Manoir des Cèdres in Rouffignac (24): delivery of a 20-foot refrigerated container

Le Cedar Manor, exceptional property located in Rouffignac-saint-cernin-de-reilhac In the Périgord Noir region, a company entrusted Cubner with the delivery of two 20-foot shipping containers integrated into its outdoor space: a first-trip dry container in bottle green (RAL 6007) for storage, and a custom-built refrigerated container equipped with a quiet Daikin refrigeration unit (33 dB(A) at 10 meters). The entire system was delivered in a single trip by a 66 t/m crane truck, under very tight access conditions and in continuous rain. This project illustrates the complementary nature of the Cubner Group: new containers with a lifetime warranty, conversions carried out by our subsidiary Calcub, and fully managed logistics right up to final installation.

The client's context: an exceptional manor house in the Périgord Noir region

Located in Rouffignac (Dordogne), a few kilometers from prehistoric sites listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Manoir des Cèdres boasts a meticulously landscaped park. The project's challenge was to integrate a secure storage area and a cold room in close proximity to the outbuildings, without altering the surrounding environment. The choice of RAL 6007 (bottle green) for the two containers and their placement under the canopy of trees directly addressed this aesthetic requirement. In terms of use, the two containers are stationary: they serve as storage extensions and static cold rooms, not intended for transport.

The two containers delivered to the Cedar Manor

20' dry container, first trip, RAL 6007 bottle green

The first container delivered is a standard 20-foot, one-trip shipping container, painted in RAL 6007 (dark green) for discreet integration into the wooded surroundings of the manor. A one-trip container has made only one journey from its manufacturing plant in China to its European port of destination: it is considered new, without wear and tear from repeated use. As such, it benefits from the Cubner lifetime warranty, a unique commitment on the French market for new containers. This unit serves as secure storage space for maintenance equipment and seasonal equipment at the Manoir des Cèdres.

• External dimensions: 6,06 × 2,44 × 2,59 m
• Usable volume: 33,2 m³ (1,170 cu. ft.)
• Payload: 28 kg
• 28mm marine plywood flooring
• Double rear doors, new weatherstripping
• RAL 6007 bottle green paint (two-coat finish)
• Lifetime warranty on the frame (first trip)

👉 Learn more about the 20ft container | Lifetime warranty details

Custom-made 20' refrigerated container, converted by Calcub

The second container is a custom conversion carried out in our workshops Calcub, a subsidiary of the Cubner group dedicated to the conversion and transformation of containers. The base: a used, insulated 20-foot container, whose original refrigeration unit was removed and replaced by a Daikin group JEHS-0200-B2-M-3 mounted on the front, on a galvanized frame. This approach offers three major advantages compared to a used refrigerated container: a drastically reduced noise level (33 dB(A) at 10 m versus 75 to 85 dB(A) for an original unit), optimized electrical consumption thanks to a recent scroll compressor, and predictable maintenance costs with Daikin spare parts available throughout Europe.

• Base: 20' insulated container, RAL 6007 paint
• Daikin JEHS-0200-B2-M-3 chiller unit, mounted on an external galvanized frame
• Application at positive temperatures (0 to +8°C typical)
• 400V / Three-phase / 50Hz power supply, 16A CEE waterproof plug
• Outdoor electrical box with dedicated meter and circuit breaker
• Integrated control panel and thermostat
• New door seals, airtight closure

👉 Discover our refrigerated containers | Calcub Custom Transformations

The Daikin JEHS-0200-B2-M-3 chiller unit: quiet and energy efficient

The choice of the Daikin JEHS-0200-B2-M-3 unit meets two specific requirements of the Manoir des Cèdres: a high-end residential environment intolerant of noise pollution, and a desire to control electricity consumption over the long term. This condensing unit is designed for medium-temperature applications (positive temperature cold room) and operates with refrigerants compliant with European F-Gas regulations (R448A, R449A in particular). Its sound pressure level measured at 10 meters is 33 dB (A) — equivalent to a silent library — making it virtually inaudible at 20 meters. In terms of efficiency, its COP of 2,53 at 25°C ambient temperature guarantees controlled energy consumption all year round.

A technical delivery: a 66 t/m crane truck in continuous rain

The delivery was completed in a single day, despite particularly challenging conditions. Heavy rain the previous day had saturated the ground, and the narrow, tree-lined access to the site necessitated a long-reach crane. Our teams deployed a Scania truck-mounted crane equipped with a Fassi 66 t/m auxiliary crane, operated by our logistics subsidiary, Loc'aster. Stabilizing skids were deployed on load-bearing plates to protect the lawn, and each container was precisely placed on its supports, which had been prepared in advance by the client. No environmental damage, no delays: logistical precision is an integral part of our service.

• Scania 8×2 crane truck, 32-tonne capacity
• Fassi F660 crane — capacity 66 tonnes/metre
• Certified 4-strand slings, high-strength textile webbing
• Stabilizers on distribution plates (soil preservation)
• CACES R490 certified operator (auxiliary cranes)
• Maximum offset used to clear trees and hedges

Refrigerated container: second-hand, first trip or custom-made?

The refrigerated container market offers three main options, each catering to very different needs. Used containers are appealing due to their entry-level price but come with an older, energy-inefficient, and noisy refrigeration unit. New, one-trip containers are factory-new, with their original Carrier or Thermo King unit—suitable for transport but designed for cyclical operation. Custom solutions, like the one delivered to Manoir des Cèdres, retain the base of an insulated container in excellent condition and replace the refrigeration unit with a dedicated stationary unit: quiet, energy-efficient, and easy to maintain.

Key takeaway: the custom-built solution is priced almost identically to the initial trip, while being significantly better suited to stationary use. For noise-sensitive residential or commercial environments (mansions, restaurants, laboratories, pharmacies), it's the only option that operates below 35 dB(A). Conversely, a used refrigerated container remains a viable option for occasional industrial use or isolated sites where noise levels are not a concern.

Why choose the Cubner Group for your refrigerated container project?

The Cubner Group integrates the entire value chain: direct sourcing of new containers from manufacturers, conversion in our workshop by Calcub (our dedicated subsidiary), and delivery by Loc'aster (our specialized transport subsidiary with crane trucks). This integration allows us to guarantee technical consistency, deadlines, and traceability—from the initial quote to final installation.

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Frequently Asked Questions — Custom-Made Refrigerated Container