Moving Matters

In this episode, Mr Crate Hire himself, Paul Bullock of PHS Teacrate, discusses how he began in the industry over 40 years ago, in 1977.

He also discusses how he may be responsible for the start of the dreaded man and van removals, after loosing his first job as a car salesman.

Paul discusses how Crates International, started by his father and a business contact, were bought by Rentacrate and closed down, and how Paul went on to run GB Crate Hire for Giltspur Bullens, which was eventually snapped up by Pickfords. He then started Quick Crates with a parent company OCS, where eventually Rentacrate and Quick Crates were bought by Teacrate, which is where Paul works today as Key Account Manager.

We discuss how technology, especially barcoding, has made a huge difference to the Crate Rental industry.

Paul discusses how the one thing he would change in the moving industry is perception, something I personally wholeheartedly agree with.

Outside of the industry we discover that Paul is not an Arsenal fan at all, but is a Rugby Union fan, and follows Wasps.

We discuss the RBA (Removers Benevolent Association), a charity for members of the BAR (British Association of Removers), his role within the RBA, and how the RBA can help, and has helped, those in need.

And as always, we end Moving Matters with 2 funny moving stories, one about a naked lady and a naked gentlemen at a BAR Conference, and it’s taken until Episode 5 but we finally have a funny story regarding a mistaken torch found under a bed that needed new batteries!

Enjoy!

Links to PHS Teacrate:

And if you would like to make a financial donation to the RBA, no matter how big or small, please use the links below to help those in need. In fact, if you have enjoyed listening to Moving Matters to date then please make a donation to the RBA to show your appreciation - Many thanks!

Links to RBA (Removers Benevolent Association):

Special Guest: Paul Bullock.

In this episode, fourth generation removal man, Geoff Archer, discusses how, even though P.W. Archer & Son is a family firm, he had to go and get a job before returning with his worldly experience of work.

We discuss how P.W. Archer & Son was started by Percy William Archer and his brother Horace in May 1920, where they drove to Darlington to buy ice, which they then sold back in Northallerton to butchers, ice cream parlours and anyone else that wanted ice. And how centenary celebrations have sadly been put on hold due to the current pandemic.

We discuss challenges from the past, one being during the time of his forefathers, the Second World War, and how he couldn’t imagine that someone could come walking through the door and cut the company by two thirds due to nationalisation! And the biggest challenge in his living memory was Black Wednesday in the 90’s.

Geoff controversially talks about how he would change the moving industry by bringing in tachographs and O-licences for anything hire & reward.

We cover framework agreements, one of Geoff’s high points to date, showing that a small family firm can compete with the big boys.

Outside of the industry we discover Geoff’s passion for Citroen 2CV’s.

And as always, we end Moving Matters with some funny moving stories, one I am sure all removers will relate to regarding addresses, and I dare you not to laugh when you hear about Steve!

Enjoy!

Links to P.W. Archer & Son:

Special Guest: Geoff Archer.

In our third episode, my first husband and wife duo Anthony & Karen Groves discuss how Anthony took over the business, D.C. Groves & Son, at the mere age of 24, as a second generation removal man, after his father sadly past away at the age of 64, while on a removal with Anthony.

We discuss how Covid procedures put in place are limiting the number of moves at the moment to 2-3 a day rather than 4-5 with hired assistance, as they look to keep themselves, their staff and their customers safe.

We also discover that their low point from the past would be the purchase of Turks of Lydd from their friend Andrew in March 2008, where due to bad advice and the biggest collapse of world banks later that year the newly acquired company was forced into liquidated less than 12 months from purchase.

We learn about Anthony’s Director role within QSS, Quality Service Standards, and discover just how much Anthony loves standards, and how later in life he would like to become an auditor himself - you heard it here first!

We discover that Karen would like solicitors to change the exchange process, making it more like Scotland, and how Anthony would enforce tighter regulation of the moving industry.

Outside of the moving industry we find that Karen enjoys spending time with her daughters, Anthony enjoys spending his time fishing and gardening and how together they both work alongside the Lions Club, when not cruising.

And we end Moving Matters with 3, yes 3 funny moving stories, which I am sure most removers will relate too.

Enjoy!

Links to D.C. Groves & Son:

Special Guest: Anthony & Karen Groves.

In our second episode Nigel Shaw discusses how he began working life by completing his apprenticeship as an Engineer, and how a £300 loan from his Mother in 1982 (which I hope he’s since repaid!) helped him purchase a Bedford TK and start his illustrious career in the Moving Industry, starting Shaw & Simpson Removals with mate Paul Simpson. Today, he and wife Carole run Specialised Movers, turning over nearly £3 million a year!

We discuss how a real low point in his career, a fatality in the workplace in 2004, gave him the strength and fight to turn Specialised Movers into what it is today, and how one of his many high points was being awarded the contract to move the Qatar National Library.

We also cover how he became Chairman of the Commercial Moving Group of The British Association of Removers, how Specialised Movers won the Commercial Mover of The Year in 2012 and how he has a bigger trophy cabinet than West Ham due to the award of merits throughout the office!

Outside of the moving industry we discover Nigel’s passion for Clay Pigeon Shooting and Cars.

And we end Moving Matters with a very funny moving story about a cat.

Enjoy!

Links to Specialised Movers:

Special Guest: Nigel Shaw.

In our very first episode Gary Wheadon, or 'Bert' as he's commonly known, discusses how he started in the moving industry, in fact immediately after leaving school, working for his father's company before leaving and joining D. Sully & Son as Manager, before eventually taking over ownership with his wife.

How technology and bureaucracies are some of the challenges Gary has had to overcome, together we touch on the current pandemic and how that has affected business, and, how the 1968 Transport Act completely changed the moving industry.

We also cover how an opportunity arose that became the high point of Gary's time to date within the industry, becoming President of the British Association of Removers, and how he would do it again in a heartbeat.

Outside of the moving industry we discover Gary’s passion for Golf, Dogs & Basket Weaving!

And we end the very first episode of Moving Matters with two very funny moving stories.

Enjoy!

Links to D. Sully & Son:

Special Guest: Gary Wheadon.