Local entrepreneurs focus on personal effects

Zambian-founded, owned and managed Smooth Movers has homed in on the steady stream of diplomats in Zambia, catering specifically for the personal effects market. There are large numbers of United Nations and nongovernmental agency workers, as well as business leaders and skilled people moving in and out of Zambia, according to managing director Andrew Kabwe. The partners decided to start their own business after working in the freight industry for a number of years. They identified a niche, and founded the company five years ago. It offers full service residential and office relocation services within Zambia and internationally by road, rail, sea and air. “We are able to handle any shipment to and from Zambia and from any location in the world, at competitive rates,” he says. A network of agents in over 130 countries around the world provides a full door-to-door service. The service includes customs clearance, insurance, arranging logistics, and packing and crating. It takes an average of two days to pack or unpack the average three- to fourbedroom house, according to Kabwe. Smooth Movers now has three 20 foot containerised trucks, two open trucks (one 10 and the other 15 tons), and a 30-ton truck for breakbulk or containerised shipments. Household effects and office furniture and equipment are stored in a modern secure warehouse. Smaller one- and two-ton vans are used for local deliveries and pick-ups. The company’s packing expertise is in demand for the shipping of hunting trophies, works of art and fragile artefacts. INSERT We are able to handle any shipment to and from Zambia and from any location in the world, at competitive rates. CAPTION Andrew Kabwe (left) and Gift Machobani.