|
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
 |
The UK has one of the most dynamic and transparent
property markets in Europe, with relatively stable
rents and, over the past few years, flexible and shorter
lease arrangements.
There are no restrictions on overseas companies buying
or renting property in the UK. (In terms of planning
regulations, these are administered at a local authority
level.)
For companies looking for office accommodation in
the UK, there are four basic options – serviced
offices, rented offices, buying an office or constructing
your own.
The serviced office sector is one of the fastest-growing
areas of the UK property market.
Accommodation is available in most major towns and
cities – ranging in size from a single desk through
to large corporate campuses.
Leases can be negotiated on a monthly basis and companies
can usually move into a new location in the same week.
The key advantages of serviced offices is that all
costs are rolled into one monthly payment, which reduces
administration, and leases can be as short as one
month, therefore giving maximum flexibility.
Costs are usually based on workstations and vary according
to location and services included. These can range
from £200 to more than £1,000 per person,
per month.
To help find the right building for your needs, it
is advisable to appoint a reputable property agent
to assist in your search and negotiate the main terms
of your lease.
Check out the list of surveyors and property agents
which are practising in the UK at:
http://www.rics.org.uk/dir/index.html
The basic rent on a conventional lease will range
from £100-£650 per sq m (£10–£65
per sq ft), depending on location and facilities,
and subject to upwards-only rent reviews at the end
of each fifth year. Typical costs for office or industrial
sites and premises varies across the UK regions
Business rates are the way in which businesses and
other occupiers of non-domestic property contribute
towards the costs of local authority services. Rateable
values are reviewed every five years. Business rates
typically range from £20–£130 per
sq m (£2–£13 per sq ft). The level
is set by the local authority, based upon the rental
value of your office multiplied by a percentage set
by national government. You may be able to reduce
your liability by instructing a Chartered Surveyor
to appeal your rates bill.
Legal fees, including conveyancing fees, stamp duty,
local authority searches and bank transfer fees are
applicable. It will be necessary to appoint a solicitor
to assist in the preparation of all lease documentation.
Legislation changes frequently, therefore it is important
to choose a solicitor experienced in the property
field.
For companies moving into the UK, the key issue lies
in whether to rent premises (known as ‘leasehold’)
or to buy outright (known as ‘freehold’).
It is difficult to generalise, but freehold tends
to be more common for industrial premises, while leasehold
is more prevalent for offices. Commercial leases typically
run for 15 years, with reviews every five years, however,
shorter terms are becoming more common.
For more information on your rights as a tenant and
legal issues visit:
www.dtlr.gov.uk/planning/tenancy/tenancy1/index.htm
|
