About Us
Who is Almar?
Our Purpose is to
Our aim is to simplify life for our customers by passionately committing to help them overcome their challenges. We do this best by working together as a team and creating strong relationships. How do we do this?
Simply, reliably and fast
Simple
We constantly seek to simplify what we do.
Reliable
We have over 30 years of experience and do what we say we will.
Fast
Our team is prepared, focused and empowered.
Our Values
A foundation to everyday life at Almar, are our Values. These values are:
Act in the spirit of True Partnership
To authentically partner we need to understand our partners, ask questions and listen, learn from them, teach them, challenge them and appreciate them. We treat everyone as equal and work together to solve.
Always Be Open and Honest
We act with integrity, always doing what we believe is right and thus we have nothing to hide. We know that solid relationships are built on a clear sense of expectation and complete honesty. When expectations are not met, we do what it takes to make it right.
Wholeheartedly Commit
We are passionate about everything we do and committed to delivering the best we can in every situation.
Stay Focused and Agile
We are passionate about everything we do and committed to delivering the best we can in every situation.
Keep it Simple
Our roots are grounded in the simplest form solving the most complex challenges. We constantly seek to simplify, be it through new products, how customers can talk to us and the practical solutions we offer.
Container Owners Association
ISO Standards
Container Fraud Prevention (CFP)
Almar is a member of Container Fraud Prevention (CFP), which is a verified business directory for all reputable and trustworthy container sales and leasing companies in South Africa, with the objective of helping customers know which container companies can be trusted and which are fraudulent.
Our History
- 1988
Almar was established by Managing Director, Alistair Forbes, with the core business of leasing and trading containers from the head office in South Africa.
- 1994
The first international office is setup in Dubai.
- 1998
The Almar footprint is extended to Brazil.
- 2003
Almar opens up across 4 continents with an office in India.
- 2008
The product range is extended beyond shipping containers with the introduction of the flatpack modular accommodation unit.
- 2009
Almar begins inroads into the offshore O&G industry with the launch of it's DNV2.7-1 certified containers and baskets.
- 2011
An African focus is developed with the establishment of an Almar office in Mombasa, Kenya.
- 2012
Almar extends its focus into Africa and opens offices in Luanda, Angola and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
- 2013
Almar broadens its Kenyan operation, opening up the East African head office in Nairobi. The operations in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam are also extended to offer a full spectrum of services including genset and reefer rental as well as container conversions
- 2016
The economic climate in Brazil and Angola forces a closure of these operations, enabling Almar to focus on the rapidly expanding East African market, and the establishment of an office in Dammam, Saudi Arabia
- 2017
Almar looks to extend it’s footprint in East Africa, with operations opening in Kampala, Uganda.
- 2018
Almar introduces ISO Tanks as a new product offering, thereby extending the range across all ISO container types including Dry Containers, Refrigerated Containers, Bitutainers, Flatracks and Open Tops.
- 2019
Almar opens an additional site in Nairobi and builds a containerised head office.
- 2020
Almar launches a new corporate identity.
The introduction of the customised refrigeration container offering a single phase modular cold room solution takes place.
- 2021
Almar moves it’s head office to 50 St Andrews Drive in Durban North.
- 2022
Almar enhances it's product offering with the introduction of a Modular Blast Freezers.
- 2023
Almar significantly invests into ISO Tank fleet to enhance capacity and efficiency.
- 2024
Almar enters a new phase of growth with the launch of a 5,000 sqm fabrication facility in Nairobi, strengthening it's East African presence.