Businesses in London and other major UK cities often struggle to manage logistics, especially during busy times of the year. When you’re short on space, and your budget is too tight to spend on permanent staff when they’re only needed for short-term, high-demand periods, you’ll need to look into other solutions.

This is where outsourcing logistics could be a real game-changer. By making use of on-demand removals services, you can scale up to meet demand when you need to – and save money during quieter periods.

Why it doesn’t always make sense to employ full-time logistics staff

If demand is consistent – and consistently high – then having a permanent in-house team to manage things like deliveries makes total sense. But for many businesses, it doesn’t quite work like that.

For growing or seasonal businesses in particular, demand and logistics needs tend to fluctuate throughout the year. You could end up paying quite a bit (including salaries, NI, pension contributions and holiday pay) to have people sitting idly when demand is low.

But then you may face a dilemma – what do you do when a rush of orders come flooding in, or demand unexpectedly skyrockets? Scaling is always difficult, which is why flexibility is so important – and why fixed staffing doesn’t always work.

Why more businesses are turning to on-demand, flexible logistics in London

On-demand logistics gives you access to professional movers, vehicles, and support only when you need it. You aren’t tied into lengthy contracts or need to pay hefty retainer fees upfront. Instead, you can simply book services by the job or day.

This enables businesses to:

• Scale logistics support up or down at a moment’s notice
• Avoid long-term commitments and large upfront (and ongoing) expenses
• Control costs more effectively
• Respond quickly to changing circumstances.

Flexible logistics is ideal for events, markets and pop-up shops

One of the most popular uses of on-demand removals services is for events. If your business regularly appears at exhibitions, trade shows, markets or conferences, hosts product launches and brand events, or even runs pop-up shops – you’re going to need some logistics support.

These kinds of events are time-sensitive and often involved multiple locations, tight schedules and heavy equipment. A professional removals company with specialist experience in this area, such as Kiwi Movers, could be the perfect partner.

We can help with:

• Event set-ups and breakdowns
• Transporting staging, furniture and promotional materials
• Early-morning or late-night access requirements
• Storage requirements, through our sister company Kiwi Storage
• One-off or recurring events across London

You’ll find that this could be far more cost-effective compared to purchasing vans or maintaining an events team year round.

Helping your business cope with seasonal surges

Many businesses are affected by seasonal surges, whether it’s the pre-Christmas rush for online retailers or the summer months for holiday companies. Rapid shifts in demand can be hard to manage, however much you try to plan for them.

Where it just isn’t cost effective to maintain permanent staff and temporary staff are hard to find, on-demand logistics could be the ideal alternative.

Choose the right partner and you’ll be able to book jobs at short notice, whenever you need to.

You’ll be able to get those Christmas orders out to your customers, deal effortlessly with the chaos of sales periods and move stock between storage and retail spaces with ease.

Book by the job or day with Kiwi Movers – no contracts, no risk

Standard logistics contracts can lock businesses into long-term contracts requiring minimum usage levels. If this doesn’t match up with the real demand your business experiences, you could end up paying too much for services you simply don’t need to use.

The good news is that there is a far more flexible and convenient alternative available.

Get in touch with our friendly team here at Kiwi Movers and we can help you book logistics support by the job or the day, with no ongoing commitments. It’s flexible, transparent and cost-effective – and you’re in the driving seat at all times.

We work with businesses across a range of industries, from the high-end concierge sector to interior design services. From handy man and van hire to multi-site logistics support, project management and consultancy – we do it all.

If your small business needs transport – whether its for deliveries or picking up supplies – you’ll have a choice to make. Do you buy your own van, or make use of man and van services?

Cost will inevitably be one of the main considerations, but you’ll also need to think about factors such as flexibility, convenience and control.

Here, we’ll take a look at the key costs involved with both options, to discover which could be the
most cost-effective for your business.

Option 1: Owning a van

Your first impulse may be to simply purchase your own company van. After all, this gives you complete control, along with the convenience of having a vehicle ready and waiting whenever you need it. It can also be branded with your logo, and driven by your own staff.

However, buying and running a company van can be a lot more expensive than you may think. You’ll have to shell out a large sum initially, and there are also ongoing fixed expenses – as well as legal and staffing responsibilities. These don’t disappear during quiet periods, so you could end up paying a lot for times when your new van is sat idle.

Option 2: Using man and van services for businesses (UK)

Another option to consider is making use of a man and van service on a regular basis. There are companies such as us here Kiwi Movers which offer dedicated and tailored services for businesses, whether it’s support for a one-off project or daily deliveries.

You might imagine that this kind of service is prohibitively expensive to use as more than just a one-off, but you might be surprised.

One of the main benefits is no upfront investment is required, and no long-term commitment either. Any costs flex with demand, so you’re not paying extra during quiet periods.

Van hire vs. ownership – the main costs compared

Owning a van

Let’s start with how much it costs to own a company van. There are a few different costs to look at, including:

Upfront purchase costs

You may pay anywhere between £15,000 and £40,000 to buy a new van. If you opt for financing, your monthly payments could be around £200 to £600 depending on the agreement, make and model. You should also consider depreciation, which can be around 20% to 35% especially in the first year.

Insurance

You can expect to pay between £600 and £2,000 a year to insure your new van

Fuel

It all depends on your mileage, but an average business could pay between £2,400 and £3,600 a year for fuel (based on 20,000 miles a year).

ULEZ and emissions charges

You’ll need to pay a flat rate of £345 a year in Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) for most vans. And if you’re based in London and your van isn’t compliant, you could be facing extra charges of £12.50 per day. Congestion charges may also apply.

Parking and fines

When you own your vehicle, you are solely responsible for parking charges, as well as paying fines and penalties. These may be small costs, but they can add up fast.

Maintenance, repairs, MOTs and servicing

Annual maintenance for a typical company van can reach £1,000 or even £2,000 a year, which includes costs relating to servicing, MOTs, tyres and unexpected repairs – as well as breakdown cover. You may also lose money while your vehicle is temporarily out of action.

Staffing and employment costs

If you have a company van, you’ll need someone to drive it. This means paying a salary, along with National Insurance and pension contributions, holiday and sick pay. There may also be training and additional insurance costs.

Using man and van services

If you make use of man and van services, you don’t need to pay any upfront costs. You also don’t need to pay for insurance, fuel, parking, ULEZ or emissions charges, maintenance or any staffing costs. It’s all included in the hourly or daily rate you’re quoted by the company you use.

But how much does it cost to use man and van for business services in the UK? It’s really important to get a quote tailored to your needs, but you could pay as little as £35-£50 per hour.

So which is the most cost-effective option?

If your business has scheduled deliveries all day, every day, it could be argued that owning a van is the more suitable option.

However, if your business only needs occasional deliveries, has quiet as well as peak periods, and needs flexibility – using a man and van service could be by far the most cost-effective option.

It doesn’t tie you into expensive ongoing costs, and there’s nothing to pay upfront. It’s a pay-as-you-go option that could suit the way your business works.

Find out more about our trusted commercial services here at Kiwi Movers.

On any film production set – especially one on location in London – time is money. Every second counts, and delays can be enormously expensive. This is why production schedules need to be planned so carefully, particularly when it comes to logistics.

Here, we’ll take a look at how professional movers with experience in film production logistics in London could be the ideal choice for your next project.

Why speed is critical when it comes to film production logistics

TV and film productions often run on tight call times, with location permits measured in hours. If you need to close a road, clear the area or shoot at night, every minute will be costing money.

If there’s a delayed delivery of a lighting rig, AV case or vital elements of the set, it can throw the whole schedule into chaos. This may mean paying crew and actors to wait around, as well as shelling out for new permits – or paying penalties for breaching licence terms.

And the longer a production runs for, the more it is likely to cost. You could end up paying between £2,000 and £10,000 per day, with high-end productions costing £100,000 per day or more.

This is why urgency is so important in the TV and film industry. Reshoots, overtime and other costs can mount quickly when there are delays. Planning is also important, to ensure that every last item is delivered to set, moved between locations and handled carefully – so that the production schedule runs smoothly.

Why use professional movers for your next film project?

If you’re working to tight deadlines, with lots of kit, fragile props and expensive equipment – and you can’t afford delays, damage or crew downtime – you may want to consider using professional movers.

DIY transport could be a risk and a false economy, especially when you factor in van hire, insurance and the cost of crew time diverted from filming. And then of course, there’s the risk of damage, or of delays due to a lack of experience with film production logistics in London logistics (i.e. traffic, parking, access, permits, route planning etc.)

Not just any moving company will do, however. It’s important to choose a trusted business like Kiwi Movers which specialises in kit transport for the film industry in the UK. Here are just a few of the reasons why we could be the perfect partner for your next project:

Specialist handling for valuable equipment

Film equipment is often expensive, fragile and sensitive, as well as being difficult to replace. It needs to be handled carefully to avoid damage and ensure it arrives at the next location in full working order.

Professional movers understand how to transport lighting rigs, flight cases, props and AV equipment safely, using the correct loading methods, padding, and securing techniques.

London logistics expertise

You need more than just a delivery postcode to move film kit around London quickly and efficiently. You need someone with insider local knowledge of congestion zones, ULEZ requirements, restricted streets and tight loading windows at studios and filming locations.

This expertise in film production logistics in London ensures that deliveries are carefully planned and on schedule, avoiding access issues that can disrupt even the best-planned shoots.

Fast, reliable and experienced with filming schedules

Film shoots typically run to strict call times, and late equipment can bring an entire set to a standstill. Professional movers are used to early starts, night shoots and last-minute changes. They can deliver kit quickly, while still ensuring careful handling.

This reliability gives production teams complete confidence that equipment will arrive exactly when and where it’s needed.

Support for productions of all sizes

Whether it’s a small indie shoot or a major blockbuster production, working with a film logistics expert like Kiwi Movers can provide flexible support to meet the exact needs of your project. No project is too big or small. Get in touch with our experienced team of commercial movers and logistics specialists to discuss your requirements. Message us or call 020 8877 9682.

When planning logistics for a film shoot, it’s understandable to focus primarily on transport – how you’ll move equipment, props and costumes between locations. But what happens between shoots?

Storage is a crucial consideration when planning a filming project, but it’s often overlooked or organised at the very last minute.

You’ll need somewhere secure and convenient to keep equipment between shoots, where everything can be accessed exactly when you need it. This is especially important for long-running shows, adverts and independent shoots – or any production where shooting happens in stages.

Where (and where not) to keep gear between shoots

It’s not acceptable, safe or very professional to keep expensive equipment in the back of someone’s van, or in your spare bedroom – no matter how low-budget the project. Hired studios can be expensive if just used for storage, and there are safety concerns with many other temporary kit storage locations.

You need to have dedicated storage space where kit is protected, accessible and ready to move at short notice. Ideally, it should be based in London, near to your designated filming locations. The last thing you want is to factor in hours of extra transport into an already complicated production schedule.

Lighting rigs, flight cases, AV equipment, props and set pieces often aren’t needed every day – but they still represent a significant investment. Without proper storage, there’s a serious risk of damage or loss, which can then cause delays when filming resumes.

Film production storage in London – solutions for different production types Long-running TV and streaming shows

It’s really common for TV series and returning productions to film in blocks, with breaks between episodes or locations. With rolling storage already arranged, equipment, costumes and props can be kept safe and ready to use for the next block of filming.

TV ads

Commercial shoots are typically short, so you might think that storage isn’t really a requirement for these. However, it’s worth remembering that adverts often need reshoots or follow-up filming weeks later.

Having access to some dedicated storage can be hugely helpful with this, ensuring continuity between shoots and also saving money on repeated setup costs.

Indie and low-budget productions

If you’re planning a shoot as an independent film-maker, there may not be much money in the budget for a permanent place to store equipment between filming days.

The good news though is that there are plenty of flexible options for film production storage in London, where you can store by the day if you need to. This gives you access to storage when you need it, without expensive overheads or the need to sign up for a longer-term contract.

How Kiwi Movers and Kiwi Storage can help

Here at Kiwi Movers – along with our sister company Kiwi Storage – we offer a joined-up solution designed specifically for productions that need flexibility between shoot days. By combining professional film kit transport with secure local storage, we help production teams manage equipment efficiently throughout the entire shoot cycle. We’ll work closely with your logistics team, or provide our own logistics consultancy services if required.

Our experienced team here at Kiwi Movers will handle the careful collection and redelivery of film equipment, whether it’s lighting rigs, flight cases, AV gear or props.

We have extensive experience working to filming schedules, so we absolutely understand the urgency of call times and the challenges of location access – especially in a city like London.

Between shoots, your equipment will be collected and stored securely with Kiwi Storage in London-based facilities. This means it’ll be on hand and ready for delivery whenever you need it.

Storage terms are flexible, so there’s no problem if you need to make last-minute changes or scale up or down as your project evolves.

You’ll find that by using the same trusted team for both transport and storage, your project should run much more smoothly. You’ll get a reliable service, with expert handling of valuable equipment, secure storage and fast delivery. Plus, clearer accountability and smoother coordination from day one of the shoot. Get in touch with our commercial team here at Kiwi Movers to discuss your needs.

Moving house? Whether you’re hiring a van or using a professional removals company, you’re going to need to make a few key decisions.

The first is which size van you’ll need, to fit in all your stuff. You might also need to select an appropriate size storage unit to unload it all into at the other end.

Here, we’ll be looking at how much you can fit into a Luton van, which is a popular choice for removals here at Kiwi Movers.

We’ll also run through how much storage space you need for a full Luton van, so you can choose the perfect unit for your needs.  With our help, you’ll have both moving and storage sewn up.

What is a Luton van and how big is it?

A Luton van is a large box van, with a raised section over the cab. It’s around 10-14 ft long, 7ft wide and 7ft high and offers around 600 to 800 cubic feet (17 to 19 cubic metres) of space.

To help you picture it, it’s around the size of a small bedroom or half a typical garage. You see Luton vans all around London doing deliveries. Supermarket delivery vans are essentially the same, but slightly smaller.

Thanks to its generous capacity yet compact, manoeuvrable size, the Luton is popular among professional removals companies and self-hire movers alike.

How much can you fit in a Luton van?

A Luton van can hold the contents of an average small house or 2-bedroom flat.

Here’s a short list of what this may actually look like, in terms of items and boxes:

• 30 to 40 medium boxes
• Wardrobes, sofas and dining tables
• Beds and mattresses
• White goods, such as a fridge and washing machine
• Bikes, suitcases and garden tools.

Is a Luton van enough for your move?

A Luton van is the ideal choice if you’re one or two people moving out of a 1-2 bedroom house or apartment. It’s also suitable for small office removals, and for students clubbing together for a storage space during holidays.

If you’re moving out of a large family home or you have particularly bulky furniture (such as a corner sofa or piano), you may need something bigger.

How much storage space do you need for a full Luton van?

A fully loaded Luton van typically requires a 100 sq ft storage unit to fit everything in. This also allows for a little walkway/aisle space, so you can access the unit.

This is for a van that is absolutely full, with no space to spare. If your van isn’t fully loaded, you may be able to fit everything in a 75 sq ft or 85 sq ft storage unit.

Comparing storage unit sizes for van loads

Here’s a quick look at typical vans used for removals, along with recommended self-storage unit sizes and what each can fit in:

Using this table, you should be able to estimate what size van and self-storage unit you’ll need, based on the amount of stuff you’re moving.

But if you need more help, use this handy space estimator tool. You can also contact our sister company Kiwi Storage for advice – call 020 8264 0550 or email [email protected].

Tips for loading your Luton van efficiently

To be sure everything will fit comfortably into your storage unit after unloading, here are some tips on packing your unit efficiently:

• Disassemble larger furniture where possible, to save space
• Use stackable boxes, and stack by size and weight (largest on the bottom) for stability
• Load heavy or bulky items first
• Label all boxes clearly, so you’ll be able to find everything once they’re in storage
• Use straps and blankets to protect items during the move
• Try to leave some walkway/aisle space free, so you can access the unit.

Ready to move? Request a quote for your move here.

Like any type of service, you need to select reliable movers in London. Moving home is a stressful and at times complex experience. Using a professional moving company versus a cheap man and van service can and is often worth the extra cost. 

Why Choose a professional moving company in London?

Quite simply, to save yourself hassle and stress. A professional moving company will ask you about previous moving experiences and what you are most worried about so as to help address any concerns you may have. They will also help point out or provide a plan for logistical challenges with moving home in London. Given the history of London there can be certain challenges due to the layout but also such things as parking restrictions.

What you need to consider when choosing movers in London

Online reviews and recommendations. Google or Trustpilot are the most common review platforms, but you need to be aware these can be manipulated. Bad reviews can actually be helpful. Things can and unfortunately will not always go to plan when moving home. There are always two sides to a story (or a bad review) and sometimes customers can be unreasonable or in the wrong. Read the response from the company. This can tell you a lot about how they address complaints. 

We always recommend getting 3 quotes. The quotes should be detailed and easy to understand. If you are unsure, check if the quote includes everything you need. 

Finding a removal company in London isn’t difficult. A simple search online for Movers London will give you a list of the top moving companies in London.

Quotes can be conducted on site or via video. A verbal quote for anything larger than a one bed flat in our opinion is not realistic. Video surveys are very reliable now and can be more convenient than a surveyor coming to your home. That said, we generally conduct onsite surveys for 4 bedroom homes or larger. 

Is the moving company a member of the British Association of Removers (BAR). This can be a good thing, but not necessarily the be all. The BAR is often for removal companies with large 18 wheel trucks, whereas many movers in London often use Luton size small trucks and may not be members for that reason. 

Insurance and Liability

Despite a removal company’s best intentions things can easily be damaged when moving home. It is important therefore that you check that protection for goods is available as it is not always included in the price.

Industry Standard is to accept a limited liability of £40 per item so in the first place you should see if your goods are covered under your home or commercial policy. 

Alternatively, it is better that the removal company agrees to provide protection for your goods up to their full value whilst in their control. Having this arrangement available is one of the biggest differences between a professional removals company and a man and van you may find on social media. 

You need the experience and knowledge of a professional firm to ensure your move goes smoothly. However, you also need the peace of mind of knowing that your possessions are safe and protected in the unlikely event of damage. 

Despite the importance of protection during house moves, a survey by Buzzmove in 2014 found that 33% of people don’t ask and if they do ask, they don’t tend to check what cover is in place.

Making the decision to choose your moving company

Consider all your quotes, the online reviews etc, but more often than not, go with the one that you feel most comfortable with. You are entrusting the movers with your personal possessions, so you need to feel confident. If money isn’t a problem, don’t just go with the cheapest quote. Something that looks to be good to true, well, it often is.

As we discussed, Moving home in London is stressful as well as expensive. Minimise the hassle by choosing the right moving company. You can also check out some of our other blogs for helping you on moving day. 

If you would like to know more about our removal service, then please contact a member of our friendly team. You can also check out some of our reviews online with Google or Which Trust Traders to see what our customers say about us. 

Moving home is stressful. Using a removal hoist when moving home in London can be more efficient and save a lot of hassle. In areas such as Chelsea, Kensington and Central London using a removal hoist makes a lot of sense when Georgian period homes have sash windows that can either be removed or are large enough to allow access. What might also involve a long day with a lot of labour can be done in a few hours.

Are hoists expensive?

Hoists will cost several hundred pounds and minimum hire period. This can appear a bit daunting, but when you compare the like for like with labour it can actually be less.

There are also several different size hoists depending on the load you need and also the height of your property.

Do you need a permit?

In some councils yes, you will need a permit as you will either need to reserve the bays outside the property or in some cases position on the footpath. This isn’t an issue though as we can sort the permits if required.

For more information about moving with a hoist, please get in touch with us on 020 8877 9682*.

Watch a removal hoist in action

Moving home can be a stressful process at the best of time with not least the added complexities of moving home safely during the coronavirus pandemic. The good news is that we now have a lot of experience with this and it’s actually a very safe process.

Planning your move

The first step when choosing a removal company is to get some quotes. Traditionally a surveyor would visit your home, but many companies now offer a video service. This is something that Kiwi Movers has been doing for sometime and is fast becoming the preferred option of our clients. It is convenient and can be a little less intrusive than having lots of people come to your home if you are getting multiple quotes. The video quote is surprisingly accurate and if there is any doubt a surveyor can always do an onsite visit at a later date.

Once you have selected your removal company you will just need to make the normal preparations you would for any move. Get everything packed up, get rid of any unwanted items and arrange all the services. For more information about preparing for your move check out our handy FAQ section.

Moving Day

The main consideration for moving home safely during coronavirus is practising social distancing where possible. On your moving day this won’t always be easym, but maintaining a 1m distance should be possible. Our team do not wear masks when moving for the simple reason is it restricts breathing when working hard. Our team will keep a safe social distance though and work in pairs to form a bubble. At the start of each day they also use a temperature scan and having hand wash and paper towels in their trucks. Going to and from work we have limited the use of public transport by using private vehicles or biking.

If you are shielding or do have an underlying condition that may may you susceptible to coronavirus then we recommend following the relevant government advice. You don’t necessarily have to be present during the move. You could also wait a period of time to enter your new home or touch the boxes etc.

Ultimately we have found applying good old common sense ensures peace of mind and moving home can be done safely.

For more information, please feel free to contact us

The Role:

You will be responsible for taking inbound phone sales, invoicing, client management and liaising with sales/operations in a office team of 4 to 5 individuals. You will report to the General Manager. You will be paid a basic salary + commission and eligible for the weekly bonus system. OTE £30k.

Whilst prior experience in office administration or sales is desirable, full training will be provided. The successful candidate must be motivated, solution orientated and a real people person.

Your hours will be Monday to Friday 0830 – 1730h, but where required you will be expected to work later during busy periods (summer is the busiest period). You will work one Saturday morning per month which will be compensated with a half day off the following week.

The ideal candidate is someone who wants to be challenged, learn new skills and to develop as an individual.

Must Have Skills:

• Visa to work in the UK or EU/UK Passport.
• Excellent communication skills (verbally and written)
• Commercial experience is desirable (any size business, small or large)
• Sales experience is desirable as you will be dealing with new & prospective clients over the phone. (inbound sales only)
• Ability to work under pressure and problem solve, independently and unsupervised (the role will require you to work outside normal working hours during busy periods).
• The ability to multi-task & have a sense of humour
• Ability to think outside the box
• Good time management and the ability to prioritise tasks
• Previous leadership roles is desirable (management or sporting)

The Company:

Kiwi Movers is a dynamic company that specialises in removals, storage, shipping and logistics. Kiwi is a growing company whose staff are from diverse backgrounds with a company culture that is based on trust and a ‘can do’ spirit within a fun and challenging work envrionment.

We are proud that our staff really enjoy their jobs and often develop friendships for life.

Benefits:

• Bonus scheme
• Company pension
• Private medical/dental insurance
• Casual dress

Application deadline: 31/05/2020

In this new monthly post, we highlight our Rising Star of the month, highlighting a little bit more about some of the awesome people that work at Kiwi Movers and what makes us a great London moving company.

Adrian Cook – Team Leader

1. Where are you from?

Born in Palmerston North but live in the Waikato’s in a little country town called Te Aroha

2. How long have you been with Kiwi?

Since February 28/2/16 2years 8 months

3. Your background (training, previous jobs)

Farmer from NZ of 15years

4. Your role?

Senior Team Leader aka formy or foreman

5. What you enjoy about the job?

Mixing and working with the boys and meeting new clients

6. Best moment/memory on the with Kiwi?

Moving Kit Harrington ( Jon Snow from Game of Thrones)

7. Most challenging situation and how you overcame it?

Getting a sofa in a house hoisting it up and over a balcony and the look on the clients face when we get it in the house safely

In this new monthly post, we highlight our Rising Star of the month, highlighting a little bit more about some of the awesome people that work at Kiwi Movers and what makes us a great London moving company.

Thomas Aires – Operations Manager

1. Where are you from?

Havelock North, Hawkes Bay and Wellington more recently.

2. How long have you been with Kiwi?

This December will be 2 years

3. Your background (training, previous jobs)

I have a BA in International Relations and Criminology as well as management experience in a number of bars and pubs. I have also contracted to the NZ Police previously.

4. Your role?

As the Operations Manager, I am responsible for the smooth running of all aspects of our operation, from basic truck maintenance and repairs to inducting and training new staff, through to responding to the day to day incidents that arise.

5. What you enjoy about the job?

Dealing with a variety of personalities, whether it be clients, suppliers or staff. I enjoy the interactions with people from all different backgrounds and the challenges this sometimes brings.

6. Best moment/memory on the with Kiwi?

Too many to choose from, delivering to parts of the UK I would never normally get to see as well as meeting some really interesting people along the way

7. Most challenging situation and how you overcame it?

Breakdowns are the most challenging situations to deal with. While rare, they require creative and reactive thinking to organise recovery and minimise delays and costs.

In this new monthly post, we highlight our Rising Star of the month, highlighting a little bit more about some of the awesome people that work at Kiwi Movers and what makes us a great London moving company.

Sam Goodwin – Team Leader

1. Where are you from?

The Waikato Region, NZ

2. How long have you been with Kiwi?

Since March 2015

3. Your background (training, previous jobs)

Back in NZ I was mainly at a dairy factory, along with dipping in and out of the music industry.

4. Your role?

Senior Team Leader, however when the crew gets together and the days mahi (diffciult) everyone’s ideas and inputs are taken on board.

5. What you enjoy about the job?

We’re here for travel, and to explore the lands of Europe and the U.K, so any job for Kiwi that takes you out of London are always enjoyable. Margate to Cornwall, Brighton to Manchester. We are lucky enough to get around a lot!

6. Best moment/memory on the with Kiwi?

Not sure if I can throw names out there but I’ve been lucky enough to help move a couple of idols and become (temporary) friends with them haha.

Again with the travel thing, seeing the English coast and small country villages are always memorable!

7. Most challenging situation and how you overcame it?

Driving past all the amazing coffee shops London has on offer.. and over coming it by leaving my card at home!

In this new monthly post, we highlight our Rising Star of the month, highlighting a little bit more about some of the awesome people that work at Kiwi Movers and what makes us a great London moving company.

Hayley Court – Office Manager

1. Where are you from?

Christchurch, NZ

2. How long have you been with Kiwi?

Just over 1 year

3. Your background (training, previous jobs)

Bachelor of Commerce in Mgmt & Mgmt Science.
Worked for 8 years with Countdown Supermarkets in NZ in variety of roles, most recently as Store Manager

4. Your role?

Office Manager. My job involves fielding inbound calls, booking surveys and jobs, quoting over email and phone for removals and shipping, preparing shipping paperwork, invoicing for all jobs, arranging parking suspensions. There’s plenty of variety day to day and keeps me busy!

5. What you enjoy about the job?

Keeps me busy & great team and environment to work in

6. Best moment/memory on the with Kiwi?

Getting to talk to Jon Snow (Kit Harrington from Game of Thrones) on the phone!

7. Most challenging situation and how you overcame it?

Balancing all the different aspects of my role when it’s busy to make sure everything gets dealt with in time. Prioritising and making lists (using lots of post it notes) helps keep me organised.

As Antipodeans now settled in London, we like many of our fellow compatriots from New Zealand and Australia came to the UK to enjoy what London, the UK and Europe has to offer in culture, history and sites to visit and see. We of course love to have a good time doing this as well. Our mates over at Stoke Travel are just the guys to help you organise a fun filled adventure of two with their packages to some great events both here in the UK and in Europe. Get in touch with them for what is bound to be an unforgettable experience. Stoke Travel.

The go-team team for removals in London

Over the past few years Kiwi has developed a great partnership with a variety of Personal Assistants and Concierge’s in London and none more so than the lovely Polly Hadden-Paton (You Need a PA) and Vicky Silverthorn (You Need a Vicky) who received a great write up in the Evening Standard Magazine.

We’ve assisted Polly and Vicky with a number of their clients moves in the last year and we are very proud to keep building our successful partnership. We greatly appreciate being listed as their go to team for removals in London. You can read their testimonial in the cutting from the ES Magazine below.

The latest in our monthly London movers mover of the month giving a bit more of an insight into our staff and what makes Kiwi Movers a great company.

1) Date you joined Kiwi Movers?
Back in April 2013

2) Full Name?
Christopher Stewart Bone

3) Nickname?
Bono

4) Place of Birth?
Auckland, NZ

5) What is the most interesting London movers work you have done at Kiwi Movers?
We did job for a record label for artists such as The Prodigy , Basement Jaxx, The Cure and a whole bunch of other huge artists. We moved original tapes from their Wandsworth storage facility (a house stuffed from floor to ceiling with these tapes) into a storage unit.

6) Interesting Fact About Yourself?
Grew up in Singapore as well as New Zealand

7) In 5 years time, where do you see yourself?
I’m sure I’ll be a millionaire by then!

8) Favourite office person and why?
Regan! Because he’s the man. Obvs!

9) What do you enjoy the most about working for Kiwi Movers?
The flexible hours, plus over the last few years I’ve been able to come and go when needed. There’s always a friendly operations guy happy to give me work!

10) Best place in Europe you’ve been to so far?
It’s sorta Europe but not quite, but Turkey is my favourite so far!

11) Any advice for the new guys?
Lift like a pro and soak in as much of London as possible!

12) Why work for Kiwi?
The bonuses are the flexible work hours, seeing different parts of London and England as well as all the weird and wonderful people you encounter.

1) Date you joined Kiwi Movers? March 2016
2) Full Name? Adrian Cook
3) Nickname? Cookie or Whitey
4) Place of Birth? Palmerston North, NZ
5) What is the most interesting move you have done at Kiwi Movers? A pop star!
6) Interesting Fact About Yourself? I am a dairy farmer manager in NZ. I enjoy going hunting, and travelling

7) In 5 years time where do you see yourself?  Hopefully back in Waikato NZ, milking cows and hopefully have brought a house

8) Favourite Office person and why? I have two favourites; Issac and Robyn.
Issac is fair and friendly and Robyn is nice to talk to and does a good job

9) What do you enjoy most about working for Kiwi Movers? Awesome workmates

10) Best place you’ve travelled to so far in Europe? Cologne, Germany
11) Any advice to the new guys moving in London? Work hard ,listen and have fun!

12) Why work for Kiwi? Good team to work with

1. Date you joined Kiwi Movers? February 2015

   2. Full Name? Matthew Owen Toomey

   3. Nickname? I always end up being called Toomey over Matt. Tombstone’s a variation sometimes

   4. Place of Birth? Dunedin, born and bred.

   5. What is the most interesting move you have done at Kiwi Movers? Moving two 18.5T truck and trailers over 4 days to a dilapidated mansion was probably both. Some crazy items including a cannon and suits of armour.

   6. Interesting Fact About Yourself? Pretty obsessed with squirrels

   7. Hobbies? Was absolutely mad about poker before moving over, haven’t had much of a chance to keep up with it but definitely keen to get back into it.

   8. Favourite Office person and why? Kiri will be gone by the time this comes out so she’s the safe bet. She never reads the newsletter anyway…

   9. What do you enjoy most about working for Kiwi Movers? I love knowing my way around London. Makes it so much easier to appreciate how different it is from where I come from.

   10. Best place you’ve travelled to so far in Europe? Spain, Portugal or Croatia

   11. Any advice to the new guys? Watch the old guys and don’t panic. We all had no idea what we were getting into but we’re all doing fine now. For the most part. I think.

   12. Holden or Ford? So the choice is a V8 sedan or a V8 sedan?

Name: Mitesh Prema

Nickname: Mitz

Place of Birth: Auckland, New Zealand

What is the most interesting move you have done at Kiwi Movers: Every move is pretty interesting, would probably have to be a move that sends you out to the country side to a big mansion.

Interesting fact about yourself: Don’t really have an interesting fact..

In 5 years time where do you see yourself: Hopefully living the dream in either New Zealand or Australia.

Favourite Office person and why: Adam, gets quotes bang on..

What do you enjoy most about working for Kiwi Movers: Get to see London and all the suburbs which is pretty cool. And enjoy the long drives out to the country side.

Best place you’ve travelled to so far in Europe: Would have to say Greece. 10 days around the Greek Islands is definitely a story and a half.

Any advice to the new guys: Listen to the guys that have been working longer than you. Ask questions if you are not sure.

Why work for Kiwi: Great bunch of guys to work with.

Well done to our Mover of the Month, Sam Goodwin!

Date you joined Kiwi Movers? Mid May sometime, 2015. Been a busy and physical 5 months!

Full Name? Samuel Brian Goodwin.

Nickname? Had a couple, old mates called me Bones back in the day.

Place of Birth? Hamilton, New Zealand. Chiefs baby!

What is the most interesting move you have done at Kiwi Movers?  To be honest most days are different which keep it interesting and fun, from moving top night club entrepreneurs into mansions to American students into small lane ways that were used on Harry Potter it’s all got great twists and turns!

Interesting Fact About Yourself? Not really sure on this one – shameless self promotion however I’m a beat maker/producer in the evenings and days off so if you want a little something for an event or film clip hollaaahh!

In 5 years time where do you see yourself?  More experienced at Kiwi than Darcy haha. If that fails then hopefully back in the Waikato, living in Raglan and down on the beach for BBQs and good times every night.

Favourite Office person and why?  What a question! Can I say Toomey? He’s good at setting up social outings for when the All Black games are on.

What do you enjoy most about working for Kiwi Movers?  Met a great bunch of guys with plenty of laughs, getting to see the city of London above ground is pretty cool. Had a good run of coastal jobs too this summer gone, lunch on the beach in Bournemouth was definitely a highlight.

Best place you’ve travelled to so far in Europe?  I’ve just got back from Italy so my mind is still lost in Venice, however I was blown away from the great outdoors of Sweden and Norway last year – Berlin, Germany still takes number one spot for me. Music/people/vibes are on point everyday.

Any advice to the new guys?  Listen to the veterans! Davidson usually has all the answers, but if it’s not correct, it’ll have you in stitches anyway.

Who will win Rugby World Cup 2015? A lot of hype about Japan floating about! But I’m filling this out in the car to Newcastle for the NZ v Tonga match, so I’ll have to say All Blacks. Kia ora!