Holland Container Innovations B.V. (HCI) has closed its Series-B funding round. In addition to existing shareholders, CARU Containers B.V. (CARU) will invest an undisclosed sum in HCI. When the transaction has been completed CARU will own 5% of the outstanding shares in HCI via their investment company P.O.R.T. Holdings B.V.
HCI launched the Series-B funding round shortly after completion of a key milestone earlier this year. In March 2013 HCI became the first company to successfully achieve ISO certification for a foldable 40” freight container. To date several companies have produced foldable containers but no other company in the world has achieved ISO certification. Having already passed CSC certification in 2011 the key conditions for commercialization of the product have now been met. This also explains why the funding round was oversubscribed.
“We are very excited about expanding the business together with CARU. Their investment is like the icing on the cake for the commercial partnership we are building. They will act as a preferred leasing partner, which means we can focus our capital and talent on further developing our technology. We believe that the only way we can change our sector is by partnering with companies that share our passion. Having an industrial player like CARU come on board confirms we are on the right track”, said Simon Bosschieter the Managing Director of HCI.
The HCI foldable container will be marketed and sold under the brand name 4Fold. The official product launch is scheduled for early next year. The product is currently being tested by two leading global shipping companies. HCI’s long-term goal is to achieve mass deployment through strategic licensing agreements with global shipping lines and container leasing companies.
The first phase of deployment will be executed in close cooperation with CARU. The initial focus will be on customers within their global customer network with specific needs and a higher savings potential. CARU will deploy the container based on a leasing fee that ensures that both CARU and the customer benefit from the cost savings.
“For CARU the value proposition for us and for our customers is so obvious. We see the market opportunity and want to be one of the first container companies in the world to capitalize on the growing trade imbalances and increasing cost of storage and repositioning. Folding is fast, easy and safe. The added bonus is that the 4Fold product can contribute to the reduction of CO2 and other harmful emissions. We want to be one of the most innovative players in our market and this initiative fits perfectly with where we are moving”, said Rob Tromp the CEO of CARU.
In addition to ongoing pilot projects with global shipping companies, CARU has already ordered several units of 4Fold. These containers will be leased to an existing customer of CARU to transport goods via land and sea. When empty the container can be folded to a quarter of its original size so that 4 units can be stacked and treated as a single container.
Contact
simon bosschieter
0615308239
info@hcinnovations.nl
