Local Removals Company And Storage Provider For Sale

Business description

Established in 2007, this business is based in South London and has rapidly grown into one of the leading removals companies in the immediate area. Operating right across London and further afield, the business concentrates on high volume, small domestic removals projects and an increasing volume of commercial work arising from a core customer base situated within ten to fifteen mile radius of its base – an area which has a high density of rented accommodation and a very mobile professional population, providing a constant stream of opportunities to quote. The business also offers a storage solution in conjunction with a local storage company. The storage company passes removals jobs to our client, and our client refers people who are looking for storage.

This company is a full service removals operator providing a comprehensive, reliable and convenient service offering a complete packing, relocation and storage solution. It can deal with every element of a job, ensuring a smooth and efficient removal. Staff are very professional, trained, highly skilled and dedicated to customer care, offering unrivalled service. The uniformed, dedicated and experienced team prides itself on its commitment to professionalism and the relationships team members have built with all their customers and every care is taken to ensure property arrives at the new location in the condition it left the last.

The business is easily transferable, ensuring a very straightforward hand-over. It offers an excellent opportunity to build upon a strong reputation, enjoyed among clients and competitors alike.

The sale includes a range of sign written, transport vehicles (all less than three years old) and a non location specific telephone number that will enable operations to continue with the minimal amount of disruption. The fleet caters for most needs of local transportation, ensuring good coverage and prompt, reliable delivery.

This business has grown significantly throughout its years of operation, rising to a turnover of almost £180,000 for the 2009/2010 financial year. With pre-tax net operating profits of between £50,000 and £70,000 the business is an excellent bolt-on opportunity for an existing operator looking to establish a foothold in the south London area or as an excellent platform for a new entrant to the sector on which to build.

Customer service

This business prides itself on its professionalism in removals and the operation of its storage facilities. This company realises that the customers it serves are its best adverts and maintains a high standard of service.

All staff are uniformed and have undergone in-house training in correct lifting methods, specialist packing techniques and the correct methods of loading removal vehicles. With moving home amongst the most stressful occasions in life, the staff of this company realise that politeness, helpfulness and courtesy are imperative at all times.

Key strengths

The cornerstone to the success of the business is based on the professionalism, experience and dedication of its staff and the high levels of service the business provides, at a very competitive price. The workforce prides itself on its unsurpassed customer care, reliability and flexibility. In just a few years of operation, this business has established an excellent reputation for exceeding expectations and meeting client's individual needs, ensuring that all commitments that are undertaken and promised are honoured. The business is large enough to cope and small enough to care. No job is too big or small.

The business is geographically well situated within an area with a housing stock that includes a high volume of small one and two bedroom flats and apartments through to large Victorian houses and an area which attracts high volumes of professionals working in the City and West End who frequently move around the area. The business has a non location specific telephone number and an excellent website which together with strong word of mouth recommendations generate a high volume of quotes, many of which, because of their straightforward nature can be accurately quoted and won by conveying knowledge and confidence on the telephone. Additional opportunities arise from the business operating as a sub contractor to other removals companies as well as recommendations from one of the UK’s biggest self storage businesses which has a depot in the area.

Key opportunities:

There is an outstanding opportunity to build on the existing services and customer base of this company. With a strong demand for its services, combined with a capacity to increase turnover, a new owner contributing fresh ideas, motivation, enthusiasm and a little investment in resources will have every advantage of building on an excellent platform.

The business has been conservatively managed to date – it currently operates just two vans – there is every opportunity to increase the fleet of vans and to leverage the business’s excellent reputation to significantly increase business activity, turnover and profitability. A new web-site was launched in mid 2010 and is already helping to boost enquiries. Further investment in marketing and advertising – in Google adwords for example, would also have an impact on financial performance.

Financial information

The business is being offered for sale as a going concern. All financial discussions will take place directly between the vendor and all interested parties under the auspices of Turner Butler.

The business is financially stable and enjoys good strong cash flows – many jobs are paid for in cash. The business has grown rapidly since beginning trading. Turnover for the 2009/2010 financial year grew almost 50% on the previous year, to almost £180,000 generating between £50,000 and £70,000 for its Owner.

The Asking Price of £99.000 is for a sale of the assets and goodwill in the business. The assets are valued in the region of £30,000.

Property information

Location:

The business operates from a home office environment and will therefore require re-location.

Business Operation

Competition / Market:

The business has built up an excellent advertising base concentrating on the most effective media – the Internet - used by its main target audience of working professionals that occupy the vast majority of properties within its catchment area. A very high proportion of leads are generated via adword sponsorship and its website. The business receives referrals from its self storage partner but by far the most effective form of marketing is the strong word of mouth recommendation the business enjoys, testimony to the excellent reputation the business has in its geographical area of operation.

Reasons for selling:

Having worked in the removals sector for a large proportion of his working career, the current Owner believes the time is right to pursue alternatives.

Employees:

The Owner operating in a Managing Directorial capacity is responsible for the day-to day operation of the business supported by between seven and nine full and part-time staff.

Years established:

2007

Other information

Support & training:

The owner will provide full business familiarisation, training and handover to ensure a smooth transfer off the business to new owners. It is envisaged that this will be easily concluded within a three month period.

Relocatable:

This business can be relocated.