RFB Containers is a UK-based container specialist with over 40 years of industry heritage. Operating across multiple business lines, including container hire, self-storage and third-party depot services, the business manages thousands of containers across the UK.
Following the acquisition of Container World in 2023, RFB Containers required a reliable, scalable solution to support third-party container storage operations at its Bathgate depot in Scotland.
The risk of operating without a single source of truth
Container depot operations are inherently complex. With large volumes of containers moving in and out daily, and no standardised barcode or RFID tracking, data capture is highly manual.
Prior to implementing MRI Intermodal Software’s solution, operations relied heavily on spreadsheets. This limited visibility, increased the risk of errors, and made it difficult to:
- Maintain an accurate, real-time view of container stock
- Track container movements and history
- Ensure accurate billing for storage and handling
- Provide transparent reporting to customers
As the business grew through acquisition, these limitations became increasingly unsustainable.
From manual tracking to connected operations
RFB Containers uses MRI Intermodal Software at its Container World depot to manage third-party container storage operations.
The solution provides a centralised platform to:
- Track container movements in and out of the depot
- Maintain real-time visibility of stock across locations
- Support accurate billing for storage and handling
- Deliver detailed reporting to customers
The system is intuitive and easy for operational teams to use enabling consistent data capture and day-to-day control.
The Impact
Turning data into operational clarity
MRI Intermodal Software gives the team a clear, up-to-date view of all containers on site supporting better operational decisions and customer communication.
Improved billing accuracy and faster issue resolution
With reliable tracking of movements and storage duration, the business can confidently capture all billable activity reducing revenue leakage. As and when discrepancies arise, teams can quickly interrogate historical data to identify and resolve issues.
Business continuity and resilience
The system plays a critical role in keeping the depot running smoothly. A recent temporary system outage highlighted just how essential the platform is. Without it, the team reverted to manual processes, losing visibility and reporting capability.
Built to scale with the business
As RFB Containers continues to expand, both organically and through acquisition, MRI Intermodal Software provides a scalable foundation for future depot operations.
The platform’s affordability and functionality make it a practical choice for extending into additional locations, without adding unnecessary complexity.
Where operational efficiency goes next
While the system delivers strong operational control today, the wider industry challenge remains around data capture. With no universal barcode or RFID standard for containers, manual input is still required.
Future innovations, such as automated scanning or AI-driven recognition, could further enhance efficiency, but in the meantime, having a reliable system of record remains critical.
For RFB Containers, MRI Intermodal Software provides the control, visibility and reporting needed to operate a modern container depot.
By replacing spreadsheets with a purpose-built platform, the business has established a reliable operational backbone supporting accurate billing, improved customer transparency, and scalable growth.
Working with MRI has transformed how we manage our intermodal container operations – it’s the backbone of our business. The platform gives us complete visibility, streamlines workflows, and ensures compliance all while supporting our teams to work more efficiently. The insights we now have are helping us make smarter decisions, improve service, and drive growth across the business.
– Angus Barraclough, Managing Director for RFB Containers