Gerson Relocation, owned by AGM Group, has expanded, and opened a new Brexit-beating operation in the Netherlands under the name of Gerson Relocation BV.

The new company will operate as a hub for household goods movements between the UK and mainland Europe for Gerson Relocation’s private, corporate and trade customers.

Gerson Relocation BV is headed by Rene van Valen who has a long history in the moving industry.  For many years Rene worked with De Haan before joining Interdean, which is where he first worked with Paul Evans, AGM Group Chairman. Rene has since spent 4½ years with Van der Ent in the Netherlands before his recent move to Gerson Relocation BV, who also completed the acquisition of the business and assets of Dijkshoorn Euromovers BV late last year.

“I like working for Paul and know Russell [Start] quite well,” he explained. “There are also some of my previous colleagues at Gerson Relocation so there was a connection.” The intention is to keep the Dijkshoorn name for domestic and office moving with Gerson Relocation BV being the flag for the European and international moving business.

The motivation for the new company came in part from the opportunity to purchase Dijkshoorn, which is a well-known and trusted name in the industry, and the new circumstances caused by Brexit.  Rene explained that movements between the UK and the rest of Europe now require customs clearance.  By offering customers a central hub at the company’s bonded warehouse in Rotterdam, Gerson Relocation can provide that clearance service and arrange onward delivery either to the UK or from the UK to anywhere in Europe. “I always thought that Brexit was a fantastic opportunity for us.”

He also explained that there is an increased trend for groupage containers for Europe to be shipped through Rotterdam following the end, some years ago, to the process of clearing goods on a C3 form through the UK. “Groupage containers for the UK will always go direct,” he said.  “But many agents are now filling containers with groupage for mainland Europe and shipping them through Rotterdam.  Our warehouse is very close to the port, so we are ideally located to look after clearance and onward delivery for them.”

“As we kick start this new service, it’s our intention to initially run between the UK and NL twice weekly and increase as demand grows,” said Rene. “My colleagues at Gerson Relocation, Abels and Bishop’s Move have trucks operating throughout the UK so it’s easy for us to collect shipments from agents’ warehouses.  As we all adjust to a post Brexit environment, we feel this new service will be very beneficial to our customers and agent partners.”

Rene has worked closely with FIDI for many years as a trainer for EiM (Essentials in Moving) and as chairman of the FSC (FAIM Supervisory Committee). Rene also helps with the development and rollout of the Professional Corporate Guidelines (PCG) that have been adopted by movers and associations worldwide. “I really enjoy working with FIDI and, as I live on the border, I’m only an hour from the office. I will keep that going.”

For more information about the new service, e-mail Rene.