Peacock’s impressive performance in ESG and sustainability goes hand in hand with its global growth plans, proving that being green is no bar to profit
Peacock Container scored 91 out of 100 in this year’s Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark Infrastructure Assessment (GRESB), up from 70 last year and well ahead of the 81 score for its peer group. It also achieved a perfect score on ESG performance and secured a four-star rating.
“We are extremely proud of our results in the GRESB assessment, particularly our significant year-on-year improvement,” says Jesse Vermeijden, Group CEO of Peacock. “We are always looking at how we operate and considering ways in which we can meaningfully contribute to a more sustainable future. These results demonstrate the progress we are making in achieving our goals. We also have supportive shareholders, who put ESG at the centre of everything we do, and constantly support our efforts to improve.
“Earlier this year we achieved an EcoVadis gold rating for our progress in managing environmental, labour and human rights, and governance factors. We appreciate this recognition by independent agencies of our commitment to embed sustainability and ESG principles at Peacock. We are already looking at and working on areas for improvement in our ESG performance,” Vermeijden adds.
Peacock strives to be a socially responsible company and integrate sustainability in its strategy and operations. That goes as far as its financing: in March 2022 it converted its senior secured finance facility to a sustainability-linked loan, with the cost of finance reflecting its EcoVadis ESG scorecard. That move was recognised in June this year with the award of the ‘Transport Deal of the Year 2023’ title at The Asset Triple A Sustainable Infrastructure Awards 2023.
EXPANDING THE NETWORK
Aside from its efforts in sustainability, Peacock Container is also pursuing an international growth plan. At the beginning of November it opened an office in Houston and appointed Scott Gonzalez as commercial director, Americas. This strategic expansion underscores Peacock’s commitment to offering comprehensive support to its global clientele and enhancing its service to clients in the region.
“With the appointment of Scott Gonzalez we add over two decades of invaluable experience in ISO tank leasing, rendering him a valuable addition to the Peacock Container team,” says Vermeijden. “The decision to expand our presence in Houston was prompted by our ambition to expand coverage of clients in this key area, our commitment to existing customers in the region, and the opportunities in the greater Americas market. Houston’s strategic location and thriving business environment provide an ideal platform from which to connect with and support our current and prospective clients in both North and South Americas.”
Gonzalez was previously with Hoyer Global, where he successfully developed its Americas lease portfolio, and prior to that was instrumental in establishing TML’s tank leasing business. “I am thrilled to be part of the Peacock Container team and to contribute my expertise to the company’s success, while supporting our valued customers,” he says. “I look forward to developing our service to clients in the Americas.”
Since February 2021, Peacock Container has been owned by Arcus Infrastructure Partners, which continues to back its growth plans. At the time, Peacock had a fleet numbering some 7,500 tank containers but, in less than three years and following its acquisition of GEM Containers in April 2021, that fleet has grown to some 23,000 units. The new Houston operation joins its established offices in Singapore and Rotterdam and its sales operation in Shanghai.
