Celebrating 25 Years of Success in Moving and Relocation

BBJ: Congratulations on reaching your 25th anniversary. Can you share some highlights that have defined EuroMove & Relocation’s journey over the years?

Adrienne Deák: I established EuroMove in 1998 with extensive experience in the industry. My vision was to create a company offering seamless, efficient relocation services. Within the first five years, EuroMove & Relocation successfully expanded its services to cover a broader range of needs, including international moves, domestic relocations, corporate relocations, and specialized services like pet relocations and vehicle shipping. We serve practically all geographical areas. We have performed moves to Kenya, Iceland, the Dominican Republic, and even St. Helena, where Napoleon was exiled. Our traditional destinations are the United States, Asia, and Western Europe.

In the last 25 years, our headcount has grown from a couple of people to the current 14. Our focus is on the customers, and the well-being of the employees is also important to me; some people have been working for us since 2006. We joined the U.S.-based International Association of Movers (IAM) in the year of our foundation. Since I had already worked in the business before, using my previously established network of contacts was easy. We started our relocation service in 2000 and joined EURA, the only European association of the relocation industry at the time.

We joined FIDI, a global alliance of international moving and relocation companies with members in more than 100 countries, in 2009. The FAIM Quality label, mandatory for all members, is the industry’s most stringent and comprehensive standard, regularly audited by EY. That year, we were invited to join One-group, a European association of family businesses, where members provide moving and relocation services.

There have been many changes over the past few years: shipping companies have introduced mandatory weighing of containers, and stricter phytosanitary regulations have been introduced for the wood we use for packing. Not to mention COVID; we introduced home office where we could, but that was not applicable for packing and loading.

As for the family, I am delighted that, in agreement with the family “council,” my daughter, Andrea Müller, will take over the management with her husband, Gábor Csajbók, our COO.

BBJ: How does EuroMove prioritize customer service and ensure a smooth relocation experience?

AD: Most of our work is within the EU, but there are countries even in Europe where customs clearance applies. It is essential to know what is required: until the customs documents are available, we do not send out the shipment. You also need to know which country allows what to import. There are countries where, for example, binoculars are on the banned list, but we often have to be careful about how many books or technical articles we can pack. In some countries, the customer must appear in person at the customs office, and the list goes on and on.

Access to the given address is also an important factor and requires careful preparation. In Western countries, pre-booking a parking space can be secured; getting a permit takes up to one or two weeks, but this varies from location to location. This is not an option in Hungary, unfortunately.

An international move is always a two-legged process. We are one “leg,” but we also need a partner “leg” in the other country. The annual conferences of the above-mentioned organizations provide us with a great network of contacts. A substantial international community meets at these events, friendships are often made, and we all depend on each other. The peaceful coexistence of people has already been realized in this community!

BBJ: Give us some examples of unique relocation projects EuroMove has undertaken.

AD: Every relocation is unique: the volume is different, the countries are different, and the client is different. The first two factors are displayed in the price, while our professional customer service team guarantees personalized customer service. One of our clients entrusted us with the disposal of a large apartment in Budapest, which he inherited. We donated part of the movables, and the other part traveled to two destinations overseas. Among the objects were many old and beautiful items for which we had to obtain export permits. We also provide special services for our clients: immigration, home search, school search, driving license conversion, and various other services.

BBJ: Groupage is an interesting cost-saving option. Can you explain how this service works and the benefits it offers to clients?

AD: The shipment size depends on the amount of movable goods. The method of transport also depends on demand: air transport is the fastest, but also the most expensive. Within Europe, road transport is the most accepted form. Small consignments are transported with a groupage truck. Since an itemized packing list is prepared for each shipment, we check the number of items placed on the truck during loading and unloading at both ends.

BBJ: How does your company handle the transportation of animals and plants for clients?

AD: The transportation of plants is relatively simple, with a phytosanitary certificate. As for the physical operation, transport by truck within Europe does not cause any problems; it just requires more space. Of course, the outside temperature dramatically affects the process, as high heat and low temperatures are not good for plants. If the shipment goes via our warehouse, we ensure the plants are watered. Transporting a pet is a much more complicated operation. We have a reliable partner to help serve our customers as well.

BBJ: What do you see as the future of the moving and relocation industry, and how is EuroMove preparing to meet the evolving needs of its clients?

AD: Our company specializes in complete moving services. So, if it is important for you not to bear the burden, leave it to us with confidence. Our focus has been and will continue to be on quality. This is guaranteed by the fact that we are a family business; we think in the long run. For us, the primary consideration is high-quality customer service, recognized by our international moving organization memberships and long-term partnerships. Our survey measures 98% customer satisfaction, also confirmed by the large number of returning clients. This will continue to be our primary goal in the future.

This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of November 17, 2023.