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About us

From a shelf under the stairs at their home - John and Lucy Cowler inaugurated Advance Movement Services.

This momentous occasion happened in spring 1986, and commenced what was to become a truly honest and professional family-run business with an old fashioned emphasis on integrity and true customer care.

Initially the concept was to service local business, predominately utilising a U.K distribution service of parcel deliveries both next day and/or economy levels.

Turnover for the first week of trading wasn't encouraging - a princely sum of £17.50 to be exact.

However, undeterred, both John and Lucy had a firm belief that they could offer their customers an honest, open and personal service to each and every client, which is as true today as it was then.

Their beliefs and endeavours proved correct and the client base increased 10-fold within the first 18 months.

During this time other services were added such as dedicated van deliveries, Exhibition stand set-up and breakdown and International/Worldwide couriers.


 

Our first warehouse, from little acorns......


Our new headquarters

Trading continued to increase through recommendation only as no advertising campaign had even been talked about let alone commenced. This coupled with their hard work, honest approach and ethical manner proved to be a service desired by many of their new and existing clients.

After repeated requests from their clients further services were added, namely storage and "pick and pack" operations.

This pick and pack service was originally designed exclusively for the pharmaceutical clients wherein we would accept delivery of client goods, store, pick and pack when requested and distribute to their worldwide representatives.

This service was then extended to encompass the Pharmaceutical clients' conferences held worldwide. It proved to be a very demanding additional service as it entailed collection of materials and delivering to conference venues usually on very tight schedules and deadlines.

As a favour, John was asked to ship some personal effects to Africa for a friend, then a recommendation came to help another friend, and then a friend of a friend! This has led to us having offices spread throughout Africa, and weekly consols to Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.

Through strong friendships and good working relationships, our network has allowed us to become one of the most secure shippers to Africa.

Over the years not only has turnover has increased but also staff levels and premises and you will be pleased to know that the "office" under the stairs now houses the usually array of household goods - although the shelf still exists!

 

Our new warehouse facility

We now employ a number of staff and occupy approximately 9000 square feet of enclosed warehousing/office together with approximately 20,000 square feet of external yard storage, with weekly container loads worldwide.

We pride ourselves in maintaining the personal, professional and honest reliable service that John and Lucy entrusted in all those years ago.

 

Advance Movement Services Ltd., Unit G, Scotswood Park, Forsyth Road, Sheerwater, Woking, Surrey GU21 5SU
Tel: 01483 769513 Fax: 01483 767810    Email : export@advancemovement.co.uk