Big Move expects higher 2008 demand

The moving service firm Big Move Co expects relocation business to pick up next year after slowing down this year due to the sluggish economy and the property market slowdown, said chairman Supachai Chakajkriangkrai.

"Obviously, a number of homebuyers who did not transfer ownership of the units they bought was higher this year, while some of them did not get loan approvals from the banks," he said.

High oil prices and uncertainty about the political situation also made some homebuyers delay moving to their newly purchased units, Mr Supachai added.

Mr Supachai forecast an improvement in the moving service business next year now that the election has successfully taken place, which should lead to more economic confidence.

The business in Thailand currently has eight big players - five Thai and three overseas firms.

"The relocation business has high competition. Every player ... must offer good services and try to attract repeat customers," he said.

Developing new channels is another strategy to expand the business. These include entering partnership agreements with property developers, Thai Post Co, and direct-marketing firms, Mr Supachai added.

He said the company planned to list on the Market for Alternative Investment (MAI) within the next two years. It expects to have sales of 20 million baht by the end of this year.

The company's service charges start at 1,200 baht and range up to 100,000 baht, depending on the number of goods, distance, types of goods, type of job and vehicles required.

Big Move's services include household goods, pianos, office relocation, factory and warehouse moves, safe boxes, machinery, vehicles, fine arts and antiques, pets, oversized and heavy cargo, exhibition and event handling services.

It also has a warehouse with a total of 1,000 square metres for short- and long-term rental storage. Other services include packing materials, purchases of used furniture, customs brokerage, logistics and transport.

With 59 full-time staff, 150 part-time staff, 11 trucks and nine high-roof pickups, it provides removals and moving service domestically and internationally to 80 countries.

http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/industries/media/article

Business Financial Services

Big Move expects higher 2008 demand