The Portable Toilet Industry – Then
The portable toilet industry started in America in the 1940’s. When labourers on ships had to dock each time they had to use the toilet. When the company identified that they could save time and money through making a temporary toilet on the ship which would be closer for the workers.
Portable toilets first consisted of wood and metal. These first editions were very heavy and not very hygiene so in the early 1970’s fibreglass toilets were introduced to the portable toilet industry. However these required a large amount of maintenance due to the brittleness. Then in the mid 1970’s polyethylene portable toilets were introduced. These were much more lightweight and durable and remain the most common material for portable toilets today.
The Portable Toilet Industry – Now
Site Equip was founded in 1988 after importing three portable toilets from America, providing mostly to building sites. Being the first British imported of the famous plastic tardis.
Mobile toilets first boomed within the construction industry, where workers required transportable toileting facilities. Over the years, the need for portable toilets expanded from construction to events market. Site Equip’s sister company, Site Event, was formed in 1991 to cater to the events industry.
Although hire companies are turning more to events, industrial users still account for three-quarters of the 100,000-plus portable loos in the country.
Moving up in the world, high-end luxury toilet trailers have become the modern trend in portable sanitation for events. With the deluxe interiors and pristine white finishes, the contemporary trailers are satisfying the ever-growing desire for quality.
As the toilet hire market continues to grow, the future is moving towards vacuum toilets using no chemicals, a minimal amount of water and reducing smell pollution, making them more eco-friendly.
This industry is not going down the pan any time soon; if anything it’s quite the opposite. As the economy improves the portable toilet industry has a chance to thrive, providing to more and more markets.
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