One man who has ample reason to understand the anxieties and feelings of personal vulnerability that moving home can induce is Mark Nash. He and his family have lived through 15 moves, five of them international. Indeed it was largely personal familiarity with the ordeal that, in 1988, prompted Mark and his colleague Tony Tickner – both senior figures in the worldwide moving industry – to found a company to serve this very specialised market.

In the succeeding 12 years, The Eurogroup, as the company is now collectively known, has grown to become the largest mover of household goods and personal effects between Europe and America and between America and the rest of the world. Its annual revenues today exceed $6 million.

As the name implies, The Eurogroup is a network of international businesses. Its European headquarters are in the UK (EuroUSA Shipping Ltd) with other operations in mainland Europe. The US side of the organisation, with HQ in Jessup, Maryland, comprises EuroAmerica Group, Inc and DeliverUSA, Inc, and incorporates eight consolidation terminals across America with regular sailings to Europe and Australia.

"Being local as well as international is very important," says Tony. "We are all living and working in an increasingly globalised business environment and, for more and more people, this means getting used to the idea of domestic mobility as the norm – treating each move not as a major disruption to life, but as a simple, well-oiled routine. Having a specialist carrier, you know you can depend on, always there – a partner who’s dedicated to making every step of the whole process easy – is something our clients really value. They come back to us again and again."

The company has wholeheartedly embraced the Internet as a key component of its customer service. By logging on to the Eurogroup’s website, www.the-eurogroup.com, prospective clients can request an instant on-line quotation simply by clicking through a comprehensive list of domestic possessions. They can also download a wide selection of valuable help notes and essential Customs & Excise forms connected with their move.

Mark Nash points out: "It is important to see our online facility as a valuable enhancement to what has always been an exceptionally personal, face-to-face sort of service – not a replacement for it. Before any move, one of our experienced surveyors visits the client’s home to discuss the details of the move. We’re very flexible. For example, in some cases clients prefer to pack their own possessions and have us collect or deliver them themselves to one of our terminals. We can even position a container at their residence for them to load. Most frequently, though, we look after the entire process. One of our carefully trained packing crews is fully briefed on the project including details of any special or problem items and individual requirements. They’ll also make sure that the wrapping and packing techniques suit the type of transport being used. We use only world-leading airlines and ocean carriers and our accredited agent in the destination country will be waiting to ensure safe delivery and unpacking and positioning in the new home." Last year, the Eurogroup’s meticulous attention to detail and quality service was rewarded with the presentation of the coveted ISO9002 quality certification. It followed 12 months of rigorous assessment of the group’s key administrative and management systems. As Tony Tickner sums it up: "I think the secret of our exceptionally successful growth and reputation in the marketplace is simply that we understand and respect the value of the goods we carry. And when those goods are personal possessions, their value is something you can’t just measure in pounds and dollars. "

For further information call: +44 (0) 1638 515335