TANKS & LOGISTICS 09
GOING GLOBAL DEPOTS • THE COTAC GROUP IS EXPANDING RAPIDLY, MOVING OUT OF ITS EUROPEAN HOMELAND TO OFFER A HIGH STANDARD OF TANK CONTAINER SERVICES AROUND THE WORLD THE COTAC GROUP has significantly expanded its operations, with its seven locations in Europe recently being joined by facilities in the US, China, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore. The move, cotac says, establishes a standardised level of quality, safety and security at major international logistics hubs around the world, while also making cotac one of the leading service providers in tank container cleaning and report worldwide. From its historic roots in Europe, cotac is moving into regions of the world that are especially relevant for chemical logistics operators, with depots located close to freight handling ports and logistics hubs. Lars Nennhaus, managing director of cotac, explains: “We support customers exactly where they ask for our portfolio of performances and services.” In concrete terms, the company is investing in creating its own new sites wherever they
COTAC’S EXPANSION WILL HELP IMPROVE TANK DEPOT STANDARDS AROUND THE WORLD
are needed, and the infrastructure they require, either on its own or in close cooperation with selected partners. Nennhaus adds: “We can further optimise the customer supply chain by expanding our worldwide network.” As one of the market leaders in Europe, cotac offers the highest standards of service for tank cleaning, repair and depot services. These technical services for tank containers guarantee the smooth, safe and secure progress of bulk liquids logistics and represent a vital link in the logistics chain. The company specialises in cleaning tanks used for the transport of liquid chemicals, liquefied gases and foodstuffs, alongside the repair of tank containers, road tankers, intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) and mini pressure tanks; it also offers modification work, servicing and certification. A BIG FOOTPRINT The new sites in cotac’s network outside Europe have been successfully established for several years and are now being integrated into the cotac operation. The Houston site in
the US is in the immediate vicinity of the Port of Houston, offering 600 tank container storage spaces on a 130,000-m² site, along with a workshop and 11 cleaning lines. The four sites added in Asia together contribute some 40,000 m² of depot space, around 5,000 tank container storage spaces, four workshops and 40 cleaning lines. Following the incorporation of the new facilities, which cotac has been working on since October this year, the company now has some 100 cleaning lines available around the world, as well as 500,000 m² of footprint and 12,000 tank container storage bays. Annual capacity is now 200,000 cleaning operations and 100,000 workshop orders. “By enlarging the number of sites, we have completed another important step in our global expansion strategy,” Nennhaus says. “More projects are in the planning phase.” Hamburg-headquartered cotac group has around 700 employees providing reliable, quality-assured tank container services at its sites around the world. Safety, security and quality are especially important in the company, supported by standardised training courses for all employees and internal know-how about product cleaning processes on the part of cotac’s chemical experts. All the cotac sites undergo regular internal and external audits. “Sustainability and environmentally conscious action are the rule, in addition to integrity and commitment,” cotac says. www.cotac-group.com
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