Businesses that move to new premises typically do it at night or on weekends, to minimize disruption and down time.

Most moving companies can handle that kind of job in one fashion or another, but wise CEOs ask a basic question: What do those moving guys do all day before showing up to somebody’s offices in the evening to handle crucial equipment and files?

If they spent the day hauling furniture for a residential move, maybe they aren’t at peak performance at 7 p.m.

AMJ Campbell, Canada’s largest office mover, avoids that problem entirely by having a completely separate office-moving division.

The AMJ Campbell commercial team includes, from left, Loretta Leonhardt, Doug Jasper and John Rathwell.

“Our office movers don’t do household moves,” explains Loretta Leonhardt, commercial manager and a partner at AMJ.

“We have our own crews, our own infrastructure and our own trucks. Some companies do both types, but after moving a household all day, their people can be exhausted by the time they start the office job.

“That’s not the best way to handle such an important event for a client company.”

AMJ Campbell Office Movers, as the division is known, is skilled at moving offices without disrupting business. From planning, to packing, moving and set-up, AMJ has the specialized credentials and experience to take care of every detail during even the most complex move. Its ability to deliver successful results has earned it “exclusive mover” status with many major corporations and institutions, including Imperial Oil and the University of Calgary.

When Canadian Pacific Ltd. relocated to Calgary from Eastern Canada in the 1990s, AMJ handled the massive move. It also moved TransCanada Pipeline.

“We move a lot of product for the Glenbow Museum,” says Doug Jasper, Calgary general manager and partner of AMJ Campbell.

“We have moved all the hospitals, as well. We do all the moving here in the city for the Calgary Health Region. We know how to move renal dialysis machines and X-ray machines, a very specialized task.”

AMJ has a reputation for planning everything down to the finest detail, and for its commitment to safety.

“Safety is a key issue with clients,” Jasper says. “We’re probably the only office-moving company in Canada with someone assigned to look after safety and HR, because of the high number of employees we have here.”

AMJ is the only moving company in Canada with a recognized health and safety policy. It was recently awarded a Certificate of Recognition from Alberta Occupational Health and Safety, after scoring 91 per cent, the highest so far on a first-time audit.

When a company gets in touch with AMJ about an upcoming move, Leonhardt meets with them to determine the moving date and the logistics of the move, and to acquire floor plans and estimate the cost.

There’s also the disconnection and reconnection schedule of phones to consider, as well as the size of hallways. How big are the desks and are they going to fit down the hallway? Is the elevator booked? What are the accesses at the destination? Are the client’s IT people going to have the computers disconnected on time?

Antique furniture, high-value assets, art collections and other delicate items are packed with care in specially designed carts for their protection.

“We like to have a couple of months notice,” she says, “but of course, that doesn’t always happen. We get calls a week before a move, but the more notice the better. Christmas is busy, and summer is especially busy. People will book months ahead for June.”

The sizes of jobs vary a great deal. “A job can take all weekend, while some small companies can be moved in one evening. You go out there at 5 p.m. and we’ll have them moved and set up by midnight.”

Many AMJ clients are surprised at the reasonable cost. For a large, well-known company established in 1934, you might think it would be at the top of the price range.

Not so, Leonhardt says.

“Although we’re a larger company, that doesn’t mean we’re the most expensive. Sometimes you save money by being with someone that’s experienced.

“People will get several quotes, and we’re usually mid-range. We’re not low and we’re not really high. We’re competitive.”

Because of her years of experience, Leonhardt can estimate with consistent accuracy how much the move will cost just by inspecting a client’s premises.

“If I know it’s going to take longer than they’ve planned, at least I can make them aware of that, so they can plan accordingly.

“I’ve talked to people who, unfortunately, have moved with a two-man outfit. They’ve had the down time, they’ve had the upsets, and it’s cost them a lot of money and stress.”

As Doug Jasper puts it: “We’re not just a bunch of guys off the street moving somebody’s office.

“Our people are highly trained, conscientious and efficient. We can make your move a pleasant, seamless experience.”

For more information, call 403.273.1220, 1.800.661.3993; fax 403.248.7479 or go to www.amjcampbell.com