Innovative, skilled and dedicated since 1972: Our success story got its start 50 years ago with a good idea. Since then, our constantly growing team has picked up the pen to keep writing with plenty of dedication, innovative strength and a feel for quality. For our 50th anniversary, we give a personal insight into our work, the special spirit at ELA and what we get up to in our personal lives.
50 years of mobile
room solutions
What began 50 years ago with converted sea containers has developed into a perfectly conceived system for mobile room solutions with own logistics. Today, with our many years of experience, we plan and deliver temporary spaces for any application and industry.
Milestones
1972
Founding of ELA Container
Bernhard and Elisabeth Albers have the idea of converting decommissioned sea containers and reusing them as storage and equipment rooms for construction sites. On 25 August they found the company ELA Container in Haren (Ems).
1977
Purchase of the Haren location
The demand for stable containers secure against break-ins for the construction industry grows. A single-storey office building is purchased in Haren (Ems) in 1977. ELA establishes its own logistics department with a fleet of lorries.
1978
The first recreational containers
In addition to storage containers, ELA now also offers comfortable recreational containers to accommodate construction workers – with insulated walls, flooring, electricity, heating and windows.
1979
The first special-purpose containers
New possibilities for mobile room solutions are constantly added: office, team and sanitary containers, as well as special-purpose containers for fairground rides, snack bars and gatekeeper buildings, are added to the offer.
1984
Production of the company’s own containers
ELA developed its own product which, at the time, is called a ‘high-performance container’. It meets the highest quality standards. From now on ELA no longer only purchases used containers.
2000
Used-container sales in Haren
The company opens a used-container centre in Haren, at the Eurohafen harbour, where used furniture and accessories are also sold. Today it is the largest selection of its kind throughout Europe.
2003
The new premium containers
A new generation of containers is added to the leasing offer: the three-metre-wide premium container. The ELA modular frame system enables a great degree of flexibility beyond the basic equipment, with extras like windows, air conditioning or heating.
2005
Succession
Company founder Bernhard Albers hands over management to his children, Tim Albers, Liesel Albers-Bentlage and Günter Albers. As chairman of the advisory board, he continued to support the company's expansion strategy.
2014
Founding of ELA Container Offshore
ELA Container Offshore GmbH is founded to cater for mobile room needs on the high seas. The company sells and leases offshore containers for use on platforms and ships.
2021
Track for growth
The global track for growth continues: in five years, the staff of the company has more than doubled to 1,100 employees. New locations in Austria, Russia and other countries have been added in recent years.
50 years of high tech, craftsmanship and expertise “Made in Germany”
Since the company’s founding in 1972, we have been constantly advancing the range of products on offer. Intelligent solutions make our containers flexible and efficient all-rounders. Modern production and manufacturing technologies and high-precision craftsmanship guarantee maximum quality and safety.
Family-run since 1972
ELA is a family company, despite our size of more than 1,100 employees and locations around the world. As our second generation of management, the three Albers siblings – cautiously and yet with determination – set the company on a path for worldwide growth, all while maintaining the family-like company culture.
Facts
50,000
Leased containers
ELA has 50,000 container units permanently on hand at 18 locations. A fast availability of temporary room solutions in all sizes and at all times is therefore guaranteed.
600,000
Items for rent
With stairs, platforms, acoustic panels, whiteboards, furniture, telephones or internet – ELA offers a comprehensive range of accessories for custom interior fittings.
1,100
Employees
More than 1,100 dedicated employees ensure smooth processes and satisfied customers – and the team is always growing!
100
Special trucks with loading cranes
With the aid of 100 special trucks with loading cranes, the mobile ELA containers can be transported to and directly set up at any location.
18
Locations
ELA has 18 locations worldwide in Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Lithuania, the United Kingdom, Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Russia.