Moving Matters with David Strank of Stranks Removals & Storage

In this episode David Strank, Director of Stranks Removals & Storage discusses how he became a third-generation remover after beginning his fulltime career in the industry at the tender age of 16 (although he helped in his father’s business from the age of 11!), even after being told not to join the family business.

Stranks Removals & Storage was started by David’s grandfather in Thornton Heath, Surrey, in 1941, who was an engineer by trade working in the bomb factory during the day and moving people from their bombed homes during the night. Today Stranks Removals & Storage are based in Ashford, Kent, having taken the decision several years ago to completely relocate themselves to a brand new area. They cover all aspects of removals, running 4 trucks, 5 vans, employ 17 staff and store 250 containers within their own 13,000 sqft warehouse.

David’s challenges have been varied, but an immense challenge was relocating the company from Thornton Heath to Ashford. Covid was and still is a massive challenge, and so too is accepting change.

David would like to change a few things from his moving past, not taking things personally, joining the BAR earlier, not to get too familiar with staff, and try to employ nonfamily members within the office.

One of David’s biggest highpoints was to see his son join the business and become a fourth-generation remover, his other highpoints include becoming chairman of the BAR Kent Area, and then becoming elected as a BAR DED (Directly Elected Director), something David has thoroughly enjoyed.

David would like the industry to be recognised, but he would also like to change the completion system as in its current state it is simply not fit for purpose anymore.

The advice David would give, firstly to his son who hasn’t long been in the industry himself is to always go that extra mile, and then to himself just starting out in the industry again is to ensure you make time for yourself outside of the industry.

In the next 5 years David sees himself hopefully only working 3-4 days a week, industry wise he does believe the completion system will change, emission zones and thus vehicles will play a big part within the industry, full packing (and unpacking) will become the norm as more and more people work from home, and we’ll continue to have problems with recruiting and keeping drivers.

Outside of the industry David is very active, competing in motorcycle trials (show jumping on motorcycles), playing golf, and enjoying the 8 acres of land that came with his own recent house move.

And as always with end Moving Matters with several short funny moving stories, involving moves in snow, a moustache, a man in a dress, and a dilemma over intimate photographs!

Enjoy!

Links to Stranks Removal & Storage:

• Website
• Facebook