After over 27 years in business, Piero Peic has decided to sell his business in Zagreb, Croatia. Here, Steve Jordan spoke to Piero to find out more.

I don’t usually write stories about companies that are selling (although I did in January), usually because the internal politics is too complicated but also because it’s hard to get a clear impression of a company from a brief interview; I don’t want to give anyone misleading information especially with something as important as a major acquisition. But Credo was introduced to me by an old and respected friend. I felt, therefore, that I would make an exception.

It was back in 1990 that Piero Peic started his moving company, Credo Movers, in Zagreb with just one van and loads of enthusiasm. Today the company has been successful, has carved out an impressive market presence in the region and Piero, now the company’s CEO, has decided on a change.

It’s still a small company by world standards, just four vehicles and seven full-time staff, but Piero said that its name has become trusted by private and corporate customers alike for top quality service and Credo holds contracts with some impressive corporate accounts, including T-COM, the local telecommunications company; LIDL, the supermarket chain; and a number of others just coming on stream.

Right from the start Piero has aimed for quality: Credo is an international affiliate of the British Association of Movers (BAR), an independent affiliate of FEDEMAC and a member of IAM. All the company’s staff were trained by BAR; his 350 sq mt warehouse is furnished with Trafalgar cases too. Websites, of course, can be deceptive, but one look at the Credo website and it’s clear that this company cares about what it does (just check out the English text – spot on!).

As well as its domestic and overseas moving services, Credo says that it is the only company in the region that is certified for fine art moving by Cadogan Tate. The company has also invested in specialist equipment for handling very heavy items carefully and precisely, such as safes, pianos or office equipment, without any risk to staff. Piero said that this very intricate work is in great demand in Croatia.

When Piero sells Credo the buyer will get a freehold office building, four vehicles and, most importantly, a very loyal and experienced staff of five full-time employees with additional help from part-time workers. The Credo warehouse is leased but is ideally located close to the main arterial roads for Zagreb giving easy access to foreign drivers when delivering and collecting. Piero himself, still only 50, has no intention of retiring yet and might consider staying on to run the company as a manager, if the deal was right for him.

There is competition in Zagreb. This comes mainly from the large multinationals and partly from local companies. Piero says that his company is the only independent moving company in Croatia that is a member of any outside organisation and is recognised by the international moving community.

Around 50% of Credo’s work is international moving. There’s a lot coming into the country from Germany and the UK with people buying and furnishing holiday homes.

If your company is looking for representation in the region and you are interested in learning more, take a look at the advertisement on page 14 and go to www.credomovers.com for more information.


Click here to see the next Editor's Pick