Steve Jordan interviews consultant John Roller about his views on the industry today and some of the lessons he’s learned over his long experience in US moving.
John Roller has been involved in the moving industry for 54 years. As us Brits would say, with characteristic understatement, he’s been around a while. And over those decades he’s learned a few things. He’s had some success, made some mistakes, inspired some people and learned from many. That’s why he’s such a joy to interview. That’s why, I would wager, it will be impossible for anyone to read this story and not be the better for the experience.
John started his working life as a ‘swamper,’ a mover’s helper, at a company called Scobey Moving in San Antonio, Texas. It was an Allied agent. Within three years (yes, three), he was VP and general manager of a subsidiary of the company. He’d wanted to start at the bottom, but knew he had the ability to lead.
That little snippet sets the scene. John was capable, ambitious, hardworking and dedicated. He changed companies, became a part owner in his own enterprise – Rollers Van and Storage - worked with Global Van Lines, then Four Winds, ITN with Jack Jepson where he achieved 2000 moves in the first year from a standing start, and ultimately on to Graebel in 1984 for four years, returning in 2011 until 2018. I could fill the next page with a description of his career. But I won’t. There’s no need. You get the picture. He’s been around.
This story is not about the past, it’s about what John thinks about now. Of course, his long experience influences the decisions he takes today. That’s inevitable. For example, when talking about his time at Global in the 1970s he explained about how he lost the IBM business because, to retain the contract, he would have had to lay off some of his people. Would he make the same decision now? Unhesitatingly he says he would not. “The partners bought me out and the staff lost their jobs anyway,” he said. “In a capitalistic system it is essential to make the company survive so that it can continue to employ. If you make those kinds of mistakes the company disappears.”
John now works as a consultant. His company is called Creative Transportation Consulting. He uses his experience, skills and rich seam of contacts to help his clients develop their international household goods businesses.
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Photo: John Roller.