Voerman International Winner in International Relocations & Mobility Category
6th September 2016

 

The National Business Success Award Institute has declared Voerman International BV as 2016 winner in the category of International Relocations & Mobility. According to the Nomination Committee, it has developed into a leading organization with a very strong position. “Voerman International combines its extensive expertise with an innovative approach, which makes it score very high on customer satisfaction. A stunning, highly innovative and socially involved company.”

 

Innovative, reliable, environmentally friendly and cost effective. Guided by Servant Leadership, both towards its employees, as well as its suppliers and customers. These are the words used to describe Voerman International and the way it takes care of all activities surrounding international removals. The Nomination Committee of the National Business Success Award Institute sees Voerman International as a progressive organisation that is going to enjoy even more success in the future.

 

Outstanding Category

Voerman has never been a traditional moving company – over the years, a unique business approach developed the organisation into a full-service relocation provider, focused on international relocations of expatriates and diplomatic missions. “A quick look at the Voerman website makes you realize you’re not dealing with your average moving company, but rather one of outstanding quality”, says Robert Zwaan, Head of the daily Nomination Committee. “All aspects that concern international removals are all dealt with by the staff. Insurance packages, for example, are an evident supplement to the scope of their services. When customers ask, Voerman will even find new homes for them.”

 

Furthermore, the company is remarkable through its technological innovations. A good example is the internetplatform move4u.com – an initiative (and property) of Voerman. “This platform is comparable to Ebay and brings together supply and demand on the international removals market,” said Robert Zwaan. “Even competing international movers are eager to use this website to find clients and search for services that fit their business. Meanwhile, Voerman has also launched a mobile App for this service.”  

 

Voerman also should be complimented on their corporate social responsibility, said the jury. There even is a Voerman Foundation, conducting various charitable activities, including support for an orphanage and charity for children with Down Syndrome in Russia. With money, goods and manpower, Voerman contributes to a better world, locally and globally. 

 

Voerman International BV was founded in 2011, however, the company originated in 1986, Headquartered in The Hague. Part of the Voerman Group, the organisation has offices in Russia, Poland and the Czech Republic. In the Netherlands, Voerman employs approximately 140 people (of which 70% are based in the HQ) and about 240 worldwide. 

 

The National Business Success Award Institute has been nominating the best companies in the Netherlands in specific sectors on the basis of strict criteria since 2011. A Success Award is based on extensive research to companies that have achieved excellent results in their industry and are a shining example of successful entrepreneurship. The National Business Success Award is the first and only annual business award in the Netherlands, with its own television programs ‘Successful Netherlands’ and the ‘Success Factor’. The top prize is 100,000 euros.

 

Image: Screen shot of Robert Voerman TV interview

 

See the full YouTube recording of Robert’s TV Interview here  

 

 

Suddath hires Mark Burchell
23rd August 2016

 

The Suddath Companies has announced the appointment of Mark Burchell as president of its Global Moving Services business unit.

 

Mark has been in the industry for over 30 years including ten years with Suddath (1997-2007).  Prior to re-joining Suddath®, Mark served as chief commercial officer for Santa Fe Relocation Services in London. In his new role, Mark will be responsible for leading the global household goods sales, corporate and residential, account management and customer service functions, as well as international operations and agency development for the recently formed business unit.

 

 “Mark brings a wealth of experience in leading teams on a global scale having previously held senior roles in both the US and Europe,” said Michael Brannigan, president and chief executive officer of The Suddath Companies. “He will help lead and strengthen our global moving services organisation as we look to accelerate the global growth of these businesses, and innovate our product offerings and service delivery model. We are very fortunate to have Mark join and lead a strong team to take us into the future.”

 

Mark will formally join Suddath in October upon completion of his current responsibilities with Santa Fe.

 

Suddath launches redesigned website
22nd August 2016

 

 

The Suddath Companies has launched its new website, www.suddath.com. The redesign, which merged a total of 36 individual sites into one, was commissioned as part of an overall digital strategy following an extensive internal and external audit of the Suddath brands. The primary objectives of the site redevelopment were to give a good first impression and provide new content to better reflect the vision of the 97-year old organization and to enhance the customer experience.  This includes:

 

•Consolidated service offerings: Moving & Relocation, Workplace Solutions and Global Logistics

•Vibrant design and a clean layout to take visitors on a journey through the organisation

•Responsive technology that allows customers to move seamlessly across mobile, tablet and desktop devices

•Information center that includes industry updates, best practices, current events and key tips to educate customers

•Interactive locations map that shows the Suddath footprint, contact info and offers Google-integrated driving directions

 

 

“To help better showcase our corporate DNA and brand, we have completely redesigned our website to establish our diversified service offerings under one Suddath brand and to serve as a resource and reflection of the many ways we are reimagining the way the world moves,” explained Melinda Byrnes, senior vice president of marketing, communications and brand management. “The new Suddath.com design aesthetic and site architecture now very accurately reflect the modern Suddath and align our brand, our services and our culture into one web-based experience.” 

 

 

John Mason adopts SurveyBot technology
15th August 2016

 

 

John Mason has recently adopted the use of SurveyBot: a new technology that allows customers to record video inventories and receive quotes via their own smart devices. 

 

“We are among the first in the UK to use this pioneering software with our clients – and it’s completely re-shaping and enhancing our offering here,” said John Mason International’s Simon Hood. “People connect with us on a recorded video chat, show the items they want to move, and they get a quote. It really is that simple and convenient. Having the ability to take video and turn it into an accurate inventory list is a game changer. It allows our customers to interact with us in their own way, right from their mobile phones.

 

Simon said that SurveyBot makes his service more efficient and affordable and offers customers convenience and flexibility, as well as ensuring information security. All videos are recorded, avoiding any risk of discrepancies. “We’ve already had a great reaction from our clients,” he said, adding that he believed it would transform the future of transportation, logistics and supply chains. “It could even be the beginning of the end of home removal surveyors.” 

 

Daniela Alpert, founder and director of business development at Crater, added: “With our video survey platform and virtual management solution, we’re breathing new life into a decades-old industry. We are providing the necessary, innovative, tools and software for moving companies that will support them in meeting the demands of this fast expanding digital landscape. We are pleased to now be in partnership with John Mason International and are extremely confident that our technology will see them through their mission to provide a flexible moving experience for their customers.”

 

European Commission bans GRIs
15th August 2016

 

 

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) in the UK says the European Commission’s adoption of new pricing rules for shipping lines will modernise the industry and bring it into the 21st Century.

 

The new legislation follows a three-year EU investigation into price signalling – the announcement of general rate increases – which was highlighted by FTA. Members of the Association’s British Shippers’ Council first raised concerns about the uncompetitive behaviour in 2010 and a dossier was submitted to the Council to support the claims.

 

The shipping lines involved agreed to significantly change their pricing behaviour, which is reflected in the Commission’s decision under Article 9(1) of Regulation 1/2003 declaring the binding commitments offered by the lines – most notably that they will cease to publish General Rate Increase (GRI) announcements.

 

FTA’s Director of European and Global Policy, Chis Welsh, said: “FTA welcomes the Commission’s decision. It closes another chapter in the liner shipping industry by ending inappropriate liner conference-type pricing arrangements. We welcome recent statements by some lines to modernise their existing pricing arrangements as a result of the Commission’s commitments decision, thus bringing shipping into line with normal business practices.”

 

Fifteen shipping lines were involved in the EU enquiry and all agreed in February to cease announcement of general rate increases – instead publishing actual prices to customers on an individual basis. This was put to a ‘market test’ for a month to allow interested parties to comment before the Commission announced its decision.

 

During the enquiry, the Commission made ‘unannounced’ visits to 14 shipping lines. In its preliminary assessment, it expressed concern that the practice of price signalling could allow the lines to explore each other’s pricing intentions and to coordinate their behaviour.

 

Mr Welsh said: “This new ruling will bring transparency to pricing in the liner shipping industry and will hopefully remove the need for our members to resort to court proceedings for competition damages.”

 

European commission fines truck manufacturers for breaking antitrust rules
15th August 2016

 

The European Commission has found that MAN, Volvo/Renault, Daimler, Iveco, and DAF broke EU antitrust rules. These truck makers colluded for 14 years on truck pricing and on passing on the costs of compliance with stricter emission rules. The Commission has imposed a record fine of €2,926,499,000 (€2.9 billion).

 

MAN was not fined as it revealed the existence of the cartel to the Commission. All companies acknowledged their involvement and agreed to settle the case.

 

Commissioner for competition, Margrethe Vestager, said: “We have today put down a marker by imposing record fines for a serious infringement. In all, there are over 30 million trucks on European roads, which account for around three quarters of inland transport of goods in Europe and play a vital role for the European economy. It is not acceptable that MAN, Volvo/Renault, Daimler, Iveco and DAF, which together account for around 9 out of every 10 medium and heavy trucks produced in Europe, were part of a cartel instead of competing with each other. For 14 years they colluded on the pricing and on passing on the costs for meeting environmental standards to customers. This is also a clear message to companies that cartels are not accepted.”

 

The decision relates specifically to the market for the manufacturing of medium (weighing between 6 to 16 tons) and heavy trucks (weighing over 16 tons). The Commission’s investigation revealed that MAN, Volvo/Renault, Daimler, Iveco and DAF had engaged in a cartel relating to:

 

•the factory price of trucks

 

•the timing for the introduction of emission technologies for medium and heavy trucks to comply with the increasingly strict European emissions standards (from Euro III through to the currently applicable Euro VI)

 

•the passing on to customers of the costs for the emissions technologies required to comply with the increasingly strict European emissions standards.

 

The Commission’s investigation did not reveal any links between this cartel and allegations or practices on circumventing the anti-pollution system of certain vehicles (commonly referred to as “defeat devices”).

 

In setting the level of fines, the Commission took into account the respective companies’ sales of medium trucks and heavy trucks in the EEA, as well as the serious nature of the infringement, the high combined market share of the companies, the geographic scope and the duration of the cartel.

 

Under the Commission’s 2006 Leniency Notice, MAN received full immunity for revealing the existence of the cartel, thereby avoiding a fine of around €1.2 billion. For their cooperation with the investigation, Volvo/Renault, Daimler and Iveco benefited from reductions of their fines under the 2006 Leniency Notice. The reductions reflect the timing of their cooperation and the extent to which the evidence they provided helped the Commission to prove the existence of the cartel. 

 

 

 

Lars takes an appointment with Graebel
3rd August 2016

 

Graebel Companies has appointed Lars Lykke Iversen to its board of directors. Lars recently retired from the Santa Fe Group, where he served as CEO for 27 years and built the firm into a major global mobility services provider. 

 

“Lars brings such a unique skillset and perspective to Graebel’s board,” said Bill Graebel, CEO of Graebel Companies. “He’s lived and worked all over the world, understands the challenges and dynamics of delivering best in class relocation services across these markets, and is also uniquely attuned to the opportunities that lie ahead of us. He will be a key strategic partner as we think about the growth and evolution of our company on a global basis.” 

 

Lars’ career spans more than 40 years in the relocation and transportation industries. Prior to his tenure at Santa Fe Group, he served in a number of executive finance roles at East Asiatic Company (EAC) as well as at Johnson Walton Steamships. He’s served as the president of the Overseas Movers Network International (OMNI), as a board member for the Worldwide Employee Relocation Council (WERC), and also as a board member of FIDI Asia, an international alliance of movers and relocation service providers. He’s been inducted to the Hall of Honor by the International Association of Movers and also received a Meritorious Service Award from the WERC. 

 

Born in Denmark, Lars served in the Danish Queens Guard, holds a degree in economics and business administration, and completed additional professional training at leading European business schools Insead and the International Institute for Management Development (IMD). He’s lived in Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada and is fluent in both Danish and English. 

 

“Having known and been a partner in business with Bill for many years, I am honoured to join the Graebel board of directors,” said Lars. “Graebel’s service delivery model is second to none. I look forward to contributing my global knowledge and experience in working with Bill and his outstanding team, as they take Graebel to the next level in the global mobility market. I believe much opportunity lies ahead for Graebel.” 

Photo:  Lars Lykke Iversen

 

Asian Tigers Mobility Singapore achieves STP-Plus
25th July 2016

 

Asian Tigers Mobility – Singapore has achieved ‘Secure Trade Partnership (STP) Plus certification’ by Singapore Customs.  This means that the company, and its Mutual Risk Agreement (MRA) partners worldwide, is less likely to have shipments inspected by customs. 

 

The company was the first in Singapore to be certified as an STP supplier.  The STP is a voluntary certification program administered by Singapore Customs to help companies adopt robust security measures to enhance the security of the global supply chain. It is consistent with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards to secure and facilitate global trade. 

 

The Highest Level of Security – STP-Plus certification is only awarded to companies who have attained the ‘Premium’ band under the TradeFIRST assessment, which comprises five levels of facilitation and audited for compliance directly by Singapore Customs officers. 

 

This could be likened to the USA C-TPAT Tier status of II and III. Tier III being the highest security status, and accorded to C-TPAT Partners who exceed program requirements and have implemented supply chain security best practices based on the risk assessments they conducted.

 

At present, Singapore has MRAs with Canada, Republic of Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the United States. 

 

For more information please contact Patrick Goh at +65 6381 6617 or email at patrick.goh@asiantigers-singapore.com.
 

Leo Ots leaves the moving industry
22nd July 2016

 

Leo Ots has advised that he has now left Ziegler in Switzerland.  He said that he has had a wonderful 40 months with a group of professional people.  “I enjoyed working with them and everybody under my general management level, steering the company in the right direction with positive growth results,” he said.

 

Of his partners and friends in OMNI Leo said: “You have all assisted me with my re-entry into the international moving business after an absence of some years. Working with all of you was like coming home again to my old Arthur Pierre days. The tonnage award that Willy Toedtli gave me during the last OMNI convention in Firenze is one of my highlights of the past year and also the proof that there will always be a market to provide top service handled between real professional companies. I am a 100% OMNI fan.”

 

Leo said that he has no immediate plans for the moment but moving is in his blood and he is “nearly sure” that he will be back in the industry one day. 

 

 

Brazillian Customs Officers strike
15th July 2016

OMNI would like to thanks G-Inter in Brazil for providing the following information….

“Please be aware that Brazilian customs officers started a national strike today, July 14th. This will impact port and airport operations all over Brazil for inbound and outbound household good shipments. Officers are claiming for salary adjustments. The customs officer’s Union confirmed that they will stop their services completely every Tuesday and Thursday until further notice.

The planning ministry said in a statement that it was reviewing wage agreements inked by suspended President Dilma Rousseff earlier this month.

We will keep you informaed of any changes.”