Removals using proven packing and transporting methods

Press, 22 June 1989, Page 44

Removals using proven packing and transporting methods

Last year Scotpac P. and O. International Removals sent about 500 container loads of household goods to Australia and 120 to the United Kingdom. “This represents 3500 families who have left New Zealand. In people terms this is about 10,500, or the population of a small New Zealand town,” says the managing director of Scotpac for Australia and New Zealand, Mr Roly Ellis. “We have also moved good volumes into New Zealand, especially from Europe, the Far East and the Pacific.”

Scotpac originated in Scotland. The company was established in 1967 by John Scott as a door-to-door international removal company specinsing in the packing and shipping of antiques and works of art. Later, the

business spread to include household removals. In 1970, Scotpac was bought by P. and O. and today operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the shipping company. The head office is still in Glasgow. Setting up offices around the world, including in Australia and New Zealand, meant that people migrating had to deal only with one removal company. “There are only two removal companies in the world that claim to have continuity from the originating country through to the destination and we are the only company with direct shipping company connections,” Mr Ellis says. “Having direct access to a shipping company allows us to keep up with all the changing routing and rates as well as new transporting methods.” With a background of transporting antiques, Scotpac claims to be in a good position to cater for household removals. Mr Ellis says the company aims to make every assignment a “good move.” “A good move is one where everything arrives in the new home overseas, in perfect condition and on time without any frustrations for the owners.

“If anything does go wrong, however, we have a responsibility to put it right. But any company is only as good as those who are employed to organise and do the work.”

Scotpac staff are thoroughly trained in proven packing methods. For example, Tubepac was developed for fragile items such as china and crystal. Acid free tissue is used for silver and brassware to prevent tarnishing. Every piece of furniture is wrapped and packed in the originating home. This means there is no chance of damage while travelling to a central depot.

“At the best of times, moving your household possessions around the world is a traumatic experience whether you are on a company transfer or a family starting a new life in another country,” Mr Ellis says.

“We understand that it is a personal experience requiring personal atten-

tion and that the needs of a staff member on transfer are the same as a family seeking a fresh start overseas.” During the last decade, Australia has represented almost 70 per cent of the international removing market from New Zealand. In fact, in this period the volume of business has increased by more than 300 per cent. “Providing Australia continues to offer opportunities and there are no dramatic change in Aus-' tralian interest and property rates, this trend should continue,” Mr Ellis says. “There is also a trend for people to return to New Zealand for family or lifestyle reasons after about 10 years. “Another important market is people moving to the United Kingdom and back to New Zealand as well as the United Kingdom to New Zealand migrant market. This market is still as strong as it has ever been.” Before 1980 Scotpac had been developed in New Zealand to receive and deliver household goods for migrants. Today, Scotpac claims to be New Zealand’s largest export mover. The company also has a domestic subsidiary, Scotmove P. and O. Household Removals to cater for people moving within New Zealand. The company has seven branches throughout New Zealand and recently opened its first branch in Dunedin. “Domestic removals are made just as professionally as international

moves. Scotmove uses the same proven packing methods developed through the years by the international division,” Mr Ellis says. An innovative and flexible approach to transport enables two transport options to be offered; containerisation or furniture van. The choice depends on the removal size, time availability, routing or storage priorities. “We are an expanding

company. Within the last 18 months we have built three new warehouses and extended three others to double their size. With our expansion into Dunedin we now have staff members and facilities from North Cape to Bluff. "To cater for our expanding business, staff numbers have increased by as much as 50 per cent in the same 18-month period,” Mr Ellis says.