Office Moving Alliance Elects Kane Company Executive to Lead Organization

The Office Moving Alliance (OMA) held its 2011 Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, October 24th – 27th and a new slate of officers were elected including James (Jim) H. Durfee of Office Movers, Inc., Elkridge, Maryland, as its new president. Durfee will serve a two-year term at OMA, an international trade organization that boasts member revenues in excess of $780 million.

“I am delighted to serve the Alliance in the capacity as President and continue to pursue OMA’s mission to be the leading provider of office relocation services, new furniture installations and commercial storage in the world.” Durfee was quoted. Durfee will serve as President of OMA in addition to his regular position at Office Movers, Inc.

The Office Moving Alliance is an international network of commercial moving, storage and office furniture installation specialists servicing many of the largest companies in the world. Founded in 2007, the Office Moving Alliance consists of 34 members in over 200 cities across 10 countries. Most of OMA’s members have been in the office moving business for decades, some for over a century.

“My objectives are to increase and improve existing coverage in the US especially in smaller markets, add more international members, and increase business opportunities between members.” Durfee commented, “I also intend to work toward increasing bid opportunities for the Alliance especially national and international contracts,” Durfee added.

While an ambitious agenda, Durfee is no stranger to challenges. As Vice President of The Kane Company/Office Movers, Inc. for the past 28 years, Durfee has been instrumental in building the DC-area based commercial moving firm into the largest commercial relocation services company in the mid-Atlantic region. Durfee has helped The Kane Company expand their office services capabilities to include archiving, library relocations, document destruction, hospital moving services and office systems installation. Most recently he has helped support the company’s greening initiatives with the creation of the Kane Furniture Bank, an outlet to provide free, lightly-used office furnishings to non-profits.

OMA believes that more important than the services they provide are the people who provide them. OMA members are well known, enjoy good reputations and are leaders in their respective marketplaces. Members know one another personally and share common values—a commitment to quality, safety and integrity—and constantly rely on one another for improving trade skills and abilities. All potential Alliance members undergo a rigorous financial and capabilities screening process, must demonstrate success in the commercial moving industry, and meet a set of “Best in Practice” metrics before they are voted on for membership.

In addition to Durfee’s election as President, Paul Bekins of Bekins Moving & Storage in Seattle, WA was elected Treasurer and the following individuals were elected to the Board of Managers: Doug Hollingshead, Commercial Works, Columbus, OH; Fabrice Chiche, AMT Transfert, Paris, France; William Walsh, The Walsh Companies, Boston, MA; Robert Koncelik, Universal Moving & Storage, NYC, NY; and Eric Edwards, Mesa Systems, Denver, CO.

ABOUT THE OFFICE MOVING ALLIANCE

The Office Moving Alliance, LLP, founded in 2007, is a worldwide consortium of firms specializing in commercial relocation services, warehousing and delivery. There are currently thirty-four total members worldwide. Membership includes twenty-five domestic firms serving all major US markets; five international firms serving Great Britain, France, Singapore, New Zealand and Canada; and six affiliated companies providing services in support of the commercial moving and storage industry. The Alliance has combined assets of over 1500 vehicles, 12,000 employees, and 8,500,000 sq. feet of office and warehouse space with annual member revenues in excess of $780 million. For additional information, visit www.officemovingalliance.com. Office Moving Alliance, 6131 West Van Buren, Phoenix, Arizona 85043

ABOUT THE KANE COMPANY

A locally based and operated company, The Kane Company has five subsidiaries and over 1,000 employees. Subsidiaries include: Office Movers, Inc., the largest commercial moving firm in the United States; Office Installers, Inc.; Kane Government Services; Office Shredding; eCyclers and Kane3PL, LLC. The Kane Company has offices in Rockville, Frederick, Baltimore, and Lanham, MD; Richmond, VA; Springfield, VA; and New Castle, DE. For additional information, visit www.kanecompany.com.