In this episode, Aubrey McCarthy, Managing Director of AMC Removals, discusses how he began within the industry at the tender age of 16, to fund himself while still in education, by advertising that he could move stuff for people locally. 3 x master’s & 1 x degree later, Aubrey remains within the moving industry and still hasn’t found a proper job!
AMC Removals is based in Dublin but also has an office in San Miguel, Spain. AMC Removals covers all of Ireland and has 3 road-trains in Europe on a weekly basis, and also run 3 x 18 tonne drop bodies, 7/8 x low loaders and 2 x Pantechnicons. AMC Removals offer both containerised storage (approximately 1,000) and self-storage.
Aubrey has faced two challenges, firstly, finding that the moving industry is a closed shop, where newcomers are viewed suspiciously, and he can totally understand why, and secondly, it was very difficult to get good staff, so he now has policies and schemes in place to attract and assist them.
The one thing Aubrey would like to change from his moving past was to send his late father to industry related conferences where, as a playboy, he would have entertained and put AMC Removals on the map.
Aubrey’s highpoint of being within the industry is growing the business organically and becoming a high-end quality mover, where Aubrey has moved the likes of Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber, and more recently undertaken a move which cost half a million!!!
The one thing Aubrey would like to change within the industry is having the industry as a whole wake-up to IT, and re-educate the crews, and even agents, to be more IT friendly.
The advice Aubrey would give himself just starting out within the industry again is that the raw materials to your business are your trucks, but the key raw materials are your staff, and you have to treat them as your greatest asset, as well as listen to them too.
In the next 5 years Aubrey sees himself as Auctioneer once again for the annual BAR Conference, and opening a wing in his detox centre for attendees! 😊 Industry wise, Aubrey sees huge changes, with IT playing a very important role, and reducing volumes, especially with furniture becoming more and more disposable.
Outside of the industry Aubrey has a huge impact on people’s lives. Thanks to being within the moving industry Aubrey ensures 500 homeless people are fed daily in Dublin, has over 200 people in social housing, and has 7 centres for helping people. In 2023 Aubrey was awarded the Trinity College Alumni Award for his contribution towards social impact, and this year was awarded the Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year, as well as the prestigious Lifetime Membership Award by the Royal Dublin Society!
And as always, we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding Ireland’s Strictly Come Dancing.
Enjoy!
Links to AMC Removals & Storage:
* Website (https://www.amcremovals.ie/)
* Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/amcremovals/)
* Twitter (https://twitter.com/amcremovalsire)
* YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF46NJynUaVaKbReysVvUVg) Special Guest: Aubrey McCarthy.