Updated June 2025
MasterMover is a world-leading manufacturer of electric tugger solutions designed to improve safety and operational efficiency when moving heavy, large, or unconventional loads. MasterMover operates globally through direct relationships and a network of sales and service partners. The company works with an enviable range of world-leading names across industrial manufacturing, retail, and logistics. With an expert in-house engineering team, MasterMover has a proven track record of delivering bespoke projects for diverse applications around the world. Their global headquarters is located in the UK, while the U.S. entity, formed in 2017, operates out of Charlotte, NC.
Problem
As a small business startup in a new territory, MasterMover recognized that they had to focus the bulk of their investment on sales, marketing, and customer support staff. For this reason, they wanted to find a reliable partner who could handle their back-office functions, thereby allowing them to focus their efforts and capital on those client-facing activities. In addition, they also wanted to find a partner who could help navigate the regulatory and administrative landscape in the U.S. market.
MI’s Solution
Understanding MasterMover’s needs, MI proposed the International Business Incubator (IBI), which allowed them to delegate order processes and procedures to MI. MI’s staff worked as fractional employees for the newly formed U.S. entity during this phase of the project. This enabled MasterMover’s direct staff to concentrate on sales and customer-centric activities, maximizing their efforts and capital. Over time, this relationship has shiftted to HR anc controller functions. And now, in 2024, it also includes warehousing for their spare parts.
Deep Dive
In the Beginning
There are so many things to think about when starting your U.S. operations – selecting CPAs, corporate lawyers, immigration attorneys, insurance agents, and banks; finding the location for your office and setting up all the utilities; establishing U.S. best practices with the entire order process from PO to payment collections; figuring out inventory management; ensuring you follow local, state, and federal rules and regulations for sales and corporate tax and hiring; and so much more. MasterMover’s manager found out the hard way that all of these details distract from marketing your products, finding new customers, and closing sales.
As a result, the manager needed to outsource some of these less exciting tasks to professionals who knew the ins and outs and did this type of work every day. MI’s IBI was perfect for his needs – he only wished he found us sooner! Once he had our support, he was able to double sales revenue over his projected numbers in the first year and hire 6 new staff members.
Flexible Growth
As MasterMover continued to grow its U.S.-based staff, MI’s operational team stepped back from being fractional employees who were in the weeds of the daily activities. However, MI maintained its role as a controller within the organization. MI continued serving as their HR department, handling new hire paperwork, and managing insurance enrollment. Additionally, MI provided high-level accounting support, including transaction monitoring, payroll management, 401k administration, and month-end closing reconciliations. Collaborating closely with MasterMover’s UK headquarters, MI ensured internal reporting needs and deadlines were met.
This evolution allowed MasterMover to scale as an enterprise while retaining focus on core competencies, with MI effectively managing critical administrative tasks to ensure smooth business operations. It also aligned perfectly with MasterMover’s growth-oriented goals, emphasizing the importance of building a strong U.S. sales team.’
Fail-safe Service
Since working together, MI’s role as a safeguard proved mutually beneficial. For instance, when MasterMover hired an Office Manager who later proved to be an ill fit, MI seamlessly stepped in to fill the void. Leveraging our extensive knowledge of MasterMover’s U.S. procedures and processes, MI once again provided fractional support with order processing and customer support, as well as in the shipment department, overseeing tasks such as creating Bill of Ladings, scheduling load pick-ups and drop-offs, and liaising with carriers as needed.
At the same time, MI helmed the search for a new Office Manager, creating the job description, posting, reviewing resumes, holding interviews, and recommending the successful candidate. Once the position was filled, MI transitioned the daily task to the new hire, fully training them to ensure the continuity of operations. MasterMover benefited from MI’s services not only during challenging times but also during positive moments. For instance, when the new hire went on vacation, MI’s experienced team members seamlessly provided coverage, maintaining uninterrupted operations.
This level of service goes beyond relying on temporary staffing, as any agency could have sent someone to sit at the desk. Through MI’s extensive work with the client, no training or oversight was needed with the employees we sent to cover. We already knew the product, and all the processes and procedures, saving the client time, effort, and money, and providing uninterrupted service to MasterMover’s clients.
Expanding Needs
As of 2024, MI’s relationship with MasterMover has expanded to take on warehousing for their spare parts business. Through our Spartanburg, SC location, we receive parts from the UK to ship to U.S.-based customers.
“We cannot express enough how delighted we are with MI’s pack, pick, and ship services. [Their] attention to detail and efficiency in handling our orders have streamlined our supply chain processes and significantly contributed to our overall success. Whether it’s packing delicate items with care or ensuring accurate and timely shipments, MI consistently delivers beyond our expectations.”
– Anna Sparks, Office Manager
Key Learnings
While the goal of the IBI program is to foster business growth to the point where MI’s services are no longer required, MI remains committed to partnering with companies based on their unique needs. Even after reaching new heights of success, MasterMover continues to benefit from the partnership through our wealth of expertise and unwavering support, underscoring the impact of partnering with MI.