After 45 years, we’re taking the opportunity to reflect on the journey so far

As Air Sea Containers LTD celebrates 45 years in business, we’re taking the opportunity to reflect on the journey so far.

From our early beginnings to the global company we are today. Over the years, we’ve grown not only in the range of products we offer, but also in the knowledge, services and support we provide to our customers across the dangerous goods industry. To mark 45 years, we’ve brought together 45 facts that showcase who we are, what we do, and how we support our customers. From our history and values, to our product range, technical expertise and commitment to sharing knowledge, here’s how far we have come:

1. Air Sea Containers Ltd was founded 45 years ago in 1981 by Donald Staniford.
2. Our origin began in 1946 When Herbert Staniford & William Gaskell founded Staniford Drums, supplying wooden barrels to the soap & detergent industry.
3. Our purpose is to provide dangerous goods packaging solutions, technical expertise, bespoke packaging development & on-site UN package testing.
4. Our company values are Trust, Excellence & Passion.
5. The head office is in Merseyside, UK. We supply products to customers all around the world, including Europe, America, Africa & Asia.
6. The business has grown into a global network with multiple international locations.
7. Our trained staff can provide free guidance to help customers select the correct packaging for their dangerous goods.
8. We have no minimum order quantities on hundreds of products.
9. UK office opening hours are 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays.
10. Our UN approved packaging is compliant with dangerous goods regulations including IATA, ADR & IMDG.
11. We have over 700 products available off the shelf.
12. Stock items ordered before 2pm are delivered the next working day for UK orders.
13. If you’re looking to purchase in bulk, we offer bulk pricing discounts.
14. Our same day quotation service is free with no obligation to buy.
15. We provide 4G fibreboard boxes, 4GV fibreboard boxes & 4DV plywood boxes.
16. Our combination packaging is the first in the UK to feature QR codes. Simply scan the QR code to be taken directly to the assembly information.
17. We offer a variety of inner packaging solutions including glass, aluminium & plastic bottles as well as plastic & tinplate jerricans.
18. We provide custom made solutions. Designing, testing & manufacturing bespoke packaging for your needs.
19. Our limited quantity packaging has been capability tested to meet the construction requirements of 6.1.4 of the UN Model Regulations.
20. Our infectious substance packaging is suitable for the transportation of Category A UN2814, UN2900, P620 & Category B UN3373, P650.
21. The TC range of thermal control packaging can reach a qualified temperature range of -20°C when used with dry ice.
22. The ISO thermal control packaging is qualified at 2°C – 8°C. Cool packs are included as standard with all ISO packaging.
23. We have a wide range of UN approved drums including fibreboard drums, plastic drums, steel drums, tinplate drums, composite drums & salvage drums.
24. We provide UN approved packaging for the safe transportation of lithium batteries.
25. Our range of UN approved jerricans includes plastic & tinplate options from 250ml to 25L.
26. We stock a wide range of chemical packaging options including drums, jerricans, fibreboard boxes & composite packaging suitable for a variety of chemicals.
27. We provide a range of packaging accessories including, hazard labels, cushioning & absorbents, tamper evident seals & dangerous goods regulations manuals.
28. The Live Chat facility on our website enables you to connect with our sales team personnel in real time, no bots included!
29. We have over 120 articles on dangerous goods packaging & industry related topics on our website.
30. Our website includes a free no obligation quotation request tool
31. The FAQ Section on our website covers a variety of useful packaging & product information, including explanations of specification marks, weight limits & performance tests.
32. Our You Tube channel features over 30 videos including assembly instructions for various packaging.
33. Our most viewed video is our 4G incorrectly packed & correctly packed demonstration video.
34. We provide torque value information for our inner & single packaging
35. We hold ISO 9001 Certification & ISO 17025 Certification
36. We attend several external events throughout the year including CHEMUK, VCA Dangerous Goods Seminar, BADGP AGM & UK Packaging Expo.
37. We explain LQ packaging requirements in our ‘Limited Quantity Packaging, Is “don’t sweat the small stuff’ bad advice”?’ article.
38. We have written about the requirement for 95kpa packaging in the ‘Are your biohazard bags 95kPa capable?’ blog.
39. In our article ‘What are the differences between 4G & 4GV packaging?’ we have provided useful facts and tips for choosing the correct packaging.
40. We’ve answered FAQs in our ‘What are UN specification marks & how to read them?’ article.
41. We often get asked ‘What are the packaging requirements for UN3373 substances P650?’ so we wrote a blog about it.
42. ‘We’ve been doing it this way for years & nothing bad has happened yet!’ is an article we created to raise awareness of non compliance habits.
43. ‘Steps to understanding Infectious Substances’ article provides shippers with useful information about 620 & 650 packing instructions.
44. ‘Packaging pitfalls’ is our article highlighting the most common packaging regs people aren’t aware of.
45. We identified and wrote about the ‘5 common mistakes shippers make when packaging 4G/4GV boxes’ to highlight issues that can easily be avoided.