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Removals Norfolk | Hamiltons 25th Anniversary Interview
Removals Norfolk | Hamiltons Removals 25th anniversary interview with Mike Sawyer discusses the journey the company has been on over the last quarter century.
As Hamiltons Removals reaches its landmark 25th anniversary – a remarkable achievement in any industry – Mike Sawyer, Managing Director of Hamiltons, discusses the journey his company has been on over the last quarter of a century.
What were you doing in 1993 and what had you been doing up until that point?
In 1993, we had retail furniture stores in Bury St Edmunds and Eye, Suffolk. Previously I was a director of my father’s furnishing business.
What made you decide to start a removals company?
My father Brian had run small removal companies since the early 1960s. Firstly, in conjunction with his career as an auctioneer and later, as part of his retail furniture outlets in Ipswich, Norwich and Dovercourt.
Removals were a good fit with the furniture stores which had vehicles and delivery men available. Independent furnishings retailers were struggling to compete with the larger out-of-town outlets and the company looked more and more towards the removal sector.
Once Hamiltons Removals was up and running, how did your family grow the business?
My father Brian, my brother Nick and myself together with shareholder, Paul Walsh, were completely hands-on and totally dedicated to the removal business. We were able to grow the business by diversification.
Initially, Hamiltons were a domestic removals company. Today, we also have a strong European operation, together with deep-sea container and groupage moves. Commercial and office moves grow year-on-year and our moves for the MOD personnel remain constant.
Is Brian still involved in the company?
My father Brian is still involved in the company and is our current chairman.
Have there been any setbacks along the way?
Yes, we have had setbacks. In 2007, we suffered a major flood at our Harleston warehouse. It could not have come at a worse time; mid-August, which is our busiest time of year!
Have you noticed any major changes to the removals industry over the last 25 years? How has Hamiltons adapted to these changes?
The financial crisis in 2007/8 had a major impact on the removal industry and we saw our UK market decrease by 57%. This resulted in pricing being more important than ever to the public and we found ourselves striking a balance between providing competitive pricing and maintaining the quality of service our customers have come to expect – which, for us, is a major priority.
The company has always recognised the need to constantly monitor, change and improve in this competitive industry. Extra revenue streams are as important as the main part of the business. The latest addition to the company is its ‘Safe ’N Stored with Hamiltons’ brand which offers self-storage rooms at its Harleston headquarters, container storage at the industrial estate in Suffolk, caravan and motorhome storage, as well as our recently-added indoor classic and vintage car storage. Other services available are insurance, house cleaning and currency exchange, which all form an important part of Hamiltons’ business model.
You’ve grown the company over 25 years – where do you see the company in another 25 years?
Hamiltons is in tune with the advancements in technology and this year, we took the decision to invest and manage our own IT systems in-house. Social media forms an important part of our marketing strategy and in February this year, we filmed a promotional video called ‘The Perfectly Orchestrated Move’.
This move into video marketing seemed natural following the introduction of video surveys. These surveys can be carried out 24/7 and have been well-received by clients that, for one reason or another, cannot accommodate a survey by one of the company’s surveyors.
What achievements from the last 25 years are you most proud of?
We are very proud of the number of local people we have been able to employ over the past 25 years. Many came as young lads from the local high school and have stayed; some driving our 40-ton road trains all over Europe!
How many vehicles do you have in the fleet and how many people does Hamiltons Removals now employ?
The Company has grown over the past 25 years. We currently employ 54 people with a fleet of 25 vehicles.
After 25 years, I expect you’ve seen every kind of removals job under the sun. Can you remember any notable, funny or remarkable jobs over the years?
During the past 25 years, we have encountered moves from the bizarre to the spectacular! A recent move (Berkshire to Edinburgh) included a pair of geese that required three comfort breaks en route with a period of exercise. Walking up and down a layby with two geese on leads attracted a high level of amusement!
This summer, we were privileged to complete a move costing in excess of £70,000. The entire contents of a substantial English country manor house were packed and moved from the UK to destinations in Scandinavia, the Caribbean, France and London. Such a move would have been beyond our comprehension 25 years ago.
Removals to America – Thanksgiving Day
If you are thinking about removals to America, then you will have heard of Thanksgiving. But when did it all start, and how is it celebrated today?
Hamiltons Removals have been helping people move to the USA for many years, and we know how important it is for people who are moving abroad to be aware of the customs of their new home country. Here is our guide to Thanksgiving.
The History Behind It
In America it is believed to have started with the Pilgrim Fathers in 1621. Colonists came over from England and started a new life in Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts. The first celebration was partly to thank God for a successful harvest, and partly to thank the Native Americans who had welcomed them to the area.
In more recent times, Thanksgiving was confirmed as a national public holiday on every fourth Thursday in November.
Thanksgiving is a Time for Eating…
A staple of Thanksgiving is a large family meal. Traditional fare includes a turkey, and we are pleased to say there is a Hamilton link to this. One of America’s founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton – whose story is told in Hamilton: The Musical – said that “no citizen of the United States should refrain from turkey on Thanksgiving Day.” Nowadays, around 45 million turkeys are served up at dinner tables around the country.
The turkey is often accompanied by mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing and cranberry sauce – all the ingredients of a traditional UK Christmas dinner. Every year the US president ceremonially ‘pardons’ a turkey which would otherwise be bound for someone’s dining table.
Other foods commonly served include sweetcorn, squash, pumpkin pie and green bean casseroles. These are usually accompanied by wine or beer, or occasionally cocktails.
… For Watching Sports…
Watching an American Football game, either in person or on TV, is seen as an integral part of the Thanksgiving experience. There are plenty of other top-level sporting events on around this time as well, although many, such as ice hockey, start on the day following Thanksgiving. This is known as Black Friday, a tradition which has now also spread to the UK, where shops offer all sorts of bargains, both online and in-store. Many people have this day off too, so they enjoy a four-day holiday.
If you are worried about putting on the calories, you can take part in one of the many turkey trots held in cities across the country – these are road races of varying lengths, usually held on the morning of Thanksgiving. If nothing else, it helps the runners work up an appetite for their meal later on.
… For Dressing Up….
Thanksgiving Day parades are a comparatively recent addition to the traditions. If you are considering international removals to New York, you may already know about the televised Macy’s Parade. It is named after the well-known department store, and people dress up as cartoon characters or TV celebrities, or wear costumes which reflect the chosen theme for the year. Santa Claus is always on the last float to represent the beginning of the Christmas season.
Other notable parades take place in Chicago, St Louis, Houston, Plymouth – where it all started – and Detroit, while the oldest procession of all takes place in Philadelphia.
… and For Helping Out Charities
The poor and homeless don’t go hungry at Thanksgiving, as communities across the US rally round in support. Food drives – similar to the UK’s food banks – help to collect cans of non-perishable items from members of the public, and local businesses make donations too.
The Salvation Army enlists volunteers to help serve Thanksgiving Dinners. In more recent years the Tuesday following Thanksgiving has been designated Giving Tuesday, leading to a rise in donations to charity.
Removals to America with Hamiltons
Wherever you want to move to in the USA, Hamiltons Removals are the people to contact. We can either ship your items over or use an airfreight service for items that are small or are needed in a hurry. Click on the link above and fill in the online form to receive a detailed quote for the cost of your removals to America.
Chicago, New York, Washington, Los Angeles and Houston are among the cities we can help you move to. Our friendly, professional staff will help you with all aspects of your move, from organising insurance to making sure your belongings clear through customs.