Skip to content

Our History

Exceeding customer expectations for over 100 years, we’re a family business steeped in history and a proud market leader in the salehire and conversion of shipping containers.

The S Jones Story

Explore over 100 years of heritage and leading customer service.

In 1914 Samuel ‘Sammy’ Jones became a Haulage Contractor in Aldridge, just north of Birmingham and transported his first consignment, reputedly cases of crockery, from Aldridge railway station by horse and cart to the local ‘Manor House’.

1920 – The First Motor Lorry

By 1920, he had acquired his first motor lorry, a Thornycroft, and by 1936 was operating 2 lorries.

1936 – Expansion Leading To Our Shipping Container Services

His Son, Edward Jones, took over the business in 1936; he formed S Jones (Aldridge) Ltd, and over the course of the next 25 years built up a large fleet of tipper lorries operating throughout the UK which later diversified into general haulage.

Drone of storage site from the left

1936 – Business Relocation

During this time the business moved from central Aldridge to its present location in Anglian Road, Aldridge.

1962 – Progressing The Family Business

Edward’s son, Michael joined the family business in 1962, and under his fathers’ leadership they progressed the business. They became Main Distributors for ERF Trucks and operated the first HGV driver training school in the country.

Container yard during sundown

1970 – The Container Revolution

The container revolution commenced in the UK around 1970 and our general haulage fleet developed into container transport; this led us to become one of the largest Shipping Container Depots in the Midlands storing, repairing and maintaining many thousands of shipping containers every year, an activity which continues today.

1970s – Tanker Trucks and Freight Forwarding

During our years in transport we operated a freight forwarding and consolidation service. S Jones became a market leader in bulk tankers transporting hazardous liquids throughout Europe.

1976 – Container Depot – Saudi Arabia

Our container depot and transport company opened in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; after operating for 22 years this was sold to a Saudi owned company in 1998. Andrew Jones’s first position in our family business was with Trans Arabia in Jeddah.

1999 – Consolidation of The Family Business

In the mid 1990’s new premises for the ERF Truck distributorship opened in Westgate, Aldridge; However, this, and the economic climate at the time, led to the consolidation of the family business in 1999 to the Container Depot Company in Anglian Road.

1999 – Andrew Jones, Director of S Jones Containers

In 1999, Andrew Jones was appointed a Director.

2000 – Expansion Into Other Allied Fields

Since 1999 the original Shipping Container Depot business, S Jones Containers Ltd, has expanded into other allied fields; we are now one of the country’s leading Retailers and Hirers of Shipping Containers. Our Container Conversion business offers specialist container modifications for varied uses and our self storage business U Can Store It Self Storage, which was established in 2000, has extensive facilities at Aldridge and West Bromwich.

2007 – Installation of Spray Booth

In 2007, our spray booth was installed to massively improve paint finish quality.

2008 – Management Changes

In 2008, Andrew Jones and Michael Jones became joint Managing Directors and Jill Buckland became Company Secretary.

2011 – 3D CAD Modelling

In 2011, we moved from 2D to 3D CAD modelling to help with bespoke conversion quality.

2013 – Office Expansion

We expanded our office to cope with the growth in both Conversions and Sales.

2014 – Further Management Changes

Michael Jones became Chairman of S Jones, Jill Buckland became Director. Andrew Jones continues as Managing Director.

2015 – 100 Years of Operation

Since 2015, the Management Board of the Company consists of Michael Jones as Chairman of the Company, Andrew Jones, Managing Director and Jill Buckland, Director. Following its’ 100th year of trading the ‘Sammy Jones’ family business continues to flourish. We continue to exceed our customer’s expectations for service and cost.

2015 – ISO9001 Quality Certification

We proudly gained the ISO9001 registration in 2015. We operate with formal processes and constant improvement ensuring complete customer satisfaction.

2015 – Hire Fleet Achievement

In 2015 with the help of our growing loyal customer base we surpassed the “1000 containers on hire” milestone over a year ahead of our goal.

2016 – New U Can Store It Website Launches

In Jan 2016, we re-launched our U Can Store It Self Storage website.

2020 – New S Jones Website Launches

In February 2020 we launched a customer-centric website, designed to make getting a quote and finding the right solution for your needs as simple as possible.

2022 – S Jones Container achieves JOSCAR accreditation

In June 2022,  S Jones Containers Ltd successfully achieved accreditation to the Joint Supply Chain Accreditation Register (JOSCAR).

What Our Customers Say

Jim
12th Dec 2023
Always a pleasure to deal with, fantastic customer service and containers are always top quality.
Richard
24th Oct 2023
We are very pleased with the container.The Driver was very helpful and very pleasant 10/10.
Barry
27th Oct 2023
We have bought from you now for over 10 years since meeting Lucy Aucott at a trade stand – since then we have come to you for quotes and bought when we felt the price was right . Your staff have always been very helpful.
Pat
25th Oct 2023
Good price, good service and delivered when they said they would Very smooth transaction.
Steve
28th Oct 2023
It was a very easy service from quotation to delivery.
Call free on
0800 1954 538