Good planning is half the work

Not for the company Schnellmann Firmendislokationen from Obernau near Kriens. Managing director Anton Schnellmann is not disturbed by such requirements. Because he relocates "systematically".

Mr. Schnellmann: What does your system consist of? How did you manage this "case"?

Anton Schnellmann: We pursue the idea of moving a company in the way the client wants it to be moved, not in the way that best serves the planning company. The possibilities are subjected to a cost-benefit analysis. Our goal is to carry out the move without interrupting the business as much as possible. Our system is based on job analysis, detailed planning and execution. In principle, the process is similar to that used by the military when a unit including material has to be moved from A to B in a "general staff" manner.

What resources can you draw on?

We have permanent and part-time employees. All of them are trained in moving, unwiring IT and cleaning. Our core business is moving planning with clear cost and time guarantee.

When a company has to move: What is the ideal time horizon for planning, counting back from moving into the new location?

You should expect three quarters to one and a half years. Our role is that of a "budget supplier" for the customer. We make the necessary clarifications, advise him and submit a solution and cost proposal. But we are also a supplier of ideas and advise the customer whether it is really necessary to move all the office furniture, or whether it would even be cheaper to purchase new. Modern office furniture is getting smaller and smaller, for example flat screens need less space than old tube models. This means that a move can be used to furnish the office space at the new location more optimally with new furniture.

What should be the best composition of a project team in the company to be reined in?

Ideally, there is one department involved in the process. We consistently rely on a single interface between the customer and us. Now and then there are exceptions, for example when the housekeeping service or an IT department has to be involved.

What is often underestimated when budgeting for a move? Where do cost traps lurk?

When new furniture is purchased for the new location, it is important to remember that the old must be disposed of. Disposal can quickly cost as much as the move. Your own employees should not unplug their office equipment themselves - not everyone can be expected to crawl under tables and desks. Another important point is security, for example with regard to the transport or disposal of sensitive files or data carriers. For such cases, we draw up our own security plan and carry out a precise risk analysis in advance. Here too, good planning is half the job - regardless of the size of the company.

Tip: In principle, all companies have mandatory liability insurance. However, this does not cover the handling of removal goods, such as the furniture at the time it is loaded into the truck by the removal staff. Again, the trip is insured, but the coverage is based only on the tonnage, not the value of the goods. This means that a 120 kg work of art worth 20,000 Swiss francs is insured the same as a 120 kg office cabinet with a new value of 1,500 Swiss francs. It is therefore advisable to take out all-risk insurance, especially if the removal goods have a significant replacement value.