HTC Park Royal

Units 1 & 2, Bush Industrial Estate, Standard Road, Park Royal, NW10 6DF

Tel: 0208 961 5863
Fax: 0208 965 9214
Email: info@htc-uk.com

Home HTC Park Royal News In-Excess Success is 'In Excess' of the Market

It was only 15 years ago when Steve Yates, the Managing Director of In~Excess Removals Ltd, started the business with one truck. It was his intention to add quality to the local removals market in Hemel Hempstead, at the same time as giving the customer a “value for money” deal. He had the vision to anticipate that the recession of the early 90’s would eventually run its course, and that the economy would slowly revive after its low point in the winter of 1991/92.

Steve thought that the Hertfordshire market, with its proximity to the more expensive North London area, would start to vibrate before its Metropolitan neighbour. The local market saw a gradual economic resurgence over the next few years and the business expanded. Events had proved him right. With the help of his enthusiastic staff he created a strong brand which is now much in demand and recognised in the local area and surrounding towns. The team set about the task of producing some eye-catching and distinctive artwork, with a bold colour scheme and company logo which make the Company’s wide range of vehicles immediately recognisable. The imposing presence of these quality vehicles (and matching stationery and staff uniforms) when customers move to or from their houses creates a worthwhile proportion of new enquiries leading to much of the Company’s new business.

Getting the simple things right has always been part of Steve’s strategy and he firmly believes that an enquiry from a potential customer is only the basic beginning. The acid test, says Steve, begins when the customer accepts the Company’s estimate. Steve added “the quality of what you and your team do from that point onwards determines whether or not the customer will use our services again in the future. Of equal importance is whether or not the customer will recommend others to use our services. Recommendation is the cheapest and most effective form of advertising”. This simple philosophy has served the Company well. Recommendations bring in at least 40% of its new business every year and the synergy of this strongly underwrites the Company’s new and ongoing development.

The Company firmly believes in helping its customers at every stage of the move. Their Office Manager, Louise Muldowney, endorsed this by commenting “There is simply no point in just turning up on the day and hoping that everything goes well. By taking time to help customers prepare for their move, which is a major event in their lives, we cut down the possibility of things going wrong on the removal day. Good customer care leading up to the move, plus positive feedback after it, are very important to us”.


The In~Excess Removals success story took another turn in recent weeks with the arrival of its latest “state of the art” removal truck. Being mindful of the need to comply with the rules for the new Low Emissions Zone for London, the Company has been updating its 11 strong fleet in recent years. The picture shows the newly acquired DAF FALF55220 in the Company’s livery.


The chassis was supplied by Luton DAF. Last year, when another new DAF was added to the fleet, the Company’s usual coachwork contractors were not able to oblige due to long term staffing problems, so John Beasley at Luton DAF suggested using Vancraft of Besthorpe, Norfolk. Steve Yates was so pleased with their finished product on that occasion that he had no hesitation in securing their services for this year’s repeat business.

Steve commented “When you take delivery of a brand new vehicle you expect it to be better than the existing ones in the fleet. I have to say that I am certainly not disappointed with what Vancraft have produced for us over the past couple of years. I am proud of our modern fleet and the new DAF will help in the next stage of the Company’s development. We can use it to advantage in the London Boroughs, economically on our longer journeys and to assist us in strengthening our growing position in the international and commercial markets. We now have a foothold in the commercial removals market, which I would like to see growing further over the next few years. The new DAF can be used to advantage in that sector and should more than earn its keep and justify the faith we have placed in those who created it. We have had a fruitful business relationship with Luton DAF for some time and now quite definitely look upon Vancraft as a corporate partner with whom we anticipate placing further business in the future”.
In~Excess Removals Ltd has recently added further key members to its management team, promoting a strong corporate image in a competitive market. This integrates well with the Company’s established reputation and is strengthened even further by this, and other recent additions, to its modern fleet.
Steve summed up where In~Excess Removals is currently poised by stating “We now feel able to use our established corporate base and expertise to embark upon the next phase of our continued expansion into new and existing markets, either by organic growth and/or by acquisitions”. For their part, both John Beasley at Luton DAF and Derek Avis at Vancraft are looking forward to future involvement in the In~Excess Removals success story.

As for Steve Yates, we at the BAR are happy to hear of his continuing success. He has received 3 business awards over the past few years, sponsored by Dacorum Borough Council and the Hemel Hempstead Gazette. He is an active member of our Metropolitan Area Committee and we look forward to hearing of his future achievements and the ongoing performance of his team at In~Excess Removals Ltd.