Steve Jordan talks to Andreas Eichinger, from AMÖ, the German moving association, to find out more about what the organisation does and what issues are keeping him up at night.

Bundesverband Möbelspedition und Logistik (AMÖ) e.V. is the German moving association.  It’s a bit of a long title, so they just call it AMÖ.  Having been founded in 1881 and now with around 800 members, it is both the oldest and largest national moving association in Europe.

Andreas Eichinger  joined AMÖ three years ago to run the organisation.  He was new to the moving industry at that time, but not new to the nuances of international moving having moved himself 18 times in his life so far.  Nor was Andreas new to the workings of associations having previously worked with ACI EUROPE, the European Airport Association, to represent the interests of European airports and Frankfurt in particular, in Brussels.

AMÖ was founded over 140 years ago to support cooperation between movers in Germany by facilitating the provision of mutual services within the country.  It gave companies, for example, the opportunity to provide each other with labour and delivery services thereby reducing costs.  Following the Second World War the role switched to organising spare parts logistics and personnel movements.  It evolved again to become increasingly involved with political interests and vocational training. 

The membership of AMÖ is different from many moving associations.  Traditionally, of course, the members moved household goods.  Some expanded to include office moving.  But there are a great many AMÖ members today that are involved in, for example, the distribution of new furniture and special logistics projects such as the movement of non-standard equipment, including MRI scanners, heavy machinery and laboratory equipment. The companies involved in these activities have been able to use their expertise in the careful handling of goods to succeed in these businesses.  There is still a synergy.  “Special logistics companies often need subcontracted help, perhaps at destination, and moving companies can provide this service. People working with moving companies know how to deal with unforeseen circumstances.  They have the skills.”

Andreas believes that the role of associations has changed ...

Photo: Andreas Eichinger.