By Nancy Brumback, Contributing Writer
Photo/Nancy Brumback
Westborough—Mark’s Moving & Storage has created a foundation to put the expertise developed over 35 years in the moving business to work helping struggling families in the area.
Mark’s Northeastern Furniture Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, will collect new and used furniture and household items from Mark’s current customers and local merchants and manufacturers, and deliver those goods to organizations such as the United Way and veterans’ shelters for distribution to families in need.
“Our goal is to get these items to people who need them at zero cost to them,” said Mark Silverman, president and chief executive officer. The foundation’s name comes from Northeastern University, where Silverman was a student in 1979 when he used his credit card to buy a used truck and moved furniture to earn money during college. He noted proudly that he will finally receive his degree from Northeastern this May. The university named Mark’s Moving & Storage the Massachusetts Family Business of the Year in 2014.
The foundation creates a more formal structure for the charitable work Silverman’s company has been doing for years. The agencies it will work with will validate the need of the people receiving donations, and the donations provide a way to recycle useable items.
“We’ve been very fortunate for 35 years with support from the community. This is one way to give back,” Silverman said.
Mark’s is also in the process of opening an office in Florida.
“We have always delivered household goods from the Northeast to Florida and have a very large network of customers in South Florida,” he said. “Establishing a physical location there will provide quicker and more economical service between the two points and allow us to increase our presence in Florida.” He expects to have the office open by the end of the year.
Mark’s Moving offers a wide range of moving and storage services, including local and long-distance residential and corporate moving, air freight, container shipping, record storage management, disposal, packing and unpacking services, portable storage containers, warehousing and fire and flood remediation.
“A moving company is more than men and a truck,” Silverman said. “We are a resource. When you call, you will get a project manager for your individual move. We aim for 100 percent customer satisfaction. Nothing else will do.”
One of Mark’s specialties is helping relocate seniors.
“Often seniors will be downsizing from a larger home. We will help them move, but we can also help them find ways to donate or dispose of items they no longer want or need.”
Mark’s also provides services for other businesses in the Metrowest area.
“We can lease warehouse space in bulk to local manufacturers, retailers, hospitals and colleges,” which may need to store seasonal merchandise, excess inventory or equipment and supplies.
Mark’s Moving & Storage moved west from its Brookline origins as the company grew. It has been in its 90,000-sq.ft. warehouse in Westborough for almost 10 years and also has a 60,000-sq.ft. warehouse in Norwood. The company has a fleet of over 30 trucks and trailers.
With approximately 30 employees, many with the company for a long time, Silverman takes pride in the business he has built and its relationship with both employees and customers. George Jacobs, vice president, has been part of the team since the beginning. Other key employees are Pam Colpitts, office manager; Dave Brower, manager of the Marlboro Transportation division; and Damon Aronson and Andy Bower, project managers. Justin Silverman, Mark’s son and an attorney, handles the firm’s acquisition pursuits.
Mark’s Moving & Storage is located at 111 Milk St., Westborough. For additional information, call 508-983-6000 or 800-966-MARK, or visit the firm’s website, www.marksmoving.com.
