Gichner buys Charleston Marine Containers

A North Charleston company that makes steel shipping containers for the military has been sold.

Gichner Systems Group Inc. of Dallastown, Pa., said Monday that it acquired Charleston Marine Containers Inc.

Terms were not disclosed.

Gichner said the newly acquired operations will remain based on the former Navy base and operate as Charleston Marine Container.

"The acquisition of CMCI is a key element of Gichner's growth plan," said Thomas E. Mills IV, Gichner's president and chief executive officer. "The employees and operations in Charleston are impressive."

Gichner is a supplier of military shelters to the U.S. armed forces.

Charleston Marine Containers was part of the bankruptcy reorganization of its former Bermuda-based parent, Sea Containers Ltd.

Sea Containers said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission this past summer that it was marketing the subsidiary to several prospective buyers. It noted in that filing that the 142-worker manufacturing business "continues to operate profitably."

Formed in 1996, Charleston Marine Containers was the first business to sign a long-term lease on the former Navy base after the Pentagon mothballed the installation.

See Tuesday's editions of The Post and Courier for more details.