R&S April 2011

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/rs-april-2011 1/64

How one Greekcompany treatsevery customerlike a celebrityPage 20

April 2011 Number 441 £4.00 www.bar.co.uk

Prepare or EU Emissions 12 DMOTY/CMOTY 2011 Finalists 24/36 Future or Quality Standards 46

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


8/4/2019 R&S April 2011

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/rs-april-2011 5/64April 2011 Removals & Storage

On the cover: Kathy Chrisovergis, managing director o

Celebrity International Movers, explains her company’s

name and how they live up to it.

No: 441 April 2011 www.bar.co.uk

This month:News rom Watord 6Introducing the new R&S team 7Industry News 7-21- Budget snapshot

- CBI’s recipe or economic recovery

- Deault retirement age to be scrapped

- Gender pay audits dropped

- European ruling on car insurance

- UK charge on lorries

- London Mayor considers HGV ban

- Launch o Contracts Finder

- Stephen Morris launches an Elite

Concierge Service

- Hackworthy & Sons to the Tower o London

- Momentous reduces its carbon ootprint- The Impact o the ENS Charge on valuation

- The latest on Low Emission Zones in Europe

- Logistics warehouse availability is alling

- House prices at or alling in 2011

- Beware the latest bank scam

BAR News 24-34- Welcome Pack

- DMOTY 2011 fnalists

- Young Mover Profle: Tom Bourne

- Highlights rom Kent Area Meeting

CMG News 35-36- CMOTY 2011 fnalists

- CMG News

- Rod Seeland’s eventul term o ofce

Overseas Group News 37-39- OG at the BAR 2011 conerence

- Overseas Group Profle: Robinsons Relocation

- MTC AGM

Training News 40-41- BAR Training Services BTEC Qualifcations

- Training course dates

European News 42-45- News Roundup

- Charging by the km in Poland

- Smart convoy to give drivers a break?People News 49Competition 49Feature Articles 19-50- The uture o industry-led removals &

storage standards

- The role o BAR Vice-President: Ian Studd

- Plans to overhaul UK employment rules

- Luxembourg removal trade: Stre profle

- Prepare or EU heavy vehicle emissions rules

- New rules to regulate online marketing

- Marketing ocus, with tips rom Lars Lykke -

Iverson, CEO o Santa Fe Relocations

Diary Dates 52Memberships 54Letters 62

07

11

44

46

20

“The concessions in the Chancellor’s budget on uel

duty show that he has been listening to the views o industry and motorists, and that the lobbying o the

main transport associations, in which BAR played an

integral and important part, has been a success.”

BARDirectorGeneralStephenVickers

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/rs-april-2011 6/64Removals & Storage April 2011

BAR News

Editorial Contributions on all aspects o the removals and storageindustry are welcome, together with photographs iappropriate.Please contact the Managing Editor, Louise Gale on:

Tel: 020 848 100

Email: [email protected]

Deadlines: The deadline or all article submissions orthe May 2011 issue o R&S is 1th April.

Advertising For all enquiries and bookings, please contactSteve Pearce on:

Tel: 0117 330 8370

Email: [email protected]

Deadlines: The booking deadline or all displayadvertisements or the May 2011 issue o R&S is1th April.

Subscriptions Removals & Storage is subscribed to by members o theBritish Association o Removers in the UK and Overseas.Current annual subscription is £48.00 in the UK and£72.00 overseas. Additional subscriptions are availablerom BAR (see contact details to the let).

Registered as a magazine © The British Association oRemovers 2011. ISSN 0034-42

All rights reserved. No part o this publication may be scanned,reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in part or wholein any orm or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying,recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission o theBritish Association o Removers.

Opinions expressed in Removals & Storage are not necessarily thoseo the publisher, British Association o Removers. The description o aproduct or service in this publication does not constitute endorsementby the publisher. The publisher does not accept any responsibility orany claims by advertisers. The articles in this publication are or generalinormation only and are not intended to be advice to any specifcperson. Readers are recommended to seek proessional advice beoretaking or reraining rom taking any action on the basis o the contentso any article in this publication.

The British Association o Removers

Tel: 01923 99 480Fax: 01923 99 481Email: [email protected]

Tangent House, 2 Exchange Road, Watord,Hertordshire WD18 OTG

President: Reg Hackworthy

Director General: Stephen Vickers

Company Secretary: James Falkner

Removals & Storage is designed on behal oThe British Association o Removers by:Rubicon Marketing Ltd.Tel: 0117 330 8370Email: [email protected]

Article submission: 5th of the month preceding publication

Booking o display adverts: 10th of the month preceding publication

Booking o classifed adverts: 10th of the month preceding publication

Booking o trade adverts: 10th of the month preceding publication

Artwork or adverts: 15th of the month preceding publication

Copy and advertising deadlines 2011 or uture issues o R&S magazine

NewsFROM WATFORD

F irst o all we must welcome the

team at Rubicon Marketing Ltd, andthe Analytica Group Ltd who havenow embarked on the production, designlayout, and editing o Removals &Storage. BAR is quite rightly proud o R&Sas its ‘house journal’, providing as it doesa bright and inormative publication tokeep the membership abreast o currenttopics o interest, providing inormationon the pressing issues o the day, andavailable as a valuable medium toexchange views and opinions. We lookorward to exciting and innovativedevelopments over the next ew months,

to urther build on what has already beenachieved.During March and the early part o

April, the elections to fll vacancies on theBoard o Directors o BAR (Services) Ltd,and QSS Ltd, were held, and the resultshave already been announced. Warmthanks are due to all those who steppedorward and oered to serve in theseimportant posts. Everyone’s time is at apremium these days, and it is admirablethat Members should be prepared to getinvolved in the aairs o the Associationand its subsidiaries in this valuable way.While on the subject, the elections or theposts o the Directly Elected Directors onthe BAR Board are underway at the timeo publication, so make sure that your

own vote counts.

The BAR 2011 Annual Conerence inManchester is only a ew short weeksaway, and the busy business programmewill include a wide range o interestingspeakers, and the launch o the newCommercial Group Terms & Conditions.There will also be a question and answersession on the Friday ater the AnnualGeneral Meeting, when Members willhave the chance to quiz the Board oDirectors on subjects o interest andconcern. This is a signifcant new initiativewhich is intended to urther strengthenthe democratic structure o the

Association. However, you clearly have to

be there to take part, so i you have notyet booked your place at the Conerence,do not delay.

The development o any new BritishStandard is a airly slow process, but atlast the new BS Standard or OverseasRemovals (BS84) sees the light o day,and will be launched over the course othe Summer. This neatly completes thesuite o recognised Standards in theindustry (BS822 or commercial,BSEN1222 or domestic, and BSEN19or sel storage, being already wellestablished).

Contact Details:

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


Industry News

7

Removals & Storage magazine is now produced by a new team.

Steve Pearce o Rubicon Marketing is already well known to

many BAR Members and has a long proessional association

with BAR through his ull range o marketing work over the years. His

industry-specifc experience in magazine publishing, design or print,

print & mailing management and an external advertising sales unction

was a critical actor in BAR’s decision to select Rubicon to manage the

advertising, design and production o R&S.

Rubicon Marketing’s editorial partner on R&S is Analytica

Communications, with whom Rubicon has a long-standing successul

working relationship, producing regular magazines or proessional

industry associations. Analytica’s editorial team is headed by its two

company directors Andy Stern (R&S Editor) and Louise Gale (R&SManaging Editor), both o whom have worked as editors or leading

business publications and have built up particular expertise in launching

and transorming company and trade publications into proessionally

run, leading industry magazines as well as promoting their clients in the

media.

Our (modest!) aim is or R&S to provide practical, business-ocused,

orward- looking inormation to the removals and storage industry. This

will add greater value to advertisers and support R&S to promote BAR

Membership. It has been a pleasure to talk to BAR members in

preparing this issue o R&S. Everyone has been so clear and willing to

share inormation about their businesses and the industry as a whole.

We look orward to meeting BAR members personally at the BAR

Annual Conerence in Manchester in May.

Introducing the

New R&S Team

Budget oerssome good news

or transportindustryFollowingsustainedlobbyingbythetransportindustryacrosstheUK,ChancellorGeorgeOsborne’sMarch2011BudgetsawtheGovernmentcancelplanstoincreaseuelduty,announcinginsteadanimmediatecutby1pperlitreinuelduty.

Gender pay audits dropped

EqualitiesMinisterLynne

Featherstonehasdecidedto

scraptheprovisioninthe

EqualityAct2010whichwasdueto

introducecompulsorypayauditsorall

businessesthathadmorethan250

employees.

Theseauditsrequiredemployers

toreporttheirgenderpaygapinormationtotheGovernment,

providingdetailsomaleandemale

membersostainsimilarroles.Itwas

thoughtthatthetransparencyopay

inormationwouldspeedupthemove

towardsequalpay.TheGovernment

hasoptedinsteadtoencourage

employerstopublishtheirgenderpay

gapinormationonavoluntarybasis.

TheEqualitiesMinisterstatedthatitis

necessarytobeexibleasemployers

acedierentchallengesinpromoting

equality.Furthermoresheexplained

thattheGovernmentwantstoempowerindividualsandbusinessesto

makechangehappenratherthanrely

ontheGovernmenttoorcethe

changes.

The Chancellor also indicatedthat:

• Theplannedinationrisein

fuel duty due in April will bedelayed until 2012

• Anannual1paboveination

“fuel escalator” rise will bescrapped until 2015.

These measures are to be paid forby an extra £2bn of taxes on NorthSeaoilrms.

Commenting on the Budget,BAR Director General StephenVickers said: “The concessions inthe Chancellor’s budget on fuelduty show that he has beenlistening to the views of industryand motorists, and that thelobbying of the main transportassociations, in which BAR playedan integral and important part, hasbeen a success”.

The Freight TransportAssociation (FTA) has estimated

that the 1p per litre fuel cut willsave industry £125m this yearalone, and congratulated theChancellor on taking on board thetransport industry’s request thatVehicle Excise Duty should not be

raised in the Budget.Fuel prices remain a concern for

the transport industry and thewider public, and the Fair FuelCampaign has indicated it willcontinuetoghtforlowerdutyon

fuel.The Chancellor also pleased

business leaders by announcingthat corporation tax is to be cut by2% in April to 26%, not 1% aspreviously planned, followed by a1% cut to 23% by 2014-15. Thelifetime limit for Entrepreneur’sRelief will be doubled to £10million. The National Insurancerate rise will go ahead. Thepersonal tax allowance thresholdwill be raised by £600 to £8,105 inApril 2012, funding will be madeavailable for 50,000 newapprenticeships over the next fouryears.The 2011 growth forecast has beendowngraded from 2.1% to 1.7%

and the forecast for 2012 has beencut from 2.6% to 2.5%, withgrowth after that predicted to be2.9% in 2013 and 2014 and 2.8%in 2015.

Andy Stern Louise GaleSteve Pearce

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


Industry News

8

European rulingon car insurance

M

en and women can no longer becharged different car insurancepremiums because of their gender,

according to a new ruling by the EuropeanCourt of Justice.

The ECJ said taking gender into accountas a risk factor in insurance contractsamounted to sex discrimination. Under theruling, which will come into effect inDecember next year, women can no longerbe charged lower car insurance than men.CurrentguresfromtheBritishInsurance

Brokers’ Association (BIBA) show that thecost of the average car claim by an 18-yearold man is £4,400, while that for an 18-yearold woman is £2,700.

In the past women have been considered

a lower risk to insure than men but whenthe unisex ruling comes into effect womenwill have to pay the same premiums.

Simon Douglas of AA Insurance said thatthe decision could add about £400 to theannual cost of car insurance for a youngwoman. “We could see their prices go up25-30 per cent and men’s premiums couldfall by about 10 per cent,” according to MrDouglas.

Boris may ban

HGVs romcentral London

Mayor of London Boris Johnson hasasked Transport for London toconsider whether some

environmentally-unfriendly lorries shouldbe stopped from entering parts of centralLondon.

Instead, trucks would deliver cargo toconsolidation centres, or bases around theperimeter of the city, and low-carbonvehicles would continue the deliveries into

the centre. The plans would “stop pollutingHGVs travelling through London and makea real difference,” according to Johnson.

The Mayor’s plans have not yet begunany formal consultation stage.

CBI’s recipe or asuccessul recoveryTheConederationoBritishIndustryhasoutlineditsprioritiesorhowtheGovernmentcanboosteconomicgrowthandjobcreationandenhancecompetitiveness.

Deault retirement age to be scrapped

As the Government reviews its strategy forgrowth, the CBI has recommended that itfocuses on three critical areas: boosting

export performance, unleashing domesticinvestment spending, and removing barriers forhigh-growthrms.

The CBI’s proposals include: creating a newcorporate bond market for mid-caps to increasethe supply of capital; speeding up the planningsystem to stimulate infrastructure investment

and encouraging companies to become moreenergyefcientbyrestoringtheincentive

element of the Carbon Reduction Commitment.In a letter to George Osborne sent before the

recent Budget was announced, the CBI calledfor the Government to also address areas oftaxation, which are discouragingentrepreneurship and undermining UK

competiveness, including the 50p personal taxrateandthenarrowdenitionofbusinessassets

under Capital Gains Tax. In particular, the CBIwarnedthatanabove-inationriseinfuelduties

wouldmakeadifcultsituationworse.

On employment, the CBI advocates restoringthe two-year unfair dismissal qualifying periodto give companies more time to assess thepotential of a new employee, thereby givingrmsthecondencetohirenewstaffwithout

the threat of a tribunal if it doesn’t work out.The CBI believes that the incentive behind

the Carbon Reduction Commitment must berestored to help companies go green, and if not,it should be stopped altogether because in itscurrent form it adds yet another cost to doingbusiness.

The law on age and retirement is changing.

The Government is phasing out the defaultretirement age (DRA) from 6th April 2011

andunjustiedxedretirementageswillbe

unlawful.The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations,

which came into force on 1st October 2006,provided for a default retirement age of 65 thatemployers could rely on if they wished. Theregulations made earlier retirement agesunlawful unless employers could objectively justify them. The regulations also introduced astatutory right for individuals to requestpostponement of retirement beyond the age of65.

From 6th April 2011, employers will nolongerbeabletoissuenoticationsof

retirement using the DRA procedure. Wherenoticationshavealreadybeenmadepriorto

6th April 2011 in accordance with theseprocedures, employers will be able to continuewith the retirement process as long as theretirement is due to take place before 30September 2011. No retirements using the DRAprocedure will be possible as from 1st October2011.

According to the Department for Work andPensions, the phasing out of the DRA meansthat only those who are 65 or above before 1

October 2011 can be retired using the DRA. Inpractice, therefore, as from 1st October 2011,employers will not be able to compulsorilyretire their employees, unless the retirement canbeobjectivelyjustiedintheirparticular

circumstances. In certain cases it might bepossible for an employer to objectively justify a

retirement age but in order to do so an employer

would need to show that they were acting tofurther a legitimate aim of the business and thattheir actions to achieve that aim were‘proportionate’. This means not involving moreage differentiation than is necessary.

Backhouse Jones Solicitors state that: “Whatis‘legitimate’or‘proportionate’isdifcultto

advise given that the legislation is not yet inforce. As such, this is a subject which is likelyto be tested on a case-by-case and fact-by-factbasis in the Employment Tribunal. Employersshould be planning for the changes now byidentifying any imminent retirements.” Youshould amend your retirement policy to remove

any references to compulsory retirement ageand inform all employees of this policy change.Where new retirement notices are being given,any notices of dismissal take effect on or before30th September 2011. Any promotions whichhave been planned on the back of retirementswill also have to be considered afresh.”

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


Industry News

9

Hackworthy & Sons sentto Tower o London

Hackworthy&SonsrecentlyreceivedawelcomeinvitationtotheToweroLondon,whichrequiredsomecreativethinkingandtheuse

oanunusualtransportationmethod!

It’s essential not to lose your head when taking on tricky moving jobs …

Work permitrules avourskilled workers

New changes to the sponsored workpermits system will come into forcethis month and are likely to be

welcomed by many businesses.The Government has published a

Statement of Intent outlining changes to theTier 2 sponsored work permits system,which will now prioritise skilled workerswith a job offer, and is due to come intoeffect on 6th April 2011.

In the year from 6 April 2011 to 5 April2012, a limit of 20,700 places will beavailable for those seeking admission to theUKundertheTier2Generalcategorytoll

a vacancy attracting a salary of less than£150,000 per year (known as the RestrictedCategory).

There are exemptions to this 20,700places limit which apply to applicantscategorised in the ‘Unrestricted Category’,which include:• Intra-company Transfers• Extensions• Thoseseekingtollavacancyattracting

a salary of £150,000 or more• Tier 2 migrants wanting to make a new

visa application to switch employment toanother company within the UK

• Those currently in the UK in a differentvisa category and wanting to switch intoTier 2 General (e.g. Student/Tier 4, Tier 1General, Tier 1 Post Study Work).

The Confederation of British Industry(CBI) has broadly welcomed theGovernment’s announcement following itsbid to persuade the Government to provideexemptions for skilled workers.

Beware HongKong Bank scam!

Youmayreceiveacondentialletter

from a bank in Hong Kong telling youthat a private banking client who has

the same or similar surname as you has diedin an accident in China, left no will and,following their enquiries, also has no family.The letter will propose that you become thebeneciaryofthefundsthathavebeen

invested on behalf of your namesake, eventhough you do not need to have known thedeceased. You will also be asked to share halfof the proceeds with the bank representativewriting to you who holds the key to the funds,

on the basis that “In the banking circle, thishappens every time.”

It goes without saying that you shoulddisregard this type of letter and not make anycontact with the sender.

We received an initial enquiryregarding moving some personaleffects at short notice as a part load

to The Tower of London on behalf of theWarden of the Beefeaters,” explains AdrianFoster of Hackworthy & Sons. “A list of effectswas taken over the phone to determine theoverall volume of the consignment and access

at the Tower was discussed with the client. Wegave the client the dimensions of the vehiclethat would be delivering his effects and heconrmedthiswouldbeOKtogothroughthe

gateway at the tower. The client accepted thequotation and we collected his effects ready foronward delivery to The Tower of London.”

However, when the driver arrived at theTower of London he didn’t feel that he wouldget his 14’ high, 8’ wide & 40’ long vehiclethrough the gate as the client suggested.Fortunately, the driver did not lose his head…and found a solution. “Using his initiative thedriver saw some small buggies driving aroundand asked if it would be possible to have the useof one...and with that, the driver had histranship vehicle which he began to load up withthe client’s effects,” explains Adrian. “He wasthen able to safely deliver the clients’ effects tohis new residence within The Tower ofLondon.”

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


Industry News

11

Source:theLandRegistry Source:theLandRegistry

The Land Registry survey, which is based onactual sale prices achieved and includesnearly all sales in England and Wales,

whether the purchaser obtains a mortgage or paysthe full price in cash, gives the most accurateoverview of prices actually being paid, althoughasitreportsactualpricesachieveditsgureslag

behind those produced by the Nationwide andHalifax. By contrast the other authoritativesurveys – CLG, Halifax and Nationwide – coveronly house sales where the purchaser takes out amortgage. All three do however cover the UK asa whole so their sample is broader but lesscomprehensive than the picture offered by the

Land Registry.

The Land Registry reported that house pricesfell by 0.8 per cent in February 2011, bringingthe average price of a property in England andWales to £162,215.

Despite the monthly increase, the annual rateof house price change, according to the LandRegistry,standsat-1.7percent.Thisistherst

negativegureseensinceOctober2009.With

less sales meaning less moves, it will not surprisemovers that in the months September 2010 toDecember 2010, transaction volumes averaged56,257 transactions per month. This is a decrease

from the same period last year, when salesvolumes averaged 65,939.

The 1.7 per cent fall recorded by the LandRegistrymaskssignicantregionalvariations

with prices actually rising in London and the Eastand the rest of the country recording falls.

Nationwide, which covers the whole of the UKand is based on a sample of loans issued in anygiven month, reported that prices rose by 0.3 percent in February, bringing the average housepriceto£161,183.Commentingonthegures,

Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s Chief Economist,said: “The overall picture is still one of a market

treading water. Indeed, the three month on three

month measure of house prices, a better measureoftheunderlyingtrend,wasbasicallyatin

February at -0.1 per cent. This shouldn’t come astoo much of a surprise. Housing market trendsare closely linked to wider economic prospects.Given that the recovery hit a soft patch at the turn

of the year and looks set to remain sluggish in theyear ahead, the property market is likely tofollow suit, with relatively low transaction levelsand prices moving sideways or modestly lowerthrough 2011.

Halifax, which also covers the entire UK, butbases its index on a sample of each lender’s ownloans each month, reported that prices fell 0.9 percent in February, bringing the average houseprice to £ 162,657. Halifax reports that prices fellby 0.4 per cent in the quarter to the end ofFebruary, and is forecasting a 2 per cent decreasein house prices in 2011, suggesting this is

because “uncertainty over the economic outlook

is likely to weigh down on housing demand thisyear.”

GovernmentguresreleasedbyCommunitiesand Local Government (CLG) in February,which cover the whole of the UK and are based

on a sample of data supplied by the Council ofMortgage Lenders, revealed that in December2010 UK house prices increased by 3.8 per centover the year and increased by 0.5 per cent overthe month (seasonally adjusted).The averagemix-adjusted UK house price was £208,148 (notseasonally adjusted). Average house prices were0.4 per cent lower over the quarter to December,compared to a quarterly increase of 0.2 per centover the quarter to September (seasonallyadjusted). Average prices increased during theyear in England (4.1 per cent), Wales (4.3 percent) and Scotland (1.8 per cent), but were lowerin Northern Ireland (-16.1 per cent).

House prices at or alling in 2011HousepricestatisticscontinuetogiveamixedpictureothestateothepropertymarketinBritain,withpricesshowingannualrisesinLondonandtheEast,andallingintherestothecountry.

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


Industry News

12

S peakingattherstEuropeandebateon

TrafcRestrictionsandLowEmission

Zones in Europe, IRU Vice-President andPresident of the IRU Passenger TransportCouncil, Graham Smith, said there are close to200 European cities with different LowEmission Zones (LEZs) schemes. The IRUbelieves that the lack of a harmonised

framework to support the introduction of LEZsin the European Union results in the Europeansingle market and travel area being increasinglyfragmented,whichgeneratesinefcienciesand

soaring costs for individual travellers,businesses and their customers.

According to Smith, “Most affected arevehicles equipped with EURO III engines,despite being the best environmental deal only 5yearsago!Postponingcitytrafcrestrictions

that affect some 80 000 EURO III coaches until2015 would save the European bus and coachindustry up to 2 billion Euros, which could beinvested in even cleaner vehicles.”

IRU launches debate on LowEmission Zones in EuropeTheInternationalRoadTransportUnionhascalledonpolicymakersand

regulatorstocreateaharmonisedrameworkorlowemissionzones(LEZs)acrosstheEU,withasingleinormationwindowortravellersandbusinesses,inordertomeetambitiousobjectivesinsustainablemobility.

Logisticswarehouseavailability ell

last year

Availability in logistics decreased

steadily throughout 2010, standing at

44.4m sq ft at the end of Q4, according

to CBRE’s latest UK Logistics MarketView.

This is a 16 per cent fall from 2009 when

supply stood at 52.3m sq ft. Statistics continue

to show a decrease in prime new space with

good secondary modern space also falling.

Lack of funding for speculative development

means that many regions will have a shortage

of preferred new space in 2011.

Logistics demand returned to form in 2010

after a sluggish 2009 with take-up hitting 25.6m sq ft. CBRE say this is one of the most

active years on record, second only to 2007.

Pre-lets continued to be popular with

occupiers, accounting for 16 per cent of

overall take-up and 33 per cent of new space

take-up. Although there was a slight slow

down towards the end of 2010 it is expected

that 2011 will be another strong year for

warehouse demand particularly with online

retailers and occupiers seeking to consolidate.

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


Industry News

13

After consulting with HMRC’s Valuationteam, BIFA believes that the ENS doesnot represent an ancillary charge to the

cost of transport. BIFA says that: “In the viewof HMRC, whilst the declaration is oftenundertaken overseas, it is a function related tocustoms clearance formalities that occur afterarrival at the place of introduction. Therefore,ICS charges should not be included in the goods

valuation for the purposes of calculating theImport Duty.”

However, the cost of the ENS declaration isregarded as part of the customs clearancecharge, falling within the scope of the“incidental expenses to be added to the valuefor Duty to arrive at the value for VAT” ascovered by Section 24.2 of Public Notice 252.Therefore, the ENS charge should be declaredfor the purposes of calculating the import VAT,at time of entry.

For more information, see www.bifa.org

What is the Impact o the ENScharge on valuation?BIFA,theBritishInternationalFreightAssociation,hasissuedguidance

onthequestionowhetherornottheENSchargeshouldbeincludedintheimportcustomsdeclaration,orthepurposesocalculatingImportDutyandVAT.

Momentousreduces itscarbon ootprint

Momentous has now formally set up a

deal to transport its consignments via

rail throughout the UK and into

Europe. This has reduced the company’s

environmental carbon footprint by 42 per cent

through the reduction of vehicle movements.

Simon Osborne, Momentous Group

Managing Director, told R&S: “I believe we

aretherstintheUKtoachievethisinthe

moving industry. We are hoping to work more

closely with our partners in Europe to enable

themtocompletethenalaspectsofthis

service. We can now get loads from Scotland /

Northern England to Europe in record time.

With sites able to accommodate our

requirements in most areas of the UK, we can

just transfer and reload with ease.”

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


Industry News

14

Stephen Morris Shippinglaunches elite serviceStephenMorrisShippingPlchaslauncheditsEliteServiceinpartnershipwithThePropertyConciergeCompany,oeringarangeoadditionaladded-valuebeneftstoclients.

Launch o Contracts Finder

T

he Prime Minster David Cameron haslaunched Contracts Finder, a new online

service available from businesslink.gov.uk, that displays details of public sectorprocurement opportunities, tender documentsand contracts over £10,000.

Contracts Finder will become the mainsource of government opportunities (with avalue greater than £10,000). For moreinformation or to search for Governmentawarded contracts, please see www.businesslink.gov.uk/contractsnder

Businesslink.gov.ukistheofcial

government website for

all businesses, offeringa wealth of informationfor businesses startingup, already running, orthose looking to growand develop. Thecontent is developed in partnership withsubject experts within government andrelevant business-support organisations.Thebusinesssupportndersectionofthe

business link website is well worth a look. Itallows you to search for potential sources ofhelp for starting up, running or developingyour business. Visit: www.businesslink.gov.

uk/businesssupportnder

EU cash or UKtransportprojects

The European Commission has allocateda total of £146 m (Euro 170 m) totransport infrastructure development in

the UK, from the trans-European transportnetwork fund. The UK projects selected are:

• Felixstowe Rail Terminal: improvingintermodal transfer and removingbottleneck on PP26. Annual Programmefunding of £4.2m.

• UK-Ireland: Functional Airspace Blocksdevelopment of high level sectors. Multi-Annual Programme funding of £1m.

• Port Salford: enabling studies and works.• Priority Axis 26: Nuneaton North Chord

and Kennett re-signalling works. AnnualProgramme funding of £4.2m.

The EU grants are intended to help member

states build missing transport links, removebottlenecks and increase the safety andsecurity of transport across Europe. Thegrants also prioritise projects that supportsustainable transport or assist in theinterconnection of different transport modes.

Thesebenetsaretailoredaccordingto

client requirements and include a ‘whiteglove service’, home set-up (whichencompasses activating all home utilities),insurance, communications and security, to abroader range of family concierge serviceswhich help clients with immigration, UKeducation,homebudgetplanning,stafngand

local area orientation.These services are intended to make moving

to the UK a seamless and stress-free experiencefor busy professionals and their families.The Property Concierge Company operates

nationwide and provides a 24/7 bespoke service

to private clients, with the capability andexperience to deliver these services in a fractionof the time it would normally take by goingthrough a call centre. Jayne Parker of TheProperty Concierge Company said: “We seeourselvesasanaturalttotheStephenMorris

Shipping brand; by working in partnership, wewill enhance the client experience and removemany of the stressful issues associated withmoving to a new country.”For further information, visitwww.shipsms.co.uk.

UK charge onlorries

The Government has announced its plans tointroduce a charge on lorries and isconsidering a time-based ‘vignette’ system.

Detailed plans for a road-pricing scheme arebeing drawn up by the Department for Transportand are due to be unveiled by the summer withthe intention of coming into force by April 2014.

It is expected that the scheme will only applyto lorries over 12 tonnes and will be time-basedrather than a distance-based charge. TheDepartment of Transport is considering howreductions in fuel duty or annual road taxes couldbe used so that British road hauliers are notsignicantlyaffectedbythescheme.

AseniorofcialfromtheEuropean

Commission described the UK approach as ‘old-

fashionedandoutofdate’.Therstvignettesystem was introduced in France in the 1950s. Itis now 10 years since Switzerland led the way ontechnologically advanced distance-based heavylorry charging. Within the EU, Germany, Austria,the Czech Republic and Slovakia all havedistance-based charges, while France, Hungary,Poland and Belgium have plans to introducethem.

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


Industry News

19

Industry News Feature - Employment

Qualiying period or unair dismissalclaims

Before his resignation last November, Lord

Young (as ‘Enterprise Tsar’) proposed anincrease to the qualifying period for anemployee to bring an Employment Tribunalclaim for unfair dismissal from one to two years.

By returning the situation to the pre-1999position, the Government hopes that theproposed increase in the qualifying period forunfair dismissal will reduce the number oftribunal claims by allowing employers to have afurther year in which to ‘fairly dismiss’ anemployee without the risk of being taken to anEmployment Tribunal. Whatever changes areintroduced, employers would still be welladvised to adhere to the ACAS Code of Practicewhen carrying out any disciplinary action.

The purpose of the Government plans is toassist small and medium-sized businesses whoare sometimes constrained by employment law.In turn, it is hoped this type of assistance willboost the private sector and create thousands ofnew job opportunities.

Whilst it is not certain that any increase in thequalifyingperiodwillsignicantlyreducethe

number of tribunal claims which an employermay face, the proposals represent a positive stepforward for employers.

Tribunal eesHuman Resources managers are calling for theGovernment to go further by stopping vexatiousand spurious claims before a tribunal claim ispresented to the tribunal. Many HR managersbelieve that the introduction of a tribunal fee(whereby the employee would be required to pay

a fee in order to lodge a tribunal claim) would bemore effective in stopping the issuing of claims(in particular by disgruntled employees and

which stand no real prospect of success) than theproposed increase in the qualifying period.In the event the Government does consider

such changes, there is likely to be seriousopposition from trade unions. They are likely toargue that the tribunal process is aimed at givingemployees access to justice and the introductionof a tribunal fee may affect this by punishingthose employees who actually have a valid claimand cannot afford the fee.

During 2009 to 2010, some 236,100 tribunalclaims were lodged, a 56 per cent increase fromthe annual period before. This increase could beattributed in part to the rise of ‘multiple claims’where staff can sue their employers based onmore than one ground of discrimination.

It is estimated that about 10,000 claims werestruck out by judges over the same period. MickLeafe, an HR Director at Nottingham City

Transport, recommends an initial fee of, say £5,to initiate a claim and it should be refundableonly if the claim succeeds. Some industry

commentators have recommended a fee of £200,as a sort of deposit, to weed out speculative andknee-jerk claims. This size of fee would be smallenoughtobeaffordablebutsignicantenoughto

make employees think about the merit of theirclaim.

Employers can view the Government’s plans toconsider changes to the employment sector asgood news. The introduction of an extendedqualifying period and/or the introduction of atribunal fee are however in the very early stagesand no changes are likely to be made beforeOctober 2011. However anything that maximisesexibilityforemployersinacompetitive

environmentcanbeviewedasbenecialfor

business.

Information courtesy of Backhouse JonesSolicitors. www.backhousejones.co.uk

Plans to overhaul UKemployment rules

TheGovernmentisconsideringasignifcantoverhaulotheemploymentsectorthatmightmakeiteasieroremployerstodismisstheiremployees.

“ The purpose o the government plans is to

assist small and medium-sized businesses

who are sometimes constrained by

employment law. In turn it is hoped this type

o assistance will boost the private sector andcreate thousands o new job opportunities.”

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


Industry News

20

Overthepast25years,wethinkwe’veseenitall!”KathyChrisovergis,themanagingdirectorooneoGreece’sleadingmovingandrelocationcompanies,sayswithawarmsmileassherecallsthecountlessmemoriesandinterestingassignmentsthathercompanyhastakenon.

25 Years: Defning ‘Celebrity’ Moving

We treat every client like

a celebrity. That is what

we ounded our business on…

It has enabled us to stand

apart rom the competition

or 25 years

With a name like CelebrityInternational Movers, the ‘celebritymoments’ certainly have come in

full force over the past quarter of a century,says Kathy. “We’ve moved many celebritiesincluding famous athletes, singers, actors,writers and even royalty across Greece andaround the world.” In some cases this hasinvolved “amazing and challenging” moves,including handling the complicated logistics totransfer props for the National Greek Theatre’sworld tour. “We successfully moved their

goods to some very remote locations in Northand South America, working to a strictdeadline,” she says with pride. “No matterwhat the assignment, we are committed to apersonalised ‘celebrity’ service. We alwaysaim to be the best.”

The celebrity treatmentKathy’sdenitionof‘celebrityservice’is

something she worked out early on. A Greek-American, she moved several times betweenthe USA and Greece as a child and as an adult.She recalls how sensitive a time the movingprocess can be and concluded that getting the

details right and handling logisticsprofessionally is a must for any client on themove. “We treat every client like a celebrity.That is what we founded our business on, thisexact idea. It has enabled us to stand apartfrom the competition for 25 years.”

The times leading up to this year’s corporatesilver anniversary were not always easy. Afterworking for a removals company in Athens,Kathy and her husband George set up acompany of their own in 1986. George handledoperations while Kathy took on sales andadministration. They used their small savingstotakeoutadsandtorenttheirrstwarehouse

which was 200 square metres. Kathy says sheworked endless hours marketing the company,from making cold calls to attendingnetworking events in Athens. The couple did

surveys in the evenings and packing jobs onthe weekends.

“Our hard work paid off when I quoted awealthy Greek woman with expensive antiquesthat had to be shipped overseas. She believedin our service no matter how new we were. Wegot the job, we handled it extremely well andthat led to more referrals and more business.”

All-round service credentialsOver the years, this led to more than enoughbusiness done the ‘celebrity way’ to makeCelebrity one of the leading movingcompanies in Greece. “We still stand by the

name we chose, giving each client ‘celebritytreatment’ during one of the most stressfulsituations that can arise – moving,” saysGeorge. “We’ve maintained dedicated full-time packing teams who are completelyqualiedandtrained.Qualityiskeyfromthe


8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


Industry News

21

ofcetowarehouse,especiallyduringthis

economic crisis. We know competition is tightbut we maintain our position in the market byproviding top service coupled with competitiverates.”

Kathy Chrisovergis continues to handleofceadministration,alongwiththeirdaughter

Christina who has worked full time alongsideher parents for the past eight years. “I’velearned so far that the challenges are many inGreece. We manage everything from hiringdonkeys for island moves to testing ourexibilityinthefaceofunexpectedstrikes,”

says Christina Chrisovergis. “But we all workas a team which is really important and I knowour customers see the difference.”

Celebrity’s teamwork is backed by thecompany’s commitment to maintaining qualitystandards. The company has earned all of the

topindustrycredentials,keepingitsnances,quality and safety controls running to highstandardsinboththemainofceand

warehouse facilities. The company handles anarray of storage and archive services as well asmoving services, including local tointernational moves and specialized moves forofces,artandantiques,shipstopetsand

exhibits. International companies, embassies,private individuals and families regularly callon Celebrity’s services.

Celebrity’s relocation department openedveyearsagoofferingcomprehensiveservices

from school to home search to successfully

assisting families on a more personal levelwhen moving into or out of Greece. Mostrecently, Celebrity became a member ofEURA, a prestigious pan-European standardsbody in the relocation industry.

“With any moving job and now withrelocation, we aim to focus on the client’sperspective by understanding their needs. Wehave multi-lingual staff to put foreign clients atease. We always seek customer feedback

which over the years has been strongly in ourfavour,” says Kathy. “In fact, many ofCelebrity’s employees have internationalbackgrounds and some are even expats so theyunderstandthemovingprocessfromrst-hand

experience.”Looking back Kathy says the company has

grown at a steady pace by enabling its staff to

growanddotheirjobswellfromstarttonish.

“We aim to keep moving ahead with ourpassion for our work and the strength of ourteamwork which is all backed by ourcommitment to quality standards,” says Kathy.

“We’re extremely proud to celebrate our 25thyear in the moving industry. We oweeverything to our partners and to our clientswhohaveexperiencedourdenitionof

‘celebrity service’ – service that goes beyondtheir expectations.”With many thanks to Marissa Benekos for her

contribution to this article.


“ We manage everything rom hiring donkeys or

island moves to testing our exibility in the ace o

unexpected strikes”

Christina Chrisovergis.

Let to right (top): George Chrisovergis, Kathy Chrisovergis , Hara Panayiotakou, Katie Eviadou, George Elias,

Tassos Alexopoulos, Christina Chrisovergis, Myrto Pothitou

Let to right (bottom): John Alieris, Bilbil Xhepa

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


Industry News

22

Feature - Marketing

As of 1st March 2011, the Committee ofAdvertising Practice (CAP) Codeapplies to: “Advertisements and other

marketing communications by or from

companies, organisations or sole traders on their

own website, or in other non paid for space on

line under their control, that are directly

connected with the supply or transfer of goods,

services, opportunities and gifts, or which consist

of the direct solicitations of donations as part of

their fund raising activities.”

Thenewremitfocusesspecicallyonmaterial

which can be properly accepted as constitutingan advertisement or other marketingcommunication. It acknowledges that websitescan include marketing communications and othertypes of communication including, for example,editorial, public relations that must properlyremain outside the jurisdiction of the AdvertisingStandards Agency (“ASA”).

At present the ASA’s remit online includesregulated advertisements in paid for space (suchas pop ups, banner ads and sales promotions)wherever they appear. According to the ASA’sChairman, Lord Chris Smith, the ASA hasreceived over 4,500 complaints since 2008 about

marketing communications on websites that itwas not able to deal with as they fell outside ofits remit.

Code now includes websites, socialnetworking sitesTo address this issue CAP decided to extend thedigital remit of the ASA to include:• advertisers’ own marketing claims on their

own websites• marketing communications other than on paid

for space under the advertisers control, such aspages on social networking sites likeFacebook and Twitter, and

• advertisements and other marketingcommunication on all UK websites,regardless of sector, type of business or sizeof organisation.

‘MarketingCommunications’isdenedasatype

of communication for goods, a service,opportunity or gift that primarily sets out to sellsomething. This includes advertising, salespromotion and direct marketing. It does notinclude other types of communication which areexplicitly excluded by the CAP Code, such asclassiedprivateadvertisements,pressreleases

and other public relations material, journalisticand editorial content, political advertisements,corporate reports or investor relations. Materialrelated to causes and ideas – except those that are

direct solicitations of donation for fund raising – are also excluded.

Impact on businesses marketingactivitiesScott Bell of Backhouse Jones Solicitors advisesthat the main impact of the change will be thatfrom now on, advertisers on their own websitesand in other non paid for space under theircontrol will have to comply with the CAP Codewhich includes the rules relating to misleadingadvertising, social responsibility and theprotection of children, all of which will apply infull to marketing messages on line.

“Businesses can also expect complaints fromcompetitors about marketing claims made ontheir websites, as a way of pressuring thewithdrawal of claims that potentially fall foul ofthe CAP Code,” says Scott.

In addition to the sanctions which the ASAalready has at its disposal to act againstcompanies whose marketing communications donot comply with the CAP Code, a number of newsanctions will also apply to the extended remit.These new sanctions include an enhanced nameand shame policy, removal of paid for searchadvertising on search engines and the placementof advertisements online by the ASA to highlight

an advisers continuing non compliance.Businesses and organisations should be

mindful of how they permit content created byprivate individuals to be displayed on their

websites which may fall within the new remitand be subject to regulation by the ASA.

Since these new rules are now in force, youshould ensure as soon as possible that yourwebsites comply with the requirements of theCAP Code.

The Committee of Advertising Practice canprovide guidance and training to help websiteowners and agencies to ensure that their sitescomply, further details of which can be found atwww.cap.org.uk

Advertisingcode to apply

to companywebsitesTheUKCodeonon-broadcastadvertising,salespromotionanddirectmarketingappliestoadvertsandmarketingcommunicationsonyourwebsiteaswellasadvertsyouplaceonotherpeople’swebsites.

Backhouse Jones can provide legal adviceto check if your website is CAP Code-compliant. Please contact Scott Bell on01254 828300 or e-mail him on [email protected]

“Ensure as soon as

possible that your

websites comply with

the requirements o

the CAP Code”

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


BAR News

Hisrstfull-timejobwasasaporterand

after passing his driving test he spentmost of his time in a 3.5 tonne van

doing export and packing jobs. By the age ofnineteen he had the Class 2 young driverscourse under his belt, and at 21, his Class 1.“The following week I was sent straight intothe centre of Brussels with a draw bar!” he toldR&S.

Tom came off the road three years ago andworked in one of Bournes’ warehouses for 18months to gain experience. “From this role, the

naturalprogressionwasintotheofcewhereItried my hand at several roles to gain a broadbase of experience. I started on reception andthen did a little bit of everything. I believe youcan’t tell someone else what to do if you can’tdo it yourself.”

Now as Bournes Facilities Manager, helooks after the day-to-day activities, operations

and ongoing maintenance of Bournes’ foursites in the South East. “This involves liaisingwith our Operations Manager to ensure all hisresource requirements are met as well aswarehouse upkeep (alarms, pest control,building maintenance), responsibility formanaging our Vehicle maintenance team, Fork

Truck maintenance and I am also responsiblefor Health and Safety.” A fair proportion ofTom’s time is also taken up on some ofBourne’s warehousing and distributioncommercial contracts, and he is the areasecretary for BAR’s Kent Area and the KentNational Council representative to BAR. In hisspare time, Tom enjoys clay pigeon shootingand cycling.

Visions rom the new generationTom’s unbounding energy also extends to hispositive ambitions for the industry. “I thinkthat with the new faces in management who

are now coming up through the industry plusall the training courses available, our industrywill continue to develop with a moreprofessional image and more structuredapproach as customers’ requirements andbuying behaviours change.”

For Tom, the Young Movers Scheme hasbeen a “great way to meet the industry and

company leaders of tomorrow and to buildrelationships at a young age. It has given thelower management a chance to meet and learnfrom each other, rather than leaving it to theMDs of the companies.” Through the Scheme,Tom has made some close friends and it hasenabled him to build business. “Loren and her

team have done a great job in making thiswork and keeping it interesting. I look forwardto the ‘Historical pub crawl’ in Manchester atthis year’s BAR Annual Conference!”

Tom envisages his future career path to beclosely linked with Bournes: “I would like togrow with the new generation of managementat Bournes which includes my two cousinsWesley and Leon Bourne and me. Myambition is to enable us to develop further inthe international moving market, but to stillprovide the family feel and personal service inmoving and not to lose touch with what it’sabout.”

Tom can be contacted by email [email protected] you want to sponsor Tom’s charity cycle rideup Tumble Mountain in Wales (to theequivalent of 90km uphill), please go to: http://myprojects.cancerresearchuk.org/fundraising-pages/uts-bournes.

Tom BourneFacilitiesManageratBournes,TomBournestartedworkinginhisamilybusinesswhenhewas16duringcollegeholidaysandatweekendswherehewouldworkintheeveningsintheyardgettinglorriesreadyorthenextday

DMOTY 2011 fnalists

Congratulations to the following BAR Membercompanieswhohavesuccessfullyqualiedas

nalistsfortheDomesticMoveroftheYear

2011.

• Britannia Lanes of Somerset

& Bristol

• M J Christophers & Son –

Newquay

• Maidmans Removals &

Storage – Bournemouth

• Reddaways Removals Ltd –

Okehampton

• Richard Healey RemovalsLtd – Beith

Certifcate o MeritWell done to the following companies who will bepresentedwithaCerticateofMerit:

• Britannia Anchor Removals Ltd – Manchester

• Greens Removals & Storage Ltd

– Stowmarket

• Matt Purdie & Sons Ltd – Blackburn,

West Lothian

• Matt Purdie & Sons Ltd –

Kilmarnock Removals

• Osbornes Removals & Storage

(Group) Ltd – Manchester

Who will become the next

Domestic Mover of the Year?Find out at the BAR Conference onSaturday 14th May 2011 where thewinner will be announced. GoodLuck to all of this year’s DMOTYnalists!

2010 Winner - Matt Purdie

Young mover profle

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


BAR NewsBAR News - Feature Interview

R&S: What does the role o BARVice President entail?Ian Studd: It is a far reaching role.

The main elements in this role aredevelopment and implementation of policy andexercising leadership. What this has involvedfor me in reality is keeping in touch with BARmembers by participating at all the areameetings across the country, working closelywith BAR on policy development for thebenetofitsmembers,includinglobbying,

and the future directions for BAR. As VicePresident, I attend all the principal businessmeetings of BAR, including those of the Boardof Directors and the Executive Committee, andI am there to assist the Director General ofBAR with policy matters and hands onmanagement issues. I also assist and deputisefor the BAR President, Reg Hackworthy.

R&S: What are BAR’s current priorities?Ian Studd: In my role as Vice President, I amclosely involved with BAR’s work tocontinuously lobby national and EU bodies onareas such as VAT and fuel prices.

Recently my time has been spent on the topicof standards-based membership. We are nowconsidering the feedback from members andhave withdrawn the policy adopted by theBoard as a result of the referendum.

At Board level, we are also reviewing theeffectiveness of the changes to BARgovernance which were adopted two yearsago.

These types of topics will be outlined in moredetail at the upcoming BAR Conference where

will discuss our vision for how we move theBritish removals and storage industry forward.Other highlights at the Conference will be theannouncements of the Domestic Mover of theYear and Commercial Mover of the Yearawards.

Another focus for BAR is to build links withother associations and to expand ournetworking alliances. I feel we also need to getourselves more in front of the press. One ofmy personal frustrations is that our industry isstill viewed by some as being largelyunskilled, and I see BAR’s role as making surethat the media is well briefed on theprofessional nature of our members, and weshould do this loud and proud.

Linked to this is training. BAR is at theforefront of developing best-in-class trainingfor the industry, including our apprenticeshipschemes. As someone who started theirworking life as a porter in a family businessand who has, thanks to access to companytraining at all levels, become an ExecutiveDirector of Business Relocation, I feel stronglyabout training. Without exception, each of thefour companies I have worked for in thisindustry has invested in its individuals. Afterall, people are our business and to provide anopportunity for our people to have a tangiblequalicationthatbelongstothatindividual

represent a huge value. Led by Loren Webster,BAR’sTrainingServicearedoingaterricjob

at providing all the training courses anycompany in our industry would need.

R&S: What are your ambitions or BAR?Ian Studd: We are looking more at how ourmembers can improve their marketing, how weworkmorewithafliatesandourstrategic

partners.

At the end of the day, we want our client baseto recognise the added value of what weprovide as part of our services and to

understand that they should not only look forthe lowest number on the estimates they arecomparing.

This is my fortieth year in this business. Ireally value the friends in this industry that I

have made over the years. We are a closecommunity and I believe we can harness ourstrong culture and high standards to become apowerful association that is widely and wellrecognised.

R&S: How does the role o VicePresident ft in with your ‘day’ job atHarrow Green?Ian Studd: As Executive Director ofBusiness Relocation I have nationalresponsibility for Harrow Green business andour commercial moving activities. I travelaround the country for my job so I have beenable to co-ordinate my Harrow Green meetingsto coincide with BAR area meetings. The BARmeetings take place either at breakfast,lunchtime or the traditional evening meetings.

We are in the process of seeking nominationsfor the next Vice President and I wouldstrongly urge to anyone considering this role toproperly discuss this in their own business.Whether you are an owner or an employee of abusiness, you will need the support of your

company as the role at BAR does take up quitea bit of time.

R&S: What are your next steps withBAR?Ian Studd: I am due to become President inMay 2012. Both the BAR President and VicePresident’stermsofofcenowrunoveratwo-

year period. They used to be one-year termsand were changed as part of BAR’sgovernance review to enable these roles tobecome more aligned. Most initiatives takelonger than one year to see the light of day sothe two-year term creates greater continuity.

The role o BARVice President:Interview withIan Studd o Harrow Green

OneyearintohispositionasBARVicePresident,IanStuddshareshisexperiencesonwhatthejobhasinvolvedandhisambitionsorBAR.

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/rs-april-2011 27/64April 2011 Removals & Storage 27

BAR News

Note: Every Member entitled to attend and vote may appoint a proxy in accordance with, and with the powers conerred by, Articles 38,

39, 40, 41, 42 and 43 o the Articles o Association to attend and vote in his stead. To be eective, a orm o proxy together with any

power o attorney or other authority under which it is signed, must reach the registered ofce no later than 10.00am on 9 May 2011.

Registered Ofce o the Company: Tangent House, 62 Exchange Road, Watord, Herts, WD18 0TG

Company Registration Number: 133531

Downloading

Copies o the BAR Annual Accounts 2010 are available to Members or downloading at www.bar.co.uk/agm11.aspx or upon request

and will be distributed at the AGM.

All Resolutions must be received by the Company Secretary at least 15 days prior to the meeting and the proposer must be present

at the meeting.

To enable us to provide comprehensive answers to any questions you may wish to raise in connection with the Annual Accounts or

the other items on the Agenda questions should be submitted to the Company Secretary no later than 5pm on Monday 25th April 2011.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING o The British Association o Removers (as part o the Annual

Conerence) will be held at 10.00am on Friday 13th May 2011 at the Renaissance Manchester City Centre Blackriars Street, Manchester,

M3 2EQ or the ollowing purposes;

1. To receive the Association’s Accounts and reports o the Directors and Auditors or the year ended 31 December 2010.

2. To appoint Wellers Accountants as auditors o the company until the next AGM at a ee to be agreed by the Board o

Directors.

3. To note the composition o the Board o Directors.

4. To consider, and i thought ft, to pass the ollowing Special Resolution which will be proposed as a Special Resolution:

Special Resolution: amendment to the Memorandum o Association.

That the Memorandum o Association o the Company be amended by deletion o clause 7 and its replacement with the

ollowing:

7. I on the winding up or dissolution o the Association there remains ater the satisaction o all its debts and liabilities any

property or assets, such property or assets shall be returned to the Members o the Association (including any ormer

Member which shall have resigned during the fve years immediately preceding such winding up or dissolution) in a

reasonable proportion to their contribution to such surplus.

5. To transact any other business which may be properly transacted at an Annual General Meeting.

By Order o the Board o Directors

James Falkner

Company Secretary

6th April 2011

Notice o Annual General Meeting, and Special Resolution

Friday 13th May 2011

The Removers Benevolent Association

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING o The Removers Benevolent Association will immediately ollow the

BAR AGM at the Renaissance Manchester City Centre, Blackriars Street, Manchester, M3 2EQ on Friday 13th May 2011.

Copies o the RBA Annual Accounts 2010 are available to the Members or downloading at www.bar.co.uk/agm11.aspx or upon request

and will be distributed at the AGM.

On behal o the TrusteesJames Falkner

Company Secretary

6th April 2011

Registered Charity Number: 284012

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


BAR News

Thendingsfromtheyeartoendreport

are as follows:

Moves within the UKUK Domestic moves in 2010 comparedfavourably to 2009, with an overall increase ofapproximately11%(Figure1).Therstten

months of 2010 all fared better whencomparedtothepreviousyear’sndings,

February 2010 in fact showed a 22% increase

in moves against February 2009. December2010 compared to December 2009, was a verydifferent story however as it witnessed asignicantdecreaseofapproximately18%in

the number of domestic moves. This could bepartially attributed to the severe winterconditions experienced nationwide for muchof the month. December 2010 was the coldestsince records began. Temperaturesconsistently plummeted to -10C and broughttravel chaos across Britain, adversely affectingthe removals industry.

The National Association of Estate Agents(NAEA)alsoreportedsimilarndings;

“Terrible weather conditions in Decemberexacerbated a housing market alreadyexperiencing a cyclical lull - leading to fewersales than at any point since January 2003”

and “Sales traditionally do drop in Decemberas many people are reluctant to buy or sellproperty during the holiday period. This year(2010) the slowdown was exacerbated by theterrible weather conditions that left swathes ofthe UK blanketed in snow.”

House prices and sales volumeThe Land Registry’s House Price Index reportfor England & Wales revealed a mixed housing

market in 2009 and 2010, as indicated byhouse prices and sales volumes. House pricesrose during the whole of 2009 and stabilized in2010. Sales volumes during the 24 months

Industry Statistics: January 2009/10– December 2009/10BasedonsurveyscompletedbyMembercompanies,BARhasanalysedanannualreviewoindustrystatisticsortheproessionalremovalsindustry2009comparedto2010.Thedatacomparelike-or-likemonthsrom2009and2010.

Figure 1: Moves within the UK

25.00%

20.00%

15.00%

10.00%

5.00%

0.00%

-5.00%

-10.00%

-15.00%

-20.00%

Jan7.99%

Feb21.52%

Mar12.25%

Apr12.12%

May6.54%

June4.66%

Jul5.06%

Aug13.08%

Sep1.91%

Oct1.19%

Nov-4.03%

Dec-17.88%

YTD10.61%

2010 compared to 2009 by month

Figure 2: House price and sales volume

£170,000£168,000£166,000£164,000£162,000£160,000£158,000

£156,000£154,000£152,000£150,000

A

v e r a g e p r i c e ( £ )

Jan 09 May 09 Sep 09 Jan 10 May 10 Sep 10

Month

S a l e s v o l u m e

90,000

80,000

70,000

60,000

50,000

40,000

30,000

20,000

10,000

0

Average price (£) Sales volume Source: Land Registry

Figure 3: Sta Employed

6.00%

4.00%

2.00%

0.00%

-2.00%

-4.00%

-6.00%

-8.00%

Mar-1.40%

Apr-0.33%

May

2.11%

June1.75%

Aug5.19%

Sep-0.66%

Nov-6.20%

Dec-6.23%

YTD-0.85%


Oct

-2.18%

Jul4.51%

Feb-0.82%

Jan-3.45%

Figure 4: Vehicles in use

5.00%

4.00%

3.00%

2.00%

1.00%

0.00%

-1.00%

-2.00%

-3.00%

-4.00%

Jan-1.03%

Mar0.00%

Apr-0.34%

May0.98%

June0.65%

Aug2.22%

Sep-1.20%

Oct0.00%

Dec-2.82%

Nov-2.42%

YTD0.04%


Feb0.68%

Jul3.94%

Figure 5: Moves to European countries

50.00%

40.00%

30.00%

20.00%

10.00%

0.00%

-10.00%

-20.00%

Jul0.76%

Aug23.20%

Sep-8.57%

Nov3.13%

Dec25.49%

YTD1.85%


Oct

8.00%

June8.22%

Feb39.81%

Jan-8.32%

Mar-16.78%

Apr10.91%

May0.00%

Figure 6: Moves to Overseas (non-European countries)

40.00%

30.00%

20.00%

10.00%

0.00%

-10.00%

-20.00%

-30.00%

-40.00%

Jan-27.89%

Mar

-6.74%

Apr3.70%

May-29.56%

June-27.73%

Sep8.97%

Aug28.29%

Nov7.50%

Dec7.89%

Oct-8.00%

YTD-16.67%


Feb-15.11%

Jul19.92%

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


BAR News

period were far more variable, peaking inDecember 2009 (78,411) followed by a salesvolumeoflessthanhalfthisgureinJanuary

2010 (35,784); however the monthly salesvolumes for the rest of 2010 were variable(Figure 2).

Industry employmentThe number of staff employed decreasedslightly by just 1% (Figure 3) during the 12months of 2009 compared to 2010, althoughworryingly, September (-0.66%), October(-2.18%), November (-6.20%) and December(-6.23%) all fared worse in 2010 compared tolike months from previous year. However Julyand August have been the strongest months foremployment in 2010 when compared to 2009.

Vehicles in useThe number of vehicles in use increasedslightly by a total of 0.04% (Figure 4) during

the 12 months of 2009 compared to 2010mirroring a similar trend to number of staffemployed; three of the last four months of2010 (September, November and December)all fared worse when compared to like monthsof 2009, however the overall increase indicatesa market recovery.

Moves to overseasMoves to European countries in 2010compared to 2009 by month have been

extremely inconsistent to say the least, with asignicant40%increaseinFebruary2010but

a 17% decrease in March. Overall eightmonths in 2010 showed a rise with a year toend increase by approximately 2% in 2010(Figure 5).

The top European removal destination for

2009 was France followed by Spain and thenGermany. The top European removaldestination for 2010 was France followedby Germany and then Spain.

Overseas moves to non-European countriesappeartobesignicantlyaffectedbythe

current economic climate. Consequently thetotal number of moves has decreased byalmost 17% (Figure 6) indicating a vast loss oftrade for the International Removals marketduring the 12 months of 2010 compared to2009. May and June 2010 proved to be theworse months with a decrease of -57% in totalalthoughasignicantrecoveryfollowed

during July and August with an increase of48%.The top non-European removal destination

for 2009 and 2010 was Australia followed byUSA and then New Zealand.

In summary, the statistics reveal mixedfortunes for the UK removals industry over thepast couple of years and a rather slow andincoherent recovery during 2010. Witheconomic issues such as the VAT rise,increasing fuel prices and interest rate

pressures now gaining increased prominence,these may well put many people off searchingfor property. These statistics surely show someencouraging signs of recovery in the removalmarket, but it will surely be a testing time forBAR members for the foreseeable future.

BAR would like to thank thosemembers who have participated inthe industry surveys.

In order to help conduct uture

meaningul surveys, we would likeYOUR uture support andparticipations! For more inormation,please contact the CommercialDepartment: [email protected] call 01923 699 483

Pleasenoteallinormationreceivedisaggregatedandtreatedinthestrictestoconfdence.

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


BAR News

DocumentDestructionProducts

Product o the Month

BAR Services Ltd, Moor Hall, Sandhawes Hill,

East Grinstead, Sussex RH19 3HQ

Tel: 01342 870087 Fax: 01342 870072 E-mail: [email protected]

Withtheproperdestructionoconfdentialinormationbecomingmoreoapressingissueorremovalcompanies,BARServiceshaslookedintoandsourcedvariousnew

productswhichmayointeresttothemembers.

Firstly,ahighquality,wovenpolypropylenesack(commonlyknownasadestructionsack)isnowavailableinvarioussizes.Manuacturedinatoughandtearresistantmaterial,thesesacksaretheidealproductorthesecuredisposalohighlysensitiveandshreddeddocuments.Thesackscanalsobeprintedtosuityourownindividualdesignrequirements.

Secondly,acomprehensiverangeotamperevidentsecuritysealsisalsonowbeingsupplied.Theone-piecemoulded,nylonsealsarethemostpopularandBARServices

recommendtheseorusewithitsdestructionsacksasdetailedabove.Thesequentialnumberingsystemallowsorullaudittraceabilityprovidingyourcustomerwithcompletepieceomindthatnounauthorizedaccesshasbeengainedtosensitivedata.

For urther details on eithero these products or torequest a sample, pleasecontact the BAR Servicessales team on 01342 870087or email sales@barservices.

HarbourShipping talkat Kent areameeting

The guest speakers at the recent

Kent Area meeting in February

were Adam Howall and Alan

Boxall from Harbour Shipping who

provided useful information about

the range of services the company

offers.

Harbour Shipping make in excess

of eighty thousand ferry and train

reservations each year and assist

clients from all industries to achieve

vast savings, regardless of the ferry

or train routes they use or the amount

of times they ship per annum. Thecompany is regularly recognised at

industry awards for the level of

service they offer and the

professionalism of their staff.

Harbour Shipping has traded

continuously since April 1983 and

were the founding company of the

Star Cargo Plc group. For the last

twenty years they have been based

within both the Eastern and Western

Docks at the Port of Dover.

Their service offering includes:

• Customs Clearance at all major

UK Ports and Airports

• Ro Ro ferry bookings throughout

Europe, covering all the Major

and the Bulk of the minor ferry

ports

• Eurotunnel (Le Shuttle) and

various European train services

• French, Spanish, Italian

Motorway Tolls

• Fréjus and Mont Blanc (Alpine

Tunnel) facilities

• Bureaux De Change

Harbour Shipping is the UK

Approved or Appointed agent for

over sixty ferry operators including

brand names such as P&O,

Wightlink, Isle of Mann SteamPacket Ferry Company, Stena Line,

Eurotunnel, DFDS, Brittany Ferries,

Superfast Ferries amongst others.

Via their network of suppliers, the

company is able to offer access to

over 1,500 ferry and train routes

around the globe.

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


BAR News

Young MoversDarren House summarised the value of YoungMovers in giving younger recruits to theindustry the chance to get impartial viewpointsfrom other people in the business, to gain aperspective beyond the experience they havefromtheircompanyandtohelpthemfull

their potential and become leaders of theindustry 20 years from now.

Colin Craib, of Luxfords, talked from hisown personal experience of being part of BAR

Young Movers. “The best thing about it” hesaid, “is not the networking aspect or the socialaspect (which is very good!) but the adviceand insights you get by meeting othermovers”. One gem Colin recalls is the advicehe got from one manager at a Young Moversevent that ‘you should never ask someone todo something which you couldn’t or wouldn’tdo yourself’ and the second was something IanStudd, BAR Vice-President, who said: “in thisbusiness remember that you haven’t got a job,you’ve got a career”.

The Serious Organised Crime Agency

(SOCA) gave an in-depth presentation on thethreats those in the removals industry facefrom organised crime, which include people

smuggling and smuggling of illegal drugs andthe carriage of precursor chemicals and cuttingagents used in the manufacture and distributionof class A drugs.

SOCA has relationship managers who workwith the private sector to help them targetorganised crime. Even where there is clearlynointentiononthepartoftheremovalrmto

carry smuggled people or illegal substances orweapons, the risks to those in the transportsector are great. Clandestine immigrants can

often contaminate the goods in the vehiclesthey are hiding in (they have to go to the toiletsomewhere when hiding away), and beingassociatedwithclassAdrugsorrearms,even

when no blame attaches directly to thecompany whose security has beencompromised, is likely to bring publicrelations problems.

Many illegal immigrants are stowed awaywhenvehicleswithinsufcientsecurityare

parked in a bay while the driver sleeps, so nowmight be a good time to review the securitymeasures you have in place and make surethey are robust enough to keep you free fromthese kinds of problems. For more informationabout SOCA, visit http://www.soca.gov.uk/

Q&AThe session ended with a Q&A session, inwhich a BAR guest panel answered questionsfrom the room. Inevitably the question ofstandards based membership was the hot topicof the day, with some members expressingsupport for the idea while others expressedconcerns about the cost. Panellist Ian Studd,BAR Vice-President said the referendum onSBM had show members support raisingstandards provided there is a return on their

investment in this, and the question thatremains open is how BAR should approachthis. With Brussels expected to impose its ownstandard at some point, it would be advisablefor BAR to introduce its own so that BAR caninuenceanyplansbeingconsideredatEU

level.Panellist BAR Board Member Brian

Maidman pointed out the standards werecompulsory for membership of the CMG andmembersofthegroupwereseeingthebenets,

in terms of winning pitches and attracting newmembers who support SBM as a way ofdistinguishing themselves from the

competition.

New Met looks to the utureTheNewMetropolitanAreameetingbroughttogetherover60membersandafliatesattheNovotelHotel,WestDraytonHotel,oraullprogrammeincludingtheNewMetAreaAGM,aascinatingtalkromthe

OrganisedCrimesquad,andpresentationsromYoungMovers,OGC,CMGandtheBARBoardoDirectors.

Feature Schedule 2011Every month Removals & Storage includes a number of

feature items. These are planned well in advance to allow

members of and suppliers to the industry to join in.

Please contact Andy or Louise at Analytica Communications

on: 0208 458 5100 or e-mail: [email protected]

Our company’s sole purpose since its inception in 1977 is to serve the membership

– to supply good quality, innovative packaging products at low prices. This is achieved

by buying jointly on your behalf and passing on the discount achieved from this bulk

purchasing power!

As a member, we should be your preferred supplier but are we? For many of you the

answer will be yes but for those of you that say no then we would like to know why? Your feedback is important so please ring us on 01342 870087 or you can simply

email [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you.

Are we your preferred supplier - if not, why not?

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


CMG News

BS 822

Key benefts rom CMGmembership

CMG at the BAR Annual

ConerenceI

f you are a commercial mover, make sure you

get to the morning session of the Bar Annual

Conference on Saturday 14th May.

The Commercial Moving Group (CMG) has

organised a number of business sessions so that

BARandexistingCMGmemberscanndout

more about the work of the Group and its plans for

the future.

As well as an open question and answer forum,

there will be a presentation by the incoming CMG

Chairman, and a talk on future marketing of the

CMG. The new CMG Chairman and other

CouncilofcerswillbeannouncedattheCMG

AGM,andthenalistsofthisyear’sCMOTY

2011 awards will be presented during the CMG

business sessions.

In keeping with tradition, the CMG Business

Session closes with a keynote speaker. This year,

Lars Lykke Iversson, CEO of Santa Fe, will be

takingtheoor.

As he nears the end of his two-year term of

ofceasChairmanoftheBAR

Commercial Moving Group Council, Rod

Seeland of BCL, reviews the highlights of his

eventful two-year term.

“The economic climate has been really tough for

commercial movers over the past two years. The

Group has worked hard to promote its members

and I believe we can state the following

achievements:

• Implementation of BS 8522: the British

standard for commercial moving. This standard

became a condition for membership of the

Commercial Moving Group of BAR.

• The CMG Apprenticeship Scheme was

nalised.

• The on-going marketing strategy by the

Commercial Moving Group has led to a

dramatic increase in marketing activities. This

has included establishing closer links, for

example, with Facilities Management and

Procurement industries, including attending andspeaking at conferences.

As a result of marketing our Group, we are

beginning to see that some tenders now specify

that movers need to have the BS 8522

Commercial Moving Standard and are

members of BAR’s CMG.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my term, and would

personally like to thank all members of the

Commercial Moving Group Council who have

been very supportive towards me, helping me all

along throughout my term.”

CMOTY 2011- fnalistsannounced

Congratulations to the following CMG

Memberswhohavesuccessfullyqualied

as Finalists for the Commercial Mover of

the Year 2011:

• Delivery Services, Belfast

• Pickfords Business Solutions,

London

• Reloc8, Bristol

Thethreenalistswillnowbattleitoutinthe

next stage of the competition which consists of a

Client visit and a Member BS8522 inspection.

The winner will be announced at the BAR

conference on Saturday 14th May 2011.

Certifcates o MeritWell done also to the following companies who

willbepresentedwithaCerticateofMeritfor

achieving 80 per cent or greater of the highest

mark awarded by the judges at the initial entry

examination stage:

• BCL

• Doree Bonner

International• Edes (UK) Ltd

• Harrow Green Ltd

• Johnsons Business Moves

• JT & Sons Relocations Ltd

• MJF Business Services Ltd

• Premier Moves Ltd

• Russell Fewins Ltd

Lar s Lyk k e Iver sson , CEO of Sant a F e

Rod Seeland, Chairman o the BAR

Commercial Moving Group2010 Winner - Pickords

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


Because your people are your greatest asset

BARTS Courses

Book your places today Call: 01923 99484 or email: [email protected]

BTEC Advanced Award inRemovals Management 2011The BTEC Advanced Award in Removals

Management is a 2 unit course and is the only

nationally recognised removal specifc qualifcation

o its kind.

Course Dates 2011Part 1 07-09 June 2011

Part 2 22-23 June 2011

Part 3 0-07 July 2011

Writing a Winning Tenderor the public sectorThis is a brand new workshop taking place at BAR

Watord covering topics such as:

• Risk Management • Opportunities to score

• Constructing a winning stategy

• Presentations • What to write • Feedback

• Identiying your USP • Pricing

• Where you can stand out • Tips & techniques

• Common Mistakes • Useul inormation

Course Dates 201130 July 2011

1 September 2011

08 December 2011

£99 + VAT p/p

£1675 + VAT p/p (BAR Member)

£1995 + VAT p/p (Non BAR Member)

BTEC Award in PracticalEstimating 2011This 2 day course is practically based and is designed to

teach students the art o estimating as well as ace to

ace sales techniques, covering topics such as:

• Practical Estimating at 2 local properties

• Quantity Assessment • The Role o the Estimator

• Health & Saety • Communication Techniques

• Contract Conditions • Removals Insurance

Course Dates 201109 & 10 May 2011

19 & 20 July 2011

08 & 09 September 2011

14 & 1 November 2011

Selling Skills/Promoting theBAR OFT Code o PracticeThis 1 day course is designed to enhance sales

skills and to demonstrate the most eective way

o promoting the BAR OFT Code o Practice to win

business, covering topics such as:

• The Role o the Salesperson • Marketing

• Prospecting & Negotiating • Promoting the

OFT Code • Communication & Presentation

• Identiying Customer Needs • Closing the Sale

Course Dates 201111 May 2011

14 July 2011

07 September 2011

1 November 2011

£545 + VAT p/p (BAR Member) £99 + VAT p/p (BAR Member)

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


Overseas Group News

Robinsons Relocation is one of theleading UK specialists in providingInternational, European and UK moving

solutions for both the corporate and privatesectors. Winner of two independent industry

awards, Robinsons has branches throughoutthe UK and dedicated divisions providingspecialist removal services for international,corporate,commercialandofceremovals.

As Head of International Operations, Peter’srole includes global supply chain managementmonitoring supplier performance, setting thecompany’s international operating proceduresand standards, and providing support andguidance to Robinsons’ international teams inany aspect of the international moving process.

Over the past decade, Peter has developedvarious in-house operating and managementreporting systems and automated pricing tools.He is currently overseeing the branchoperation responsible for Robinsons’commercial and antiques division, andpreviously managed the corporate and privatemove management teams, the European co-ordination team as well as setting up the tradeoperation.

“At Robinsons we encounter manyinteresting customers alongside the variety ofoperational challenges this industry brings,”Peter tells R&S. “Moving the rich and famousalways seems to create a stir. Dealing with

Benazir Bhutto (when she was between PrimeMinisterial terms) sticks in my mind; animpressive individual who achieved manythings in her shortened life. We have movedpriceless possessions and artifacts to mostcorners of the globe, chartered aircraft, andemployed the services of a helicopter todeliver items to what can only be described asan ‘awkward access’ in the Swiss Alps!”

BAR Overseas GroupPeter believes the work undertaken through theCouncil on behalf of its membership shouldnot be underestimated: “The experience andknowledge in the committee room isimpressive. We currently have a full quota ofcommittee members representative of theindustry, all of whom are willing contributorsand all on a voluntary basis. Our discussionsare pertinent and progressive,” he notes.

The OSG continues to re-visit as well as to

instigate initiatives such as standards-basedmembership, an Overseas Mover of the YearCompetition, Overseas Training Skills coursesthrough BARTS, and a payment guaranteebetween BAR members. The close

management of the International MoversMutual Insurance scheme (IMMI) has beenimportantinthecurrentnancialclimate.As

the main differentiating factor for the privateshippers in the membership, its processescontinuetodeveloptothebenetofthe

members and shareholders.The Overseas Group has strong links into the

global network of FIDI (the FédérationInternationale des DéménageursInternationaux), and the newly formed FIDIUK. Peter urges all Overseas Group membersto get involved at the upcoming BARConference in May as there will be some greatopportunities for networking.

Prospects or international removersPeter acknowledges that the removals industrycontinues to operate in challenging times.“With so many companies battling for businessin a reduced market the price suffers and the

Overseas Group Profle:Robinsons RelocationPeterStrangeisthecurrentOverseasGroupDeputyChairman.SinceApril2000,hehasbeenHeadoInternationalOperationsatRobinsonsRelocation.

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


Overseas Group News

April 2011 Removals & Storage 39

industry needs brave leaders to help drivepricing back up to a realistic level but at arealistic rate” he says.

At Robinsons, more focus than ever is being

placed on procurement and cost management.“With what seems like weekly increases inareaswherewehavelittleinuencesuchas

raw material and fuel costs, our focus remainsbasic: drive the sale but back it up with smartpurchasing and controlling of overheads.”

Container freight increases and the impact ofservice consolidations and cuts by the shippinglines have perhaps not been as severe as oncefeared. While freight costs do continue to riseas the lines attempt to claw back almostincomprehensible losses, Peter points topositive signs with the likes of Maersk placingorders for their new ‘Triple E’ 18,000 TEUcontainerships. “As the global economicrecovery continues we have seen increases inContainer Shipping company stock levels sowe have to remain positive,” he says.

Like many other BAR members, BAR’sOverseas Group members have not beenspared the impacts of the global downturn.However, many have adapted their operationswhich Peter sees as “a real testament to theprofessionalism of those companies in theOverseas Group.” In his role as Deputy Chairof the Group, he would like to continue tomakeimprovementstothebenetsofthe

members of the Group. “More dialogue withthe main freight carriers is key. More

understanding from both parties on how wecan help one another can only be a goodthing.”For more information about RobinsonsRelocation, See www.robinsonsrelo.com

MTC AGM ocuses on reightrates

C hris Mackley reports that the AnnualGeneral Meeting of the MoversTrading Club (MTC) was held

recentlyattheBARofcesinWatford.

MTC Chairman Moore Shanks reported that

after a very poor year for the container

shipping industry in 2009, the situation had

considerably improved during 2010 so that

most shipping companies had managed a

returntoprotability.Ordershavebeenplaced

for new ships to meet anticipated demand for

an increase in tonnage in future years.

In general, freight rates on the MTC

negotiated routes have been subject to an

increase in 2011 compared to 2010. The

amount of the increase varies from route to

route and there is a notable exception on the

Far East route where rates have generally

decreased. Moore Shanks also reported a

noticeable increase in service problems with

the shipping lines. These ranged from the

commonplace problem of containers arriving

late or not at all to more serious problems such

as containers being sent to the wrong

destinations. Despite some strongly aired

views on this subject, the general feeling of

the meeting was that little could be done by

the MTC to improve this situation.

Hapag Lloyd made a presentation to the

meeting of a new piece of software, InTool,

which has been written to sit between the

widely-used shipping portal INTTRA and the

in-house move management systems of MTC

members. By using this software, MTC

members can enter Bill of Lading instructions

electronically and the expectation is that the

shipping lines will then cancel their

documentation charges.

Plenty in store or international

companies at BAR 2011Conerence

Ian Palmer, Overseas Group Chairman, is

keen to increase the voice of international

removals companies at the annual industry

conference and the Overseas Group will play

a leading role in sponsoring and hosting many

events this year in Manchester.

The Overseas Group will sponsor and host

the welcome evening, where members of the

Group will be on hand to meet and greet,

answer any questions you may have at the

start of this exciting and informative

conference weekend, where the keynote

speaker will be Lars Lykke Iversen, Chief

ExecutiveOfcerofInternationalAssociate

‘Santa Fe Group’.

Since a major part of the conference is the

trade exhibition, this presents an extremely

useful medium for exhibitors to showcase new

products and services.

Forthersttime,therewillbeadedicated

networking area of the exhibition hall, and this

will be sponsored by Overseas Group member

Pickfords. Ian hopes this area will “provide a

focal point to meet and chat with colleagues

both old and new.”

During the course of the conference, BAR

Memberswillhavetheopportunitytondout

more about the Overseas Group’s role within

BAR. This will include an open forum with a

question and answer session.

The Overseas Group will also host the

Partners’ and International Associates Tour

through the historic canals of Manchester.

For further Conference details and to book

online, please visit www.bar.co.uk/conference

2011.aspx.

Inlinewiththeoverallthemeatthisyear’sBARAnnualConerence,BAR’sOverseasGroupwillbesettingoutitsplansormovingorward.

“With so many

companies battling

or business in a

reduced market the

price suers and the

industry needs brave

leaders to help drive

pricing back up to a

realistic level but at a

realistic rate.”

Peter Strange,

Overseas Group

Deputy Chairman

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


Training News

BARTSratesrozenor 2011BARTS would like to announce

that there will be no rate increasein 2011 or all BARTS training

courses and there is no uplit

on training delivered at

weekends. BAR member

discounted rates will also still

apply.

The BTEC Intermediate Award in

Practical Estimating and The BTEC

Advanced Award in Removals

Management are the only removal industry

specifc, nationally recognised qualifcations.

The two-day, intermediate PracticalEstimating course includes two visits to localproperties enabling students to improve andpractice their skills in real workingenvironments. The course focuses on methodsof estimating, selling skills and communicationtechniques, and is ideal for both current

estimators and anyone new to the skill ofestimating.

BARTS advanced Removals Managementcourse is a two-unit course which is split intothree blocks. The course includes topics suchas driver hours, contract conditions, warehousemanagement, operational planning, insuranceregulations and many more industry relatedsubjects. The course will be useful for any

member of staff who is new to themanagement side of the business as well as forexisting managers who would like to take theopportunity to gain a nationally recognised,removalspecicBTECqualication.

Staff who successfully complete either of theBTECqualicationsarepresentedwith

certicatesthatarerecognisedthroughoutthe

United Kingdom as a further educationalaward.

If you would like to know more about BARTSBTECqualicationspleasecontactamember

of the training team on 01923 699484 or [email protected]

For a full list of the training programmes thatare available from BARTS, please visit ournew website at www.removalstraining.comwhere a copy of our 2011 training brochure isavailable for download.

BAR Training ServicesBARTrainingServices(BARTS)areoeringmanagementqualifcationpackagesatBARHeadOfceWatordthatareuniquelydesignedorBARmembersandtheremovalindustryasawhole

Driver CPC Training - Industry Specifc

BARTS Courses

BAR Training Services train you at the ollowing

locations at specially discounted member rates:

• At your premises

• In the BAR areas

• BAR in Watord

Flexible training the way you want it!

Book your places NOW or or urther inormation contact BARTS on 01923 99484

JAUPT APPROVED CENTRE AC00191

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


Light commercial vehicles (LCVs) willsoon be subject to greenhouse gasemission standards. On 15 February

2011, the European Parliament endorsed a newEU Regulation introducing CO2 limits as of2014. Starting in 2014, 70 per cent of newcommercial vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes mustcomply with an average emission limit of 175grams CO2 per kilometre. The percentageincreases to 75 per cent in 2015 and 80 percent in 2016. As from 2017, all new LCVshave to meet the limit. In 2020, the limit willdecrease to 147 grams. If a manufacturer failstomeetthelimits,apenaltyof€95pergram

per vehicle applies. The Regulation providesfor ‘extra incentives’ for particularlyenvironmentally-friendly vehicles, such ashybrid or electric vans.

Removals & Storage April 201142

News RoundupEuropean News

R&S isgrateultoFEDEMACoritscontributiontothissection

Young Movers Maltameet takes shapeThis year’s European Young MoversConference will be held on the sunny islandof Malta from 26th to 29th May 2011.

The Maltese Organisation Committee areexpecting around 150 bookings for theevent. The programme of business sessionsincludes a range of interesting presentationsand discussions. One of the conferencehighlights will be acting out a scene onSmuggling, Detection and Security whichwillbedirectedbyDenisCauledwith

actors drawn from the audience. The sessionwill take a light and humorous approach tothe reality of tricky situations movers canface from time to time.

For more information about the conferenceprogramme, and to book a place, visitwww.youngmovers.eu

European TransportCorridor ‘Via Carpathia’Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania haveformally joined the ‘Via Carpathia’ project tocreate the shortest transit route from theBaltic to Southeast Europe. The ViaCarpathia transport route connects the Baltic

States and Poland, Slovakia, Hungary,Romania, Bulgaria and Greece. The countriesinvolved plan to include the Via Carpathiaroute in the Trans-European TransportNetwork (TEN-T), an EU-sponsored networkof transport routes, in order to stimulate theeconomic development of the eastern parts ofthe EU.

Parliament endorses CO2 limits

or light commercial vehicles

Smart convoy

gives drivers abreakEU-funded scientists have successfully

demonstrated a road train technology that

allows the driver of the lead vehicle of a

convoy to control the other vehicles, allowing

their drivers to safely engage in other

activities. The scientists believe that if adopted

the technology could boost road safety and

driver comfort while cutting congestion and

carbon emissions.

The road train concept links vehicles driving

along motorways in convoys. The lead vehicleis driven by an experienced driver who knows

the route well. The lead vehicle controls the

following vehicles’ acceleration, braking and

steering by wireless technology. As well as

following virtual ‘breadcrumbs’ left by the

lead vehicle, convoy vehicles also use sensors

to track the car directly in front of them and

adjust their distance, speed and direction

accordingly.

When a vehicle wishes to join a convoy, the

driver simply sends a request to the leader of

the convoy. Once the request is accepted, the

convoy leader takes control of the vehicle,

allowing the driver to sit back and take abreak. When a driver wants to leave the

convoy, he or she sends a signal to the leader

to regain manual control of the vehicle and

exit the convoy. The system automatically

closes up the gap created.

Ready or the road?The technology is an outcome of the SARTRE

(‘Safe road trains for the environment’)

project, which receives EUR 3.8 million

funding under the Transport Theme of the

EU’s Seventh Framework Programme. The

three-year project started in 2009 and its seven

partners come from Germany, Spain, Swedenand the UK.

The SARTRE technology is already at an

advanced stage and the project partners

predict that the system could be road ready in

a few years. It was tested at Volvo’s test track

in Sweden with a two-vehicle convoy in

which a car followed a lorry. The car

successfully latched on to the lorry and

smoothly followed it around the course while

the driver relaxed with a newspaper and a cup

of coffee. At the end of the test, the car driver

resumed control of his vehicle and left the

convoy. Ultimately, the SARTRE team hopes

todemonstratethetechnologyusingave-

vehicle convoy comprising two lorries and

three cars.

For more information visit:

www.sartre-project.eu/

VAT reund deadlineagreedIn view of the late implementation byMember States of the new VAT refundprocedure, which came into force on 1stJanuary 2010, the EU has agreed to givemore time to taxpayers to introduce theirrequests for their 2009 VAT refunds. As aresult of strong lobbying by FEDEMACand its national member organisations, thenew deadline has been extended to 31stMarch 2011.

Amsterdam plans itsfrst inland containerterminalThe port of Amsterdam has signed a letter

ofintenttodevelopitsrstinland

container terminal, as it seeks to increase

throughputbyimprovingefciency.Ifit

goes ahead, work on the 100ha intermodal

terminal and distribution facility in

Lelystad will start at the end of 2011, with

an estimated completion date of around

three years’ time.

The terminal will be built in co-operation

with the city of Lelystad and a project

developer. It will have road, rail and barge

connections, but will mainly cater forintermodaltrafc.Therearealsoplansto

increase the draught of Amsterdam’s lock

in order to handle 12,000teu vessels.

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


European News

An electronic charge applicable to allvehicles above 3.5 tonnes (includingbuses) using national roads is due to come

into effect on 1st July 2011, but the price perkilometre has not yet been agreed.

The current vignette scheme for vehicles with agross weight over 12 tonnes will cease to operateafter 1st July, and a new electronic system,‘viaTOLL’ will take its place. All vehicles with a

maximum permissible gross weight of more than3.5 tonnes will also have to comply with the newsystem.

All users of Poland’s national roads andmotorways must sign up to the system and get anon-board unit (OBU), which is available from the‘viaToll’operator,ttedtotheirvehicle.

There are three main components to thesystem:

1. The introduction of a nationwide HeavyVehicle Electronic Toll Collection forvehicles with maximum gross permittedweight of more than 3.5 tonnes on

motorways, expressways and some nationalroads.

2. The introduction of a manual toll collectionservice for light vehicles with a maximumgross permitted weight of less than 3.5

tonnes on state-run toll motorways (inaddition to the already operating motorwayconcessions).

3. The introduction of light vehicle electronictoll operation as an optional means ofpayment for vehicles with a maximum grosspermitted weight of less than 3.5 tonnesusing state-run toll motorways.

Hungary and Belgium to ollow suit?

Distribution of the on-board units (OBUs) willstart on 2nd May 2011. There will be 216 centresset up around Poland where operators will beable to register and obtain the units. These will beclose to Poland’s borders, near to affected roadsas well as at garages and service stations.

For anyone requiring more information aboutthe new scheme a 24-hour helpline centre willopen on 11th April with operators taking calls inPolish, English, German and Russian. For moreinformation visit www.viatoll.pl

Two other countries have also announcedfurther steps towards kilometre charging. Therehave been several statements by the Hungariantransport ministry that the government iscommitted to introducing a kilometre charge forlorries ‘as soon as possible’ but no timetable has

yet been given. An agreement has also beenreached between the three regional transportministersinBelgiumtonaliseaproposalfor

kilometre charging for lorries and a vignette forcars to come into effect in 2012 or 2013.

Poland to charge by the kmPolandissettojointhecluboEUMemberStatesthathaveintroducedadistance-basedchargeorlorries

Transport ministers agree

changes to EurovignetteDirective

Member States will be able to apply the Directive on a voluntarybasis. Those wishing to introduce charging for trucks have tocomply with its rules.

The scope of the Directive has been extended to include all goodsvehicles above 3.5 tonnes. Member States can apply tolls and/or user

charges on the TENs network, other parts of the motorway network andother parts of the road network. Congestion is no longer considered anexternal cost. In order to combat congestion, Member States can varytoll and/or user charge tariffs for trucks up to 175 per cent above themaximum level of the weighted average infrastructure charge during aperiod of maximum 5 hours per day. Member States have the possibilityto charge for external costs relating to local pollution and noise. Euro V(until 31/12/2013) and Euro VI (until 31/12/2017) are exempted fromexternal cost charges for local pollution. Earmarking of revenues is nolonger obligatory.

European Commission

launches debate on VAT

The consultation document, which is available in 22 languages,

aims to give all stakeholders a chance to express their views on

the problems that currently exist with regard to VAT, and how

these can be addressed.The Commission will use the feedback from this consultation to

decide the best approach in creating a more stable, robust and effective

VAT system for the future. The public consultation is open until 31st

May 2011.

FEDEMAC has briefed the International Road Transport Union

(IRU) on the position of the Removals Industry to ensure these views

are included in the IRU’s overall response. FEDEMAC will also give

a detailed response to the European Commission setting out the

industry’s long-standing issues relating to the present EU VAT scheme.

EUTransportMinistershavereachedapoliticalagreementontheproposaltomodiytheEurovignetteDirective.

TheEuropeanCommissionhasinitiatedawidepublicconsultationonhowtheEU’sValueAddedTax(VAT)systemcanbestrengthenedandimproved,tothebeneftocitizens,businessesandMemberStates.

Sign up or the FEDEMAC newsletter atwww.edemac.com

Do you have any news?I you have please send it to:

[email protected] 458 5100

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


Country Feature - Luxembourg


LettersEuropean News

With a population of just over half amillion, GDP per head inLuxembourg is the world’s highest at

a lofty US$104,390 per year.As well as playing host to a number of EU

institutions, Luxembourg’s relatively stableeconomy and political system and high livingstandards attract many people to move to thecountry. As such, the Grand Duchy ofLuxembourg,asitisofciallyknown,continues

to be a good place to be in the removalsbusiness… as long as you understand the market.

Stefan Chorus explains that Luxembourg’sminimum salary and indexation system keepslabour costs high, resulting in annual increases ofas much as 2.5 per cent. “This is something allremoval companies have to contend with at atime when companies are cutting costs andunwilling to spend more on removal services,”

he says.Stefan knows this better than most. Streff was

founded in 1928 by Mr Albert Streff, and hasbeen in the ownership of the Chorus family since1970 when Mr Streff retired. The Chorus familymoving business started in Trier (Germany) in1884 and today Streff is run by Max and Stefan

Chorus, who represent the fourth generation inthe business.

Given the country’s small size, Luxembourgremovers sometimes need to look across bordersin order to recruit staff. “Almost 50 per cent of

our workforce travels daily across the variousborders in order to work here,” says Stefan. “AtStreff we employ people from 15 differentcountries and between them, they speak about 18languages. It is therefore essential for us to selectteams that can work well together and speak thecustomer’s language so we can make the most ofour special capability!”

‘Local action – global satisaction’Although Streff started as a purely removalsbusiness, it now includes household goodsstorage, archive storage, archive destruction andother services. According to Stefan, domestic

removalsforbothprivatehouseholdsandofcemoving compose the bulk of Streff’s dailyworkload, while European moves (either importor export) represent a smaller but important partof the company’s operations.

At times, international moves can represent asmuch as 20 per cent of Streff’s overall removal

activitysondingtherightagentsabroadto

work with is important to the company.“Our slogan for this is ‘local action – global

satisfaction’. This implies that Streff seeks tooffer its services in Luxembourg to a very high

satisfaction level and we count on our agentnetwork to also assure the high quality level atdestination/origin,” explains Stefan. “For thisreason, without a doubt, we prefer cooperationwith our FIDI-FAIM quality-approved partnersaround the world, while in other places wehandpick destination agents through referencesfrom other trade associations to which webelong, one of which is obviously BAR!”

When it comes to worldwide contracts, Streffprefers to act as a local partner to largeroperators, adds Stefan “to ensure their promisescome true when moving their customers toLuxembourg!”

For more information about Streff,see www.streff.lu. For a full list of BAR’sInternational Associate Members, seethe www.bar.org.uk

Luxembourg: a specialised market in

the heart o EuropeOperatingromitsuniquelocationonthebordersoFrance,GermanyandBelgium,theLuxembourgremovalstradebeneftsromasmallyetexceptionallyauentmarket.SteanChorusoStretalksaboutthedistinctivecharacteristicsotheremovalstradeinLuxembourg.

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


European News

EU regulations - Vehicle emissions

Businesses affected by the latest rules needto prepare now in order to comply withthe new rules, known as Euro VI or 6,

which come into force next year and in 2013. The key dates to be aware of are:• 31 December 2012 for approval of new types

of vehicles and engines; and• 31 December 2013 for all newly registered

vehicles.

Euro6setsdenesthelegalframeworkfortype-

approval of motor vehicles, engines andreplacement parts with respect to their emissions.It also establishes rules on:• in-service conformity of vehicles and engines;• durability of pollution control devices;• on-board diagnostic (OBD) systems and

accessibility of information;• measurement of fuel consumption; and• CO2 emissions.

“The major challenge will be for manufacturers”,according to Backhouse Jones Solicitors, “withcleaner engines needing rethinks on enginedesign, with technologies being adoptedincluding exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) andselective catalytic reduction (SCR).”

Keep an eye on costsBuilding on existing EU regulations, Euro

1,2,3,4 and 5, which were driven by concernsover health hazards posed by exhaust emissions,Euro 6 sets far stricter rules that seek to halveparticle emissions and reduce nitrogen oxideemissions by 77 per cent. Manufacturers will berequired to produce engines that meet thesetargets, but do not increase fuel consumption,which would increase CO2 emissions andincrease costs for owners of heavy vehicles.

What it means in practice is that while underEuro 4 engines could emit 3.5 g/kWh of oxidesof Nitrogen, Euro 5 permitted just 2 g/kWh, and

Euro 6 will see this reduced even further to 0.4 g/kWh.

Many experts are predicting that a dieselparticulatelter(DPF)willalsobe

required due to the emphasis of Euro 6 onparticulates. The result of these technologiesbeing introduced is the engines are likely to bemore costly and complicated to run. A studycarried out for the Department for Transport has

suggested that the increase in system cost wouldbe as much as 50 percent.

It is possible that certain heavy vehiclemanufacturers will aim to achieve early adoptionof Euro 6 to increase their competitive advantagein the market. Commentators warn thatmanufacturers will need to juggle parameterssuch as cost, fuel consumption and performance,while meeting the new standards in a way that isacceptable to operators.

Prepare now or EU heavy vehicle

emissions rulesEUrulesgoverningheavyvehiclesemissionshavebeenupdatedandwillenterintoorceasromnextyear.

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


Feature - Quality Standards

4

DavidTrenchard,ManagingDirectoratLeatherbarrowsRemovals&StorageLtdandChairmanoQSS,setsoutthestraightorwardstepsthatBritishremovalsandstoragecompaniescantaketogainqualitystandardsaccreditation.

The uture o industry-led removals

and storage standardsDavid Trenchard, Chairman o QSS (right)

with recent recruit Paul Tidswell, Quality

Manager (let).

R&S: How did you get involved instandards or the removals andstorage industry?

David Trenchard: I’ve been working in theindustry since the early 1960s and through myown experiences and from those of others I’vemet over the years, it became increasinglyclear that the one thing that we had to do to setourselves apart as serious professionals fromthe man in the van who wants a bit of extracash is to show we apply best practice, quality

standards.In the early 1990s, Alain Rousse who wasDirector General of FEDEMAC at the timeconvinced CEN, the European standards body,oftheneedtodeveloptherstEuropean

quality standard for removals. The Frenchremovals industry had been working with theFrench national standards body (AFNOR) onthe basis of initiatives by the French consumerand trade union movements. As arepresentative for the French removalsindustry, Alain Rousse convened a CENtechnical committee working group (TC 320WG4) and encouraged BAR to take part.

We drove this topic forward ourselves for theUK and got the BSI to recognise BAR as theindustry experts on removals. Brian Mitchell,the Director General of BAR at that time, and Idiscussed with the British Standards Institution(BSI) how we could take part. BSIrecommended we set up an external mirror

committee for the BSI on this topic and thatBAR be appointed as the secretariat to the BSIon this.

I attended many meetings over the next yearsto discuss the standard. Around the table therewere representatives from EU and Swissstandards and removal industry bodies. Thestandard, EN 12522, took seven years to agreeandwasnallypublishedin1998.

R&S: How did QSS come about?

David Trenchard: BAR was keen for thisstandard to be taken up by removers in theUK. However, when we worked out what aremoval company would need to do toestablish to an assessor that this standard hadbeen incorporated into their business, and toaudit this annually with an inspection fromexisting organisations at that time, it becameapparent that this would be time-consumingand costly for BAR members.

Fortunately at the time Nick Bracken whowasworkingforBARwasalsoaqualied

assessor so we realised that if we could get thestandards to be accredited and assessed by abody of removals industry experts, we wouldbe able to make the whole process much lessonerous for the industry. In 1977 weestablished Quality Services Standards Ltd,whichwasintimeafliatedtoandrecognised

by the UK’s national auditing body, the UKAccreditation Service (UKAS). The UKAS

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011



47

recognition enables QSS to use the well-known tick and crown logo. Although it iswholly owned by BAR, QSS operatescompletely independently from BAR.

R&S: Who runs QSS?

David Trenchard: We have now built up apoolofexperienced,qualiedassessorsfrom

the removals and storage industry. They workon a consultancy basis for QSS Ltd. With theexception of the recent appointment of PaulTidswell in the new position of QualityManager, QSS has minimal overheads andoutgoings as the assessors’ fees and travellingcosts are paid directly from the applicationcosts. While QSS chief executive, ChrisWaymouth, is paid for working part-time onthe basis of the number of users, the QSSChairman and Board of Directors run theorganisation on a voluntary basis.

The Impartiality Committee is a specialcommittee that exists to deal with matters thatcannot be resolved. This is chaired by a retiredremovals expert, Derek Paine.

R&S: What do you need to do to gainaccreditation?

David Trenchard: The main task companiesneed to undertake is to write their own manualof operations. This sets out your company’smethods and procedures. Once this manual isin place, you can extend and update it toaddress requirements for other standards too.In fact, the manual of operations will coverbasic processes that you would anyway needto have in place to run your business. Forexample, if you provide storage facilities, youwillneedtosetouttheresafety,intruderand

pest control measures that you apply.The standards are there to encourage best

practice and, at the same time, enableprofessional removers and storage companiesto properly market their services. So, forexample, you need to be sure you providecustomers with the appropriate informationaboutthespecicservicesyouoffer,the

timeframe they can expect you to work to, andinformation about their rights. Basicrequirements for achieving the RemovalsStandard are that customers need to be sentcopies of job sheets (otherwise known as WayBills)whichconrmthecontractdetailsfor

thespecicjob,andtosendtheseinadvance

so that there is less room for uncertainty ordisagreement about even the most basicelements of the job such as times of arrival anddeparture, and critically, the relevantaddresses.

What the standard does is to make sure youfollow your procedures. Not only does thismakeyoumoreefcientbutitalsomeansthat

your staff understand their responsibilities andhow your company operates.

The handbook needs to be kept up-to-date,including all approved suppliers, and alsoneeds to set out complaints procedures and anincidents book.

The standard is available to BAR membersand non-members although I am not aware ofany non-members having applied for orholding the accreditation.ThereisafreeBARleaetonstandardsand

how to apply.One tip to note is that if companies use

industry-specicsoftwaresystems,these

systems are usually designed so as to complywith the requirements for many of the industrystandards.

R&S: What happens at the annualinspection?

David Trenchard: The assessor will visityour premises and go through your latestversion of your manual of operations. Thereare a variety of inspections that get carried outover the years. One year the assessor mayfocus on jobs in progress, checking thatprocedures are being covered, for example, toprotectoors,orthattheremovalsteamis

wearing appropriate protective clothing.Another year, the inspection may look atvehicle records or maintenance records.

R&S: How much does it cost?

David Trenchard: The whole cost is lessthan £1000. I would say that to get an industryconsultant to come into your business and giveyou valuable, independent advice on runningyour business for less than £1000 has got to bea good deal.

You need to buy an original copy of thestandard which you can download online fromthe BSI. Depending on the standard inquestion, it is anything from £74 to £92 oraround half the price if you are a BSI member.You can also buy a draft manual which youcan use as a template to write your owncompany manual – that costs around £100.The only other expense required is theassessment fee. If necessary, you can also paya consultant to help you with the installation ofthe procedures and processes.

R&S: What does the uture hold orquality standards in the Britishmoving industry?

David Trenchard: I am rather disappointed

about the outcome of BAR’s recentreferendum. I think the result is a huge shameas BAR members could lose out on a lot ofadvantages if they do not have the qualitystandards accreditation. My concern is that justbecause the public does not ask for thesestandards, it does not mean they don’t expectthem to be there. Many companies andindividuals would be alarmed to know that theindustry does not apply basic standards toitself.

British Removals and

Storage StandardsThe following quality standards are inforce and are administered by the BritishStandardsInstitute.QSSiscertiedasan

assessor by BSI and can enforcecompliancebycertiedcompanies.

• BS EN 12522: European-wide standardfor removal

• BS EN 14873: European-wide standardfor storage

• BS EN 15696: European-wide standardfor self-storage

• BS 8522: British standard forcommercial moving (a condition formembership of the Commercial MoversGroup of BAR)

• BS EN 15696: European-wide standardfor self-storage

The BAR Overseas Moving Group isworking on a British Standard for OverseasMoving, BS 8564, which is now at anadvanced draft form.

Contined on page 48

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011



48

Paul Tidswell has been appointed QualityManager. This new position for QSS willinvolvemanagingthecerticationand

inspection operations as well as the developmentof quality standards for the removals and storageindustry.Before joining QSS, Paul had workedfor fourteen years in the mechanical engineeringindustry as a quality assurance manager. He seeshis new role at QSS as a quality assurancechampion for the British moving industry. ForPaul, quality standards should be considered byprofessions as a key marketing tool. “Based on

my experience of working with another industrysector – where in fact there were strong customerdemands for standards– my personal view is thatremovals and storage companies should beencouraged to take up industry standards, notbecause they are compulsory, but because theywill give you the competitive edge,” he toldR&S.

For this reason, Paul is determined to increasetake up of quality standards across the removalssector.Therearecurrently226certicatesthat

have been issued to the removals industry

according to QSS records. Paul explains thatQSS is able to certify companies (BAR and non-BARmembers)inrespectofthevedifferent

types of British standards currently available tothe industry. As well as standards accreditation,QSS also manages the annual follow-upinspections to maintain the relevant standards,and carries out the BAR Code of Practiceinspections which currently take place everythree years. The auditors can assess otherstandards too, including ISO 9000.

Only in the job since early March, Paul has a

ratherfullloadofworkaheadintherstfewmonths. As well as meeting with QSS’ sevenconsultant assessors, his priority has been toimmerse himself in the removals and storageindustry. “I was very lucky to be invited toLuxfords to see how a removal takes place over acouple of days. I thoroughly enjoy getting outand about, and fully intend to get my faceknown. I look forward to meeting BAR membersat the upcoming BAR Conference and areameetings.” Paul will be working closely withBAR’s Overseas Group which is in the process

of drafting a standard for overseas removals. “Aswe are members of the BSI, we can formulate astandard for the industry by placing a draft on theBSI website for public comment. Once thisprocess has been completed, the draft canbecome a recognised standard. We are hopingthis standard will be applied from this Autumn.”TheroleofQSSManageristherstfull-time

paid position at QSS, and QSS has never had anystaff based out of Watford. “I am based here as itis convenient for me, and it will keep costs downfor QSS,” says Paul. However, Paul is clear that

QSS will remain completely impartial to BAR.“BARhasnoinuenceandcanhavenoaccessto

any of our records. I’m sure BAR staff andmembers will understand, we have to, tomaintain our credibility with QSS’s governingbody, the United Kingdom Accreditation Service(UKAS), which is the sole national accreditationbody.”Indeed,oneofPaul’srstjobswillbeto

present QSS at its own audit to UKAS in April.We wish him all the best!

Paul Tidswell:

quality assurance champion

scan. store. manage. deliver.

Tales of Success.Just one of many stories.Ready to write yours?

Tel +44 (0)1908 635320 Fax +44 (0)1908 635328

www.oneilsot.com [email protected]

www.oneilsot.com/stories

Ofces in Caliornia, Florida, Texas, UK and Australia.

“A key point we make withcustomers is our ability to scandown to the tape level andrequire an electronic signature -the ‘100% chain of custody’ weprovide by printing the receipt of items we have picked up, ordelivered with a date and timestamp. They always have a recordof what happened at eachtransaction and not just a

number total.”

Greg Le Francis, President/General ManagerSouthwest Data ProtectionLas Vegas, Nevada

Memb No: O904

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


Industry News

49

People News

Invitation to RemovalRecruitment 10thanniversary celebration!

To celebrate its tenth anniversary of supplying specialist removalstaff to the removals industry, Removal Recruitment will besponsoring the BAR West Midlands Area Meeting on 18th April

with a presentation, some freebies, and, birthday cake! There willalso be free tea and coffee after the two-course meal at the

Gainsborough House Hotel in Kidderminster.Lesley Crumpton, Director at Removal Recruitment, told R&S:“Wearegoingtodonateanipadasarafeprizetoraisemoneyfor

the Removals Benevolent Association. We want to thank the removalcompanies that have stayed with us all these years; we appreciatetheir faith in us. We look forward to the next 10 years and beyond.”

Established in 2001 as a temporary staff agency exclusively for theremoval industry, Removal Recruitment provides the removalindustry with people experienced in removals of all types includingalldomesticproperties,alltypesofofcelocationsandexports.

Removal Recruitment Director, Paul Dyde, added: “It has been apleasure over the last 10 years working with our clients and we areproud of all our staff who have become the “reliable people…” to theindustry, a BIG thank you to all our clients from ALL the staff at

Removal Recruitment.”For more information about the Area Meeting, contact WestMidlands Area Secretary Sarah Pargeter of Fox Group(Moving & Storage) Ltd on [email protected] information about Removal Recruitment,see www.removalrecruitment.co.uk.

Phil Jackson passed awaypeacefully with his wife athis side during the

evening of Thursday 3rdFebruary.

Phil started his career in themoving industry in 1965 withCox & Kings and then Smith &Herbert prior to their acquisitionby Trans Euro in the 1980s, andnallytheacquisitionofTrans

Euro by Amertrans and thesubsequent formation of TEAMRelocations. Phil’s career sawhim put in some 46 years ofloyal and dedicated service, notsomething you see too often

nowadays!Always smiling, alwaysimmaculately dressed and everthe charming sales professional,he was a pleasure to work with.Phil will be sorely missed, notonly within TEAM but also in

the industry globally where hemade many friends.

TEAM, in association with

Phil’s family, is planning amemorial service to be held inLondon at an appropriate time inthe near future.

OBITUARY

R&S Competition

Tee o withthe R&S QuizInanticipationotheBARAnnualGolChallenge

2011on12thMay,thedaybeoretheBAR

Conerence2011,herearesomegolteasers.

Don’t delay! Send in your answersnow to [email protected]!

Entries containing the correct answers to all

seven questions will go into a hat and the winner

will get a free quarter-page advert in R&S.

1. What is the maximum number of clubs a golferis allowed in his or her bag in a round of golf?

2. How many penalty strokes are added for a lostball in golf?

3. Where is the Royal and Ancient Golf Club?

4. Which golfer is nicknamed the ̀ Great WhiteShark`?

5. How many minutes is a golfer allowed to searchfor his ball before it is considered lost?

6. In what country was the game of golf invented?

7. Whowastherstgolfertoachieveahole-in-oneon British TV?

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


Marketingor theremovalsand storageindustryInthisfrstpartoaseriesoarticlesonpromotingyour

business,R&Slooksatthemainstepsremovalsandstoragecompaniescantaketogainacompetitiveedgethroughbettermarketingotheircompanies.


Feature - Marketing

0

Lars Lykke Iversen, CEO of Santa Fe andkeynote speaker at the BAR AnnualConference in May, gives us a taste of

what he considers companies of any sizeshould do to successfully market theirremovals and storage businesses. In this issue,we also look at some basic pointers forpreparing a marketing strategy, which may beparticularly relevant to small and medium-sized companies.

Marketing tips rom a leading CEO

R&S: How important a role hasmarketing played in growing yourbusiness?

Lars Lykke Iversen: Constant marketingand branding is key for growing our business.This can be done through participation in thelocal community, local chambers and activeinvolvement in industry organisations.

R&S: How can removals and storagecompanies best identiy and reachtheir target customers – direct mail,advertising in the press, onlineadvertising, exhibitions, publicrelations, social networking? Which o these approaches do you fnd mosteective? Or are there others youwould recommend too?

LLI: It will differ from market to market butwhatwendusefulinAsiaistobeinvolvedin

the local community through charity, localchamber organisations and for the group to beinvolved in industry organisations likeWorldwide ERC, FIDI AND IAM. We tend to

invest our A&P (advertising and promotion)funds as close to our customers as possible.

R&S: Do you see the market changingand do you have any advice orcompanies as to how to positionthemselves in order to ourish in thecoming years?

LLI: The market has changed and additionalrequirements from customers put on the supplychain such as being environmentally friendly,offering proven processes for service delivery,processes for data protection and informationsecurity, and a proven CSR programme.Companies need to act more as a consultantrather than just a service provider and need tobe able to deliver data in the format requiredby the customer and last, but not least, theyneedtoshowexibility.

R&S: Having developed Santa FeRelocation Services into a leadingAsian Relocation Company, what doyou think are the key ingredientsnowadays or growing a company inthe Asian market?

LLI: There are a few key ingredients that areimportant for a company operating throughoutAsia-PacicandtheMiddleEastandIwould

like to highlight the following:

1. That you have your quality dimensionsacross the region to meet your customers’requirements. Hence we have FAIMISO,ISO 9001, ISO 14001 (the environment),ISO 27001 (data protection andinformation security), and a formulated

CSR programme like UN Global Compact.

2. That you have a common technologyplatform in place to meet the reportingrequirements of your customers and to be

efcientsoyoucandeliveraquality

service at the pricing point that your customerseest.

3. Consistent service delivery thoroughcustomer-centric innovation. In today’smarket place it is not enough just to do theservice from A to Z. You need to beinnovative in your service.

4. Talent management through focussedtraining enabling promotion within wherepossible. Being in the service industry,

retention of staff is key for consistentservice delivery.

“In today’s market

place it is not enough

just to do the service

rom A to Z. You need

to be innovative in

your services.”

Lars Lykke Iversen,

CEO o Santa Fe

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


Feature - Marketing

1

Whatdoyouconsidertobethemosteectivemarketingtoolsoryourbusiness?Whichareasomarketingdoyouneedinormationon?Dropalineto [email protected].

Marketing basicsAll good businesses grow in part due to repeatbusiness and word of mouth, but now morethan ever, this is unlikely to provide thegrowth you would like to see in your business.Repeat business is slower than usual given therelative lack of activity in the residential and

commercial property market, and while wordof mouth is useful, an effective sales andmarketing plan allows you to get the samepositive messages across to a much wideraudience.

Focus your marketing strategyWhetherthisisthersttimeyouare

considering a marketing strategy or youalready have a well-developed strategy inplace, it is always worth stepping back for amomenttoreectonwhatthegoalofyour

company’s marketing strategy should achieve:it needs to help you identify potential

customers and target them with informationabout your services. Without this goal, yourefforts to attract new customers are likely to behaphazardandinefcient.

The focus of any marketing strategy for theremovals and storage industry should be toensure that your services meet the needs ofyour potential customer, and, whereverpossible, that you can develop long-term andprotablerelationshipswiththosecustomers.

If you drill this down a little bit, it becomesquite logical which market or markets youneed to target. Your existing and potentialcustomers fall into particular groups orsegments, characterised by their ‘needs’ – forexample, domestic and commercial customers,those who require storage, those who are goingor coming from overseas, etc.

Marketing toolsA plethora of marketing tools are out there tosupport you in getting your message across topotential customers. It is for you to decidewhich types of marketing will work best foryou. Consider, for example,

• advertising• exhibitions• public relations initiatives• membership of relevant business,

professional or community groups• your internet presence• social media tools.

Check it is workingMake sure you monitor and evaluate theeffectiveness of your strategy. A simpleapproachtondingoutwhatworksistoask

each new customer how they heard about yourbusiness. Keep this going so you can respond

quickly to changes in customer needs andattitudes and in the broader economic climate.

“Constant marketingand branding is keyor growing ourbusiness. This can be

done throughparticipation in thelocal community,local chambers andactive involvementin industryorganisations.”

Lars Lykke Iversen,CEO o Santa Fe

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


Diary Dates

Diary Dates

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONALCONFERENCES 2011

The Commercial Vehicle Show

NEC, Birmingham

April 12 – 14

BAR Conerence 2011

Renaissance City Hotel, Manchester

May 12 – 14

FIDI Annual Conerence

Lisbon, Portugal

May 1 – 5

OMNI Conerence

Albueira, Portugal

May 6 – 10

Young Movers Conerence

MaltaMay 26 – 29

European Sel Storage

Annual Conerence

Portugal

June 15-16

MöLo International Fair

‘Furniture Logistics,Removals and Services’

Kassel, Germany

June 16 – 18

AMÖ General Assembly

Kassel, Germany

June 18

BOARD, COUNCIL ANDCOMMITTEE MEETINGS 2011

Board o DirectorsApril 6 - 10.00-1.00

July 13 - 10.00-1.00

December 7 - 10.00-1.00

Executive Committee

June 1September 21

November 23

BAR Business SeminarsOctober 3

Hillcrot Hotel, Livingstone

(sponsored by Harrow Green)

October 4

Pickords, Leeds

October 5

GB Liners, Cheltenham

October 6

Pickords, London

BAR AREA MEETINGS 2011

East Anglia Area

Contact Andrew Pearson: 0132 83777

April 12 • 12pm or 12.30 lunch

Flying Fortress, Great Barton, Bury St Edmonds

East Met Area

Contact Ray Slemmings: 01708 440113

East Midlands Area

Contact Jayne Clie: 01778 394291

May 18 19.00pm

September 21 19.00pm

November 16 19.00pm

The Haycock Hotel, Wansord

Kent Area

Contact Tom Bourne: [email protected]

April 19 • 19.30pm

The George Inn, Molash

Northern Area

Contact Alan Hoggin: 0191 49 1194

April 13 • 19.15pm

Bishop Auckland FC

North West Area

Contact Annette Harris: 011 3 44

Northern Ireland Area

Contact Dominic Murray: 02890 748 88

Southern Area

Contact Peter Doman: 01372 3898

[email protected]

July 5

Gol/Barbecue. Venue TBC

South Western Area Dinner Dance

Nov 12

The Barcelo Imperial Hotel, Torquay

Sussex Area

Contact Nicholas Marshall:

084 02 17

May 3

August 2November 1

Western Area

Contact Ria Russell: 01278 447099

May 10 • 19.00pm

September 13

November 8

Brent House, Bridgwater Rd, East Brent

Highbridge, Somerset TA9 4HL

West Midlands Area

Contact Sarah Pargeter: 01384 37778

April 18 • 18.30pm

June 13 • 19.00pm

September 12 • 19.00pm

The Gainsborough Hotel, Kidderminster

Yorkshire Area

Contact Graham Puddephatt:

[email protected]

May 19

September 15

Yorkshire Area Annual Dinner

Nov 26

Ambassador Hotel, Scarborough

BAR SCOTTISH AREA

MEETINGS 2011

Contact Georgina Berry: 010 02220

Do you have any diary dates?E-mail them to [email protected]

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


Trade Services


Memberships

Registered:

The ollowing Members have

registered:

National & European Group

The Transporter Removals Ltd

Memb No: T0

72 Towcester Road

Far Cotton

Northampton

NN4 8LQ

Tel: 0104 472103

Web:

www.thetransporterman.com

National Afliate

Cobia Ltd

Memb No: C92

Tivoli house

Wigmore

LutonBedordshire

LU2 9XG

Tel: 0182 390003

Web: www.cobia-uk.com

Overseas Group

Elite Moving Systems

Memb No: E040

International Associate

DASA International Movers

Memb No: D318

Suite 307 & 308

Ofce Court Building

OUD Metha Road

Dubai, UAE

Tel: 00971 4 334 44

Web: www.dasadxb.com

Applications:

BAR has received the ollowing

applications or:

National & European Group

Green Brothers Removals & Storage

Green Brothers House

88 Pierson Road

Windsor

Berkshire

SL4 RFTel: 0173 83

Web:

www.greenbrothers-removals.co.uk

Orbital Movers

Orbital Business Park

Argon Road, Edmonton

London N18 3BZ

Tel: 0208 807 1123

Additional Trading Name

Plymouth Removers Countrywide an

ATN o Plymouth Removers

Memb No: A09

International Associate

PM Relocations Pvt. LtdB-4 Lajpat Nagar – II

New Delhi

110024, India

Tel: 0091 124 321 1002

Web: www.pmrelocations.com

Easymoves Ltd

Killinvoy house

Knockroghery

Co. Roscommon

Tel: 0033 90 1749

Web: www.easymoves.net

Resignations:BAR is sorry to lose the membership

o the ollowing companies whilst

thanking them or their support:

National Group

Seven Seas Worldwide Ltd

Memb No: S110

Terminations:

Move Management International,

Inc. Memb No: L30

Liquidation:

Euro-UK Movers Ltd t/a Dee & Dee

Removals Memb No: D037

White’s Removals & Transport Ltd

Memb No: W029

Whittle Movers LtdMemb no: W08

Clarifcation

For your inormation:

The Doree Bonner International

Group would like to draw to

Members attention that their

company is listed alphabetically

under the letter ‘T’ in the List o

Members 2011 directory.

BAR Memberships April 2011

Any member wishing to makeany comment regarding anapplication should do so inwriting to BAR Head Ofcewithin 21 days o receipt o thisnotifcation. Details omembership applications inprocess may also be ound on theBAR website: www.bar.co.uk

Writing a Winning Tender or the Public Sector

BARTS Courses

This is a brand new workshop taking place at BAR Watord covering topics such as:

• Risk Management • Opportunities to score

• Constructing a winning stategy • Presentations

• What to write • Feedback

• Identiying your USP • Pricing

• Where you can stand out • Tips & techniques

• Common Mistakes • Useul inormation

Course Dates 2011

30 June 2011 • 1 September 2011 • 08 December 2011

£99 + VAT p/p

Book your place today Call: 01923 99484 or email: [email protected]

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


Trade Services

April 2011 Removals & Storage

Channel Islands

Isle o Man

Ireland

Scotland/Europe

Italy

• Regular runs to all areas • Full or part loads• Receiving depot 10mins from M25 J5 ...or we collect• All deliveries and collections carried out by our own crewsPhone Paul for advice and genuine delivery/collection times

[email protected]

TRADE ROUTES

TO ITALY FRANCE

-ANDOF

COURSE

01732 358900‘ WHEN SERVICE MATTERS

’ EN

ROUTE

Daily trade service to and from the Channel Islands

Tel: 01489 581 063 or 01489 579 997Email: [email protected]

www.pickfords.com

Packing services

Origin and destination

services

Local storage

International groupage

services

Export packing services

PO19

Scotland and Islands

This space isavailable rom just

£33 per month

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


Trade Services


France

AustriaGermany and Austria

Weekly Groupage ServiceFull origin and destinationservices available.

German speaking staff

WH HUMPHREY & SON LTD

Contact Darrel or JustinTel: 0208 144 0734 • Fax: 0844 770 7111Email: [email protected]

N ATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL R EMOVALS

H AMILTONS

Contact our European department on 01379 [email protected]

France&• Weekly services and competitive rates

• Tranship & Hoist services available

• Collection from yourdepot or clientsresidence available

T o dow nload our t ar if f s v isit :w w w .hami lt onsr emov als.co.uk User name:T r ad e P assw or d :Ham662

SwitzerlandH081

Switzerland

Cyprus and Malta

Weekly Services toNorth and Southern Cyprus, Malta,

Egypt, Israel, Dubai, Morocco,

Canary Islands, Lebanon and Tunisia.

Contact Darrel or JustinTel: 0208 144 0734 • Fax: 0844 770 7111Email: [email protected]

GREECE b y R o a d

&ITALYENROUTE

transit time

departures

&

in Greece

|

Greece

Trade Services adverts rom as little as £33 amonth plus vat. Contact Steve on 0117 330 8370

or email: [email protected]

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


Trade Services


Spain

UK Office: 01843 585055, [email protected]

Mallorca Office: 0034 971 693566, [email protected]

Trade website: www.william-worldwide-webb.com

Weekly Scheduled Service, Containerised Storage Depots

Holder of Spanish Transport Licencefor our Tranship vehicles

Unrivaled Infrastructure in Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza

Excellent Rates, Payment in Euros or GBP accepted

Purely The Balearics, No Bull! WEEKLY

REGULAR

Cyprus

Canary Islands

Sweden and Scandinavia

Promote your services to over 4,000 UK basedremovers rom just £33 per month

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


Trade Services


Regular Services to all Major

Destinations Worldwide

Receiving in Windsor & Stourbridge

Contact Mike, Chris or Steve on

01633 488 100

[email protected]

Trade Rates

to Europe

South Arica

United Arab Emirates

Caribbean

South America

Regular Trade

Services toUNITED ARAB

EMIRATES

Dubai, Sharjah

and Abu Dhabi Full & part loads

Contact Justine or Stuart on

01432 377477fax: 01432 279894

email: [email protected]

OVERSEASREMOVER

AdvancePayment

Guaranteed

Memb No: GO13

Israel

India

TradeServicesto INDIAOne point of entry for

delivery anywhere in India.11 receiving depots

Full & part loads

Contact Justine or Stuart on

01432 377477fax: 01432 279894

email: [email protected]

Memb No: GO13

ISRAELThe largest consolidators of HHPE

from the UK to Israel.Weekly + full destination services!

020 8832 2222Stephen Morris Shipping Plc, Unit 9, Ockham Drive,

Greenford Park, Greenford. UB6 0FD UK.E: [email protected] www.shipsms.co.uk

Wo r l d w i d e R e l o c a t i o n

Fi n e Ar t & An t i q u e s S h i p p i n g

Worldwide

Space to Hire

This space isavailable rom just

£33 per month

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


Trade Services


Trade Storage

www.tradestorage.co.uk We are not a removal company or

your competitor, you are our clients

on which our business depends.

[email protected] London or Swindon

0208 795 4838 or 01793 731696

They say that imitation is a form of flattery - but there is only one

Trade Storage Limited.

Cadogan Tate® Trade ServicesTRADE STORAGE – Please call Alan Carpenter 0208 963 3905Depots in LONDON NW10 – WOKINGHAM (M4) – OXFORD (M40)

Secure alarmed warehouses – helpful flexible service - competitive rates

EXTERNAL ELEVATOR – Please call Alan Carpenter 0208 963 3905External access up to 6 th floor – no stair/lift work. Includes Operator & Equipment.

Immediate payback in saved time & money.

EUROPEAN GROUPAGE – Please call Stuart Ashe 0208 963 4015Fortnightly air-ride satellite tracked service between London, Paris, Geneva & Côte d’Azur.

Fine Art service available. Trade rates.

www.cadogantate.com

Warehouse Containers

External Elevators

Trailer Hire

TRAILER HIRE

From car trailers to 3200 cubic feetstepframes, 8 container

curtainsiders unsignwritten haulage

available too. (UK and Europe).

www.tradestorage.co.uk/trailers

020 8795 4838 or 01793 731696

LOCAL MOVING • WORLDWIDE SHIPPING

WEEKLY EUROPEAN SERVICE

Recommended by the worlds finest piano manufacturers,

auctioneers, music colleges & academies.

A family run business, Est. in 1968.

THE PIANO

SPECIALISTS

Mem. No G005

100 BOLLO LANE, CHISWICK, LONDON W4 5LX

Tel: +44 (0) 20 8994 9733 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8995 0855

Email: [email protected] www.gandrremovals.co.uk

Training

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


Classifeds


For Sale

Used 250t3 storage containers

£7 each. Contact Mandy on 01285 641003

Are You Looking To Sell?

We are looking to buy good quality household moving and storage

companies in London and the home counties.

Please call 07933 123 123in ull confdence or a quick decision.

Opportunities

Classifed AdvertisingCharges

All classifed advertisements should be booked no later than the 10th

and received no later than the 1th o the month preceding publication.

For all advertising enquiries please contact:Steve Pearce at Rubicon Marketing

on: 0117 330 8370 or e-mail: [email protected]

RatesSituations Vacant £2.1 per word (min 1 words)

For Sale and Wanted ads £2.1 per word (min 10 words)

Boxed Ad (Semi-Display) £30 per single column centimetre(Please note all lineage & semi-display ads are set by R&S in house style)

Hal Page Mono £10

Hal Page Colour £1

Quarter Page Mono £42

Quarter Page Colour £00

Box Number +£30

All charges are plus VAT.

Box NumbersReplies to Box Number advertisements should be sent to:

The Advertiser

Box no. (XYZ)

The British Association o Removers

Tangent House, 2 Exchange Road, Watord, Herts WD18 0TG

Situations VacantIn line with the Sex Discrimination Act, all positions are open to male and

emale applicants.

VehiclesPurchasers o a vehicle advertised in Removals & Storage should satisy

themselves that the payload/volume is suitable or the purpose or which

they intend to use it.

F OR SALEMake and Model

Mar sden V anplan X container ,

new MOT to June X X X X , f ull ser v ice histor y

X X X X X km. F eatur e, f eatur e, f eatur e,f eatur e, f eatur e, f eatur e,f eatur e, f eatur e, f eatur e,

LEZ compliant.Asking pr ice

Contact X X X X X X X X P hone and email

ad d r ess

VEHICLESALESOFFER!THISSPACEPLUSPICTUREFORONLY

£190+VAT

Please contact Steve Pearceat Rubicon Marketing on: 0117 330 8370or e-mail: [email protected]

DOCUMENT STORAGECONTAINERS

FOR SALE (250t3)Once used. Superb condition. £100 each + VAT.

Contact Matt Purdie: 07770 583 407

Advertise your job vacancies in

Removals & Storage magazineContact Steve Pearce atRubicon Marketing on: 0117 330 8370or e-mail: [email protected]

FIND THERIGHT PERSONFOR THE JOB

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


Trade Services


8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


Industry News

2

Send your letters to:

TheEditor,AndyStern,

[email protected]

Regarding the current hoo-ha over fuel prices,and the “petition” against it, namely: “I supportthe campaign for a fairer fuel taxation deal forthe British Motorist & the UK Road Freight

Industry.”The wording of the petition is ludicrously

vague. Sir Humphrey would love it, because itdoes not explain what a “fairer fuel taxationdeal” is, rendering the petition pointless and awasteoftime.Whogetstodenewhatis

“fairer”?Far more effective would be: “We wish Her

Majesty’s Government to abandon the next

increase in fuel duty planned for April 2011.”Asking for a stabiliser to “keep fuel costs

down” is also vague - down to what? What theVenezuelans pay at home for their fuel? Or the

Americans? And how long is “the long term”?It’s all like asking for a long piece of string.Whatever happened to precision?

Alicia S.E. Moss, AberystwythRemovals & Storage Ltdwww.house-move.com

The importance o precision

Letters

WhatareyourviewsontheimpactotheBudget,taxation,conveyancingoranythingelserelatingtothebusinessoremovalsandstorage?Letusknow!

Last month, some of our colleagues went out ofbusiness. As I write this on Saturday, 2nd April,Iamawarethatothersarendingitanunequal

struggle, crushed between rising costs andinsufcientincome.Howlongdowehaveto

go on as an industry working at, or below, cost?Are any of the people going out of businessdoing so because they are charging too much?

When I talk to people about price, they maketwo weak excuses. Firstly, the customers are

not prepared to pay more and, secondly, theyare only cheaper because their customers are.Really, they tell me, they would like to chargelots more but are held back by A N Other.Letmedebunktherstexcuse.AtGBLiners

this year, we have removed the freedom that ourSales staff had of trying to book work “at thebest price possible”. We have substituted apolicy of minimum margins above cost and,surprise surprise, we have booked 8% less jobs.The ones we have booked are at 8% more each,so our income is unchanged but we only havethe cost of 92% of the jobs. So some, possiblymany, will pay more.

Then what about charging the same as yourcheap competitors? Is it possible that this cost

might be less than yours? Is applying his priceto your costs a sensible way to run yourbusiness? That brings me to another point.How many people know their costs? I wouldsuggest that if you haven’t reviewed them in thelast month, they are already out-of-date. Surelysensible selling prices can only be based uponknown costs. BAR has recently developed asimple Cost Calculator. It is well worth a look.

So I urge everyone to review their costs and

reectthosecostsinprices,ratherthanplayinga game of “race to the bottom” where we allchase the price down because we are followingthe person who understands his costs least.

Let’s be proud of our service, proud of thevalue we provide, proud of the staff we employand proud of our price. Otherwise I fear thatmore will go out of business and others willstruggle to make a return their capital andefforts deserve.

R G BartupGB Liners Ltdwww.gbliners.com

Moving away rom the‘race to the bottom’

8/4/2019 R&S April 2011


R&S April 2011

Documents

Transcript of R&S April 2011