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The SMA was founded during the First World War as the CVSM (Central Association of Swiss Furniture Conveyers). People already moved house to different countries at that time, and the national clientele was also becoming more demanding. The aim was therefore to combine the larger removals firms into an association in order to provide quality and know-how. In those days people still used horse and trap to move house, and larger carts were also sometimes used. When people moved over the border, various transport methods such as railway and river transport were employed.
After the Second World War the removals industry developed rapidly. As society became increasingly mobile, more and more cross-border removals took place. Air travel and the rise of the container also gave a considerable impetus to the industry. The post-war period was characterised by a period of internationalisation and an adherence to the old trade regulations. Thus, FIDI was also founded on Swiss soil in 1950.
During the economic and political upheaval of the 1990s, the already fierce competition for Swiss transport companies intensified once again, also in view of foreign competition. In 2003, the CVSM changed its name from CVSM to VSU (Association of Swiss Moving Companies), also in the course of a separation from ASTAG. In 2016, the then VSU was able to celebrate the 100th anniversary of an eventful association history.
At the general assembly in November 2019, it was not only decided to change the name of the association to SMA – the “Swiss Movers Association” – but also to redefine the cooperation with the Swiss Commercial Vehicle Association ASTAG. The Swiss Movers Association was reorganized by including the certified removal companies of ASTAG (ASTAG Plus) as well as all certified companies of VSU in the SMA. Since that day, two additional options of membership in the association have been available for removal companies in Switzerland:
- Member of ASTAG – without entry hurdle
- Certified member of the SMA. For SMA members, membership of ASTAG is not required but recommended
