Container Transport, Logistics and Conversion Specialist 'Thinks Outside the Box'

UK – Visitors to this year's Multimodal Exhibition, once again to be held at the Birmingham NEC between 4 and 6 April, will again be delighted by the site of the Pen–Tavern, the instant assembly pub provided by container transport, storage and conversion specialists Pentalver. The display module, a stand made up by a three container conversion, will return to the freight forwarding, transport and logistics show for the third year in a row with 2016's display having welcomed over 1000 visitors to the stand, a total which Pentalver hopes to surpass this time around.

In previous years, Pentalver had visited Multimodal and shown off some very capable conversions which intrigued visitors and gave an idea of what it could offer. However the company soon thought about how to go the extra mile and really show off its conversion capabilities. This concept however had to mesh with the idea where it could produce a stand which was not only interesting but also enjoyable to meet and greet customers – and what better than a traditional British pub!

Pentalver have several strategically located depots around the UK offering a range of logistics services which supply road haulage, container storage, container maintenance and repair, cargo handling, a VOSA workshop and even a training academy. In addition to this Pentalver are one of the biggest suppliers of containers in the UK, distributing both new and second hand containers. Container conversions are also a big part of the company’s container sales services across the British Isles which helped Pentalver develop the idea of the pub and made sure this became a reality.

Life for the ‘pub’ started in the usual fashion. Containers are ordered directly with one of many production factories in China. All sizes of containers are ordered on a quarterly basis. Once the containers are manufactured, they are loaded with export cargo and sent to the UK with any form of commodity you can think of. Once the container arrives in the UK, it is customs cleared and then the cargo is delivered to its final destination. When the cargo has been delivered, the container is then returned to one of many Pentalver locations around the UK. The containers for the pub arrived at Pentalver’s Southampton depot ready for the creation of the Pen-Tavern.

Once the in house design team came up with some ideas on how the pub would look and the final layout was decided, work could begin to create The Pen-Tavern. The containers were moved to Pentalver’s fully covered workshops where the magic began. Side walls were removed, frames were fabricated and attached, apertures cut, lining and sealing added, and the blank canvas for the pub was ready. The cladding was then fabricated and with the help of a local set design company, the fixtures and fittings began taking shape. After many licks of paint the Pen-Tavern was born!

In order to transport the pub to Multimodal, each year the process is reversed and the containers are dismantled carefully so they can be transported by a Hiab lorry from Southampton to Birmingham. Before the show, all fixtures are double checked and then the containers sent on their way. On arrival at the NEC, the lorries enter the show hall and proceed to position the containers with their on board cranes and into the correct layout. All of the cladding that had been moved for transit is then re-attached, electricity connected, the tables and chairs laid out and most importantly the beer and wine supplied.

There you have the creation of The Pen-Tavern, a shipping container has a world of possibilities that it can be converted into and only relies on imagination. With some serious thought and some highly skilled workmanship and, your own original thinking, anything feasible could become a reality. So you can be sure Pentalver will welcome you to Multimodal at the Pen Tavern (stand 7010) to discuss container transport and logistics, or even to hear your own thoughts ‘outside the box’.