Please read as he offers some great insight into the important aspects that companies need to think about when they are considering and planning an office relocation.

Describe Oler Relo’s workplace and logistics services.

It is also referred to as office moving, and industrial or commercial moving, which are all terms used to describe some type of business moving.  About 95 percent of the work that we do in this sector is Houston-based, so it’s local, but also being associated with United Van Lines allows us to ship products domestically and internationally.

What advice do you have for companies that are considering a move?

Anyone who is considering an office move should meet with a representative (like me) early in the process to try to establish a scope of work and a budget. People are often focused on the build-out of a new suite, or the procurement of new furniture, and they overlook the costs associated with the move, like relocating their technology. They simply don’t budget for the cost or the time needed to properly take care of those things.

Moving is very stressful, and obviously a time of great change, not only for management and ownership, but also for the staff.  So, companies need to plan for the change management portion and all of the different aspects of office moving.  The sooner they get started, the sooner they can budget for all of those things in a proper manner, which will reduce stress.

How soon should a company begin planning their move?

As soon as they think they might be moving their office.  Planning is important, especially when it might involve more difficult aspects, like manufacturing areas, or laboratory areas, or complicated machinery.  Those things, as well as office systems, take time to plan.

The other thing that we find often with larger moves, is that companies typically purchase new furniture.  So, one of the biggest challenges is that we have to find a place for the furniture that is no longer being used, so that it is properly recycled and donated.

Are there any pitfalls that companies should avoid when planning a move?

Most of the pitfalls of office moving focus around last minute activities.  Understanding the aspects associated with the property management at both the origin and destination location are important. People often think that their move can take place during the day, but a lot of times it has to be after hours. So, they shouldn’t make certain assumptions. They should always confirm everything, because waiting until the last minute can change our game plan.

What’s the best way to ensure a successful office move?

Most companies will have a successful move if they work together as a team.  The best moves are the ones where the companies have a team of people that are on the same page in the planning and execution of the move. They have to work together to get the staff ready and mentally prepared for the move.  So, office moving needs to be a team effort.

What are some of the things that companies can expect when working with you?

We certainly provide the men and the trucks, but we also provide a certain level of consultative approach for our clients.  So, we can help with the relocation of a data center, disconnecting and reconnecting of computers, and disconnecting and reconnecting cubicles and modular furniture.

Our core service is office moving, and that’s the majority of what we do, but we are also very good at warehouse moving.  We often partner with a rigging company that handles manufacturing equipment and large items, while we handle the moving of the small parts inventories, the pallet racking, metal shelving, and other ancillary items within a warehouse.

What are your reflections on your many years with Oler Relo?

It has been great growing with the company, and watching Blake and Bryan Oler become leaders, not only within our organization, but within the moving industry in general.  I’ve also enjoyed working with both Jhan and Nancy Oler, who are some pretty awesome folks!  We’ve gone from a very small operation, to a much larger and much more professional one that has safety as its number one goal.

Not only are we focused on our clients, but we are also focused on our staff, and making sure that our family atmosphere transfers to the staff.  Oler Relo cares about the well-being, happiness and safety of every staff member. We try to create a family atmosphere within our culture, which is really good.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

My wife and I have two teenage boys. Our youngest is very involved in school band, and our oldest is involved in tennis and modeling. My personal passion is underwater photography, so I try to take a couple of weeks a year to go diving and take pictures.

Where can people see some of those pictures?

They can visit: 500px.com/kc-uw-photography

Any final words about office moving?

Yes, if anyone is considering moving their office, please contact us!

The post Meet Kevin Crofoot appeared first on Oler Relo Commercial, Corporate Relocation & Final Mile Logistics Services.

How does it make you feel when you see your name on the building?

“It makes me feel proud.  It also makes me feel humble.  It’s a big deal, but we have been through a lot to get here.  I feel very blessed.”

What’s it like working with your sons, Bryan and Blake?

“It’s great!  In the beginning, we struggled to talk about anything except work whenever we were out having dinner, or anytime.  So, once they were married it kind of became a rule that we’re not going to talk about work all the time.  Sometimes we fall back into that habit, but we have 4 grandchildren now – 4 years and under so they dominate most of our conversations.”

Did Bryan and Blake have a choice about coming into the business?

“Yes.  When Bryan started college he was originally planning to go to work for Arthur Andersen or one of the big accounting firms in Dallas, and hopefully travel overseas. I’m not sure that accounting was really for him, so he ended up getting a business degree.  He started working for us in the summer and it just developed for him from there.  Blake graduated from college three years later and had worked during the summers also.  He was more interested in the operational side of the business.”

Now that you have grandkids, do you see them in the business down the road?

“We’ve definitely talked about that.  Some of them might want to follow in their dads’ footsteps, so it will be interesting to see how it unfolds.”

As a family, everybody has their moments.  Do you guys ever fight?

“Oh yeah. We can definitely disagree from time to time. We are a very close family, so we do a lot together.  We all live within a half mile of each other.  We enjoy that, and we have a family dinner once a week.  It’s fun and I’m so thankful to be all together and close like this.”

What brought about the name change and rebranding of the company last year?

“It was a huge step. For a long time we have wanted to rebrand our company as Oler Relo, because it is a palindrome and relocation is our business.  It seemed the best opportunity to make the change when we moved into our new building.”

What stopped you before?

“The KC Salley name was recognized within the van line and the South Texas market.”

What do you think is the one thing that sets your company apart?

“Our commitment to our customers. If we mess up, we are going to take care of it.  It’s impossible to always make everyone happy.  However, if there is an issue we try our best to resolve it in a fair and equitable way for the customer as quickly as possible.”

Are you surprised at how much the company has grown?

“I think we far exceeded the level we thought we would. Really and truly I didn’t want to buy the Houston location.  It was a huge step for us at the time.  It turned out to be best decision we ever made.”

What’s your main focus every day?

“My main focus is to be supportive of everyone involved in the company, and if there’s a problem I need to be involved in, I am there to help. I have had to learn to let go and let our employees do their jobs.  For so long, it was my husband and myself.  I’ve done every job in this company except drive a tractor.  I’ve driven a bobtail, packed/loaded shipments, and checked shipments in to the warehouse, and I can take out the trash.  We are blessed with the best employees in the business, so that makes my job much easier.”

What’s your overall goal for Oler Relo?

“Treat others the way you want to be treated!  To be trustworthy and empathetic to our customers.  We understand we have their whole lives in our hands when we pack/load and pull away from their homes.”

What would be something that people don’t know about you?

“I enjoy riding jet skis.”

What would you say to someone who wants to know more about Oler Relo?

“We love to meet new people.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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