A profile of Matthew James Removals & Storage
Spend time on the road, anywhere between Erith and Spain, and you can be sure to see a Matthew James truck - always beautifully turned out. The casual observer could be forgiven for assuming that the company was an old established firm with a pedigree going back generations. Not quite. The company is undoubtedly successful, but it has been the drive and ambition of one young man, Matthew De-Machen, and his closest family, that has driven it on.
According to his mum, Ann, as a toddler Matthew was constantly on the go. “He never sat still then and he’s not changed now,” she said. By the age of five Matt was re-organising furniture at home on a regular basis. “I once came home to find the dining room in the lounge.”
Matt left school as soon as he could to work on his dad’s small but professional man and van business. After four years and having gained a vast amount of knowledge, Matt left his dad to work in a local Mexican restaurant to save up for his own lorry. After two years serving fajitas Matt had earned enough money to buy his first lorry (for which he had no licence!). To start with Ann helped him by driving the lorry giving Matt the kick-start he needed to get the business going. He passed his LVG 2 shortly after at the tender age of 18.
Unfortunately starting the business in the middle of a 90’s recession proved very difficult.
Though as always, through sheer determination Matt worked as hard as ever and things progressed as the business became established in Chislehurst and its surrounding areas.
After Matt had bought three trucks, his sister Charlotte left her job in London to join the moving company.
Matt booked Charlotte straight in for her national and international CPC. “I remember her calling me to ask what an artic was,” he said. Luckily she has her brother’s determination and studied continuously to successfully obtain the qualifications she needed.
Matt clearly recalls his joy at obtaining one of his first clients ‘Louis Baron designers’ in Chislehurst. “It was a great day,” he said, “and, fortunately, one of many.” Happily Louis Baron is still a customer today, which clearly shows that as the company has expanded Matt has ensured his high standards still remain in place.
With his sister now around to assist, Matt concentrated on travelling through Europe in his first road train thoroughly enjoying the one-on-one contact with the clients. With so many people moving abroad to France and Spain, these destinations soon became key to Matthew James.
As things developed Matt realised the continuous need for storage. Not being comfortable with relying on sub-contractors he found a warehouse to rent in Gravesend. In 2003 Matt found a larger premises that combined offices, a yard and a large warehouse to rent. Although this would make life so much easier it was still a very daunting move for a 23 year old – though one that eventually paid off.
In 2007 Matt bought his own warehouse and rented the premises next door. This was, possibly, the worst possible time to make such an investment with the 2008 crash just around the corner. “It was an expensive mistake,” said Matt. “We didn’t know that the hard times were about to hit. We had to pull out of the rented part of the warehouse.” The company has since moved back in now that the market has eased a little.
The biggest development since the business was first established in 1995 is the company’s Spanish depot. As Matthew James moved thousands of clients to Spain they would sub-contract from other companies to reload their vehicles. With such large volumes going abroad Matt was keen to open up a depot in Spain.
In 2003 the company opened up in Mijas and, although Spain has hit very hard times over the last few years, the Spanish depot continues to thrive, especially after taking on a new depot manager in 2009, Ruth Stanway. “Getting competent staff is extremely hard these days, luckily we have found a manager that has excelled and continuously pulled the company forward,” said Matt.
Matt still has a few staff alongside him from day one, including his mum of course! Andy Brien went out to Spain to help set up in 2003, he is now so settled out there he does not like even coming back for a holiday! Thankfully, although they are very hard to find, the company has taken on some very competent staff in the last few years: Operations Manager Paul Speer, for example, is one of the most dedicated members of staff that the company has ever come across.
With a number of new lorries on order and an office full of Truckfest Show awards, it’s reasonable to assume that the Matthew James trucks, and their Spanish dancers, will continue to take pride of place on Europe’s roads.
Left to right: Ann De-Machen, Senior Estimator; Matthew De-Machen, Director; Janet McCaig, Senior Accounts; Charlotte Taylor, UK Depot Manager; Ruth Stanway, Spanish Depot Manager; Paul Speer, Operations Manager; Jill Finch, Move Co-ordinator; Steven Turner, European Manager.
Left: One of the vehicles from Matthew James' fleet; Right: Matt takes tremendous pride in the appearance of his trucks and has won numerous awards at truck shows up and down the country.