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Any business, be it large or small must undergo change to remain successful.

Sometimes change means relocating your plant in order to have more room, merging with another company, etc. Plant relocations are a big deal and can take a lot of time and energy.

To make the experience a little less stressful here are 4 simple yet effective tips

1. Determine the value of all the equipment

This information is required for insurance purposes, border crossings and legal reasons. The necessary paperwork can be assembled with the help of your accounting department.

Also, if you’re crossing borders you should choose a plant relocation specialist who has a good working relationship with a reputable customs broker. This is because the process can be expedited with the help of a good customs broker, particularly when dealing with equipment that’s been purchased at auction or is brand new from an overseas manufacturer.

“Countries of origin” is a phrase you’ll hear a lot. That’s important information that everyone needs to know. You’ll also need it in the paperwork. A seasoned broker can help navigate this process easily.

2. Determine UL listings/requirements for all equipment

Think about the location you’re moving your plant to. Make sure you check out what UL inspections/requirements the local municipality mandates. Does all your equipment pass muster?

There have been many situations where companies have equipment going from one country to another and that equipment did not meet local UL electrical standards. This not only results in unwanted trouble, but also in downed production and lost revenue.

3. Inspect the condition of each piece of equipment

Inspect the condition of each piece of equipment in your plant before you move anything. Look for any signs of extreme rust, deterioration, or cracked casings in the machinery.

You may want to consider leaving behind any piece of equipment that is severely damaged and replacing it with a new one. While this may seem expensive, it could cost you more money if something breaks while it is being transported. If a hydraulic shaft falls off, it could seriously injure one of your workers while moving it or could hit a nearby machine.

Also, it’s easy to neglect the need for new machinery because you don’t want to lose quality working days. By doing it during a plant relocation can save time. You can ask for the new machine to be delivered to the new address. Plus, you may already be losing a few days of work because of the relocation, so you can kill two birds with one stone.

4. Check the dimensions and weight of all machinery/components

This might seem straightforward, but your plant relocation specialist needs precise numbers, not estimates.

This information determines how your equipment is transported. Different methods will have to be applied to different equipment —and sometimes a combination of methods.

Make sure you have enough space at the new plant for everything you want to take, once you have decided on which machinery will be moved. This can be done by measuring both the square footage of the factory to which the machines will be going and the equipment itself.

Do not just measure the base when measuring each piece of equipment. You also need to allow for any part, wires, or vents that are sticking out from around the machine. Also, to ensure you have enough ceiling space so that it does not scrape the top of the equipment measure the height. Your move agent usually helps out with this.

Moving plants and machinery to a new location is a complex process. If not handled with care, it can cause serious damage to the machines and great loss to your business.

Due to the complexities involved in relocating a plant, it is prudent to select a moving service provider with experience in moving plant and machinery.

Writer Relocations has been helping businesses move plants and machinery without stress or damage for over 60 years now. We are one of India’s oldest and most trusted moving agency. With an excellent track record of executing damage-free commercial moves, you can easily trust Writer Relocations for your next move.

Don’t just take our word for it. Read what people like you say about packing and moving with Writer Relocations.

“The Writer Relocations team completed more than 2,25,000 man hours of work with Shell, without any major incident, or loss of time.

They also met the agreed timelines in each phase. During the whole move with Shell, chemicals and equipment worth millions of dollars were moved. They covered more than 25,000 kms across two sites of Shell.”

-Dharmesh Kumar, Shell

Also check out our case studies for commercial relocations.

Writer Relocations is accredited with the best moving associations, known for their international service quality standards, globally. When you move with Writer Relocations, you can rest assured that you are moving with the best in the business.

Get a FREE moving quote by Writer Relocations for your plants and machinery move. Or contact us on our toll-free number for India, @ 022-334-91787.

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Over the last few years, the relocation industry in India has seen a terrible rise in the number of fake moving companies.

The strategy by the wannabe companies is simple.

Pretend that you’re a famous brand name in the moving industry that customers are familiar with, or have heard of. Make a website where the famous name, or some elements of the name, are included. Then advertise, draw traffic, and leads.

The problem with this is that only the name of the packers and movers is similar to that of the famous brand. The processes and quality are rarely so.

From your point of view, the service looks much cheaper, or even more affordable. When the unscrupulous packers and movers fail to deliver, or cause damage to your articles, you complain online. It’s probably then that many of you realize that you have been fooled, and tricked by the removal company. By then it’s too late.

This is why when you choose a Moving Company ensure that you are not opting for a fake one.

Here are 5 essential things you must ALWAYS look for before selecting a moving agency

1. Don’t choose a mover who only offers you a low price

Relocation is not necessarily cheap. Opting for cheap movers to save money isn’t a wise idea.

While movers might promise to move your household goods at rates cheaper than others, remember that you will finally get what you pay for.

Poor packing, negligence in transporting, and inexperience in logistics, form a deadly cocktail. You will finally end up with delays, loss of your precious articles, and damaged items.

When you add the price of all this to your moving costs you will get the true costs of your home shifting. You would be wise to at least consider this aspect before you choose the mover.

2. Look for reviews online

Before trusting a mover with your precious goods, it is always best to see what others who have already moved with them have to say about their experience.

Always look for testimonials from customers on their website and review sites. Check on the following websites.

• Mouthshut
• Trust Pilot
• Yelp
• Better Business Bureau
• Mover Reviews

Don’t just settle for online reviews as this could be doctored. Insist on 3 customer references from the mover. Speak with the customers and ask them about their moving experience.

3. Look for these accreditations

Accreditations ensure that the movers adhere to acceptable, ethical standards, in the moving industry. Verify the accreditations on the mover’s website, FIDI, OMNI and The International Association of Movers.

4. Ask for insurance protection

Most packers and movers do offer insurance as part of the deal but don’t assume this is always the case.

If your movers don’t, always insist on insurance. You don’t want to be left helpless if your goods do get damaged, or stolen in transit, do you?

5. Read the fine print in the contract carefully

This might sound obvious, but this is one of the biggest mistake most customers make. Read the contract carefully before you sign it.

Make sure everything the movers promise is written in the contract. Double check all the dates, insurance details, and the final amount that you have to pay.

Doing this will save you a lot of grief later.

Writer Relocations too has its fair share of imitators.

There are many movers out there who wish to ride on the pedigree and reputation of India’s oldest and most famous moving company.

To help customers distinguish a genuine Writer Relocations company from a fake one, here’s what you must ALWAYS look for when moving with Writer Relocations.

Our official name is Writer Relocations

The official name of our company is Writer Relocations.

We’re also referred to as PN Writer & Co by our customers. We are part of a larger entity called Writer Corporation.

How to recognise the Official Writer Relocation Brand URLs & Symbols

More specifically, Writer Relocations is a 63 year-old packers and movers brand from India. For a long time, we were known as PN Writer & Co Ltd, till our name changed to the current Writer Relocations.

PN Writer & Co Ltd, by the way was established in 1947, and was bought over in 1953, by the founders of the current Writer Corporation.

Meet the gold standard in international moving

As one of India’s oldest moving and packing companies, Writer Relocations has spawned its fair share of imitators.

While it’s always flattering to have companies imitate us, it becomes very disconcerting when companies use our name, brand pedigree, and try to pass off as us.

After all, we follow the ethical processes, strict quality control standards, and customer satisfaction benchmarks laid down by some of the best international moving associations. We have set the gold standard for moving in India.

This quality may not be available to you in the same spirit and standards with any of the “wannabe Writer” companies. Read the reviews by our customers.

In 63 years, Writer Relocations has moved 500,000 folks just like you to over 190 nations.

This means that you can rest assured when you do business with Writer Relocations. What’s more, we’re part of a group that’s a leader in all its businesses.

Writer Relocations is fully seized of the task of protecting its brand name. It’s an ongoing process.

We want you to know that the legal means of getting other companies to stop using variations of the Writer name is very convoluted and long drawn.

While we are doing this at our end, you need to know very clearly which moving company you’re dealing with so that any grief associated with it is always brought to the right door.

Learn about the brands passing off as Writer Relocations.

While we’re happy to be known by many names, we want you to know that the following companies are not related in any manner to Writer Relocations. These companies are riding on the goodwill and pedigree of the Writer brand.

If you do business with these companies, you do so at your own risk. Remember that this is not Writer Relocations.

• pnwriterindia.com

• writermoverspackers.in

• writerpackersandmovers.com

• writerpackers.in

• writermovers.in

• shainexrelocation.com

• www.writerhomepackersmovers.com

Looking for movers and packers in India?

Need a relocation agency to shift your house abroad? Get a FREE moving quote from Writer Relocations or call 022-334-91787.

Have you ever come across fake movers and packers? How did you deal with it? Do share your experience with us in the comments below.

Writer Relocations cares for its customers. If you come across fake movers pretending to be Writer Relocations, report them here.

Adjusting to life in a foreign land isn’t easy. Getting used to the new customs and traditions takes time.

While there is no sure-shot way to avoid experiencing culture shock when moving to a new country, it is always better to educate yourself about the place you are moving to. This helps you get an idea of what you are signing up for.

Are you planning to move to the Gulf? To help you adjust to your new surroundings better, here are all the important things expats you need to know.

1. Moving to Bahrain for Work?

While expats get used to the life and culture in Bahrain pretty quickly, they usually have a very difficult time getting used to the ‘Bahraini time’. Bahraini time, according to the locals, is their unbeatable habit of reaching everywhere late. If you have an appointment with someone at 11am, be prepared to have the meeting start only by 1pm.

Bahrain offers a great mix of a well-developed, westernized country with a touch of the Arab culture. Find out more about living and moving to Bahrain in our detailed guide.

2. Relocating to Dubai?

Dubai is synonyms with tall buildings and expensive luxury cars. But there’s more to this amazing city than just that. Dubai is a very modern and rapidly developing country. It is one of the safest cities in the Middle East with 0% crime rate.

Expats have little to worry about when moving to this city as 83% of the city’s population are immigrants.

This is what attracts expats to this city in the United Arab Emirates. Learn more about life of expats living in Dubai in our detailed guide on moving to Dubai.

3. Shifting to Oman With Family?

Muscat is the capital of Oman. It is also the most populated city in the country. Oman, being a desert, has hot and arid climate for most of the year. The best time for someone visiting Oman is during the winters. Oman is one of the safest countries in the world. Close to 43% of Oman’s population are expats. This makes it quite easy for expats to make friends and adjust to life here.

Read more about expats’ life in Muscat, Oman in our destination guide on moving to Oman.

4. Moving to Kuwait?

Kuwait is a semi-democratic country. Expats moving to Kuwait are usually from India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The primary reason why people move to Kuwait is for better work opportunities. The currency of Kuwait is the highest valued in the world. This is what attracts expats to Kuwait.

Kuwait has a very low crime rate, but it is still advisable to be extra careful when out and alone, especially during the night. Women must be extra careful about their surroundings and who they are going out with.

The government of Kuwait offers free education, housing and healthcare to the citizens of the country. Expats aren’t entitled to any of this. But they do get access to world-class health care facilities. Expats usually send their children to an international school in Kuwait instead of a local one.

Read more here, about life of expats and moving to Kuwait in our destination guide.

5. Relocating to Qatar With Family?

Qatar is one of the richest countries in the world. People living in Qatar are the second highest earners in the world. Qatar is one of the leading producer of Liquid Nitrogen Gas, which is where the country generates its maximum revenue from.

Migrants working in Qatar face several issues, but that doesn’t deter people from moving to Qatar. Immigrants make up for 90% of the country’s population.

Read more about life of expats in Qatar in our comprehensive guide on moving to Qatar.

Moving to a foreign land can be a huge step for you and your family. Finding packers and movers who can move your precious belongs without any damage is one of the biggest concerns for people moving long-distance.

Writer Relocations is one of India’s oldest moving companies. We have been executing home moves, office relocations, fine art moves, VIP moves, hospitality logistics and commercial relocations successfully for over 60+ years now. We’re FIDI, AIM, and EuRA certified movers of international cargo.

Moving with Writer Relocations, you can rest assured that your belongings will be shipped to your destination without any damage. We leave no stone unturned to make sure you have a stress-free and damage-free experience.

Are you planning to move to Bahrain, Dubai, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar or nearby countries? Get a FREE moving quote from Writer Relocations now. Or call us @022-334-91787.

You may also want to check out the Case Studies on International Relocation, along with the FAQs, and Moving Tools & Tips that we have put together for the best moving and packing experience.

Most pet owners are aware that going to different places with the canine members of their family is no mean task because not everyone is comfortable in their company. In most countries, there are restrictions when it comes to allowing pups inside restaurants, theatres, hotels, auditoriums and many other public places. So, in case you have a pet and planning on an International relocation, take a look at these countries that have earned the names of being the most pet friendly all across the globe.

1. France: France is one country that is known for very lenient dog policies. A report in the Telegraph read, “even the most palatial chateaux will be happy to welcome your dog, either free of charge or for a small supplement.” And one small piece of information that will surely exhilarate any dog lover is that, in France, pups find their own seats at tables even in certain restaurants.
2. Switzerland: If you are a person who’s compassionate with animals, and planning on an overseas movingwith your own pet, then you will be happy to know that the Swiss have a very high regard for dogs. In fact, before bringing in a pup home, the first-time owners are encouraged to join a training programme.So, it comes as no surprise that in such a country, dogs are treated with utmost dignity.  In fact, the country is known as ‘an oasis for animals’. As one Swiss dog mom wrote, “Nearly every restaurant I’ve been inside makes a real effort to accommodate us. The offer of dog water as soon as we sit down is no longer a surprise to me.”
3. Canada: Are you planning to venture to a country like Canada and have a pet with you? If, that’s the case then, you shall be glad to know that the well-known Canadian hospitality is extended out to humans and pups alike. Vancouver has eight dog-friendly beaches and a pet-friendly ski resort, and Calgary offers more off-leash spaces than most other cities of the world.
4. Germany: Germany is often cited as the nation other countries must look up to as an example of how to humanely treat stray animals. The country strictly follows a no-kill policy, and Berlin is home to the largest animal sanctuary in the entire European continent, which houses nearly 2,000 animals (horses included). As writer Michael Barmish said: “Dogs are a very important part of daily life in Germany and, as such, are treated with respect as any family member would be.”

So, if you are planning to venture abroad with your pet, all you need to do is get in touch with relocation companies in India and know which are the countries of the world that are the friendliest to your furry four-pawed members of your family.

Most relocation packages focus on giving employees higher salaries, bigger allowances, and other monetary perks designed to get employees interested to move to and work in another country.

Although these elements will definitely pique the interest of most employees, many of them still have other matters to think about, particularly if they have families.

Employees who are offered the chance to relocate abroad will go through the stressful and emotionally laden experience of uprooting their family, leaving behind their loved ones, and moving to a new country.

With this in mind, employees with families given a chance to take up a position overseas may need more than just financial assistance.

Giving Expat Families a Lending Hand

If you have employees moving abroad, a provider of relocation services in Singapore shares below six steps you can take to help their families make a smooth transition:

1. Include your employee’s family in key discussions.

The needs of an employed family man differ from those of a single employee.

Consequently, the needs of one family can vary from those of another.

If you want to be more proactive in supporting your employees’ families during an overseas international relocation, you must consider the members’ specific concerns and needs.

It is, therefore, crucial to know about the needs of your employee’s family. Take the time to schedule at least one meeting with them to find out their concerns and expectations.

Use the information you get to customise your relocation package, moving timeline, and services you want to provide to the employee’s family.

2. Double-check your relocation package.

Sufficient financial support is crucial in ensuring your employees’ and their families’ smooth transition.

If you already have a relocation package, you need to review it to ensure it can also support some of the crucial needs of your employee’s spouse or family based on your discussions.

For instance, if visa processing for the employee’s family is not included in the relocation package, find out if your company can cover it. Also, check if you can provide financial assistance to help the spouse look for a new job.

Additionally, find out if you can include educational support for the children. If this is not feasible, figure out which fees you can cover in the short term.

Extending financial support to your employee’s family can make the entire relocation process less stressful and more pleasant for them.

3. Create a moving timetable that works for the family.

A moving schedule can help individual and group relocations go smoothly and become less chaotic. As such, help your employee and their family to create one.

Work with your employee and their family to create a moving timeline that they can follow.

Ideally, everyone should start planning at least six months before their target departure.

This timetable should cover all processes involved in an international move, including sorting their belongings, packing, cancelling utility services, and obtaining all documents from their children’s schools to formalise the transfer.

Make sure you work with your employee and their family to create realistic timelines they can stick with.

Also, consider providing additional assistance to ensure your employee and their families follow the timetable. Offer to help with packing or enlist the services of relocation companies in Mumbai that can take care of this process.

4. Have the employees join the pre-departure training.

If you only provide pre-departure training to your employees, it’s time to change this strategy and include their families in this vital part of the pre-move process.

To ensure families benefit from this program, include the following topics:

• Area orientation
• Information and tips on living in their new environment
• Selecting schools for children
• Managing culture shock
• Tips for socialising in a foreign setting
• Career opportunities for the employee’s spouse

During the orientation, encourage the participants to ask questions and voice their concerns so that an expert can address them properly.

The best expatriate programs extend their pre-departure orientation to the employees’ families. Because of this, expand the scope of this service.

5. Help families look for a good school for the children.

The unhampered education of their children is the top concern of families when they move abroad.

When parents are not sure they can find a good school for their children, they will have a major issue to worry about, and a massive hurdle to overcome.

Regardless of which stage of the move your employee and their family are in, provide school search service for their children. Look for ones near their home if they already have one.

Also, provide your employee with as much information as possible about the schools to help them make the right decision.

6. Provide healthcare assistance to families.

To ensure everyone relocating is in good health, offer a medical assessment for the international staff and their families before their departure, and also annually throughout their assignment.

Doing so ensures any medical issues are identified quickly and can be managed or prevented from worsening.

Also, ensure your employee and their family have access to healthcare in their new home. They should have comprehensive coverage so that they won’t have to worry about anything when they need medical assistance.

Although an international assignment holds plenty of promises to an employee, it can be full of challenges, too. Follow these steps and you can help your staff and their family experience a stress-free and successful move to any country.

Get more tips for a successful international relocation on our Blog page.

Even though most countries are multi-cultural today, culture shock is a real phenomenon. People in different places tend to have different languages, beliefs, eating habits, taste in music, tradition, customs, and values.

Every country has its own culture. You may experience a contemporary culture in the US and a much conservative culture in China.

Once you move to a foreign land you are subjected to unfamiliarity around you. Things are no more what they used to be back home. It can be bewildering to do simple things.

This situation when you are disoriented and trying to adapt to a new environment is when you will experience culture shock!

What is Culture Shock?

After an overseas international relocation, you may often feel disoriented, vulnerable and anxious in unfamiliar surroundings. You may also get frustrated as the social norms you were used to are no more relevant. This struggle to adapt to a new environment is called a culture shock.

How can you overcome it?

Learn about the new place.

Try to quickly read up about the new place you shifted to online on blogs, magazines, newspapers and books etc. You can start to adapt to the new place this way.

Get familiar with your neighborhood

Once you unpack, start exploring nearby areas, Look for places where you can spend your evenings meeting new people. Interact with them, this will expose you to the local community. Through locals, you can know more about the place such as history, festivals, events etc.

Also, look for places where you can buy daily household goods, where you can have breakfast, do your laundry, take a haircut etc. this will help you settle in.

Learn the local language

Perhaps the most important thing to do when you relocate is to learn the local language and its accent. Get a translation book. Learn the basic phrases eg. Learn how to ask directions, communicate with street vendors, ask for help etc. Doing this will help you come closer to the locals even become friends with them.

Make your space at home like the one before

Decorate and furnish your home in such a way that it reminds you of your older place. Light up your place that way. If you’re into reading, then have a book shelf built the same way as you did. All these things will make you less homesick.

Push yourself to make new friends

If you have local friends, then nothing like it. You should try to see the place through their eyes. They can also easily answer all the questions you have about their culture and might share some more insights too.

Engage in a routine

Spend your time doing something productive. Make it a routine. Take a course or join a club. Go swimming, play tennis or join music or art class. This is again a great way to meet new people with common interests and make friends.

Join a Club

This is a great way to find people of the same interest. Once you join the club a meetup can be easily be arranged where like-minded people can engage and get along with each other. You’ll find all sorts of clubs like a book club, trekking club, etc. Look out for meetups in and near your city.

Join the expat community

This is probably the first thing an expat should do to reunite with others who are going through or have gone through a similar situation. Although, meeting people from the same country may go against you embracing the new culture. But, if you’re really frustrated with this major change, then you should go ahead meeting them.

These are a few ways to overcome culture shock.

Choose Writer Relocations for stress-free Orientation Services. 
For 63 years, Writer Relocations has been helping all types of businesses move safely and without stress.That simply means that with our move planning, specialty moving services, and packing acumen, you are assured fuss-free moves.

You deserve the experience and expertise of Move Advisors for Area Orientation Services at Writer Relocations. Why would you think of settling for less?

Speak to a Pre-move Orientation Services Expert from Writer Relocations today.

If you have your own experiences in dealing with culture shock, do let us know in the comments section below.

Relocating an office is probably more complicated than moving homes. There are many things to consider to ensure a successful move, including office furnishings, supplies, and even the employees that must be organised and settled.

Whether your business is moving across the region or abroad, a poorly managed office move can be a huge headache, not just for you, but also your employees and even your clients. This is especially true if you choose to do office relocations during peak season.

To ensure a successful business relocation during peak season, here are five tips you must remember.

1. Start planning your relocation early

Time is a critical factor when moving your business during peak season, so you must act early. Advanced planning can eliminate the unnecessary hassle and help streamline logistics.

If you put off attending things, even the tiniest details, until the last minute, you may end up running out of time for organising the move, or paying more for removal companies.

But if you have a detailed relocation plan outlining how and when each task must be performed, and how much every aspect of the move will cost, you can significantly save money and time. Most importantly, it will ensure a smooth office move.

Give yourself three to six months to put together a clear and concise relocation plan. Evaluate the things that should be moved and decide on the items that can be securely eliminated and donated. Though some establishments can accept used office furniture, you can’t assume they can coordinate rush pick-ups to suit your moving schedule. The same is true when securing the disposal of electronic devices.

2. Find a removal company and book a date ASAP

Relocating your office during the peak moving season means movers are in demand. Make sure to choose a reliable mover and pick a moving date that works best for you.

Getting an office removal company on board early will also ensure that there will be no hidden or extra costs to pay. For instance, you may pay more if the movers charge extra for packing and moving delicate office equipment. Though it might be worth paying extra to ensure the safety of the item, you still need to factor these things into your cost assessment so you can include them in your budget.

Do not risk working with mediocre removal companies. Instead, prioritise finding the best and schedule your move date early.

3. Take inventory of all items

Taking inventory is a must when relocating. You need to include all the equipment and supplies you have on your business premises. Compile all files and papers you will need in the future and make a list of those as well. You don’t want to lose anything relevant, so create a detailed list and take this seriously.

Having a list of all equipment, documents and supplies will also guide the relocation company in providing you with a reliable quote. More importantly, it will help ensure that nothing will get lost or damaged during transit.

4. Delegate moving tasks

An office relocation is not a solo endeavour, but rather an entire company’s affair. Assign tasks to employees or teams. For instance, ask a number of your workers to complete the inventory while the others purchase packing materials or other items you need for your move.

As for tasks that need proficiency, delegate them to competent workers. For instance, let the IT department deal with tech-related matters, and those in the administrative sector can prepare all the necessary documentation.

Delegating jobs will reduce your workload and guarantee an organised move. It will also ease employee tension because they are involved in the relocation process and know firsthand what is taking place.

Make sure to be clear and loud about everyone’s tasks, including the deadlines. As you assign tasks, it would also be great to get input from your employees regarding the changes they want for their new space, and make an effort to acknowledge staff needs in planning and designing your new business location.

5. Be mindful of essential documents and deadlines

Generally, vendors will require different documents and set varying timelines. Make sure to keep a list of each one’s specific requirements because failing to meet the deadline or missing paperwork can hold up timelines and relocation services.

Moreover, most key actions can only be taken after completing preparatory steps, so make sure that everyone adheres to the expected timeline milestones to keep the office move running smoothly.

Moving a business, regardless of whether it is a small or large one, is not easy since it involves handling numerous supplies, bulky and fragile equipment, and essential documentation. But if you plan well and aim to include your employees throughout the relocation process, you’ll be back in business in no time.

At Writer Relocations, we can minimise the stress by tackling your move because it is our area of expertise. Our experienced packers and movers can relocate your business, supplies, equipment, and people hassle-free. From planning the office shifting process to managing the office move, you can trust us. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our high-quality corporate relocation services.