Matt Andrisani has joined the Voerman Group. Matt has experience in working at an RMC (Relocation Management Company) and has a background is in client services, account management, business development, household goods moving, destination services and supply chain.
Matt will be managing relationships with both RMCs and key global accounts.
Crown Worldwide Moving & Storage in California announced recently that its Board of Directors has appointed Salvatore (Tori) Ferrante as President and Chief Executive Officer effective immediately. Bob Bowen, Crown’s CEO for over nine years, will be assuming the role of Chairman of the Board and Tom Doyle, one of Crown’s original investors, will be retiring from that position.
Tori joined Crown in 1985 as a corporate sales executive after working for several years for Commercial Business Establishments (CBE) in Saudi Arabia. His international moving experience and sales acumen won him the role of president of the international division when Bob Bowen assumed the role of CEO in 2008. Tori’s contributions include spearheading Crown’s move-management software integration, instrumental in Crown’s merger with Armstrong Relocation’s family of companies all while maintaining an enviable sales record. He currently functions as the head of the international division for Crown and Armstrong. A strong voice in his industry, Tori is presently president of the U.S. Section of FIDI and a Director of OMNI. Tori is also very active in the ERC and other industry associations.
“It has been inspiring to watch Tori grow over the years both as a leader in our company and in our international associations where he is well respected by his peers,” said Bob Bowen. “Tori has proven to be even keeled, making decisions based on gathering all the facts and placing emphasis on providing quality to our customers and training for our employees. I am confident Tori will take on his new role, focused on the growth and success of Crown, with the same enthusiasm and professionalism which he has displayed for the last 31 years.”
“We didn’t even own a truck, just a lease to a warehouse in San Francisco,” said Bob Bowen when asked what the company was like when he joined. Bob was one of the early investors in Crown. At the time he was still working for Del Monte where he had cut his teeth in the transportation industry. U.S. military service pulled him away for a while, but upon his return to civilian life he joined Crown full time. He ran the international division for 30 years before becoming CEO in 2008. During that time he served on the OMNI (Overseas Moving Network International) board and in 1994 founded OSA (Overseas Shippers Association) a non-profit organization dedicated to helping its 200 members negotiate effectively with the global ocean carriers to move household goods and related commodities. As CEO Bob expanded the company to Sacramento, CA and relocated its operation in Los Angeles, CA to a state of the art facility in 2013, and revenue grew from approximately $20M in 2009 to $30M in 2016. In assuming the role of Chairman, Bob will focus on training, quality, cost containment, process improvement and supporting Tori as he grows into his new role. He also plans to remain an active member of the industry he loves by continuing to serve as director and member of the executive board of OSA.
Tom Doyle has been a calm leader for Crown in a tumultuous industry. In 1960, after achieving the rank of 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, he began a career in the moving and storage business that now spans over five decades. In 1972, when Crown was founded by Bob Menne, Tom was an initial investor. Originally charged with building a sales team for both household goods and office moving business, his leadership and resourcefulness were rewarded when he was promoted to President of the Domestic Division in 1973. While working for Crown Tom also served on the Unigroup board for six years. It was during this time that United Van Lines purchased Mayflower Transit and Van Liner Insurance Company. When Bob Menne decided to retire in 1999 it was clear to the board of directors that Tom should take over his role as Chairman. The role that Tom now proudly passes to Bob Bowen. Tom will remain on the Crown board of directors, but his retirement will give him more time to spend with his wife Pat, their four children and three grandchildren.
“Crown represents 45 years of my life,” said Tom. “Being part of a startup was challenging and its growth has been exciting. I am proud of Crown and know that the company will grow and prosper under this new management structure.”
John Mason International Movers has followed up on last year’s ‘Removals Men’ video, with an even more ambitious and successful ‘Crocodile Dundee’ inspired video and social media campaign to celebrate Australia Day 2017 on 26 January.
Having helped over 50,000 people take the plunge Down Under during its 130-year history, the Aussie national holiday marking the anniversary of the arrival of the first fleet of convict ships in Sydney Cove in 1788, is a big deal for John Mason.
The international movers marked the occasion by coming up with an innovative digital campaign, which offered two people the chance to win a trip to Australia after watching a clip of ‘Mick Dundee’ wreaking havoc in London. Onlookers in the clip are left stunned by the bizarre antics of a man going walkabout in full Crocodile Dundee outfit.
Of course, people watching the video quickly realise it is not Mick Dundee, of iconic 80s film Crocodile Dundee. Instead it is a character called Terry Chadwick, customer removals operation coordinator (CROC) of John Mason – described as a “Pommie who loves Australia even though he has never been there!”
Simon Hood, Sales and Marketing Director John Mason said, “We have been delighted with the response to the video across our social media platforms, from customers and colleagues alike. We wanted to produce a humorous and engaging series of films, with the aim of ensuring the maximum number of people were exposed to the John Mason brand and excited about Australia Day.
The Ghazali bridge connecting the main seaport Shuwaikh to Kuwait city has been closed for a period of two years for road development works. The closure is likely to create traffic chaos until motorists become familiar with alternative routes. The temporary road under the bridge is only open to heavy trucks and trailers from 4-10pm Sunday – Thursday.
The closure is likely to cause delays in handling containers from the port. OMNI members should work closely with their agents in Kuwait to monitor the situation and advise clients of delays and additional costs that may accrue.
Yinka at IAL Nigeria has advised that household goods shipments to Nigeria are now subjected to more intensive customs examinations due to an incident two weeks ago where a lot of guns and ammunition was found in an import shipment that arrived through the Apapa ports.
Consequently, we have noticed an increased number of officers attending the examinations which ultimately results in more boxes being pried open with an equal increase in levels of pilferage and indeed damage.
We will continue to try our best to avoid any unpleasant outcomes but will appreciate that prospective transferees are informed of the likelihood of delays and rummaged boxes.
Thank you.
Aires has been awarded the Torch Award for Ethics by the Better Business Bureau of Western Pennsylvania. Aires received the award in a presentation ceremony conducted at the company’s Pittsburgh, PA headquarters and attended by Better Business Bureau representatives, Aires clients, and members of the Allegheny County Council.
Orphee Beinoglou in Greece has been honoured as one of only 20 winners in the country’s Awards for Growth and Competitivity ‘Growth Awards’, organised jointly by Eurobank and Grant Thornton. The aim was to reward enterprises that were able to combine high financial performance with a successful modern corporate management and who have the drive to contribute to the structure of the business environment and corporate culture in Greece. The awards were made on Thursday, December 1st 2016 at the Athens Music Hall.
Peter Rosada, CRP, has joined Aires as Director, Business Development. In his role, he will be responsible for strategic sales initiatives and global account management.
Facundo Urtubey and Santiago Bosche have advised that their warehouse was seriously damaged on Christmas night as a result of a fire that started at a neighbour’s factory.
They explained that despite the fire prevention system being activated and the efforts of the fire bragade who were there before the fire reached their building, they had to stand by and watch 22 years of work burn in front of them. As a result, their offices, the permanent storage section and the air transit storage area, were completely lost.
However, the company has begun its contingency plan and, thanks to the proper protection of the server and record filing areas, it is now business as usual as the company works from temporary offices. All the company’s surface shipments were kept in a separate area that was not touched by the fire. The company’s own crews and trucks were operating as normal the following day.
Nobody was injured in the fire. The Lift Van family is deeply touched by this tragic situation and asks for the cooperation of its OMNI friends to help in overcoming this sad and difficult situation.
Staff at the company have added their cell phone numbers to email signatures for urgent matters.
Juerg Degenmann provides his latest insight into the worsening trading and social position in Venezuela