Us Franchise Entrepreneur Of The Year To Enter Australian Market

LANSING, MICHIGAN USA (Thursday, September 15, 2005) - Mary Ellen Sheets had no idea that her US$350 investment into her two sons’ after-school project, along with her strong commitment to customer service would someday lead to an international moving company with 2004 turnover of US$148 million – and international recognition.

Sheets, named the 2004 Entrepreneur of the Year by the US-based International Franchise Association, started her company with one small truck after her two sons left the business to go to university. Twenty years later, her company, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®/INTERNATIONAL Inc., has 160 locations in North America. In 2004, the company completed more than 290,000 moves.

The company will launch its search for an Australian master franchisee under its local trademark, MOVERS WHO CARE®, while Mary Ellen is in Canberra to give the keynote speech at the Franchise Council of Australia’s annual convention in early October.

“It's amazing how quickly this company has grown,'' Sheets said. "It's been so much fun to watch and be a part of it all – 20 years later we have thousands of happy customers and we've created thousands of jobs. The key has been to stay focused on our customers and their needs.” Independent surveys show that almost 95 percent of our customers are willing to refer us to others. This high level of satisfaction drives total sales growth and bottom line success for our franchisees.”

William Edwards, president of US-based EGS, Inc. and a Member of the Franchise Council of Australia, said Sheets is a classic example of an entrepreneur who used franchising to grow her business. “This franchise system has enjoyed double-digit growth every year for 15 years,’’ said Edwards. “That's an entrepreneur making the most of franchising by helping many people start and grow their own business."

Franchisees participate in an expansive three-week training course including basics on the latest technology, moving tactics, how to hire, and how to be stronger managers. The company provides its franchises with online business management and communications, online and in-country training to follow up initial training, an extensive intranet that reports leading indicators, and numerous other marketing and management tools.

“The MOVERS WHO CARE® master franchisee in Australia will be a company with a proven record of success who is seeking a highly systematic, customer focused service business to add to their existing portfolio,’’ Edwards said.

For more information on MOVERS WHO CARE® for Australia, call 1-800-345-1070, visit www.moverswhocare.com or contact Mr. Edwards at bedwards@moverswhocare.com.



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