Moving Matters with Derek Milner of Intransit Removals & Storage

In this episode, Derek Milner, Managing Director of Intransit Removals & Storage, discusses how he began within the industry in 1997 as a part time venture, selling his car to buy a transit van, and having no background in removals and storage at all.

Derek maintains that having a side line to removals, such shop deliveries, is a necessity to help with the quiet times within the moving industry. In 2015/16 Derek was running 15 vehicles and an average of 22 staff, today, Intransit Removals & Storage run 10 vehicles (5 x vans, 1 x 7.5 tonne, 2 x 12 tonne, 2 x 18 tonne), with a crew of 7, and are primarily domestic removers and storers, offering mainly containerised storage (approximately 130) but they do have shipping containers too.

One of Derek’s biggest business challenges was being taken to court by a trade association in 2014, which Derek and his legal team (Backhouse Jones) won. However, Derek’s biggest personal challenge was to come shortly after this on April 6th (2014), a motocross accident, where Derek was revived twice, and not only did he break his spine but suffered brain damage too! – Derek was given a 10% chance of walking and only a 3% chance of survival!

Derek wouldn’t change anything from his moving past as he’s quite pleased and proud with what he’s achieved.

Derek’s highpoint of being within the industry is the current staff and vehicles that he has, and a ‘reasonable’ highpoint was being accepted into the British Association of Removers and is a regular attendee of the Western Area meetings.

The one thing Derek would like to change within the industry is how everything is current so last minute and would like customers to contact removers well in advance of their actual removal day.

Apart from don’t, the advice Derek would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to not give up, as it's not just about moving the contents of someone’s home.

In the next 5 years Derek believes the industry will continue to be a struggle for another 12 months yet, but then it will kick back in.

Outside of the industry, despite being a workaholic and since his horrific accident, Derek has undertaken a healthy lifestyle and become a gym freak, attending the gym 3-4 times a week. He also enjoys watching motorsport on TV and spending time with his family.

And sadly, we don’t end Moving Matters with a funny moving story as Derek didn’t have one to tell.

Enjoy!

Links to Intransit Removals & Storage:

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram