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Our Services
From standard container solutions to expert conversions, modifications, repairs and modular buildings – S Jones covers it all. We also provide industry-leading services for self-storage operators. Explore what’s possible by choosing a service on the left.
Shipping Containers for Sale
From small to large-scale storage, find the ideal shipping container to suit your needs at a competitive price.
Shipping Containers for Hire
Discover our huge range of storage containers for hire, plus welfare and workspace units that provide quick and easy site solutions.
Specialist Container Conversions
We’re a trusted provider of standard and bespoke container conversions, designed for industrial, commercial, and specialist applications.
Modular Buildings
Engineered for fast installation and long-term performance, our modular buildings provide flexible space solutions for every sector.
Shipping Container Modifications
From insulation to electrics and security upgrades, we provide tailored container modifications that transform standard units into practical, high-performance spaces.
Shipping Container Repairs
On-site container repairs and restoration that reduce downtime and save you money.
Standard Container Conversions
Discover our range of ready-made offices, chemical stores and topper containers - professionally converted, and available for rapid turnaround.
StoragePro
Container sales paired with expert support give you everything you need to start or grow a successful self storage site. Explore our Core, Plus and Ultimate packages and scale with confidence.
Shipping Container Finance
Take advantage of flexible finance options for bulk orders through Approved Business Finance. Your streamlined, stress-free purchase is only a click away.
When people talk about ISO containers, they usually mean shipping containers or storage containers. These simple steel boxes have completely transformed the way goods are moved, stored, and even repurposed for everyday use.
But what does “ISO” really mean? The term comes from the International Organisation for Standardisation, which created strict specifications for container design. These standards guarantee that every ISO container is a uniform size – usually 10ft, 20ft, or 40ft – and can be safely stacked, transported worldwide, and transferred between ships, trucks, and trains.
This uniformity is why shipping containers are the backbone of modern trade, enabling efficient movement of goods across the globe – and why they’re now widely available for sale, hire, and conversion across the UK.
The story of ISO containers begins in the USA with a trucker named Malcolm McLean. In 1956, after two decades on the road, McLean noticed how inefficient shipping was: cargo came in every shape and size, wasting space and slowing down loading times.
McLean’s solution was simple but revolutionary – a standardised cargo box. That same year, he sold his trucking company for $25 million and purchased the Pan Atlantic Tanker Company. He retrofitted its ships to carry these new containers, laying the foundations for what we now call containerisation.
McLean’s business, renamed Sea-Land Shipping, perfected the ISO container. His design was:
By the late 1960s, with the support of the US military, containerisation had proven its worth. In 1969, McLean sold his shares in Sea-Land for $160 million but kept the container patents. By the late 1970s, his invention had been adopted worldwide.
In 1999, Sea-Land was acquired by Maersk, the world’s largest shipping company, and containerisation became the global standard for moving goods.
Fast forward to today, and ISO shipping containers are one of the most effective, sustainable, and versatile transport solutions. They are used every day to ship millions of tonnes of goods quickly, safely, and cost-effectively.
But containers are no longer just for shipping. In the UK, they are increasingly used for a wide range of applications, including:
Thanks to their Lego-like adaptability and weather resistance, containers can be modified into secure, cost-effective, and eco-friendly spaces.
Looking ahead, ISO containers will play an even greater role in how we trade, build, and live. With the growth of modular construction and the push for sustainability, containers are being repurposed as part of the circular economy.
Instead of scrapping old containers, they are given a new life as offices, homes, workshops, or energy storage units. For UK businesses, this makes them a low-cost, flexible, and environmentally responsible choice.
If you’re looking for a shipping container in the UK, whether for storage, transport, or a custom conversion, ISO containers offer several benefits:
At S Jones Containers, we supply a wide range of shipping containers for sale, hire, and conversion across the UK. Whether you need a standard storage unit, a container for transport, or a fully customised solution, our expert team can help.
Our services include:
We also provide nationwide delivery and installation, ensuring your container is ready for use as quickly as possible.
Yes – containers can be converted into offices, workshops, retail units, plant rooms, and more.
Yes – we offer nationwide delivery and installation.
An ISO container is a shipping or storage container built to international standards, making it compatible with ships, lorries, and trains worldwide.
The most common sizes are 10ft, 20ft, and 40ft, but bespoke conversions can create tailored solutions.
If you’re looking to buy, hire, or convert a shipping container in the UK, our team is here to help. We’ll provide expert advice and a tailored solution that fits your business needs.
Contact us today for a free quote and discover how a shipping container conversion could work for you.
