The hub of a vital industry

Press, 14 July 1982, Page 31

The hub of a vital industry

Nelson seems to be — and is — the logical location for the nerve centre of Kirbys — one of New Zealand’s biggest furniture removal firms. Fully owned by the TNL Group. Ltd, as part of its freighting division, which consists of several major road transport services, Kirbys can boast to be able to move a household with the maximum efficiency when and wherever required. Of its nation-wide staff of 60, about half are stationed at Nelson, while the others are spread across the country, working from its branches at Christchurch, Auckland and Blenheim. Sam Dodge, the over-all controller of operations from Nelson, is in continuous ’touch with the other branches by ’phone and telex and cdn direct the Kirbys fleet of about 30 vehicles to any place at the right time for the job. For instance, if a household is to be moved from Christchurch to Rotorua, the Christchurch office can get in direct communication with Sam at Nelson, from where he can “juggle” the fleet at his command from pick-up point to destination.

Kirbys has been operating since the early 19305. and has been a member of the TNL Group since the early 19705. Alan Terris, the marketing manager of the freighting division of the TNL Group, says that Kirbys is still an expanding company. It has the biggest account on the inter-island ferries for furniture moving; and the 60 cubic metre freighters have the capacity to carry the belongings of two or three households. Kirbys also has huge storage facilities at Nelson and its branches, which enables the firm to store every kind of household goods — including the pot plants. These goods can be moved from storage at a later date to any house in New Zealand. For one organisation, Kirbys last year moved 31 households around New Zealand in just one week, Mr Terris proudly said. In recent years, there has been an increasing trend for many people to retire in the Nelson area because of its pleasant climate and pace of life. Many of them come from further south, including Dunedin and Invercargill. “But, during the past year

or so, we have noticed that a lot of younger people are also moving to Nelson,” Mr Terris said. “There are some industries expanding in this area but I am not sure whether this situation will change.” Besides just moving household goods, Kirbys provides a full advisory service, including advice on insurance. The actual value of your goods is the present-day replacement cost less a due allowance for depreciation or wear and tear. The only way to get an accurate total valuation, is by working out

the values of . individual items. This can be done easily using the Inventory and Insurance Proposal form. Before completing the insurance proposal, Kirbys suggests that you use a rough copy provided. If you are in doubt on the value of specific items, you may wish to seek expert assistance. Your attention is draw to Kirbys’ Terms and Conditions, which require that you declare individual items valued at more than $5OO and provide a valuation certificate for items valued in excess of $2500. '