Who is the world's leading container manufacturer?

The history of how shipping containers came to be or the significance of the container industry is of great interest. An idea that changed the way international trade grew in its importance. It also helps us in understanding the background of how the industry came to be dominated by Asian countries. The idea of shipping containers rose in the mid 1950's in order to reduce costs and time as well as to protect shipments from damage through handling or through pilferage. It is said that the idea was first mooted by a man named Malcolm McLean who envisioned using the body of a tractor-trailer to make a container.

Shipping containers have played a crucial role during international trade expansion in 1990's and ushering in globalization. This was done through lowering costs of transportation, providing more ports for trading and opening communication lines. The distribution channels were also very high as a result of this.

A container manufacturer will have to consider many factors in order to have a profitable business especially the cost of manufacturing and market selling price of a container. Other factors can be listed such as the make of the container, the origin where the container was built, how much the container costs on delivery, supply and demand and other economic benefits regarding the development of the surrounding region. Earlier on containers would take double the time to deliver goods from Asia to the Americas but now it takes half the time. It's the evolution of the shipping industry and the innovations by the manufacturers of containers that has furthered this trade even more.

In the 1970's, Japan was the leader when it came to container manufacturing but with rising costs of production mainly labour but South Korea and Taiwan took over soon. When production costs were found rising in these countries also, China took over in 1993 with its increase in international trading activities. China then emerged as the leading container manufacturer and now controls 80% of the world's container manufacturing business. China has managed to lead the way with the help of its raw materials which are available readily that too at lower costs. Secondly, the human resources that China has, is very diverse, abundant and inexpensive. Thirdly, they also have one of the highest export cargo trading in the world.

After China, Europe may be considered as the second largest Container manufacturer in the world contributing to nearly 8% of the world's manufacturing total.

As China has a market situation of excess supply it is thus not a problem for China to retain its market position as it could easily export the surplus. Currently the percentage of container boxes manufacturing is low as against the demand from China and a buffer situation has been created. Some small scale manufacturers are feeling pressured due to over investments. Due to this situation a container manufacturer may drop out even with a slight increase in cost of manufacturing. The relevant Chinese departments are now looking into the manufacturing situation of containers in order to maintain a constant supply of demand and supply.