I need to see how critical this really is.
-ISBU certifications
How standardized are the used ISBU classifications? I will be contacting various U.S. dealers and shipping companies to learn
the grades and classifications of used shipping containers. Then find if there is some way of certifying their actual quality.
-Ecological insulations
I need to learn more about the newer Eco insulations. Not only their safety, but also cost, ease of application and compatibility
with metal finishes.
-Availability
Which sizes and qualities are mostly available? From our shipping experience I will guess 40GP and 40HC. Since our cost to
ship a 40HC is virtually the same as shipping a 40GP I must assume the U.S. surplus is hopefully in 40HC sizes. The 40HC will
be the most requested I think due to it is 1' taller. I have seen some 20HC in one of the China factories but according to the U.S.
ports very few ever arrive into the U.S. Again, 40HC are the most cost effective.
-Reefers
According to the factory engineers I've interviewed here in China, they do not recommend using the insulated reefer containers.
They say a single unit may be alright but cutting of doors and windows can be problematic. Then trying to join multiple units to
form a large home would create many difficulties with the insulation. I called a couple container dealers in LA and Miami
yesterday and they both had mixed opinions. One that was very pro reefer containers also specialized in selling them. I think his
opinion may be less accurate due to the fact he wants to promote reefer sales.
...I'm going to listen closely to the factory people as well as the local dealers. It's only logical that a factory engineer would have
the best structural and modification knowledge. Just in a few phone calls to U.S. container dealers I've already gotten conflicting
comments and recommendations, and most architects I've contacted even seem to know less. The architects seem to be getting
their facts from local welders or container dealers, but it only makes sense that the true experience will come from the factory
engineers who design, build and also modify the containers by the thousands.
-Building Contractors
The use of ISBU modules in construction is not complicated according to the factory engineers and also some UK guys I spoke
to that were visiting a factory here. They said much of the modification and integration work can be done by most any building
contractor unless there might be union issues.
-ISBU Repairs
The factory manager here in Shenzhen has finally given me a list of "certified" ISBU repair companies in the U.S. and some other
countries. He believes they should be a valuable resource for me also. I think he's getting tired of all my questions. : )
I will contact them ASAP and make a point to visit with them personally when I arrive back to the U.S. next time. These guys may
well fit into the ISBU Certifications category.
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For interesting links and projects I've found during my research click here.
