Harsch The Art of Moving Forward, has announced its acquisition on 1 October of Lausanne-based Transdem SA.

The acquisition will allow Harsch, which has been active in the Swiss Canton of Vaud since 1989, to become firmly established in the Lausanne region. Transdem, owned by the Jaccoud family, has been a leading player in the transportation of works of art in Lausanne for more than 30 years.

Transdem will continue with its current structure and retain its staff. Blaise Jaccoud will also continue alongside the Harsch management team directed by Isabelle Harsch. He sees this take-over as an opportunity for Transdem.

“Thanks to this purchase, Transdem will be able to compete in what has become a highly competitive moving business,” he said. “We are lucky to be able to integrate with a group like Harsch, which has diversified into new services other than moving, while continuing to uphold the family values we both share.”

The purchase of Transdem is the second investment Harsch has made under the leadership of its new CEO Isabelle Harsch and follows the acquisition of Schneider International - Moving Excellence in April 2015. “There can be no doubt that the moving market is undergoing a period of consolidation,” she said. “Many players are competing in an almost static market. I believe there will be more companies for sale in the future and thus further opportunities for our group to expand and increase market share.”

Photo: Blaise Jaccoud and Isabelle Harsch.