Our History

By June 2015, Cleveland Containers had gained significant traction, attracting a £100,000 investment from UK Steel Enterprise (UKSE). This investment, which included a £50,000 loan and a £50,000 Regional Growth Fund grant, was pivotal in the company’s expansion efforts, enabling it to scale its operations and enhance its service offerings.

In January 2017, the company made a substantial investment in its infrastructure by installing a new office constructed from shipping containers and a state-of-the-art paint-blasting facility on its seven-acre site in Middlesbrough.

The following year saw the completion of Cleveland Containers’ largest shipping container conversion project at that point in time: STACK Newcastle. This vibrant social hub, constructed from 60 containers, was a testament to the company’s expertise and ability to deliver large-scale, complex projects that capture the imagination and serve the community.

Despite the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, 2020 proved to be a record-breaking year for Cleveland Containers, with over 14,500 containers supplied to customers across the UK.

While many companies faced setbacks, Cleveland Containers expanded its workforce, underscoring its resilience and adaptability.

The year after, Cleveland Containers continued its expansion by opening a new office in the Midlands and appointing two new sales managers, further strengthening its presence in the UK market.

It also expanded its product range to include portable site accommodation units such as offices, canteens, and smoking shelters, demonstrating its commitment to meeting the diverse needs of its customers.

In February 2023, Cleveland Containers saw a leadership transition with Andrew Thompson, the former Chief Operating Officer, stepping into the role of Chief Executive Officer as Johnathan Bulmer moved to the position of Non-Executive Director.

This change marked a new chapter in the company’s leadership and strategic direction.

March 2023 brought further recognition with Cleveland earning its first RoSPA Gold Award for outstanding health and safety performance during 2022, highlighting the company’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety.

The following year, Cleveland opened a new 5-acre depot at the port of Newport in South Wales.

Combining staff and units from Sharpness, the Newport depot is currently the largest site in the company’s history, positioning the business to better serve South Wales, the Midlands and even London.

This strategic location enables Cleveland to support major infrastructure and renewables projects.

From a single shipping container sold from a small yard in Teesside to a national group serving customers across the UK, Cleveland’s journey has always been driven by ambition, resilience and a commitment to helping people make the most of their space.

What began as a container business has evolved into a group of specialist companies delivering container solutions, site accommodation, modular buildings and infrastructure support to organisations of every size. Along the way, we've expanded our footprint, invested in our people, earned industry recognition and built lasting partnerships with customers across countless sectors.

Today, Cleveland Group stands stronger than ever. United by our purpose and guided by our new promise to "Own Your Space", we continue to invest, innovate and grow - helping businesses, communities and industries create spaces that work better for them.

While our history is something we're incredibly proud of, we're even more excited about what comes next.