Intermodal container lessor, Textainer Group Holdings has re-entered the refrigerated container market segment. The company has ordered 800 40' High Cube reefers with Carrier and Daikin machinery, for delivery in January 2008.
According to Textainer president & CEO John Maccarone, the company has analysed the reefer market frequently since exiting this segment in the 1990's, but until now, decided not to buy new refrigerated containers.
“Due to attractive prices for new reefer containers, and the anticipation that our customers may choose to lease a larger percentage of their total reefer requirements, we feel this is the right time to re-enter the market,” said Maccarone.
He said that placing at least $30 million worth of reefers into attractive long-term leases in 2008 would increase the company’s capital expenditure by about 10% above its original budget, but if the reefers are leased by existing customers, the incremental overhead costs to Textainer are almost zero.