LOCAL LEGENDS: A legacy of excellence in the moving and storage industry

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“Hey, are you free and want to come over on Saturday? Great, can you bring your pickup truck and a friend? I’m moving and need an extra set of hands.”

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Raise your hand if you’ve found yourself in this scenario at some point in your life. I know I have, but I found a better way with my friend Ralph Mueller and his team at Quick Transfer. When I hired the Quick Transfer team for my last move, they earned a five-star rating from me.

Join me as we journey back to 1959, a year filled with exciting events like the release of Charlton Heston’s classic movie Ben-Hur and the introduction of the world to the Barbie doll. For us here in Winnipeg, 1959 marks the beginning of Quick Transfer’s story.

Herb Mueller, who at that time was a recent immigrant to Winnipeg, prided himself on hard work, diligence, honesty, and integrity. With $300, he embarked on his entrepreneurial journey and founded a small household moving company in Winnipeg. With that investment, he acquired three small trucks to get his business moving.

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Entrepreneurs and businesspeople take note: small beginnings can grow into great successes over time. The key is to start.

Some 24 years later, in 1983, Ralph, the oldest of Herb’s four sons, took over the helm as President and CEO of Quick Transfer and its divisions.

From those humble beginnings with three small trucks, the company has expanded to over 40 trucks, employing between 75 and 100 staff, depending on the season.

Quick Transfer today has grown into one of the largest moving companies in Winnipeg, distinguished by multiple awards and industry recognition.

They’ve expanded into specialized freight, export packaging, overseas container loading, and mobile self-storage, adding new moving locations and companies along the way.

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Ralph and the team at Quick Transfer continue to focus on growth and expansion, with their reach now spanning across North America and the world.

Even through the pandemic, although classified as an essential service, they had to adapt and pivot to keep moving forward.

Despite their growth, Ralph has always remained committed to the core values that got them to where they are now: giving their best, doing what is right, respecting others, and finding better ways to accomplish more and improve in all areas.

Ralph manages to balance running a successful company with his family life, spending quality time with his wife and six children. He also takes time to get away to the lake with the family, where he enjoys water skiing and has competed for many years.

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In the winter, when the lakes are frozen, he likes to go to the mountains with his family to enjoy downhill skiing. Ralph also volunteers with organizations like the Winnipeg Executive Association, the Canadian Association of Movers, and the BBB.

Under Ralph’s direction, this once-small family business has grown into Manitoba’s largest integrated moving services company, with new divisions in specialized freight, export packaging, and mobile self-storage.

Ralph has five helpful hints for your next move:

1. Have a Plan: Those who fail to plan, plan to fail!
2. Don’t Leave Things to the Last Minute: About a week before the
big day, sit down and think of everything you have left to do and make
a plan to conquer those tasks at least a couple of days before you
move.
3. Sort Through Items Pre-Move: This is where the dreaded junk
drawer comes in. Difficult areas may include overstuffed drawers,
closets, garages, and storage spaces.
4. Don’t Underfill Boxes: Boxes are very likely to be stacked on boxes,
and space at the top of the box means it is not as stable.
5. Label Boxes Clearly: Labeling the top and two sides means the
label will be easier to spot than a single label.

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Ralph likes to say, “If you have nice things and you want to keep them nice, we’re the moving company for you.”

In the words of Vince Lombardi, the once-famous football coach of the Green Bay Packers, “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.”

Choose Quick Transfer for your next move, where you will find the will to provide exceptional service sets them apart.

If you are moving your office or home anywhere in Canada, the United States, or around the globe, call my friend Ralph at Quick Transfer and tell him Art sent you.

— Art Alexander is the President of Art Alexander and Associates.

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