Based in Strassen on the outskirts of Luxembourg-City, STREFF is a leading logistics company with over 100 full-time employees and a fleet of 12 trucks and 10 vans. Since its foundation in 1928, STREFF has assumed a pioneering role in the European transportation industry, being the first Luxembourgish company to join the International Federation of International Movers (FIDI). It has expanded its activities and created new business strategies for the storage of furniture, as well as the archiving and safe destruction of data.
The success story of STREFF is intricately linked to the leadership of the Chorus family who has owned the company since 1970. Three generations have since been involved in its development, with the children of director Stefan Chorus already participating in its activities.
LACC is therefore proud to be introduced to the family business and to conduct an interview with co-director Stefan Chorus who talks about the company history and the balance between tradition and innovation.
LACC: Mr. Chorus, how would you describe STREFF and its role in the moving industry?
Stefan Chorus (SC): When the company was founded in 1928 by Albert Streff, it became clear that the geographical peculiarities of Luxembourg posed a challenge to its success. With a growing number of international commissions, the company had to rely on specialist knowledge concerning inter-state rules and regulations. More than its French or German competitors, it had to prove its professional expertise. This drive for excellence – I would argue – is the premise of its reputation and international success.
Today, STREFF is a leading company in Luxembourg and an important player in the European moving and storage industries. We have continuously expanded our activities and resources, including the construction of our facilities in Windhof and Aubange. We are also proud of our commitment to protect the environment and the implementation of our GREEN POLICY strategies.
LACC: The Chorus family has combined tradition with the pursuit of innovation.
SC: Innovation has become a key aspect of our business model. We need to respond to the fast pace of globalization by diversifying our activities and continuing to provide high-quality services to our clients. In 2001, for instance, we built the first multifunction warehouse with a crane system in the Greater Region (SaarLorLux). It increases our efficiency in storing any container size with up to 45 feet length.
LACC: STREFF has been awarded the Prix Luxembourgeois de la Qualité et de l’Excellence, as well as the prestigious EUROAWARD. In 2005, the Ministry of Finance has designated the company as an accredited service provider to the financial sector (PSF). How do you achieve consistently high standards of quality?
SC: We can rely on an experienced team. Many of our workforce have been with STREFF for over 10 years and their knowledge has become invaluable to the company. With the development of new activities, including archiving and data destruction, STREFF has increased its know-how and we are continuing to find the best solutions to the demands of the market in general, as well as the needs of individual customers. This can indeed be seen as the balance between tradition and innovation that STREFF is trying to achieve.
LACC: Thank you for this conversation.
Bob Dieschburg, LACC