GenFlat score tyre shipment contract for collapsible containers

GenFlat Holdings is a manufacturer of collapsible containers that require just 25% of the space to be shipped on the backhaul as traditional empty containers.

Retailer Discount Tire has struck an agreement with GenFlat to use it containers on a closed loop for tyre exports from Thailand to the US West Coast.

The containers will be shipped full of tyres from Thailand and then collapsed for the return voyage with four of the collapsed units taking up the same space as a normal single empty container.

Drew Hall, Chief Executive Officer of GenFlat Holdings, “We have always believed that our containers offer transformative benefits for retailers. Seeing Discount Tire embrace this technology underscores the value of our sustainable solutions.”  

The company says the collapsible containers optimise space, reduce costs, and minimise emissions.

Scott Spata, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Discount Tire, “At Discount Tire, we are always looking for innovative ways to reduce our environmental footprint. By integrating GenFlat’s cost-effective and sustainable container solution, we are confident we will achieve unprecedented reductions in carbon emissions and capital investments.” 

Discount Tire started using GenFlat’s containers in the last week of November.

GenFlat says its containers take just 80 seconds to be collapsed would allow a 15,000 teu capacity container vessel to carry 60,000 teu of empties.

GenFlat is not the only company marketing collapsible containers. Seatrade Maritime News recently reported on Florida-based Compact Container Systems’ (CCS) five-in-one foldable container design being certified by the International Geneva-based International Standard Organization (ISO).