Sheffield-based Specialised Movers was founded in the region in 1985 and provides removals and storage solutions to domestic and business customers. Serving national and international markets, it has grown strongly in recent years and now employs nearly 50 people and has depots in Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster.
Director Nigel Shaw has turned to the Growth Hub for advice on how to boost the company’s sales and marketing efforts and win new business.
Working closely with Business Growth Specialist Andy Sorsby, the company has been able to access a grant from the Growth Hub Enhancement Project. The funding has allowed Specialised Movers to tap into the services and expertise of a local business consultancy firm which has undertaken a comprehensive review of its business strategy including its approach to marketing. Enhancement Project grants are a great way for small and medium sized businesses to access bespoke and practical support from external private sector consultants.
Actions have included an overhaul of Specialised Movers online strategy and presence – with a new website built, social media accounts created and marketing campaigns delivered.
Further assistance has come via the Growth Hub’s Exporting for Growth Programme which is helping Specialised Movers to explore ways it can tap into new overseas markets with a particular focus on China. Specialised Movers is a member of the Euromovers International group of removals companies and hopes to be able to win new business from Chinese firms or individuals relocating to the Yorkshire region. With support from the Exporting for Growth programme a member of Nigel’s team plans to visit China to develop relationships with potential new clients.
The company is also looking to apply for support next year to improve staff skills and training across the board.
The next stage of the company’s growth plans include ambitions to develop a user-friendly video quotation service for customers. This will allow customers to take Specialised Movers staff on a ‘virtual tour’ of their home or business using a smart phone or tablet to quickly get a price for their moving job. The business is currently talking to the Growth Hub about putting together a software development plan to make the idea a reality.
Nigel Shaw said: “The support we have had from the Growth Hub has really helped us to build and improve our online presence. The website should be up and running soon and is a major improvement in how we market the company.
“The Growth Hub is a fantastic concept and the support we had from Business Growth Specialist Andy Sorsby was invaluable. It has been a great experience for us and has improved our approach to marketing. We are keen to explore ways the removals industry can modernise and make use of new technologies – and Andy and the team at the Growth Hub have helped us to look to the future.”
Find out more about Specialised Movers.
To find out about accessing support which is relevant to your business goals, please contact the Growth Hub’s Gateway team on 03330 00 00 39 or send them an email.
The Sheffield City Region Growth Hub Enhancement Project is receiving up to £2.7m of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for the European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.