r&s december 2012

December 2012 Removals & StoragePB

Features

Removals & Storage December 2012 1

Features

www.bar.co.uk

Removals & StorageThe Magazine of the British Association of Removers

Inside this Issue

Industry News BAR News

>> Chris Fry of Basil Fry retires

>> One Direction picks Rogers Removals

>> Are you ready for Driver CPC?

>> Judges’ tips for CMotY 2013

>> DMotY 2013 and CMotY 2013 application forms

>> Book now for BAR Conference 2013

Features

>> BIFM CEO: penetrating the facilities management market

>> Analysis on how people choose removals companies

Breaking News

Lending a helping hand to Honduras

December 2012 // Issue 461 // £4

On the coverBritannia Fleet Removals has helped send a container of furniture, toys and medical equipment to St Joseph’s Hospice in Honduras in time for Christmas. Pages 50-51

December 2012 Removals & Storage2

Features


Features

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BAR News

Removals & Storage December 2012

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Industry News

December 2012 Removals & Storage

News from Watford

Launch of a new BAR customer feedback website, updates on BAR Membership Criteria and the role of Trading Standards and BAR’s Code of Practice.

On the cover: R&S donated this cover page story to Britannia Fleet Removals in recognition of their charitable work at this time of the year.

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People News58

Picture Caption Competition61

Diary Dates60

Membership 64

Contents

Judges’ tips for CMotY 2013Using their experience as judges in the prestigious Commercial Mover of the Year award 2012, David Bunting, Beth Goodyear and Graham Briscoe set out what applicants for CMotY 2013 need to bear in mind.

The R&S Interview: Gareth TancredCEO of the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM), Gareth Tancred, on how Commercial Moving Group members can penetrate the Facilities Management market. 52

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Chris Fry heads to the clubhouse After 42 years of service to the industry, Chris Fry of Basil Fry & Co is retiring this month. R&S looks at his successes in helping build up Basil Fry into a market leader in the specialist insurance sector.

Self Storage Special Interest Group News44

Overseas Group News42

Training News46

Contents

• Britannia Fleet Removals lends a helping hand to Honduras• Rightmove research into how people choose removers• MovingStar: Hearts in San Francisco• Bob Tree on supporting the RBA

Features50

Industry News

Just a snippet...• BAR consulted on Heseltine industry review• Employees could become part owners• Two-tier road tax on the horizon?• Watson’s wins major offi ce move• Memorable fi shing for Anglo Pacifi c

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BAR News

Update on the new industry Code of Practice, DMotY 2013 deadlines, Annual Conference 2013 and DED news.

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BAR Services

Commercial Moving Group News

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QSS Update

ISO 22301 for Business Continuity Planning.

Apply now to enter CMotY 2013!

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European News48

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BAR News


News from Watford

Extensive discussions have recently taken place with the Trading Standards Institute to determine how they can take forward the sponsorship of the Consumer Codes Approval Scheme, once the Office of Fair Trading relinquishes that role next Spring. As promised in last month’s edition of R&S, a full report on this important development for the future of the BAR Code of Practice is given on pages 18-21. Please take the time to read this and put any questions you may have either at Area meetings, or to BAR Headquarters here in Watford. Much has been achieved, but more is to be done and the fact that ‘Trading Standards’ is perhaps even more widely recognised than the OFT as a brand amongst consumers is welcome and perhaps a silver lining.

We often get comments from Members regarding customer feedback, and how to promote fair and accurate reporting. So, BAR is actively developing a new electronic customer feedback scheme, at no cost to Members, and intended initially for residential moves. The scope of the questions will cover the operation of the Code of Practice, industry-specific matters, and additional specific questions set by the company for internal management purposes. A dedicated new website will be established – www.trustedmover.org – where feedback can be published and viewed, and a full report on this initiative will be made early in the New Year.

The key objective of our Commercial Team in speaking to every BAR Member, to discuss matters of interest and concern, has now been accomplished – no small task – and thanks are due to everyone who found the time in their hectic daily schedules to talk to our staff when they telephoned. A lot of useful feedback was gathered, and the results will now be carefully analysed, with a full report on the findings published in R&S early in the New Year.

Discussions have also taken place to fine-tune the details of the revised BAR Membership Criteria, so that these will be seamlessly addressed during the newly instituted annual inspections which will commence in 2013. One of the key criteria requirements is, of course, that Members’ staff should be properly trained; not only is this simple good practice, but a company’s insurance might not be valid otherwise. At a time of tough economic conditions, it might seem to be tempting to cut back on training, but it might also be false economy.

Don’t forget the DMotY and CMotY competitions – full details of how to apply are contained in the centre spreads of this edition of R&S. Finally, and not least, a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all BAR Members, International Associates and Affiliates from us all in Watford.

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Contact Details:

Editorial Contributions on all aspects of the removals and storage industry are welcome, together with photographs if appropriate.

Please contact the Managing Editor, Louise Gale on:Tel: 020 3235 1806Email: [email protected]

Advertising For all enquiries and bookings, please contact Steve Pearce on:Tel: 0117 957 5400Email: [email protected] or [email protected]: The booking deadline for all display advertisements for the January 2013 issue of R&S is 10 December.

Subscriptions Removals & Storage is subscribed to by members of the British Association of Removers in the UK and Overseas. Current annual subscription is £48.00 in the UK and £72.00 overseas. Additional subscriptions are available from BAR.

Registered as a magazine © The British Association of Removers 2012. ISSN 0034-4265

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

Opinions expressed in Removals & Storage are not necessarily those of the publisher, British Association of Removers.The description of a product or service in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the publisher.The publisher does not accept any responsibility for any claims by advertisers.The articles in this publication are for general information only and are not intended to be advice to any specific person.Readers are recommended to seek professional advice before taking or refraining from taking any action on the basis of the contents of any article in this publication.

The British Association of Removers

Tel: 01923 699 480 Fax: 01923 699 481 Email: [email protected]

Tangent House, 62 Exchange Road, Watford, Hertfordshire WD18 OTG

President: Ian StuddDirector General: Stephen VickersCompany Secretary: James Falkner

Removals & Storage is designed on behalf of The British Association of Removers by:Rubicon Marketing Ltd. Tel: 0117 957 5400Email: [email protected]

Removals & Storage is written and edited for the British Association of Removers by Analytica MediaTel: 0203 235 1800 Email: [email protected]

Copy and advertising deadlines 2013 for future issues of R&S magazineArticle submission: 2nd of the month preceding publication

Booking of display Adverts: 10th of the month preceding publication

Booking of classified Adverts: 10th of the month preceding publication

Booking of trade Adverts: 10th of the month preceding publication

Artwork for Adverts: 15th of the month preceding publication

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Industry News


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Two-tier road tax on the horizon?

Reports suggest that the Government may be considering the introduction of a ‘two-tier’ road tax system, under which drivers who do not use major roads would pay a lower rate of Vehicle Excise Duty than those who drive on motorways and trunk roads. VED revenues are falling, as they are related to carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles, and these emissions have dropped over the years as engines become cleaner. The Government is looking at ways to make up the shortfall and to finance road construction and maintenance. The RAC Foundation recommends “a transparent, softly, softly approach to reforming motoring tax could work especially if everyone gains something, either better journeys or discounted rates of VED. Ministers would go a long way to restoring trust amongst drivers if the proceeds were ring fenced and ploughed back in to road provision.” However, the AA has said that a two-tier system would lead to more traffic on minor roads and a “first- and second-class system on the roads.”

Alistair Bingle, Managing Director of Bishop’s Move, agrees that a two tier system would not ease congestion on the roads. “Businesses, families and individuals will continue to use the motorways and main A roads because it makes sense from a timing perspective. This is just another revenue gaining exercise which, whilst in the short term might cut some traffic off the motorways, over time the public will revert back to using the quickest means of getting from A to B. The net result will be more tax revenue with little achieved to alleviate congestion.” The idea is only one of a number of options for VED reform and road funding that the Department for Transport is considering together with the Treasury, and may prove too politically unattractive to implement. “A feasibility study is being carried out to review new ownership and financing models for the strategic road network,” according to a DfT spokesperson. “This is looking at how best we can secure investment in the network to increase capacity and boost economic growth.” The Government has made clear it will not implement tolls on existing road capacity and has no plans to replace existing motoring taxes with pay-as-you-go road charging.

BAR was one of a select handful of trade associations consulted and interviewed during the preparation of this report, titled No stone unturned in pursuit of growth. The review calls for a new form of relations between major sectors of the economy and government, and pays particular attention to the role of trade associations. One of the recommendations of the report is that “government departments and industry sectors should jointly nominate lead trade associations to represent sectors in their dialogue with government and encourage the private sector to bring about a major rationalisation of trade associations to enhance the quality of the debate.” It calls for government to involve the private sector in drafting regulations so it is a collaborative process, and for trade associations, through the lead associations for their sectors, to be invited “to submit precise redrafting of existing regulations prior to wider consultation on any changes.”

BAR’s representation to the review focused above all on the need for smaller sectors, such as Removals, to

be properly consulted with and not consumed within broader sectors, such as Logistics, for all issues. “These representations have been listened to and these concerns addressed in the report,” BAR Director General Stephen Vickers notes. “BAR advocated improved standards, a Trade Association code of practice, clarity over the role of Trade Associations and the clear divide between legitimate Trade Associations such as BAR and other organisations set up purporting to represent a sector. Again our concerns were listened to and these concerns addressed in the report,” Stephen says. The report recommends that an updated Code of Practice for Trade Associations should be developed. It should be given teeth by making compliance with the Code a condition for membership of the Trade Association Forum. Stephen Vickers concludes that “whatever the politics at the time, it is clear that BAR must continue to have a clear voice for removers. Our input into this report, and the fact that our concerns were addressed, is recognition of the credibility that we have established.”

BAR contributes to Heseltine review Former Deputy Prime Minister Lord Heseltine launched his much anticipated economic report at the end of October – and BAR played its part.

MP brings in fuel transparency billRobert Halfon MP, a leading figure in the FairFuelUK fight for lower fuel prices, has tabled a Private Members Bill on petrol prices.

“When we fill up our car, our receipt says “Fuel £50, VAT £10”. This is wrong,” Mr Halfon told Parliament. “If my receipt was accurate, it would say how much fuel duty I am paying, which is currently disguised in the price.”

The politician argues that “on every receipt of every fuel bill the tax burden should be clear and transparent, and there should be some indication of how much is being spent on our roads. So my receipt would say: “Fuel £25, duty £25, VAT £10, amount spent on roads approximately £7”.

The campaign has been supported by FairFuelUK, which has gained 15,000 signatures on a petition specifically on this issue, and by the TaxPayers Alliance, as well as by the independent fuel retailers.

A report from the Office of Fair Trading on the petrol and diesel market is due in January.

Industry News

8 Removals & Storage December 2012

IAM celebrates 50 years The International Association of Movers (IAM) has held its 50th annual meeting in Washington DC, fifty years after it was founded as the Household Goods Forwarders Association of America. The event was well attended by delegates and speakers from across the global moving industry, and included a presentation from BAR Director General Stephen Vickers. IAM President Terry R. Head reviewed what he said was a successful anniversary year for the association. Worldwide membership now totals 2,350 members in 174 countries, after adding 105 new member companies in 2012 – 45% of whom came from Asia. In 2012, the IAM also established its first Ethics Council, composed of IAM members from diverse regions and industry sectors to provide balance. The Council adjudicates alleged breaches of the IAM Code of Ethics. Two Code of Ethics allegations have been submitted to the Council so far. According to details of an IAM member survey released at the meeting, 63% say that revenue has increased this year, 21% say it has decreased, and 16% say it has stayed the same. 58% agreed that their company has been successful over the past 12 months, and 31% strongly agreed.

HSE begins fee for intervention

The Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) new cost recovery scheme, Fee for Intervention (FFI), came into force in October.

Under The Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations 2012, those who are in material breach of health and safety laws are liable for recovery of HSE’s related costs, including, inspection, investigation and taking enforcement action.

However, the Forum of Private Business attacked the move, calling on the HSE to clarify what constitutes a breach and warning that the present uncertainty might produce very different interpretations by individual inspectors on a business-to-business basis.

There are approximately 1.5 million trips by foreign-registered HGVs into the UK each year. According to Norman Baker, Under-Secretary of State for Transport: “There has been an inequality for some time, in that UK hauliers are often charged when they travel abroad, through tolls and other charging schemes, whereas foreign hauliers can use the UK road network for no charge.

This levy, introduced alongside other measures, such as reductions in the HGV vehicle excise duty, which means that more than nine out of 10 vehicles will pay no more than now, will help the competitiveness of UK business.” The levy has been welcomed by the Road Haulage Association and the Freight Transport Association. The RHA is pleased to see that VOSA will be targeting its enforcement in this area and the scale of the

penalties available: £200 for a fixed penalty or deposit at the roadside; a Level 5 penalty of up to £5,000 upon summary conviction for failing to pay the levy. RHA’s Jack Semple said: “We recognise that this scheme achieves as much as can be done to level the playing field through road charging within EU law.” All trucks must pay the new charge. It amounts to an annual rate of £1,000 for large vehicles, which includes the great majority of foreign trucks. The charge will be deducted from UK Vehicle Excise Duty, so that there is little and in most cases no net impact on UK-registered truck operators. James Hookham of the FTA said “FTA has supported the idea of a charge on foreign vehicles for many years as a way of addressing at least partly the competitive differences between British registered operators and foreign-registered vehicles.”

Road charging bill starts its journey The HGV Road User Levy Bill was presented to Parliament for its first reading in October. The bill will mean that from early 2014 foreign trucks will pay to use UK roads.

Health and Safety Executive

Palace move for Agility GRMS and Armishaws Armishaws recently carried out the high profile move of General Sir David Richards, Chief of Defence Staff, on behalf of BAR Affiliate Agility GRMS. The removal, which took place within Kensington Palace, required the relocation of some 6,000 cubic feet to a different apartment within the palace. Walls and floors were protected throughout with plywood boards, balustrades wrapped in high density bubble wrap and doors shielded with door protectors.

Mick Cornish of Agility GRMS said that numerous pieces of high value silverware, glass and china were expertly wrapped, inventoried and packed. Paintings were wrapped and crated along with many pieces of fine furniture.

The move was carried out by a team of six and completed in four days, exactly on schedule, much to the delight of General and Lady Richards. Not a

single piece of damage or breakage occurred.The crew were thanked in person by the General

who gave them each a limited edition commemorative medal “in thanks for a job well done.” General Richards said “I know a good bunch of men when I see them and you certainly fit the bill.” Jules Tranter, the General’s aide, said “please thank your boys again from General and Lady Richards for a fantastic move. After having done 31 moves in his forces career, this was the best. The staff were so professional, accommodating and helpful.”

The move formed part of the Agility GRMS contract for worldwide MoD removals.

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Industry News


Industry News


Employees could become part owners The Government has published plans for a new employment status called an ‘employee owner’. This will give workers a financial stake in their firm’s growth and success through tax-free shares. The move will provide companies with a new option to increase the flexibility of how they hire people and help their companies grow. Under the new employment status, employee owners will have a different set of employment rights and they will be given shares of between £2,000 and £50,000 in the company. Any increase in value of these shares will not be subject to capital gains tax. Employees taken on this way will have all of the rights associated with other employees except for:• Unfairdismissalrights(apartfrom

automatically unfair reasons and where dismissal is based on discriminatory grounds).

• Rightstoredundancypay.• Certainstatutoryrightstorequesttraining.• Thestatutoryrighttorequestflexible working.• Employeeownerswillhavetogivemore

notice if they want to return from maternity or adoption leave early.

It will be entirely voluntary for the employer to offer the new status – and for an individual to choose to accept it. However, Mike Emmott, Employee Relations Adviser at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) warns that it is “far from clear how attractive the offer to give up employment rights in return for shares will be to prospective employees of small firms.

More important, it is highly doubtful whether inviting employees to sign away basic employment rights will deliver the motivated, driven, high performing workforce that small firms need. Existing, highly successful mutually owned firms do not thrive on employee ownership alone, but on the high trust, high engagement, all-pulling-in-the-same-direction cultures they have.” Under the Government’s proposals, an employer will be able to choose the new status and still choose to offer more rights to their staff (e.g. the right to request flexible working or higher levels of contractual redundancy pay). Companies of any size will be able to use this new kind of contract, but it is intended for fast growing small and medium sized companies that would benefit most from a flexible workforce. Legislation to bring in the new employee owner contract will be introduced via the Growth and Infrastructure Bill, with the aim of companies being able to offer the new type of contract from April 2013.

The Darlington company will work with AMEC as it moves staff into its new home on the Lingfield Point business park, on the outskirts of Darlington. AMEC is the latest in a long line of new commercial customers for Watson’s as it continues to grow its presence in this area alongside a healthy demand for domestic removals and storage. Kevin Catterick, Head of Function at AMEC, said “we chose Watson’s Removals because the team there were extremely professional, and provided us with a deliverable and affordable solution.”

To facilitate the AMEC contract and other commercial work, the company has now added a new vehicle to its fleet. Company owner Mick Watson said “Every opportunity that comes our way enables us to prove we are a professional team which prides itself on the quality of our customer service.” As well as AMEC, Watson’s lists a number of other major UK firms among its commercial clients including NIFCO, the Student Loans Company and Darlington Building Society.

Watson’s wins major office moveNorth East-based removals firm Watson’s has landed a major contract with engineering and project management multinational AMEC to assist in the move of over 500 office stations into a new premises.

Bishop’s Move ensured that its largest vehicle proved an obstacle for competitors during the 2012 Road Block Run held in Holyrood Park in early Autumn.

The competition enabled participants of all abilities to take part in a 10k charity fun run. It featured ten carefully planted obstacles that had the competitors climbing, sliding and crawling their way around the course, all in the name of raising much needed funds for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS).

The Bishop’s Move vehicle was positioned so as runners approached, they were faced with the task of running up a side-ramp leading into the truck. They would then run through the truck and an ‘inbuilt’ obstacle course of cartons, before jumping out of the back door and embarking on the remainder of the course.

The theme of this year’s Road Block Run was ‘Life is full of obstacles – overcome yours’ which applied to both the participants, of which there were over 300, and those who the CHSS support on a daily basis.

Bishop’s Move has been supporting CHSS for more than six months. Through a unique ‘De-clutter

Service’, Bishop’s Move removal men throughout Scotland provide home movers with CHSS Charity Donation Sacks prior to their move, should they wish to donate any unwanted items to the charity. On the day of the move the Bishop’s Move vans collect and store the items, which can range from clothes to electrical equipment, that are then collected by CHSS representatives.

Bishop’s Move Edinburgh has so far received 5,000 bags for use on this project that will enable house movers across the Scotland to create space, de-clutter, and donate items to a good cause.

Once the removal team has a transit sized van worth of items, CHSS collect the new stream of charitable donations ready to distribute throughout its 25 shops in Scotland.

David Mills-Pearce, Bishop’s Move General Manager, Scotland said “we are firmly in the business of supporting our number one charity north of the border and helping them fund its programme of support for people suffering from chest, heart and stroke illness. It was a fantastic event and a unique sight witnessing over 300 competitors run and jump through one of Bishop’s Move’s largest vehicles!”

Bishop’s Move lends a vehicle for obstacle course

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Industry News


Following a presentation at a BAR Yorkshire area meeting earlier this year, Specialised Movers offered to provide and finance the sea freight of hospital supplies, equipment and personal effects for Lucy. Graham Puddephatt of Reason Global insurance, the Yorkshire Area Chairman, also contacted Rolf Ossmann of Worldwide Movers in Malawi, who then offered to deal with the customs clearance and onward delivery to the hospital in Malawi. Lucy has now returned from Malawi and wants to thank all involved in supporting her trip to Africa. “From the outset Graham Puddephatt has been incredibly supportive, presenting me with the opportunity for sponsorship where I obtained a substantial amount to cover the placement and a donated container to fill with donations from the hospital and fellow students and staff from the university,” Lucy says. “Graham put me in touch with colleagues in Malawi. His colleagues were also very supportive, Worldwide Movers provided me with guidance on the required paperwork to get the donations into the country. The owner of Combined Cargo Eddie Kaluwa and his family also showed my colleagues and myself outstanding hospitality showing us around local sites

and teaching us some of the language and helped us to adjust and settle into the new culture and lifestyle!” Lucy says that she and her colleagues helped to strengthen the connections between the local hospital and the University of York Health Sciences department. She is currently looking into exchange programmes between other universities and Malawi so she can propose the idea to the University of York. “I believe the nursing students there could benefit from the teaching we receive in the UK,” she told R&S. “Overall I found the experience inspirational and second to none, including encountering things such as hippo attacks, poisonous snake bites!”

Removers play a key role in nurse’s Malawi experienceAs readers of R&S will recall, the removals trade has played a big part in helping nurse Lucy Fisher move from Yorkshire to Malawi, where she volunteered in a hospital in the town of Zomba, after finishing her nursing degree.

Bournes gets EMMA’s award

Bournes Removals has been named Runner-Up in the International Moving Company of the Year award at the 2012 European EMMA’s.

The EMMA’s are organised by the Forum of Expatriate Management. Over 500 nominations were received in 25 categories from Global Mobility Professionals all around the world.

The EMMA Runner Up award is recognition for the team’s efforts across the board to ensure each of the hundreds of individuals and families Bournes relocate each year across the globe receives the highest standards in personal service and customer care to ensure their smooth and successful transition.

One Direction picks Rogers Removals Seems like celebrity moves have been two a penny this year for Rogers Removals – but even they are not used to paparazzi snapping their work for the papers.

In October the team moved Zayn Malik, a member of One Direction. The move was covered by the Daily Mail and the Daily Star. “It’s a good job we print our logos on the backs of our shirts as well as the front!” Dennis Rogers says about the photographs that appeared in the press. “Zayn was a pleasure to move and we all wish him all the best in his beautiful new home.”

Thanks to the support of the removals industry, Lucy Fisher was able to volunteer her nursing skills at a hospital in Malawi.

Do you have any news to share with R&S readers?Send to: [email protected]

Industry News


African animal move BAR International Associate Biddulphs was high on the mind of Peter Flack, a well-known hunter, conservationist and retired game ranger in South Africa, when he was contacted by the Iziko Museums of Cape Town to consider donating the mounted animals that he had hunted.

Mr Flack thought it was a fantastic idea to be able to share his collection with others. He remembered it had been a lucky day for him when he employed Biddulphs for the first time many years ago and he was delighted to see that, despite the passing of time, Biddulphs’ high standards remained the same when the Port Elizabeth branch of Biddulphs International undertook the 10,000 cubic foot move consisting of Elephant, Rhino, Giraffe, Zebra, and many types of Antelope.

Packing and loading of the collection took four days and delivery was completed within two days. Peter Flack stated that he was most impressed by the long hours the Biddulphs’ team worked and that he would not think of moving anything anywhere without asking Biddulphs to do his move.

Anglo Pacific’s HR Director, Liz Caines, says “I’m told that it was the quietest team-building event that they’d ever experienced with silent concentration on their own rods interspersed by the odd whoop of excitement when they landed a catch. Thankfully, the sea off the Brighton coastline was fairly flat and the team was able to enjoy a great day – with the drive home a particular highlight.” Warehouse Manager, Phil Morris, who was on the trip, picks up the story. “Having caught, and cooked up 35 fish, we made our way back to London by car. Interestingly, the usually reliable satnav directed us straight to Brighton’s legendary Pride Parade and we ended up driving at 2mph through the heart of it. I have never seen so many happy people, so scantily clad, without inhibition, doing and wearing stuff that

would get you arrested in more conservative areas of the Pacific. A humorous way to end a fabulous day.” Special mention should be given to Phil Morris and his family. Fijian by birth, the Morrises have been the stable core of Anglo Pacific’s warehouse workforce with many years loyal service to the company. Phil (Theophile) has been with the Company for almost 14 years and Mo (Vakacegu), Phil’s wife, the same. Jack, Phil’s brother, joined Anglo Pacific 13 years ago and cousin Richard, 11 years. There are six Morris brothers in total and over the years Anglo Pacific has employed all of them at one time or another. Phil says, “We work well together, we don’t fall out often, but if we do, we get together at the weekend, roast a pig and have a few beers. All is soon forgotten.”

Memorable fishing for Anglo PacificTo reward Anglo Pacific’s warehouse team for their hard work and loyalty, the international removals company sent ten of them off for a day’s fishing on the south coast.

Thriving truck sales at Cheshire RemovalsMike Fahey at Cheshire Removals has just added a new business line to his flourishing family outfit. Mike has set up a new company and website, www.removaltrucks.co.uk, which sells high quality used removal trucks, from 18 ton vehicles right down to 3.5 ton transits.

Mike buys the vans, repairs and modifies them and then sells them on to a growing group of satisfied customers. There is especially strong demand for Euro 4 and Euro 5 (pictured) vehicles that are LEZ compliant, all at competitive prices and the highest quality.

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Industry News


Intermovers Malaysia walk against cancer

BAR International Associate, Intermovers Malaysia, recently participated in a 5km walk for breast cancer, in 34 centigrade heat and 60% humidity.

Julien Wilkinson tells R&S it was a great afternoon to support a very worthy cause, as well as an opportunity to get to know the new Intermovers Malaysia MD John Preston, who joined Intermovers in August 2012.

Right: Julien with John Preston. Top: Adelyn & John Preston with Julien sporting a nice shoulder bag

BAR Training ServicesTraining from the Removals Experts

Removals EssentialsBrand new course – Removals Essentials to be priced £985.00 + VAT, this course will be delivered onsite as practical skills training where we will demonstrate the correct methods for manual handling, vehicle loading, wrapping and packing with delegates taking part in all practical excersises, there will be no classroom element.

Course content:- Manual Handling, Health & Safety, Vehicle Loading, Packing (fragile and non fragile), Wrapping, Tail Lifts, Risk Assessment.

Services for full details at [email protected] or 01923 699 484Course can be delivered onsite for your convenience, please contact BAR Training

This is a practical course, with no classroom element

BRANDNEW

for 2013!

Industry News


Clockwork relocates Northumbria library

Clockwork Removals have recently completed the relocation of the University ofNorthumbria Library, involving over 40,000 books, whilst the library underwent refurbishment. All books were carefully stored and logged in order, and placed in store, ready to be returned to their rightful place once refurbishment was complete. When building works timescales slipped, Clockwork staff worked longer hours over the Bank Holiday weekend to ensure the library could re-open on time. With the A to Z of books all returned safely to the shelves, Mark Jones, Branch Manager at Clockwork could refl ect on a job well done, to the satisfaction of all the library staff at the University of Northumbria. “We have extensive experience in commercial moves, which often by necessity require being undertaken out of hours to exacting time frames,” Mark commented. “All our staff worked hard to complete the task, using over 450 plastic crates to store the books,” Mark added.

New trucks for Britannia Sandersteads Britannia Sandersteads have now trained two more light van drivers to LGV standard and replaced two vehicles with a brace of DAF-FALF45.220’s Euro 5 trucks. The new trucks are 3-seater day cabs fi tted with two-man sleeper pods above for those long distance moves away from Croydon in the UK or for trips into mainland Europe.

They are plated at 12 ton with a capacity for four industry-standard 250 cubic foot storage containers for moves via store, or loose pack volume of 1500 cubic foot. Both are fi tted with towing hitches and electrics for pulling a fi ve-ton trailer with a further capacity for two storage containers or 800 cubic foot

loose pack. The vehicles were supplied by HTC Croydon, Surrey and the bodies built by Unique Van Bodies in Warrington, Cheshire. The size of the trucks will be ideal around the leafy suburbs of Surrey, which pose tight access issues, and also around central London when access and parking become a real challenge.

The company’s offi ces are located inside the M25 and Greater London, but outside the LEZ.

We send out monthly email reminders for submitting ideas, news, comments and events to include in future issues of the magazine, and the deadlines for submissions.

While we cannot promise to publish all your news and information, it does help if submissions are received within the copy

deadlines. If you are not receiving these email reminders and want to, please email [email protected] so we can be sure to include you on the distribution list. We also welcome your feedback on the content of the magazine and your ideas for new regular sections or topics to be covered.

It’s your magazine!

Looking forward to hearing from you soon. The Editorial Team at R&S E: [email protected] T: 020 3235 1806

The Editorial Team at R&S E: [email protected] T: 020 3235 1806

If you have any news about your business, comments on the economy and the industry in general, please send in your information, letters or articles.

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Industry News


Santa Express and The Euro Group Following the huge success from last year’s campaign, The Euro Group of Mildenhall have again teamed up with local radio station Zack FM to deliver a special Christmas to children who are less fortunate at this festive time of the year. The local radio station Zack FM will appeal for toys in its ‘Santa Express’ campaign. Last year, Zack FM and The Euro Group’s combined efforts raised an estimated £20,000 worth of new toys for the children. Some of the toys were taken to local social services and on Christmas Eve many were delivered to West Suffolk’s Rainbow Ward for children in the hospital and its play unit which is normally stocked with second hand toys.

In addition, at midnight on Christmas morning another batch of toys arrived at the children’s unit at Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridge where over 60 children who were in hospital on the day all received new toys. Santa Express was also able to stock their play unit with a substantial amount of toys for use by future patients.

The last batch of the toys was donated to local churches. Looking forward to this year’s campaign, Jon Barton of The Euro Group, said: “We are very proud to be in a position to help with our expertise being put to use for such a good cause and putting smiles on so many children’s faces.” European driver Troy Ashley with Project Manager Jon Barton

Industry News


Housing market shows signs of life Although house prices continue to move sideways, there are increasing indications that the market could become more active in 2013.

Rightmove said that this November’s 2.6% drop in the asking prices of properties coming to market, is the least severe November fall since 2009 and still leaves prices 2% (+£4,617) ahead of where they were this time last year – the highest annual rate of increase achieved in November for fi ve years.

Miles Shipside, Director and Housing Market Analyst at Rightmove said “Though the marketremains patchy and national statistics are given a gloss by a buoyant London market, there are a number of positive trends that justify cautious optimism as the market enters its winter recess. Outside the capital, agents report prices are broadly fl at in many parts of the country compared to a year ago. This stability may indicate a sounder springboard for 2013 as the wait goes on for a sustainable recovery in transaction numbers.”

Rightmove also noted other positive lead indicators for the market: search activity on the Rightmove website is up by 20% on the same period last year, and resulting email enquiries to estate agents and developers in October were up by 11% compared to the same time 12 months ago, delivering more sales opportunities.

Mortgage approvals were also up 9.2% over the last quarter according to the latest Bank of England statistics, suggesting more successful sales completions are in the pipeline.

However, Rightmove also notes that diminished equity to trade up remains a drag on market activity, with more than one in fi ve (22%) of 2007-2012 buyers stating their property is now worth less than they paid for it. “The result of this approach is a negative equity millstone around the necks of many buyers from that era which will take years to lift,” Mr Shipside said. “In the current economic climate it will take more than a modest recovery in property prices to help its victims to consider moving home again. As long as the sums do not add up to make a move up the market worthwhile we are unlikely to see a substantial recovery in the volume of sales.”

Figures from the Land Registry show that that during July 2012, the number of completed house sales in England and Wales decreased by 9% to 56,509 compared with 62,303 in July 2011. However, the number of properties sold in England and Wales for over £1 million in July 2012 increased by 13% to 817 from 725 in July 2011.

More positively, the number of towns recording a rise in home sales has more than doubled over the past year, according to research by Lloyds TSB. Almost two-thirds – 324 out of 500 (or 65%) – of the towns tracked in England and Wales were property sales ‘hotspots’ (i.e. towns that recorded a rise in home sales in the past year) in the fi rst half of 2012. This was 115% higher than the 151 (or 30%) towns that

recorded a rise in the fi rst half of 2011. 60% of the towns that saw a rise in home sales in 2012 are in southern England. This is in contrast to 2011 when towns in the north accounted for a larger share of the country’s property sales hotspots (58%). Overall, there were 282,086 home sales in England and Wales in the fi rst half of 2012; 2.2% higher than in the same period in 2011 (275,953).

And, property analytics fi rm Hometrack said that October saw a 9.2% increase in the number of sales agreed, as sellers lowered prices over the summer. Double-digit growth in sales was seen in the Midlands and Wales, according to Hometrack, at around 18%. The number of registered buyers increased by 0.3% in October.

Nationwide, which covers the whole of the UK and is based on a sample of loans issued in any given month, said that the price of a house rose by 0.6% in October, more than offsetting the 0.4% decline in September. However Chief Economist Robert Gardner warned that “Wage growth is still not keeping up with the cost of living… and unemployment is still well above normal levels. This helps to explain why housing market activity has remained subdued, with the number of mortgage approvals still running at little more than half their long-run average.”

Meanwhile, Halifax said that house prices decreased by 0.7% in October. On the brighter side, it also noted that the industry-wide number of mortgages approved to fi nance house purchase - a leading indicator of completed house sales – increased for the third successive month in September. Approvals increased by 4% to 50,000 in September.

Figures from the Offi ce for National Statistics show that in the 12 months to August 2012 UK house prices increased by 1.8%, down from a 2.0% increase in the 12 months to July. The year-on-year increase refl ected growth of 2.1% in England, 0.5% in Scotland and 1.4% in Wales, which were offset by a decline of 12.8% in Northern Ireland. Annual house price increases in England were driven by a 6.3% rise in London and increases in the South East and West Midlands of 2.4 and 1.2% respectively. Annual house prices decreased by 0.7% in the South West and by 0.5% in both the East Midlands and Yorkshire and Humber.

‘‘‘‘Though the market remains patchy and national statistics are given a gloss by a buoyant London market, there are a number of positive trends that justify cautious optimism as the market enters its winter recess.

Miles Shipside, Rightmove

Source: Rightmove

December 2012 Removals & Storage 17

BAR News

18

BAR News


The new industry Code of Practice

This article contains latest information about the new Code of Practice – its likely organisation, application and costs – and includes important advice on Code-related branding in the transition period before the launch of the new scheme.

In June 2011, the Coalition Government produced a consultation document on institutional reform of the consumer landscape with three main aims: Consolidation of Powers and Consumer rights, Simplification of Digital Content, Consumer Rights and Institutions in the landscape, and Cost savings. In April 2012, the Department for Business Innovation & Skills (BIS) produced its Empowering and Protecting Consumers paper as the Government response to the consultation. The intention for consumer policy is to focus resources on two main bodies: Trading Standards and the Citizens Advice Service. Over time, almost all relevant central government funding for information, advice, advocacy and enforcement will transfer to these two groups, which evidence suggests have high recognition and trust among the public. As a result of this decision, the Government decided to invite the Trading Standards Institute (TSI) to establish a successor to the Consumer Codes Approval Schemes (CCAS) from April 2013 on a self-funding basis.

ConsultationThe consultation process has had two distinct phases; the first following the Government’s consultation on the consumer landscape and the second once the key decisions were announced in April 2012. When BIS announced the original consultation on the consumer landscape it was clear that the CCAS had slipped under the radar and only formed a small part of the consultation. The decision to effectively close the OFT meant that the consultation on the future of the Code was in reality targeted at the various CCAS sponsors with the challenge of identifying who should take over the running of the Code on a self-funding basis. For BAR, there was never any doubt that the Code would only succeed with the right consumer ‘brand’ running it. The self-funding element was also never in any doubt as this was consistent with Government policy to dramatically reduce costs in the area of the consumer landscape. The focus of BAR in this period was to meet with the other Code sponsors and agree a united strategy to ensure that the Government listened to the concerns about the future branding and cost of the code. BAR

made representations to Government ministers, BIS directly and other interested parties both as part of a combined CCAS strategy and in its own right. The result of the intensive period of representation was that BIS accepted the arguments put forward and nominated TSI as the successor to the OFT. Since April 2012, when the announcement was made, BAR have entered the second phase of the consultation. This phase has focused on the shape, brand and cost of the new Code. Lengthy and detailed discussions have taken place with other Code sponsors and individually with TSI to ensure that the requirements of BAR were presented and incorporated in the future plans. BAR’s aims have been threefold. Firstly to maintain, as a minimum, the integrity of the Code and to ensure that the key elements were not diminished and that areas of weakness (such as some of the bureaucratic reporting requirements) were addressed, as well as considering improvements in the complaints handling requirements of the Code. Secondly, BAR has also maintained that the brand of the new code would probably be the single most important matter to be addressed. The brand had to be one that was known and trusted by customers and was reinforced and recognised throughout the whole of the new consumer landscape. Closely following a strong brand was the issue of cost. As the Government has always made it clear that the new Code would be self-funding, BAR needed to ensure that it would provide proper value to its Members. As part of this second phase of consultation, TSI has sought the views of all stakeholders on a Codes Criteria Consultation, based on its guiding principles that consumers are at the heart of business, CCAS is inclusive and that focus is on outcomes not processes. This Consultation has been circulated by BAR to all Members for comment. The BAR Board will respond formally to this consultation early this month.

BrandingOne of the weaknesses of the CCAS scheme was that the OFT did not have instant brand recognition amongst many consumers. It had more of a reputation for dealing with much higher level, strategic matters and, as such, consumers did not always recognise it is a ‘buying’ consumer brand. In BAR’s experience in dealing with complaints, many, if not most, customers would always refer to Trading Standards rather than the OFT if they wanted to escalate the complaint externally. This was confirmed by organisations such as the Local Authority Trading Standards Services (LATSS) which questioned the recognition of the OFT brand among consumers and argued that the TSI brand was much better recognised. Consumer research indicates that general awareness of trading standards services is

high: 63% of consumers surveyed had heard of Trading Standards. In view of the general acceptance that TSI has a much more powerful consumer-facing brand than the OFT and most other organisations, BAR has always maintained in its consultation responses and representations that it was unlikely that it would accept any other brand as a successor to the OFT. TSI are now developing a brand with this level of consumer recognition and this brand will be launched formally in March 2013 with the assurance that, once the brand has been agreed, Code sponsors can start to use it and work on their own transition process for the branding. For more details about the timetable, see page 19. The other key part of a successful brand is how well the brand is promoted. The TSI website attracts millions of visitors each year and part of the new code agreement is that a consumer information portal will be developed and will include a listing of all BAR Members. In addition TSI will work with the other “new players” (see table on this page) to ensure that they are all aware of the Code and promote consistent consumer information where appropriate.

Advice to BAR MembersHowever, the changing of the brand is not without its own set of challenges. Initially BAR were led to believe that there would be a 12-month transition period for the changes of the branding between the OFT and the TSI code. This was a practical solution allowing reasonable time for changing websites, marketing materials, letterheads, vehicle logos and other logos on buildings etc. On receiving this information, the various BAR Councils were notified and this information shared with the wider Membership. Subsequently BAR received the formal termination letter of the OFT approved scheme which stated “… the OFT will lose the power to run a codes approval scheme and so the Consumer Codes Approval Scheme will close on 31 March 2013” and “…. formal notice under paragraph 5.1e2 of the approved code logo copyright licence terms that, due to the closure of the CCAS, OFT will be terminating the CCAS licence agreements with effect from 1 April 2013. You and your members will therefore need to remove the CCAS logo from their advertising materials, stationery and other documentation by 1 April 2013, and will not be able to display or refer to the CCAS, or OFT approval, after this time.” BAR was informed that “Continued display or use of the CCAS logo could in principle leave them (members) open to civil or criminal enforcement action under various Schedule 1

By Stephen Vickers, Director General, BAR


BAR News

Timetable: transition and launch of new scheme

provisions relating to codes and endorsements, as well as other elements of the CPRs, including Regulation 5 on misleading actions.” However, the OFT went on to state: “We recognise of course that there are logistical issues for code scheme members in removing the OFT logo. In deciding whether any action was justified in respect of mis-use of the logo we would as always consider the impact of the breach against the criteria set out in our prioritisation principles, taking into account a range of factors including detriment to consumers, risk, available resources and strategic significance. From 1 April 2013 the Trading Standards Service (TSS) will be the lead authority in application of the CPRs although the OFT will still retain its powers under the legislation. We would want to discuss with TSS our approach to legislative breaches in this area and ensure that a proportionate approach is taken.” So the advice to BAR Members is to change the branding as soon as is practicable and do not mislead consumers. BAR believes that there will be a reasonable period of grace but that it will not extend as long as the 12 months initially indicated. Specific advice includes:- Only reprint letterheads or other marketing

materials that contain the Code brand with sufficient quantities to last until the new brand becomes available in March 2013.

- Do not purchase any additional Code-branded vehicle stickers until the new ones become available

- Check procedures for updating websites with the new brand so that you are prepared.

- Try and avoid taking out any or renewing any advertising that includes the Code brand until the new brand is available (This may not always be possible and where external organisations are affected with branded advertising (such as Yellow Pages), TSI have committed to write to them and advise them of the changes).

- If you have printed cartons with the OFT badge that need replenishing then either only order sufficient quantities until the new brand arrives or purchase unbranded in the short term. If you purchase from BAR Services there will be no set up cost from replacing the new brand, so on-going supplies will not cost you any extra.

CostsThe costs of the code are broken down into 3 elements. Firstly the transitional costs of BAR and its Members’ rebranding, secondly the on-going fee to comply with the Government’s self-funding requirement and, thirdly, the administration of the scheme. The new Consumer Code Approval Scheme (CCAS) that the Government has asked TSI to establish from April 2013 will be a self-funded model. That is, the Code sponsors will need to pay for the organisation that is responsible for oversight and approval of codes. Initially, Government hoped that a self-funded solution could be implemented from the outset. However, in TSI market research and consultation with existing Code sponsors, TSI have concluded that there are simply too few existing Code sponsors to make this a viable option. The level of funding that would be required would exceed the cost tolerances that TSI have tested informally with Code sponsors.

TSI have, therefore, been engaged in negotiation

with Government over transitional support funding for the new CCAS to enable them to grow the number of code sponsors to a sustainable level. As part of these discussions BAR were asked by other Code sponsors to be part of the TSI finance group to analyse and recommend financial options. BAR made a submission based on a % of Membership subscription which has subsequently been accepted by TSI and the other Code sponsors.

In addition, mindful that it would not be acceptable in these challenging financial times to put a high financial burden on either BAR or its Members, BAR

have made representations to BIS to provide transitional funding. TSI have recently announced that the Government have accepted the conclusion of the research and input from Code sponsors and have agreed to provide transitional support for the scheme in the first 12 months, which in turn enables TSI to propose initial fees that are within the cost tolerances that were tested with code sponsors.

Subject to the TSI Board’s final decision on the new CCAS in early December, TSI have proposed to Code sponsors that the annual fee should be set at a fee of 2.5% of membership income. This is within BAR’s

Continued overleaf

20

BAR News


expectations (and within the extra income generated by BAR as part of the recent subscription renewals – see BAR President’s letter to Members dated July 2012) and was based on a financial model submitted by BAR. In addition some improvements to the scheme may allow us to save costs. This equates to less than £25 per BAR Members’ location per annum. It is not anticipated that these costs will increase substantially in the second and subsequent years for two key reasons. Firstly TSI will be working with other potential Code sponsors to take up the scheme, the investigation and set up of these schemes will be paid for by the new Code sponsors and their own ‘subscriptions’ will contribute to the cost of running the scheme when the transitional funding from government ceases after 12 months. Secondly, TSI are establishing as part of the new structure a Code Sponsors Panel to be the key link between Code sponsors and TSI, to advise on marketing and the management of the budget. TSI, following discussions with code sponsors, have also proposed establishing a new ‘not-for-profit’ entity to manage the scheme with full, transparent accounting. TSI have also proposed to cap the size of the ‘subscription’ for each Code sponsor, that cap for BAR would also ensure that the cost could not increase disproportionately. In subscription renewals, BAR have also budgeted for one-off transitional costs to allow itself to rebrand and to assist Members’ rebranding. Accordingly BAR will provide the following transitional items to all Members as part of their subscription (so no additional charges):- High resolution logo with rules of use for websites,

letterheads and marketing materials. This new logo should be implemented by all Members as soon as practical.

- Vehicle stickers – up to 10 per location will be provided free of charge (further details once new brand agreed).

- A new customer leaflet will be developed and an initial supply will be provided free of charge, with subsequent supplies available at cost.

- A new electronic customer leaflet will be developed and available on the BAR website in the Members area for those Members who send out quotes etc. electronically.

- The new Code rules etc will be developed and made available online for both Members and customers.

To manage the costs of running the scheme, and to ensure that these costs are not increased due to the new Code, BAR are reviewing the customer complaints process and will also collect Code data through the new annual inspections rather than the annual attempts at data gathering.

New Customer Feedback SchemeBAR have received regular comments from Members regarding customer feedback. As a result of these comments, an analysis of what the new Code will require, the costs to Members running these important business management tools and to reinforce the promotion and branding of the new Code, BAR is developing a brand new customer feedback scheme. This new scheme, aimed initially at private residential moves, will be launched early in the New Year to coincide with the new Code and will be an electronic feedback scheme absolutely free to BAR Members. BAR have a working group of Members

active on this project and the new customer feedback form will ask industry-specific questions, Code questions and also allow Members to ask any specific additional questions of their customers. The form will be available electronically to be sent to customers, either individually or in batches using existing customer databases. A new website www.trustedmover.org will be set up where the feedback can be viewed by customers and details of BAR Members using the system can be found. The feedback forms will be co-branded with the new Code and individual Members’ own brand. The website will promote the new Code and the quality of BAR membership and will be a substantial Member benefit saving each Member who takes part hundreds of £’s per year, which are on-going real cost savings.

Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat will it cost me each year as a BAR Member to be part of the new Code scheme?Less than £25 for each location per year, which will be paid for out of your annual subscription.

How can I be sure that the costs will not rise when transitional funding from the Government ends?There are no guarantees in life, but TSI’s ambition to take on additional Code sponsors will mean that the running costs will be spread amongst more Associations. Code sponsors will also be part of the financial decision-making and if at any time the BAR Board consider that the costs are not reasonable for the benefits of the Code then they will advise Members. And the fees are capped.

What are the costs of me setting up the new scheme?BAR will provide new Code logos (and rules) for use on the website and some vehicle stickers and new leaflets, so the set up costs for you will be minimal. You will have to do some work on your website in changing the logos and also the wording on your website should be checked to remove reference to the OFT.

Costs for printed materials should not increase unless your printer insists on a new set-up fee for changing the designs. This set up/artwork cost will not apply to cartons purchased from BAR Services as they have absorbed these costs for BAR Members.

Are there any changes to the scheme rules?Fundamentally no, although TSI are proposing changes to the conciliation service which BAR are currently reviewing.

Do I have to provide lots of data each year and fill in forms?

Yes, but to simplify the process this data will be collected through the new Annual inspections.

Can I save any money?Because BAR have decided to develop a brand new customer feedback system linked directly to the new Code, you can potentially save hundreds of £’s by using this.

Is the new Code going to be promoted better than the old Code?Absolutely, the Trading Standards brand is much more widely known with consumers than the OFT. There will be a directory listing on the TSI website, and Citizens Advice will also be aware of the new Code. BAR will be able to use the new brand to better promote the benefits of using BAR Members and as the scope of the Code is extended to new sectors, consumer awareness will increase.

What are the real business benefits to me of the new Code?Part of this answer is how well you use the brand in your own selling and marketing. The more you understand the benefits and use them the better for your business, the new Code will be. Train your staff to understand the opportunities and use the brand to gain a competitive advantage. We cannot understate the strength of having a code with a brand as strong as Trading Standards associated with it. And the reality is – for £25 a location you have absolutely nothing to lose and plenty to gain.

Do BAR have to belong to the new Code?No, but as the Government is committed to improving the consumer landscape it is much better to work within a scheme developed with us involved and playing an active part than to have rules and regulations around consumer protection that all Members would have to comply with at some point.


BAR News

For more information

Empowering and Protecting Consumers: Consultation on institutional changes for provision of consumer information, advice, education, advocacy and enforcement:

www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/consumer-issuesdocs/e/11-970-empowering-protecting-consumers-consultation-on-institutional-changes.pdf

BIS proposals: www.bis.gov.uk/assets/BISCore/consumer-issuesdocs/E/12-510-empowering-protecting-consumers-government-response.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions Contd.

‘‘‘‘The TSI website attracts millions of visitors each year and part of the new code agreement is that a consumer information portal will be developed and will include a listing of all BAR Members.

‘‘

How can I be sure that we won’t have to do this all again in a couple of years?Again there are no guarantees, but the expectation is that because the fundamental changes to the structure of the consumer landscape appear to have cross-party support, major changes in the near future are unlikely. Additionally TSI is not a government department in the way that the OFT was, so once the change is done then Government infl uence to change

substantially reduces and the relationship between the Code sponsors and TSI becomes more important.

I had no idea that these changes were happening, why didn’t someone tell me?When the Government announced its consultation document in April 2011, BAR alerted Members to the development in May 2011 R&S. Since then there have been regular articles and

updates in R&S, Councils have been kept informed of updates and TSI attended 2012 BAR Conference where its representative made a full presentation that was reported in June 2012 R&S and this was included in presentations made at some area meetings.

The issue of self-funding and rebranding has always been openly discussed.

For more information

Empowering and Protecting Consumers: Consultation on institutional changes for provision of consumer information, advice, education, advocacy and enforcement:

www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/consumer-issues/docs/e/11-970-empowering-protecting-consumers-consultation-on-institutional-changes.pdf

BIS proposals: www.bis.gov.uk/assets/BISCore/consumer-issuesdocs/E/12-510-empowering-protecting-consumers-government-response.pdf

22

BAR News


Preparing for Conference 2013BAR’s 2013 Annual Conference and Exhibition at Newcastle is taking shape, and is now only six months away. With wind in its sails and confidence at a new high following the great success of the 2012 Conference in Windsor, BAR has now disclosed its plans for next year’s follow-up event.The city of Newcastle will need no introduction for many BAR Members. This thriving hub of the North Eastern economy is famous across the UK and beyond for the friendliness of its people and its lively culture, as it well as for its spectacular riverscape and rich local history. Newcastle is well placed to serve as an inspirational and memorable venue for the 2013 BAR Annual Conference, which will be held from 16-18 May 2013 in the Marriott Hotel, Gosforth Park.

Networking opportunitiesThe Conference will kick off on Thursday 16 May with a traditional hog roast barbeque organized by the Overseas Group. OG members say they expect turnout to be high and will be stocking up on food and beverage accordingly! As usual, Friday will be the day for governance issues to be addressed, including the AGM, meetings of the National & European Council, CMG Council, OG Council and the growing Self Storage Special Interest Group. These are all unmissable meetings for those with an interest in how BAR institutions are trying to shape the future of the removals and storage industry and defend professional standards in our business. There will also be presentations on Friday on the latest state of play of the DMotY 2013 and CMotY 2013 awards. Friday afternoon will then be given over to a range of business session and key note presentations from industry leaders. These presentations have in the past proven to be some of the most insightful elements of Conference, and BAR is preparing a top notch range of entertaining speakers for Newcastle, to be confirmed in following issues of R&S.

Vehicle ExhibitionSome of the other main highlights of Conference will take place away from the main conference rooms. In 2013, Conference will host a Vehicle Exhibition at the historic Beamish Museum, County Durham on Saturday 18th May 2013. The procession and vehicle display is open to the public and will promoted by both the Beamish Museum and BAR, and all BAR Members are encouraged to participate by displaying historic vehicles from their collections. Exhibiting vehicles at county fairs, trade shows and conferences is a sure fire way of drumming up interest from the local community and gaining priceless marketing coverage. BAR is working hard to ensure that the 2013 vehicle exhibition receives extensive coverage in the local media, raising the profile of the association and its members. If you have vintage or horse drawn vehicles and would like to take advantage of this exciting PR opportunity, please contact [email protected] by Tuesday 15th January 2013.

Chillax timeAs usual, Friday night at the BAR Conference also means party night – and in 2013 this will include a casino, for all aspiring James Bonds and Moneypennys out there to live out your fantasies for a night. For the wise, keen and those still standing, the Saturday morning will be taken up by a range of practical workshops from BAR speakers and invited speakers, covering all elements of a modern removals and storage business. In 2013, this will be followed by a tour of the city; this year, the invitation has been extended to all delegates and their partners, making it a truly industry-wide and international event.

Finally, Conference will be rounded off with the annual BAR Gala Dinner on Saturday evening. As well as enjoying excellent catering, drinks and networking with their peers, delegates will find out who has been awarded DMotY 2013 and CMotY 2013 – information on how to apply for these prestigious competitions is included in the centre pages of this edition of R&S. All told, Conference provides an ideal opportunity for networking with peers, meeting industry suppliers, addressing the Board of Directors and other governing bodies of BAR, and for learning more about best practices and new legislative developments in an industry which is going through one of the periods of greatest change in its history. Newcastle 2013 is already shaping up to be a worthy follow-up to Windsor 2012, and an unmissable event in every Member’s diary.

BAR contributes to Consumer Code consultationAs many readers will be aware, a new codes approval body will take over responsibility for the existing Office of Fair Trading (OFT) managed Consumer Codes Approval Scheme (CCAS) from April 2013.

The BAR Code of Practice is the only code in the moving industry that is approved and monitored by the OFT under the Consumer Codes Approval Scheme.

The Trading Standards Institute (TSI) is taking over responsibility for consumer codes approval and has opened a consultation on proposed changes to the codes approval criteria.

BAR has been consulting extensively with Members to prepare a response to this consultation. Proposals for the proposed new criteria cover important topics such as the responsibilities of code members whilst

dealing with people in their own home, and the establishment of a new ‘disciplinary and sanctions panel’ for handling code members’ non-compliance with the code.

The BAR Board will discuss all feedback from Members in early December, well ahead of the final deadline for responses to the consultation.

The TSI plans to publish its decisions relating to the codes criteria of the Consumer Codes Approval Scheme in light of the consultation, as well as a summary of the views expressed and reasons given for decisions finally taken. R&S will report on any outcomes in more details once the final decisions are published. For a full overview of the proposed new scheme, please see pages 18-21.


BAR News

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away from their move – just when you want to talk to them!

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Results: Due to the precise timing of the leads, existing users find that they can get conversion rates of up to 30%.

FREE removals quote leadsBAR Partner TwentyCi are currently offering FREE leads to all BAR Members from their moveme.com and white label partner sites including Royal Mail, Barratt Homes, Zoopla, Confused.com and Smart New Homes.

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24

BAR News


Life as a DED Matt Faizey, a directly elected director at BAR since May 2011, tells R&S about how he represents members’ interests at the Association and about his plans for 2013.

Matt makes no secret of the fact that the last eighteen months as a DED have been challenging and at times frustrating. It’s been a huge learning process he says, and adapting to all the demands of the DED position has been a daunting job that has not always been enjoyable. “I’ve had to learn exactly how the processes of democracy work within BAR, and, how to have an effect within it, and all within a very tight timescale.”

Over the last eighteen months, many Members have contacted Matt by email and phone to discuss matters of concern to them. Matt invites all Members who wish to raise a matter at BAR to get in touch with him directly, and says that in 2013 he will be visiting a large number of BAR areas and meeting Members personally.

“As a directly elected director, I believe it is important to at least attempt to have the courage of your convictions,” he says. “What use the man who moans for change but never makes the effort to effect the very change he wants? I want to bring into the limelight the many things that I already know the membership are keen to see BAR act upon and achieve.”

After a challenging introduction to the processes

involved in BAR governance, Matt is upbeat and optimistic for the future. He used to describe BAR as a sleeping giant. Now, he says, “BAR is beginning to understand its membership better. BAR has in place ideas that should, if all goes well, enable it to be very reactive to the desires of its Members over the next 12-24 months and beyond.

As a DED, Matt is putting his time and energy to work to represent other Members at the highest levels of BAR. He’s a busy man who over the years has put a lot into his company, M&G Transport, as well as into BAR itself, and in doing so has helped make both organisations the success they are today. But Matt also recognises that maintaining success requires continuous investment and hard work. And it’s only in the long term that his contribution as DED will be able to be judged, he cautions.

“I strongly suspect that ultimately I may be proud of the changes that will have taken place during my time on the board,” Matt concludes. “It is way, way too early to think about that now though. The only way I can enjoy the role of DED is if the BAR membership can get anything from it!”

If you are interested in becoming a DED, please send an email to [email protected]

Are your details up to date? Whether you a member of the Commercial Movers Group, Overseas Group, Self Storage Special Interest Group or a BAR International Associate or Affiliate, do make sure your company profile and contact details are uploaded on the BAR website. Otherwise you could miss out on useful leads and other benefits from your membership with BAR.For more information, see the trade section of the BAR website: www.bar.co.uk

Young Movers link in! If you work for a BAR Member and you are in your 20s or 30s, contact Loren Webster (pictured below) on 01923 699484 or email [email protected]. if you want to be kept up to date with the Young Movers’ activities. Young Movers now has its own Linked In group and forum. The online networking group will enable young people within the removal and storage industry who work for BAR Members to share ideas, learn new skills and forge new friendships with other young people within the Industry. For more information, see www.linkedin.com/groups/BAR-Young-Movers-2348633.



BAR News

The deadline for entry is February 18th 2013. An application form can be found in the centre pages of this issue of R&S. Shortlisted companies will be notifi ed of their success and visited in March. Good luck to all participants!

In 2013, with the country seemingly on the cusp of a pick-up in the economy and in house moving activity, a DMotY rosette will be an invaluable marketing tool for movers, ahead of what could be the best summer season in many a year.

Without fail, all DMotY winners today say that the award has provided a tangible boost to business and to staff morale. Mike Christophers of MJ Christophers & Sons has used the opportunity from winning the DMotY 2012 to proudly market his company. “The accolade of being the DMotY 2012 winner continues to be well received by potential customers and I am sure it is infl uential in their decisions,” he told R&S. “I also feel it raises our customers’ awareness of the BAR, which in turn benefi ts both BAR and other BAR Members. Our staff feel a sense of pride to be working as part of the winning DMotY 2012 team.”

It’s not only the winner of the entire competition that benefi ts from DMotY. Entry is free of charge and the two losing fi nalists will also receive logos and rosettes that they will be entitled to use in their marketing.

Just entering the competition is a great way of raising your game and making sure a company is operating at the highest level.

How DMotY worksJudging involves a number of stages, including a mystery telephone shopper and on-site assessments from the BAR. Past participants say that even when they have not made the fi nal shortlist of three, being involved in the DMotY competition has helped keep people on their toes. Even more importantly, it has also served to highlight any weak areas in the company that need addressing.

It’s not uncommon for a DMotY winner one year to have been a fi nalist the year before and before that not even to have made the fi nal cut. For BAR, DMotY is as much about raising the standards of members and improving performance as it is about recognising best practice in the industry.

As befi tting the philosophy of BAR, scoring of DMotY 2013 entries will be based above all on customer satisfaction, on staff professionalism and helpfulness, on compliance with the BAR Code of Practice, and on commitment to quality, high standards, training and development, as well as participation in BAR activities.

The winner of DMotY 2013 will receive a trophy, certifi cate and logo, as well as packaging materials, free adverts in R&S, and promotion with the local press, courtesy of BAR.

The competition is open to UK BAR Members only, and only to those companies or branches where domestic turnover is 50% or more of total turnover.

Domestic Mover of the Year 2013Some of the best-known and most respected movers in the UK have won the Domestic Mover of the Year (DMotY) award, the most prestigious award in the UK removals industry.

Last year’s winner Mike Christophers of M.J. Christophers & Son receives the DMotY 2012 award from Ian Studd, BAR President and BAR Conference keynote speaker Mike Nattrass, MEP.

‘‘The accolade of being the DMotY 2012 winner continues to be well received by potential customers and I am sure it is infl uential in their decisions. I also feel it raises our customers’ awareness of the BAR, which in turn benefi ts both BAR and other BAR Members.Mike Christophers of MJ Christophers & Sons, winner of DMotY 2012.

‘‘WINNER

DOMESTICMOVER OFTHE YEAR

2013-14

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BAR News


BAR ServicesBAR Services

BAR Services’ successful yearAs Christmas is just around the corner, it is time for BAR Services to round up the year 2012.

With a slump in the housing market, the past few years have been difficult for the removal industry so it is good to hear General Manager, Miranda Hyder’s reports that “2012 has been a good year for BAR Services and our figures are showing a steady growth. Introduction of the new fluting and continuously sharpening our pencil and pressurising our suppliers on pricing has helped keep prices low.”

The introduction of the BAR Services (BARS) flute indeed seems to be a major factor in the company’s encouraging 2012 figures. As well as continuing to successfully sell the standard grade boxes, the introduction of the BARS flute has increased BAR Services’ volume turnover by a healthy 20%. Nearly 1 million BARS boxes have been sold since the launch in March and monthly ordering and promotions for this product have seen the average price pushed down by 13%.

If you who have missed the huge publicity on the new board grade, BARS flute cartons have a smaller, flatter fluting which are closer together. The flute design provides major benefits to the removal industry. The specially designed shape and pitch of the flute means 25% more corrugated can be loaded on to a pallet. This leads to fewer deliveries to handle therefore savings in logistics and less storage space requirements. Not only do these factors lead to a reduction in its cost but the implications for the environment are also huge.

New recruitsBARS’ successful year has also come in the form two new Directors to its existing board. In February, Chris Smallwood of Britannia Anchor Removals

joined the board and June saw Mark Chudley of Chudley International becoming its most recent Director. BARS is in little doubt that the wealth of experience, knowledge and enthusiasm brought to the board by Chris and Mark have added to its encouraging year. As always, BARS is grateful for the support given to it by the Directors who all give their time voluntarily. Unfortunately, the year also saw sad farewells to long- serving Director and founder of BAR Services, David Trenchard, and to Anthony Robinson. David’s knowledge, drive and passion had served BARS well for 34 years; eight of these were serving as Chairman of the board. Anthony has devoted 10 years to the board of which five were also as Chairman. David and Anthony have always been committed to evolving original products and new services to the membership. They have both brought innovative ideas to the table and BAR Services is grateful for the benefit of their experience and enthusiasm.

Miranda and Ali Cowie also credit the recruitment of Account Manager Tim Oliver as a vital factor in the company’s success during 2012. For several years, the re-introduction of this role to its sales team was a key objective for the company and in June 2011 this aim came to fruition. BAR Services are definitely seeing a return on its investment in Tim. It feels that having him out on the road in 2012 has not only increased its brand awareness, reminding BAR Members of the service and products it provides, but also BARS’ ability to be proactive in adapting to suit the needs of the Members.

Suzy Barrack joined the team in 2012, in a dedicated customer services role, which has also helped see improvements in sales figures. Tim and

Suzy provide the vital combination of face-to-face contact with the Members backed up by strong customer services and after-sales support in the office.

BARS rises to the Internet challengeIn the September issue of R&S, BAR Services announced the launch of its completely free of charge website link. It had become obvious that the members wanted to be able to offer packaging products to their customers and deliver them to the door.

BARS rose to the challenge and again worked alongside Open SEO to develop such a product. A simple link is created from your own website to which directs your customer to www.barservices.co.uk/association. The payment and order is received directly by BARS who will arrange delivery. Orders are tracked and commission allocated to the relevant member. A set discounted membership rate is charged and the differential between this rate and the price paid by your customer will be refunded to you in the form of a quarterly credit note. Initial take up of the product was slow but Miranda comments that as people are becoming more aware of its advantages sales are steadily increasing.

It has been a busy year for BARS and 2013 is set to be an exciting year too. More of its corrugated suppliers are investing in the new BARS flute. This is great news for BAR Members as it will enable BARS to offer all of its box sizes in the new grade.

It just remains for BAR Services to wish you a very Merry Christmas, a prosperous New Year and to thank you for your loyal support throughout 2012.

A 10% DISCOUNT ON OUR POPULAR FLAT SCREEN TV CARTON

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BAR ServicesMoorhallSandhawes LaneEast GrinsteadWest SussexRH19 3NR

Tel:01342870087Email:[email protected]

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BAR News

28

BAR News


QSS News

Disaster recovery planning:ISO 22301, the new standard for Business Continuity Management

Based on the well tried and tested British Standard 25999 (an apt title!), a new international standard for Business Continuity Management (BCM) has just been published.

ISO 22301 lays out best practice for developing and maintaining all the necessary measures and procedures to ensure that in the event of some catastrophic event such as fire, flood or storm, a business can continue to operate and service its customers and not only this, but in the longer term it will have an infinitely better chance of survival than if no such planning were in place.

Increasingly in the commercial and business moving sector, major corporate clients and public sector organisations expect their suppliers to have in place what has traditionally been known as a Disaster Recovery Plan, now broadened in scope and known as a Business Continuity Management System.

There could be a significant value in being able to market the fact that not only do you have such measures in place, but you are compliant with ISO 22301.

The new standard specifies how a company should develop and maintain a BCM system, and its key aims are summarised by BSI as follows:

“Organisations without an effective BCMS in place risk significant vulnerability and the resulting impact on their employees, customers and suppliers.

BS ISO 22301 gives your organisation access to the requirements of a BCMS that will enable you to prepare for disruptive incidents that might otherwise prevent you from achieving your objectives.”

The standard can be used to assess an organisation’s ability to meet its own continuity needs and obligations and establish a business continuity management policy that provides a framework for implementing effective business continuity arrangements.

In common with other management systems standards, BS ISO 22301 is based on the ‘Plan-Do-Check-Act’ model that seeks to improve continually the effectiveness of the organisation through proficient planning, implementation, supervision, review and maintenance.BS ISO 22301 specifies the requirements to:

• Identifycrucialriskfactorsalreadyaffecting your organisation• Understandyourorganisation’sneedsand obligations• EstablishimplementandmaintainyourBCMS• Measureyourorganisation’soverallcapability to manage disruptive incidents• Guaranteeconformitywithstatedbusiness continuity policy.

Broadly, the standard covers the following areas:• Understandingoftheorganisationandits context• Understandingtheneedsandexpectationsof interested parties• Determiningthescopeofthemanagement system• Leadership• Managementcommitment• Policy• Organisationalroles,responsibilitiesand authorities• Planning• Actionstoaddressrisksandopportunities• Businesscontinuityobjectivesandplansto achieve them• Supportandresources• Competence• Awareness• Communication• Documentedinformation• Operationalplanningandcontrol• Businessimpactanalysisandriskassessment

• Businesscontinuitystrategy• Establishandimplementbusinesscontinuity procedures• Exercisingandtesting• Performanceevaluation,monitoringand analysis• Internalaudit• Managementreview• Nonconformityandcorrectiveaction• Continualimprovement

QSS trainingSubject to sufficient interest being shown, QSS will organise one-day workshop-style training sessions at our offices in Watford which would enable Members to study the new standard, learn the best practice processes that it lays out, and set about developing a BCMS to give future protection to their business, their clients and their employees.

At this stage QSS does not envisage auditing and certification to this standard, but is offering the opportunity for members to gain an understanding of its contents and the knowledge necessary to set about reaching compliance.

For more information or to express an interest in attending such a workshop, please contact Chris Waymouth at QSS on 01923 699480 or at [email protected]

In the removals and storage industry we need hardly remind ourselves of the countless fires that have ravaged our warehouses over the years and in many cases, caused the collapse of those businesses. It is everybody’s nightmare and we try not to think about it, but think and plan we must, if we are to survive such an event.


BAR NewsOlympics Monitor


To book Call: 01923 699484 or email: [email protected]

BTEC Award in Practical EstimatingThis 2 day course is practically based and is designed to teach students the art of estimating as well as face to face sales techniques, covering topics such as:

• Quantity assessment made easy • Instructor with 27 years experience in estimating • Best practice - survey to report to quote • Confi dence in sales & estimating. • Understanding the importance of communication £545 + VAT p/p (BAR Member)

Course Dates 20135-6 March

Course to be held at BAR, Watford

NEWLYIMPROVED

for 2013!

30

BAR News


CMG News

The Commercial Moving Group (CMG) is a dedicated group of companies within the British Association of Removers that specialise in all aspects of commercial relocations.

CMG News

Commercial Mover of the Year 2013 Enter now!CMotY is back! The competition this year is very similar in format to last year’s. The main changes are that it should be easier to enter the competition, whatever size company you are.The CMotY competition is well respected for its independent judges who follow a marking and counting system to ensure that the competition is open and fair to all entrants. Following their successful running of CMotY 2012, the judges have agreed to judge next year’s CMotY competition. For Mark Herrington, Director of Business Solutions at Pickfords who is Chairman of the CMG Council, the re-appointment of the same

judges enhances the consistency of this event and given their excellent credentials, lends even more credibility. All three judges are totally independent and a summary of the judges’ professional profiles is set out below. The entry forms are contained in the centre pages of this issue of R&S and for more information, see page 31-32.


CMotY 2013 judges’ profiles

Graham Briscoe, C Eng, CITP, CMC, FInstAM, FBCS, FBIFM, FIBC.Graham is on the BIFM Board, chairs their Audit Committee and is a Judge in a number of BIFM Award categories.

He recently retired from Royal Sun Alliance (RSA) where his last responsibility was the closure and work transfer of a 1,200 staff unit in Bristol. Prior to this, he had responsibility for the FM and IT systems integration following mergers between the Phoenix and Sun Alliance, and then with The Royal. Currently he is a Non Executive Director for two Housing Associations and a Corporation Member with two Further Education Colleges in the South West.

Beth Goodyear, MBIFM AIEMA TechIOSH, FMHS Consulting.Beth is a Facilities Management (FM) professional with extensive experience in Operational and Strategic FM. She is an established FM consultant and an industry recognised trainer and speaker and was selected by FMX magazine in June 2012 as one of their ‘40 under 40’ list of influencers within the FM industry in 2012. Beth is an active member of BIFM and the immediate past Chair of the South West Region and currently holds the position of individual member’s representative on the BIFM members’ council. She works as a tutor and assessor for BIFM training supporting both the ILM level 3 and BIFM Level 4 qualifications in FM.

David BuntingDavid – a past President of the Association – has over 25 years’ experience in the office and commercial relocation business.

He is also a former long-serving member, and past Chairman, of the Commercial Moving Group Council.

The companies he headed entered the CMotY competition every year since its inception in 1993 (winning with Whittle Movers in 2003) until he retired in 2008.

Since then he has been a competition Judge. This will be his fifth year in that capacity.

WINNER

COMMERCIALMOVER OFTHE YEAR

2013


BAR NewsCMG News

Judges’ tips for CMoTY 2013David Bunting, Beth Goodyear and Graham Briscoe have been reappointed as Judges for the Commercial Mover of the Year (CMotY) 2013 competition. Based on their experiences from the 2012 competition, they set out here some key tips to bear in mind when preparing your competition entry for CMotY 2013.

What to expect when you enter CMotY 2013By David Bunting

It was interesting to be involved in judging last year’s brand new format for the Commercial Mover of the Year competition. The three Judges selected to assess the entries were not known to each other. We were charged with acting completely independently, designing and asking our own questions, and allocating marks to the companies we chose to speak with, without any exchanges whatsoever with each other. One Judge came from the FM sector. One from an end user background, and the other – myself – having considerable experience as a commercial mover.

The neutrality of each Judge in respect of any association with any CMG Member was paramount. This ensured freedom in mark allocation without any suggestion of tainting – and the scoring results supported this status, with the winner, Specialised Movers, achieving a mark which was in the top four of each Judge’s score sheets, and the company coming last being the bottom three of those score sheets. A ringing endorsement of the system.

Prepare your ClientsMy conversations with clients proved most illuminating. I asked my nine questions in a conversational style, adding a few more which, whilst not “qualifying” for a mark, were designed to fl ush out more information and substantiate the responses given in those nine offi cial questions.

There were, nevertheless, some frustrations, and these were in regard to my attempts to contact the entrant’s customers. It was quite apparent when speaking with clients that many were unprepared and had obviously not been briefed by their mover to

expect a call. Some were even metaphorically scratching their heads to remember the move submitted, and a few regarded my request for a few minutes time to chat through the move as an intrusion on their time. Many were surprised that they might be contacted by two other Judges. In two cases, it was impossible to speak with the individuals named as contacts, and in the most extreme case, one company and the individual named as contact were no longer in existence!

You need to know that the competition rules for 2013 will attempt to correct this state of affairs by adding a section where 25 marks will be available to the Judges to award against every entrant in respect of accuracy of information provided (company details and contact details) and the preparedness of the contact to take part in the judging process. The entrant’s contacts should be aware not only of how the competition works, but to be prepared to allocate time to the telephone conversations, noting that is quite possible for all three Judges to select the same client for interview. And with the possibility of a chat lasting up to 20 minutes, an hour might be involved. Given the closeness of the scoring in 2012, these 25 marks could well be the difference in determining the winner, so please ensure that your details provided, and customer awareness, are watertight.

When entrants brief their clients on to what to expect, it is recommended that a general discussion takes place regarding satisfaction levels with the service provided. For the 2012 competition, some criticisms brought to my attention involved furniture and buildings damage; the use of agency staff which were deemed to be below the standard expected; and

the replacement of the original team with another crew because the fi rst was not up to scratch. All these comments resulted in mark deduction, and could have been avoided if the mover had spoken with the contact, ascertained those observations, and then selected other (better) moves as their entries.

I do strongly recommend that each entrant for the 2013 competition reads carefully the list of negative comments provided in the August 2012 edition of Removals & Storage Magazine to ensure that none of the entries could be affected by any of those remarks.

And fi nally, I would encourage every CMG Member to enter. It really is simplicity itself, and not particularly time consuming, with the reward in winning – or even being a fi nalist or achieving a Certifi cate of Merit – creating marketing and publicity opportunities far outweighing the initial effort.

‘‘I would encourage every CMG Member to enter. It really is simplicity itself, and not particularly time consuming, with the reward in winning.

‘‘

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 01342870087 or you can simply email [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you.

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

32

BAR News


CMG News

Getting ready for the unusual and the unexpected…By Graham Briscoe

PlusCrates to sponsor CMotY

The need for strong case studiesBy Beth Goodyear

Preparing last year to participate as a Judge in BAR’s Commercial Mover of the Year Award began initially as an interesting personal challenge. It made me think back to my corporate career and refl ect on the highs and lows, as well as the many challenges faced across a lifetime of offi ce churn and moves, not to forget offi ce closures and relocations that I had experienced during my thirty-fi ve year corporate career with Phoenix, Sun Alliance – a couple of the heritage companies of Royal Sun Alliance (RSA).

Developing my set of questions and preparing a ranking model for the answers from my judging perspective of a ‘user move sponsor’ did challenge my creativity.

Whilst I did not expect to hear about a Marie Celeste situation (explained below!), I was certainly extremely impressed by the range of business moves submitted

together with the resulting move challenges: from relocating a rather expensive grand piano to the safe storage and relocation of a Local Authority’s heritage items.

Testing timesMy most memorable offi ce move was in fact an offi ce closure, where I was to visit a Regional Offi ce to oversee a closure programme with an external contractor – expecting most of the preparatory closure sorting work to have been completed. However, it was very apparent that the outgoing (and now departed) staff had partied during the time that they were supposed to have undertaken the preparatory closure work, and left on the Manager’s desk was a part completed game of Scrabble, with a unique arrangement of certain expletive words challenging

the Regional Offi ce closure programme decision and of the management that had made it!

Other memorable move memories recollected which are worthy of a bar (i.e. the alcohol version) discussion was one to do with breaking & entering – i.e. “stealing” back our own computer master tapes (1970s LEO III computer style) from the National Post Offi ce Data Processing Service who were on strike and had this time blacked all their external work as well ....... and that is defi nitely another story!

I look forward to discussing and reviewing all of the BAR Commercial Mover of the Year Award 2013 entrants’ submissions – to uncover the unusual, the unexpected, the challenging, and the last-minute change requirements, all of which test the Commercial Mover in their quest for excellence in customer service.

CMG Chairman, Mark Herrington, told R&S: “We received some excellent proposals to sponsor the CMotY competition. The PlusCrates proposal showed their real desire to promote our fl agship competition for at least the next three years, get involved in the process and to really assist the winner in the marketing of the award.”

“We are very pleased to be associated with the BAR’s Commercial Moving Group in supporting the CMotY Award,” said John Mitchell, Managing Director, PlusCrates. “Well recognised within the FM sector, it is a highly coveted award and rightly so. Past winners, together with those entrants who have achieved Certifi cates of Merit, all bear testimony to the value of their participation and their achievements. We look forward to enhancing this value in partnership with the

CMG over the next 3 years.”As well as the main sponsor’s cash prize, CMotY 2013

has attracted number of additional sponsors, such as Lead In Research, ReachLocal, Basil Fry and Reason Global, who are also offering substantial prizes. Information about all the prizes is available on the application form in the centre pages of this issue of R&S.

Judging the 2012 Commercial Mover of the Year was a really interesting experience. As an independent Facilities Management consultant, it was extremely encouraging to hear so many case studies of professional service, great team work and high standards.

I was also one of the speakers at the BAR Annual Conference 2012 and delivered a session titled ‘Commercial Moving Best Practice - an FM’s Perspective’ where I took the opportunity to provide direct customer feedback from my judging experience. There were common themes throughout the judging on what customers thought was being done well and what needed to be

improved. The good points tended to focus on the team doing the move in terms of presentation, professionalism and knowledge etc.

The areas for improvement were mostly lack of innovation / new ways of working and also lack of confi dence in the management of health and safety which I’m hoping will have improved in the last 12 months.

I’m looking forward to being on the judging panel for 2013 and hearing more case studies of great service and professional standards, which is particularly important in what has been a very challenging economic environment for everyone in the FM and commercial moving sector.

‘‘ ‘‘....it was extremely encouraging to hear so many case studies of professional service, great team work and high standards.

The CMG Council is delighted to announce that PlusCrates will be the new headline sponsor of the Commercial Mover of the Year competition for the next three years.

www.pluscrates.com Left: John Mitchell and co-founder Neil McGuigan (right).


BAR News

Left: John Mitchell and co-founder Neil McGuigan (right).


Features


Features


Features


Features

CMOTY AppForm 3


Features


Features

42

BAR News


Overseas Group News

The Overseas Group (OG) is a dedicated group of companies within the British Association of Removers that specialise in all aspects of overseas relocations.

December update It’s turning out to be a busy winter for the Overseas Group of BAR, with specialist training course, the new OG website nearing completion, and of course the traditional OG welcome evening to prepare for Newcastle 2013! The OG website is set to be completed by the end of January, says the Group’s Chairman, Ian Palmer of White and Co. “The new website will have a very fresh look and be full of information,” Ian confirmed to R&S. “We believe that it will really drive clients to using an Overseas Group Member. One of the main purposes of the website is to clearly demonstrate the difference between a national Member and a specialist Overseas Group Member. It sells the benefits of using a BAR company which is also a member of the Overseas Group.”

Overseas removals trainingThe OG has also fully funded two training courses for members, which resulted in a total of over 20 eager students receiving specialist training in overseas removals from international move managers. “The course was a vast improvement on what has gone before,” Ian says. “Delegates learnt about a full range of issues, such as international costings, density factors, and route selection.”

BAR Members will also be pleased to hear that the Overseas Group has its sights firmly set on the Annual Conference in 2013, and plans for the hog roast are now in an advanced stage. The welcoming party organised by the OG has in recent years become one of the most eagerly anticipated events at Conference.

The 2013 OG event will also mark Ian’s swansong as OG Chairman, as Tony Tickner of The Euro Group will be taking over the position next year. Ian says he is looking forward to continuing to work with Tony as the OG continues to roll out new initiatives to help its members win new business in today’s ultra-competitive market.

The Overseas Group membership currently consists of 54 Members.

There are 149 BAR International Associates.

For more information on joining the Overseas Group contact:email: [email protected] or Tel: 01923 699 483


Ian Palmer, Chairman of the Overseas Group


BAR News

44

BAR News


Self Storage Group

The Self Storage Special Interest Group was established in response to the needs of many Members who now include self storage as an important element in their service offerings. The Group offers a forum for companies to promote and develop their self-storage operations and is designed to encourage best practice in the self-storage industry.

Self storage leads are now live! BAR have now activated a Self Storage sales enquiry form allowing SSSIG Members to receive sales leads absolutely free! If you are part of the SSSIG please make sure you complete your self storage matrix and opt in to receive your fee self storage leads here! Please note that as of 1st October 2012 VAT is now payable on self storage.



Commercial EstimatingA specially designed course for the commercial estimator, expanding the knowledge of Estimating in general. The course focuses on calculating volume, methods for Estimating in the Commercial environment, what to look out for and questions to ask the customer. This course will make estimating large offi ce moves less daunting for the less experienced estimator and includes a practical exercise, where delegates will experience estimating in a ‘real time’ situation.

• Why is volume important • How do we calculate volume • Things to be aware of when estimating furniture • Estimating the amount of packing crates, questions to be asked, method of a site viewing • What should be included in a commercial quotation, practical exercise.

Just £199 + VAT per person

BRANDNEW

for 2013!

Course Dates 201323 JanuaryCourse to be held at BAR Headquarters, Watford between 10:00am and 16:00pm


BAR News

46

BAR News


R&S: What is Driver CPC?Peter Walters: It is a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence, not to be confused with the operator’s Certificate of Professional Competence. Driver CPC came into effect in 2009 and will be enforced by VOSA as from September 2014. This will mean that drivers won’t be able to drive an HGV until they have completed 35 hours of periodic training. Between now and September 2014, drivers will have to complete 35 hours. There is some confusion about whether drivers’ entitlement on their driving licence to drive an HGV will be taken away. This is not true. It doesn’t affect their driving licence. At the moment, they don’t need the training hours to be allowed to drive but they will as of September 2014. After 2014, they will then have to undergo another 35 hours over the next five years.

R&S: Who does it apply to?PW: It applies to drivers of all vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. There are exceptions, such as armed forces’ drivers, but every driver in the removals industry will be affected. You don’t need a Driver CPC to hold an O licence, but holding an Operator CPC does not allow you to drive a vehicle – you will also need a Driver CPC. Drivers of all vehicles with digital tachographs already need driver cards by law. From September 2014, drivers of all vehicles with analogue tachographs will need to produce a driver qualification card.

R&S: How do you go about getting it?PW: Drivers have to enrol with a certified training organisation that is approved by JAUPT (the Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training Centres). There are rogue training companies out there that give the training but the hours never end up on the central database! When the course is run, we look at their driving

licences, take the licence numbers, and register on the central database that drivers have completed the hours. Once the 35 hours are completed on the database, the driver qualification cards are automatically sent to them.

R&S: How is the removals industry responding to the pressure of meeting the deadline?PW: Some companies are dragging their feet because of money and also because they don’t think it will happen. There is a lot of scepticism out there and some people think it will be overturned. But they are very misguided – it will happen! So much has been invested in training the drivers so far, there would be absolute uproar if it was scrapped! Maybe post-September 2014 there will be revisions to the process, but that deadline is not going to change. Waiting till the last minute is a very dangerous game to play – driver who do this could find there are no training places available at the last minute, so suddenly overnight they can’t operate. When removal companies advertise for driver jobs, they often now state that drivers must have accrued a certain amount of hours for Driver CPC. Otherwise, new drivers they employ will have to go through virtually a week’s training to get the hours.

R&S: What are the consequences of not having Driver CPC within these deadlines?PW: From 9 September 2014, it will be an offence to drive a vocational vehicle without holding a DQC, or to cause or permit a driver to do so. So, it’s in companies’ interests to have legal drivers who are able to drive these vehicles after September 2014 and it’s in drivers’ interests to complete their 35 hours of CPC periodic training over the next year or so; otherwise they will not be legally entitled to drive a vehicle. Some companies have been getting their drivers to do seven hours of training every year since 2009.

R&S: How does BARTS structure its Driver CPC training? PW: We cover nine modules, and each module is 3.5 hours long. We deliver our training as two modules per day, so that’s seven hours training per day. Some companies go for three days of training so they get 21 hours of training out of the way. The training we offer is industry-specific, so it is all related to the removals industry. It’s £985 per day for a BAR Member and we can train up to 20 people at a time, on site at a company’s premises, which works out at £49.25 per person for a day’s training and is cheaper than a lot of other companies in the marketplace.

Are you ready for Driver CPC? From September 2014, all drivers of vehicles over 3.5 tonnes will be legally required to have undergone 35 hours of professional training and to hold a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence. Peter Walters, BARTS Field Trainer, sets out all you need to know about Driver CPC. There’s no excuses – get it sorted now!

For more information about Driver CPC with BAR Training Services, see www.removalstraining.co.uk

Training News

BAR Training Services carry out a range of training courses for removals companies. Peter Walters, BARTS Field Trainer, provides a roundup of the courses recently delivered. For full feedback from delegates and for more information on all courses, please go to www.removalstraining.co.uk

December handy tipEver thought of getting flyers prepared explaining the benefits of using your company? If you look for For Sale and Sold boards outside houses and post them through the letterbox, you’ll be surprised how many people respond to this initiative.

Barts Field Trainer, Peter Walters


BAR NewsTraining News


Just £99 + VAT p/p (BAR Member)

Selling Skills/Promoting the BAR Code of PracticeThis 1 day course is designed to enhance sales skills and to demonstrate the most effective way of promoting the BAR OFT Code of Practice to win business, covering topics such as:

• The Role of the Salesperson • Marketing• Prospecting & Negotiating • Promoting the OFT Code • Communication & Presentation• Identifying Customer Needs • Closing the Sale

Course Dates 201327 February

BTEC in Removals ManagementThe course can now be completed in 5 days meaning less time away from your place of work!

Upon completion of the later exam, successful students will be presented with a nationally recognised BTEC qualifi cation.

Course Dates 201328 January - 1st February

£1,675 + VAT p/p (BAR Member)

NEWLY IMPROVED for 2013!

BTEC Award in Practical EstimatingThis 2 day course is practically based and is designed to teach students the art of estimating as well as face to face sales techniques, covering topics such as:

• Quantity Assessment • The Role of the Estimator• Health & Safety • Contract Conditions • Communication Techniques• Removals Insurance

Course Dates 2013

5-6 March

£545 + VAT p/p (BAR Member)

1 Day (7 hours) Driver CPC

Prices start from as little as £49.25 + VAT per driver, delivered on site at your premises

Course Dates 2013For further details contact BAR.

JAUPT APPROVED CENTRE AC00191

*BAR Training Services train you at BAR in Watford, in the BAR areas or at your premises.


BARTS 2013 Training Dates All courses taking place at BAR Watford*

Did you know that BARTS can deliver all training onsite at your premises?

Please visit www.removalstraining.com and see all of the different training sessions, workshops and courses we provide, as well as the Removals Apprenticeship Scheme and Online E-learning.

We can also tailor training programmes to fi t your individual business needs.

Call BARTS on 01923 699484.

NEWLY IMPROVED for 2013!

Industry News


European News

The lobbying efforts of FEDEMAC and partners such as the IRU seem to be having some success. The latest draft of the new fuel tax legislation abandons previous proposals to align taxes on diesel and petrol, which would have had a disastrous effect on diesel prices in all EU Member States. The minimum taxation level of diesel will gradually increase to reach a level close to the one proposed by the European Commission, i.e. above EUR 400/1000 L, which is higher than the current minimum level (EUR 330/1000 L) but remains lower than the average taxation level observed in the EU Member States. The current draft also includes the possibility for EU Member States to apply lower taxation levels on diesel used for commercial purposes. FEDEMAC believes that the modifications in

the current draft are positive and should be supported by members. “The only negative element is the general increase in the taxation of diesel,” says FEDEMAC’s Brussels lobbyist, Tony Richman. “FEDEMAC and its members should lobby in favour of keeping diesel taxation rates as low as possible.”

EU listens on fuel taxes As the European Union moves to reform its fuel taxation system, FEDEMAC, the Federation of European Movers Associations, is stepping up its fight against any changes that would increase fuel taxes for removal companies.

EU countries make progress on driving times

EU Member States are making significant progress in enforcing European rules on driving times, breaks and rest periods for professional drivers.

However, according to a recent report from the European Commission, the majority of Member States continue to perform most of the controls at the roadside rather than at company premises. Since 2008, there has been a requirement that 50% of the total working days checked should be checked at premises. Most countries did not reach this threshold.

On average, almost 82% of the working days were checked at the roadside. Overall, almost 9.7 million vehicles and almost 10.8 million drivers were scrutinised, which resulted in around 119 million working days being checked at the roadside.

There is evidence that complete checks at

premises are far more efficient than ad-hoc roadside checks. The detection rate at premises is almost five times higher than at the roadside and checks at premises also create fewer obstacles to transport operations.

In total, around 546,000 drivers were checked at the premises, which is only a small fraction (5%) of the total number of drivers checked.

Between 2009 and 2010 some 4.5 million offences were reported by the Member States, which represents a 38% increase as compared to the previous reporting period. This is due not only to the higher number of checks performed, but also to the introduction of the digital tachograph, which provides faster, more accurate and reliable analysis of offences. At the same time, the frequency of offences detected has decreased to an average of 3.1 offences per 100 working days checked (compared to 3.8 in the last report covering 2007-2008). The types of offences detected are more or less the same: Offences against breaks (29%) and rest periods (24%) are still the ones most frequently detected, followed by driving time (19%).

“The falling number of offences combined with ever more effective enforcement practices leads to the conclusion that compliance with the rules in force is improving,” the Commission said. “There are still considerable differences in the detection rate among the Member States. It is important to ensure that this is not due to incorrect implementation or interpretation of the social rules.”

French delay breathalyser finesFines for drivers of all motor vehicles who are caught without a breathalyser kit will now be implemented in France from March 2013. The fines were due to be enforced from 1 November 2012 but certain regions in France have not been able to source and stock sufficient numbers of breathalyser kits.

Carrying a breathalyser kit became law for all drivers in France over the summer. However the €11 fine will only become applicable to all road users (except for those on mopeds) from next year.

Single-use breathalyser kits will satisfy the requirement. The legal limit in France is 50 mg per 100 ml of blood, which is lower than in the UK (the UK limit is 80 mg). They cost between £1 and £2 and they will be available at ferry and tunnel terminals for crossings to France. It is intended that people will be able to test themselves to check whether or not they are over the French limit.

Anyone driving in France is already required to carry a warning triangle and a fluorescent safety vest to use in an emergency. UK motorists and motorcyclists must also display a GB plate.

Fuel price not the greatest fearA new report from Transport Intelligence says that it is not the cost of fuel that is the biggest threat to European road freight companies – it is interest rate increases and falls in the volume of traffic. The consultancy says that road freight companies can usually pass on any rises in fuel prices and that freight operators are extremely competent at passing on these costs to their customers in the form of higher rates. However, pressure on volumes and higher interest rates are much more difficult to manage, and Transport Intelligence found in its European Road Freight Transport 2012 report that there are clear correlations between low volumes, high interest rates and failures of hauliers in Europe. Many road freight operators are highly leveraged, leasing road transport assets or borrowing to buy them outright, so they are highly exposed to interest rates. John Manners-Bell, CEO of Transport Intelligence said, “It may seem surprising that fuel costs are not the major cause of company failure, especially given the industry campaigns we’ve seen over the years. However our research shows that interest rates and weakening volumes are far more difficult for operators to deal with.

49

Industry News


European News

In August, the Commission launched an internet questionnaire on charging for the use of road infrastructure. This questionnaire, which closed after 12 weeks on 4 November, is part of a wider stakeholder consultation to help the European Commission’s services explore the scope for possible new initiatives on road charging.

The conference will discuss the results of the public consultation and the possible next steps. In addition, there will be a session on how to ensure more consistent and effi cient pricing to generate revenues while shaping more effi cient transport behaviour.

With fi ve different vignettes, 11 national tolling arrangements and countless local tolls and charges, road charging schemes for heavy goods vehicles in the EU form a patchwork of un-coordinated and barely interoperable systems.

Delegates will discuss this unnecessary administrative burden for international hauliers and debate possible ways to reduce it.

“The capacity of governments to fi nance transport infrastructure from tax payers’ money is going to be seriously hampered in the coming decades,” the Commission says. “User charging can provide an alternative and sustainable source of money while attracting private investors through Public Private Partnerships to maintain good quality infrastructure which is a key asset for the competitiveness of the EU economy.”

“Road pricing can also guide us towards more sustainable transport choices by allocating the social costs generated by transport to the users. The variety of pricing systems along the trans-European network means, however, that users receive blurred price signals depending on the country and route on which they travel.”

FEDEMAC’s responseFEDEMAC states that the subject matter is very important for all operators and in relation to a sustainable future for removers and road freight companies in general.

In its response to the Commission’s questionnaire, FEDEMAC says that any measures to implement barrier-free tolling must provide clear benefi ts for road transport operators in terms of cost reductions, reduction of the administrative burden and time savings. Increases in rates are not acceptable, FEDEMAC has told the Commission.

FEDEMAC believes that road infrastructure should defi nitely be improved both in terms of maintenance of existing and the building of new infrastructure. However, it says that it is essential that any revenues from road tolls and user charges are earmarked for road transport projects aimed at reducing the environmental footprint at source.

“Diverting such income to other governmental expenditure is unacceptable. Likewise cross-subsidisation to other transport modes is unacceptable,” FEDEMAC says in its response to the Commission.

“Removal companies and road freight transport operators are willing to pay for the use of road infrastructure, but the rules must be fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. There should be no double payment and no overall increase in the tax burden for the road transport operators.”

FEDEMAC argues that any toll or user charge system should be based on clear, transparent and non-discriminatory rules. There should be an obligation to inform users in a transparent way how revenues are spent. Any changes must be published suffi ciently in advance (ideally a year), for commercial operators to

take them into account in their contract negotiations and price setting.

“There is also a risk of a negative impact on the European economy. There is a risk of more discrimination against road transport compared to other modes of transport, as similar measures are not yet in place or are not envisaged for other modes,” the Federation adds,

In its submission, FEDEMAC also says that a network of secure truck parking areas should be put in place across Europe. In addition, VAT on removal services should be removed. “There is no commercial gain for consumers when moving their own chattels from one place to another or one country to another therefore VAT should be zero rated for such services,” FEDEMAC believes.

EU road pricing FEDEMAC, the Federation of European Movers Associations, will be presenting the industry’s position on road pricing at a major conference organised by the European Commission this month.

‘‘Removal companies and road freight transport operators are willing to pay for the use of road infrastructure, but the rules must be fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. ‘‘

Istanbul the most congested city

All change for Spanish tolls

TomTom has released the results of its latest Congestion Index measuring traffi c congestion in European cities between April and June 2012. The latest Congestion Index, now covering 58 European cities, fi nds Istanbul the most congested city in Europe. On average, journey times in Istanbul are 57% longer than when traffi c in the city is fl owing freely and 84% longer during morning rush hour. The top ten most congested European cities, ranked by overall Congestion Level, between April and June 2012 were:1. Istanbul 57%, 2. Warsaw 45%, 3. Marseille 42%4. Palermo 40%, 5. Rome 34%, 6. Paris 34%7. Stuttgart 33%, 8. Brussels 33%, 9. Hamburg 32%, 10. Stockholm 30%

In line with the industry trend towards automated payments using On Board Units (PBUs), as of 1 January 2013, Spanish toll road company Abertis will no longer accept magnetic strip cards (tarjetas profesionales) for payment of tolls.

Instead, transport and logistics companies will have to use either credit cards or OBUs for payment of tolls on the A2, A4, A6, A7, C31, C32, C33, A51, A61, A68 and A71 roads. Abertis says its decision is designed to reduce the costs per toll transaction and to optimise traffi c fl ow in toll stations. BAR Members who regularly use the Spanish roads are advised to move towards using OBUs. To help companies make a smooth transition, BAR Affi liate DKV Euro Service is offering the opportunity to order an interoperable DKV Box which enables automatic payments in Spain, the French TIS PL as well as payments of

the Liefkenshoektunnel in Belgium and the Rostock Warnow Tunnel in Germany.

DKW says that removals companies can receive rebates up to 50% on Spanish toll charges using their box. Due to the existing certifi cation of DKV Euro Service for the VIA T system (the electronic toll payment system used on Spanish toll motorways), DKV’s OBU will provide an immediate means of payment. For more information, see www.dkv-euroservice.com


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In keeping with this honourable tradition, Merseyside’s Britannia Fleet Removals has recently helped send a much needed container of furniture and medical equipment, as well as donated toys, clothing and other supplies to Honduras, one of the poorest countries in Latin America.

That means that many children in the country will be receiving a Christmas present, some of them for their first time in their lives.

“Everyone here feels extremely proud to have been able to help,” Darren French at Britannia Fleet Removals says. “The people of Merseyside made a magnificent contribution to the cause, and at Britannia Fleet we were very happy to supply our professional services to make sure that all donations

arrive where they are needed.”Britannia Fleet Removals was supporting the work

of St Joseph’s Hospice (Jospice) in Thornton, near Crosby. 2012 has been a special year for the charity as it has been celebrating its 50th anniversary of supplying care at home and abroad.

Providing compassionate care around the worldJospice is one of the oldest hospices in the country, providing care and support to terminally ill people and their families from within the Liverpool and Sefton areas. Francis O’Leary, a missionary priest, first set up Jospice in 1962 as part of his mission to raise funds to open and develop clinics, dispensaries

and hospices in some of the poorest areas in Central and South America and Pakistan. In 1974, the charity also opened a hospice in Liverpool to serve the Merseyside community. Strongly embracing Father O’Leary’s legacy to provide compassionate care to people of any faith and those without faith in the last weeks of their life, the hospice cares for 25 people, providing high quality end of life care in and out of a hospital situation. As it is only partially funded by the NHS, fundraising is a vital part of the work at Jospice.

At the same time, Jospice has continued its work overseas and has hospices in Honduras, Guatemala, Peru and Ecuador and is also linked to hospices in many parts of South America, India and Pakistan, which still bear the Jospice name.

“The health service in Honduras is virtually non-existent,” Pat Murphy, fundraising director at Jospice, told R&S. “After my visit to Honduras in 2009, I saw the appalling conditions that people are living in and also the lack of medical equipment.” When Pat returned, she set about raising the money to ship a 40-foot container full of donated second-hand medical equipment, furniture, clothing and other supplies to Honduras. “That made a huge difference to my colleagues and the people in the Honduras Jospice,” she says.

As a result, Pat and her team were determined to do it again. “This time, our aim was to send a lot of toys to arrive in time for Christmas and I want get some toys to kids who have never had a present before.”

Pat made a call to BAR Member Britannia Fleet based in Merseyside to see if they could help skilfully pack the container with all the donated items the hospice was planning to ship to Honduras. Darren

Every year as the Christmas season approaches, companies in the removals industry traditionally put their logistics know-how and their global and local reach to work for a whole range of good causes.

A helping hand for Honduras


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readily agreed to help. “Everyone at Britannia Fleet was 100% committed to the project,” Darren tells R&S. “It’s very important to use our professional knowledge to give back to the community and to help those who are so much more needy themselves.”

When Darren, Paul Landy and James Buckley from Britannia Fleet arrived on site, they were overwhelmed to see the generosity of the local community. As well as hundreds of toys, people had donated clothes, sheets, kitchen equipment, education and craft materials, medical and nursing equipment and even sewing machines and pressure cookers!

“These aren’t the easiest of times, but the people of Merseyside still had time to think of those less fortunate.”

Volunteers had tried to pack everything into the container but had not managed to fi t it all in so all the items were placed back in a fi eld. Paul and James set about packing everything and organising the thousands of items so that they would fi t safely into

the container. The company used its own branded state of the art packaging materials and boxes, and Darren thinks it is likely that even these supplies will be used and reused at their fi nal destination. Pat Murphy of Jospice said: “It was great having Britannia Fleet’s professionals on board to help us on the day – it worked like clockwork!”

The local and national media came out in force to cover the campaign, and BBC North West produced a special piece on the effort for broadcast, showing the container, volunteers and the Britannia Fleet van and interviewed Paul and James.

As R&S goes to press, the container should be close to arriving at the hospice in San Pedro Sul, Honduras, where its content will brighten up the Christmas of many children in this desperately needy community. Darren says “We hope that together we have been able to make this Christmas a little brighter for those who need it most.”

The people of Merseyside made a magnifi cent contribution to the cause, and at Britannia Fleet we were very happy to supply our professional services to make sure that all donations arrive where they are needed.Darren French, Britannia Fleet Removals

‘‘

‘‘

It’s still not too late to donate to the Golden Jubilee appeal of Jospice. Anyone wishing to help the Merseyside hospice provide extra beds and facilities can visit the website at www.jospice.org.uk for more information.


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The R&S Interview: Gareth Tancred, CEO, BIFM

R&S: In what areas are BAR and the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) currently working together? Gareth Tancred: BIFM and BAR have been partners for a long time as there is a natural affinity between our organisations. We work together to offer the very best in advice and guidance to your customers and our members, facilities managers (FMs), who are responsible for office and workplace re-location projects. Key to this is the sharing of information on best practice, including the production of a Good Practice Guide to Commercial Moves, which is available to BAR and BIFM members.

R&S: What scope is there for increased cooperation and synergies with BAR and in particular with the BAR Commercial Moving Group?Gareth Tancred: The scope here is all about education and information. During the recession, many organisations have been forced to consider optimising their property space, which has often led to relocation. As the recession ends, growth opportunities will return and firms will start to expand again. Our members are looking to understand the best way to carry out commercial moves and how to select the best supplier for their needs; we can jointly do more in this area. In the spring of 2013, BIFM is launching a new website that will be packed with information and guidance. We can work together to ensure that FMs have the very best information and are properly signposted to BAR’s CMG.

R&S: What are the main challenges facing the facilities management industry and how is BIFM responding to these challenges? Gareth Tancred: I think we will see more consolidation. There will also be pressures on FMs to deliver more, most likely with fewer resources. FMs have to focus on the ‘triple bottom line’ – finances, carbon and people. BIFM can help here through education and sharing best practice. Members can learn from other members – understanding what has worked and what has not. Membership is an invaluable resource. Aside from this, some refer to a ‘demographic time bomb’ in FM; we see many FMs over 40 but need to recruit younger individuals to the profession so that skills can be passed on to a new generation. One way we do this is by promoting FM to become a widely recognised discipline through our continuous efforts to professionalise the sector. We are working to ensure that there are clear development pathways in FM for professionals to enter the industry and progress.

R&S: In 2013, the BIFM will celebrate its 20th anniversary, after a year of major board and management changes and a lot of media questioning of the FM industry. How do you think the role of the BIFM needs to change over the coming years? Gareth Tancred: BIFM remains committed to our aim of advancing the FM profession. We are the largest FM institute in Europe, so we plan to build on that by evolving member benefits and delivering a best in

class service. FM makes a massive contribution to the UK GDP – some researchers have estimated it to be as high as £121bn. Therefore we need to keep raising its profile, both in terms of the value it offers the UK and international economy, and - importantly - the impact it can have on carbon reduction. FM is becoming more and more important for the business world as a critical, strategic business discipline. We remain the constant in continuing to raise the profile of FM to keep it on the business agenda and bring together the FM community. The profile of FM has certainly been raised over recent years but we recognise there is still some work to be done.

R&S: What are your strategic objectives as Chief Executive of BIFM and how are you planning to implement any key goals and targets?Gareth Tancred: There are several, but to highlight a few that I’m passionate about, we need to make FM a career of choice, rather than a career of chance. Through our qualifications, and activities such as our recent TV programme highlighting careers in FM, we are well underway with plans to attract and nurture talent within the sector. This profession offers an exciting career path for anyone with the right skills and aptitude; we need to attract talented people to our profession. BIFM has seen consistent growth in both membership numbers and learners within our qualification framework. We aim to keep building on this growth and looking at ways to improve our offering to our members and the profession.

One year into his role as Chief Executive Officer of the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM), Gareth Tancred talks to R&S about synergies between BIFM and BAR and how he plans to advance the organisation.


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For more information:W: www.bifm.org.ukE: [email protected]: 0845 058 1356

BIFM and BAR have been partners for a long time as there is a natural affi nity between our organisations. We work together to offer the very best in advice and guidance to your customers and our members, facilities managers (FMs), who are responsible for offi ce and workplace re-location projects. Key to this is the sharing of information on best practice, including the production of a Good Practice Guide to Commercial Moves, which is available to BAR and BIFM members.

‘‘

‘‘

R&S: You launched an apprenticeship programme this year. What are the key elements of this programme and how are you encouraging your members to take up this programme?Gareth Tancred: FM apprenticeships are all about opening up entry and development routes into and within the profession. Apprenticeships are an excellent way for new or existing employees to master practical skills in the workplace and gain a formal qualifi cation whilst working and earning money. Communication is key to encouraging uptake – we are trying to spread the word as much as we can, not just within the profession but also by targeting those who may not be aware that FM can offer them a challenging and rewarding career. In 2013 there will be signifi cant shift in our activity in this respect. All this hard work is coming to fruition and we are seeing increasing numbers of enquiries and enrolments onto the apprenticeship and higher level apprenticeship pathways.

R&S: What changes are you planning to make to the BIFM qualifi cations? How is demand for the qualifi cations changing?Gareth Tancred: We have developed an Accreditation programme for in-house training programmes, which will be launched in the fi rst quarter of 2013. The programme will include the ability to endorse a company’s training programme or will include an accreditation element where an individual undertakes a form of assessment and gains a non-qualifi cation certifi cate. Following a successful application process the company will be able to apply a BIFM specifi c logo to their internal training materials and communications which will be seen as a mark of excellence of the content and delivery of the programme. If we address demand, year-on-year the uptake of BIFM qualifi cations in facilities management are increasing. This is down to individuals personally

taking control of their careers and organisations looking to invest in their staff. We are now in an excellent position where we can offer qualifi cations from level 2 to level 7: level 2 would be for a school leaver, and level 7 equates to a Masters degree. This puts the industry in a great position as, regardless of where a professional is in their career, there is a BIFM qualifi cation to suit where they are, or where they aspire to be.

R&S: How can removal or storage companies penetrate target the lucrative FM market? What are FMs looking for?Gareth Tancred: FMs are looking for reliability and trust. If they are involved in a relocation project all eyes of the organisation are on them to deliver. They need a partner who can deliver for them. In 2010 we produced our Good Practice Guide with BAR, specifi cally focusing on ‘Commercial Removals’. The guide is there to help FMs understand more about removals and offers advice on how to select a partner. The FM market offers a wealth of opportunity, there is great demand for removals and storage due to many factors such as consolidation of property portfolios, mergers and acquisitions centralising property, and fl exible working resulting in less need for workspace. BIFM can open up opportunities into FM, as we look to equip our members with knowledge. To help educate our members, removal companies could look to become a Corporate Member of BIFM, or share their expertise within our CPD Provider Network or host a session for one of our Groups to educate members on best practice.


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Rightmove survey: how people choose removal companies

How and why

a consumer chooses to purchase your product or service

is one of the most revealing, often scary, and strategically

useful bits of research you can do as a business.

Revealing as you can find out loads of useful information

about what really motivates consumers to purchase; scary

as the reasons you want or think people buy from you

may bear little relation to actually why they buy and useful

as, armed with the above, you can more efficiently direct

your marketing and resources.

In the first of a two part article, Rob Wilson, Head of Consumer Services at Rightmove reveals the results of Rightmove’s latest survey into consumer behaviour with removal companies. He explains: “Rightmove’s removal lead generation service has been running almost a year now, but it’s still a relatively new business for us so we decided to do some deeper research into how consumers were choosing and viewing removal companies.”

Recently moved home

Moving home in the next few

months

Not moved/ not moving for

a while

Moved more than once

Moved once before

Just moved or moving for the

first time

51.5%

Current Situation

Moving Experience

31.6%

16.9%

70.6%

21.7%7.8%

Reasons to use or not use a professionalThe most popular reasons for not using a professional mover were relatively practical things related to DIY moving; such as location, volume of contents or short distances.

This was a good result for professional movers as it establishes clear air between ‘man & van’ who can only cater for small loads, short distances at low costs and more capable firms, further supported by the fact that 37.5%

19.2

%

14.2%

12.5%

10.8%

5.8%

12%claimed expense was a key reason not to use a professional

only

Rightmove then asked people that had used a professional remover, why they didn’t do it themselves. These results are good indicators for what consumers consider to be priority problems when moving.

The ‘something else’ responses included things like; time pressures for busy workers, people with young families, managed corporate relocations and one person who “keeps reptiles and some of my vivariums are big, expensive, fragile and VERY heavy”.

Reasons for not using a professional

I hired a van myselfI didn’t have much stuff (19.2%)It was only a short distance (14.2%)Removers are too expensive (12.5%)I have a friend with a van (10.8%)Other (5.8%)


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376 consumers were surveyed who were active on Rightmove in October

90% of whom had at least one move under their belts

75% said they had used a “professional removal company” before

Part Two of the analysis will be in next month’s R&S including Top 5 most important things consumers look for in a remover, how they tell firms apart, what gives them confidence in a company and revealing answers to consumers estimates on price. If you’d like an advance copy of the results including the raw data and extended free text responses, please telephone Tom Goy on 01908 712 115.

What consumers look for in a remover

Asking your customers why they chose you over the alternatives can really help to refine your advertising messages so that you are ‘pushing on an open door’ and presenting your business as someone who can solve the consumer’s problems.

For the people in this survey at least, they were in the main happy with the service they received with 70% saying they would use their remover again. 22% were ‘maybes’ indicating there’s room for improvement or their remover just didn’t make an impression. Only 9% were a definite ‘No’.

When Rightmove asked “what was the main reason you chose your removal company”, price was the number two factor, but out in front by a long way was having a local depot. Rob’s view was that “This seems strange given consumers don’t need to take their house to the depot – the depot comes to them, so maybe it highlights a strong sense of wanting to support local businesses. For larger brands or chains, finding a way to present a believable local connection alongside national support could certainly be a challenge.”

32.1%

31.2

%

14.5%

11.5%

6%

4.7%

16.7%

80% of the respondents had moved recently or were about to move

Reasons to use a professional

23.5%

14.1%

12.8%

9.4%

9.4%

7.7%

6.4%

Wanted someone else to do the liftingI have too much stuff (31.2%)It was a long distance move (14.5%)Wanted professional packing and insurance (11.5%)Other (6%)My company/job paid for it (4.7%)

Locally based

Cheapest

Reputation

Competent

Recommendations

Other reasons

Staff were the most impressive

Only company available on that date

Competitive quotes and local depots accounted for around 40% of the main reasons given which could prove challenging to larger firms as these are pretty fixed practical aspects for larger companies. Rob says,“aside from captive reasons around date of move, what’s interesting here is if you add up the weight of the remaining reasons, that comes to over 50% - meaning if you can nail the more subjective based elements of your proposition around consumer impressions, recommendations and reviews and how your brand is perceived, it should be possible to compete against a local firm quoting low prices.”


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Hearts in San Francisco

MovingStar provides a complete moving, storage and relocation service to individuals, families and business in the Bay Area and beyond. The company offers the full range of services for clients moving locally, intrastate, interstate or internationally, and for those migrating to or from the US or between overseas postings.

Founded in 1995 by Gil Sera, the company has become one of the leading providers of local, interstate and international moves in its area, in addition to managing corporate relocations and supplying containerised storage services. MovingStar is licensed by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and is a member of a range of state, national and international moving organisations, which now includes its International Associate membership with BAR.

MovingStar provides full Origin and Destination services to the international movers community and the list of agents we work with is in a constant growth,” says Partner and General Manager Avner Yonai. “We pride ourselves by giving a personalised treatment to each client and we have a dedicated team that attend to emails 7 days a week.

A star in the local communityAs a family-owned company, MovingStar is very aware of the importance of maintaining strong ties with the community. After all, it’s the support of the local community that has been essential to the growth and success of the company over the years.

MovingStar is especially focused on giving donations and providing support to the needy of the Bay Area. Yonai explains how it works: “When a client is moving to a new home and they realise they have furniture /clothes/ books/ toys /household items etc that are unwanted, we will pick these up, at no charge, from their home and store at our warehouse at no charge until a charity organisation comes to collect it for their deprived community and families that are in a need.

As a moving company, MovingStar puts its know-how to work for a good cause, distributing furniture to school systems throughout the area. It is a major contributor to the New Haven Unifi ed School District, which includes Union City and part of south Hayward, Alameda County. “By handling thousands of donations, we have become quite good at getting the proper items to the right people and it’s all because of our customers’ support,” Yonai tells R&S.

The company has contributed thousands of toys and items of clothing to the Children’s Hospital Health Centre, University of California/San Francisco Medical Centre and many Church organisations. “Clothing and toys are popular items which can go a

long way in brightening the day of many unfortunate children,” Avner says. “People don’t realise until they begin packing for their new home, how many articles of clothing they have that don’t fi t anymore or how many toys they own which aren’t being used. This is the perfect opportunity to reduce the amount of boxes that need to be packed by donating these possessions to a good cause.”

In addition, clients receiving a MovingStar estimate are always given food bags, and these food bags are usually returned stuffed with food from their kitchen cupboards. This food is then distributed to food banks all over the Bay Area.

The contribution by MovingStar to charitable work in the community goes well beyond fi nancial support and donations. Employees have become heavily involved in the food distribution effort, and many spend much of their free time volunteering at the kitchens, preparing and serving food to the Bay Area’s needy.

Avner says that the hard work of everybody at MovingStar has helped to strengthen ties with the local community, reinforce the culture of service and dedication at the company, and keep MovingStar’s growing team motivated and passionate about the services that they provide.

MovingStar Moving and Storage is a family-owned company that works out of one of the most beautiful, cosmopolitan and dynamic parts of the US, the Bay Area of San Francisco. While enjoying rapid growth as a business, MovingStar management and employees also devote considerable efforts to helping the more needy members of the community with medical care, donations and food.

By handling thousands of donations, we have become quite good at getting the proper items to the right people and it’s all because of our customers’ support.Avner Yonai, Partner and General Manager

‘‘

‘‘

E: [email protected] W: www.movingstar.us

For more information contact


Features


Features

For more information contact

R&S spoke to Bob Tree, a Director of Basil Fry & Co and a member of the committee of the Removers Benevolent Association (RBA), about fund-raising for the valuable work of the RBA.

Bob Tree: supporting the RBA

Insurance specialists Basil Fry are long-standing supporters of the RBA, and regularly organise some of the best attended fund-raising events in the calendar, such as their ever popular golf days.

When Bob Tree joined the company as a director in August 2009, he was actively encouraged to participate in the RBA committee. “Basil Fry have always been aware of the important role undertaken by the RBA and the support it gives the industry,” Bob explains.

Bob’s own involvement with the removals and storage industry and BAR dates back to long before his relatively recent arrival at Basil Fry. Bob has been arranging insurance for companies in the sector for over 35 years.

He is a former member of TMI (The Movers Institute) and a well-known lecturer on removal insurance and speaker at BAR area meetings and conferences. Many members will remember Bob’s assured performance as a compère at the conferences in 2011 and 2012, or will know Bob from his role as treasurer of the New Met area or on the various standards committees for the removals industry that he has participated in.

Bob is a qualifi ed Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute and a Chartered Insurance Broker, as well as being married to Wendy and fi nding the time to father three sons and now to help raise two grandsons! He’s also a lifelong Spurs fan.

Bob says he is very excited to add membership of the RBA Committee to the long list of positions that he has held in the industry. He believes that with his fund-raising experience and industry network, he can work with other members of the Committee to ensure that the RBA continues to deliver its invaluable support to the removals industry.

The removal industry’s charity“I was invited to join the committee by the

Chairman Derek Payne in 2009. I have been involved with the removals industry for most of my working life and have always been happy to support the RBA during this time. The invitation to join the committee has given me the opportunity to take a greater interest in the RBA’s activities and provide positive support.”

As most readers will be aware, the RBA provides much needed fi nancial support to employees or former employees of removal companies and their dependents who for a variety of reasons (such as accident and illness, or bereavement) are suffering hardship.

“The aim is to direct money to the most deserving

people as quickly as possible,” Bob says. Ensuring that the right people get the help they need, with minimum red tape in often very diffi cult personal circumstances, is a sensitive job that requires the highest levels of professionalism.

“As a regular attendee at BAR area meetings and conferences I am able to promote the RBA and support its fundraising activities. It is important for the RBA to raise funds on a regular basis to ensure vital fi nancial support is available for those who are encountering very diffi cult circumstances.”

I have been involved with the removals industry for most of my working life and have always been happy to support the RBA during this time.

‘‘

‘‘

Industry News


People News

Chris Fry heads to the clubhouse

BAR Members who have worked with Chris have been paying tribute to his professional success in growing Basil Fry since 1970. “I’ve known Chris ever since I joined Britannia nine years ago, and in all that time he has been a pleasure to work with,” says Mark Tresler, Managing Director at Britannia Movers International. “He’s always been very knowledgeable and extremely professional. He is defi nitely one of life’s good guys!” Heads of removal companies across the UK say that Chris’s efforts have been instrumental in helping them manage risk, improve exposures, and achieve insurance savings. “Chris has been an absolute joy to work with,” says Ian Palmer, CEO of White & Company. “He is very conscientious and clever and gives good, sound practical advice. I can remember a claim from a very diffi cult customer which Chris was able to put to bed very professionally and forcefully.” Ian says he has learnt a lot about insurance from Chris. “Very early in my career, I learnt from him that the better a claim was assembled, with receipts, estimates and photographs, the more genuine it was. Literally, he has always been a very honest broker.” Basil Fry has become well known for the high quality of its customer service and the speed with which it responds to any requests from clients. In recent years, the company has also adopted a more technological approach that has paid dividends throughout the recent recession. As a Chartered Accountant Chris has always been responsible for running the fi nancial side of the company. Although he stepped down from Managing Director in 2007 he has subsequently provided fi nancial consultancy support to Basil Fry & Co. His insurance broking work over the years has at same time enabled Chris to form many long lasting friendships in the industry. Fenton Archer, of Archer Removals and Storage in Belfast, says “when I decided to set up my own business, I turned to Chris to look after my insurance needs.

He has always been especially honourable in all our relations, and we have an excellent relationship, in business and on the golf course!” “He’s always helped out when we have had an issue to be resolved, such as when we had a fl ood in a warehouse.

He was very good in making sure that it was resolved to our satisfaction. It’s a real shame he’s retiring – the industry will defi nitely miss him.” Personal service has always been at the heart of Chris’s success and the success of Basil Fry. In addition, Chris’s commitment to supporting BAR and industry events refl ects Basil Fry’s belief that being involved in customers’ activities ensures that they are close to their client base and their specialist market at all times, with a fi nger on the pulse of the removals and storage industry.

The Kennels, GoodwoodThe last 42 years have not all been about work, however. When R&S asked sources in the industry to describe Chris, a number of words always come up, such as professionalism, integrity and service. There is one other word, though, and that word is golf! Over the last year, Chris has been an almost indispensable feature at BAR golf days and fund-raising events. His commitment and enthusiasm on the golf course may not always have been fully rewarded in terms of prizes, but Chris has never been too far away from the leaderboard, and his company has always been treasured, from the fi rst hole to the nineteenth. It was fi tting then that a special Golf Day was organised for Chris at The Kennels, Goodwood, in

September, with participants coming from across the removals business to lend their support and voice their appreciation. The golfers enjoyed a fi ne day of fair weather and excellent company, followed by a buffet and drinks at the Goodwood Hotel. Chris says that after he stands down from Basil Fry in December, he intends to devote more time to perfecting his game, reaping well-earned dividends from all the hours he has put in partnering BAR Members on the golf course over these last 42 years!

After 42 years of service to the industry, Chris Fry of specialist insurance brokers Basil Fry & Co is retiring from the fi rm this month. Chris has helped build up the business into a market leader in the sector, and evolve into a trusted source of support for removals and storage companies across the UK.

‘‘

‘‘When I decided to set up my own business, I turned to Chris to look after my insurance needs. He has always been especially honourable in all our relations, and we have an excellent relationship, in business and on the golf course!Fenton Archer, Archer Removals and Storage.

59

Industry News


People News

Bevan Bush retires from Brytor

Bevan Bush has retired as a partner and Director of Business Development at the Ottowa office at BAR International Associate, Brytor International in Canada.

Bevan will be known to many from his attendance with his wife, Gina at several BAR conferences.

Marlow joins Santa Fe Katherine Marlow has joined Santa Fe as Director – People, Learning & Culture.

Based in London, Katherine will further develop the culture within the Group to ensure a globally-united team with a ‘can-do-culture’. Katherine will also work with the Group to optimise performance, customer satisfaction and employee engagement.

Previously, Katherine was Talent Manager for the UK & Ireland at Novo Nordisk. She has further experience in the pharmaceutical industry as well as experience in telecommunications and HR consulting.

Mike Andrews joins John Bradshaw & Son

In his new role, Mike has taken on the day-to-day management of Britannia Bradshaw International Removals & Storage, as well as overseeing activities at BCL Office Moving and Manchester Self Store. Rod Seeland, Managing Director of BCL Office Moving, remains in his position.

As many R&S readers will know, Mike began his removals career with Britannia Leatherbarrows and has gone to John Bradshaw & Son after 14 years with Pickfords, where he was the Area Manager North Central & Midlands. He is also the former Vice Chairman of the National Council of BAR. Although Mike began his removals career at Britannia Leatherbarrows after university, removals has played a key role in his life. One of his first memories is of his grandparents retiring to Cornwall – and the big removals van that came to take all of their belongings. He also has the removals industry to thank for meeting his wife, Suzi, and for their two children, James and Elizabeth. Mike says he feels “incredibly privileged to join the fantastic team at John Bradshaw & Son, and look forward to good years to come.”

Malcolm HalleyMalcolm was appointed Chairman as he wanted to scale back his day-to-day involvement in the business to enjoy semi-retirement and revitalise the business. He plans to work on his bucket list, including cycling the Camino Trail in Spain and from Land’s End to John O’Groats, along with sailing a boat from Rotterdam to the Black Sea. He also plans on spending more time in India. Malcolm says he has “every confidence that Mike and the team will continue the growth and success of the business.”

There have been a few interesting industry moves in the past few months. One of the most prominent was Mike Andrews leaving Pickfords to become Managing Director of John Bradshaw & Son, the parent company of Britannia Bradshaw International Removals & Storage, BCL Office Moving and Manchester Self Store. At the same time, Malcolm Halley was appointed Chairman of John Bradshaw & Son.

Bevan (left) on the job for the second of two containers packed in Ottawa for two-time Canadian gold swimming medallist Alex Baumann, who has moved to New Zealand.


60

BAR News


Diary Dates

BOARD, COUNCIL AND

COMMITTEE MEETINGS 2012/13

Board of Directors

December 5 2012

National Council

February 5 2013

Overseas Group Council

February 6 2013

CMG Council

February 7 2013

BAR AREA MEETINGS 2012/13

East Anglia Area

Contact: Andrew Pearson

01362 853777

[email protected]

East Met Area

Contact: Paul Freeman

0800 413335

[email protected]

East Midlands Area

Contact: Andy Wade

01476 579210

[email protected]

January 23 2013

Kent Area

Contact: Tom Bourne

01797 228000

[email protected]

New Met Area

Contact: Julie Thompson

01932 410100

[email protected]

March 12 2013 - AGM

Novotel Hotel, Heathrow

Do you have any Diary Dates?E-mail them to: [email protected]

Diary Dates

To view diary dates/events, please log into ‘MyBAR’ and click on the Calendar/Events and BAR Calendar tabs where you can view full details including time, date, location and agendas (when available).

To view area minutes, please log into ‘MyBAR’ and click on the BAR Areas tab and then one of the 15 areas listed. Minutes from past 2012 area meetings can be viewed and downloaded (where available).

Northern Area

Contact: Alan Hoggin

0191 5491194

[email protected]

North West Area

Contact: Annette Harris

0161 6534455

[email protected]

January 17 2013

Northern Ireland Area

Contact: Dominic Murray

02890 748588

Dominicmurray@coastways

-storage.com

Scotland Area

Contact: Georgina Berry

0151 502220

[email protected]

January 15 2013

Southern Area

Contact: Peter Doman

01372 385985

[email protected]

South Western Area

Contact: Sue Christophers

01637 872529

[email protected]

January 22 2013

Sussex Area

Contact: Miranda Hyder

01342 870087

[email protected]

Western Area

Contact: Ria Russell

01278 447099

[email protected]

January 29 2013

West Midlands Area

Contact: Sarah Pargeter

01384 377786

[email protected]

Yorkshire Area

Contact: Graham Puddephatt

0845 6021775

GrahamPuddephatt@reason-

insurance.com

January 17 2013 - AGM

61

Industry News


People News

Crown Relocations taps in to the migrant market

Tony has a strong background in business and sales development and this will position him well in managing the online sales team to ensure its continued success, as well as working with teams throughout the UK to identify opportunities for developing links with individuals looking to move abroad. David Hollins, Regional General Manager – UK & Ireland, Crown Relocations said: “Tony’s appointment has come at an important time for the company as we look to proactively enhance our presence across the UK and Ireland.” Alongside running the online team to ultimately

increase the number of new clients and referrals, Tony will work closely with a number of industry-associated partners, including businesses from the airline, personal finance and visa & immigration sectors, to increase and enhance Crown Relocations’ strategic alliances. Tony commented: “Thousands of people leave the UK every year for a new start abroad so I’ll be tapping into the migrant scene and establishing trends to enable me to get into the minds of this target audience.”

Store & Secure, a sister company to Maidman’s of Bournemouth, now has two Maidman sisters on board, ensuring that the company is driven by the same values and principles that have turned Maidman’s into an award-winning outfit. Lucy Maidman, 24, joined the company in 2010, followed by younger sister Sophie. Brian Maidman says that Lucy and Sophie will contribute to consolidating the Store & Secure’s ‘here to help’ ethos.“Introducing family members presents an interesting new dynamic. Over the years, the businesses have created close-knit teams, based on support, trust, unity and closeness. By introducing family, we are helping to re-emphasise the team ethos,” Brian explains.

Lucy Maidman was first introduced to the company in winter 2010 as Facility Manager. “Brian is my dad and he’s also my employer. I know what standards he aspires to and what he expects from all of us. That way, the company culture becomes easier to fit into.” Since its launch in 2010, Store & Secure has achieved high levels of recognition in the community as a domestic and commercial self storage facility. As the company has grown throughout challenging times, so has its staff. Latest team member, Sophie, 22, has the last word. “As the newest recruit, I have to prove myself just as much as any new member, if not more. It’s been something I’ve been looking forward to being part of. I’ve seen the company develop from the background, now I’m at the forefront and hopefully part of its future.” As the business grows and plans for expansion, the focus on belief, strength, togetherness and devotion is helping to develop the company’s culture and support its ambitions.

Sister Act at Store & Secure

Crown Relocations has hired Tony Vullo to develop the company’s migrant business opportunities across the UK. Tony has been appointed as Business Development Manager – Migrant Market and will be responsible for increasing revenue by forming strategic partnerships across a variety of sectors.

Tony Vullo, Business Development Manager – Migrant Market (Crown Relocations)

Picture Caption Competition...

A soaked Greg Wildman returns to the clubhouse after finishing his round at the CMG Golf event at St Pierre.

•WhatishesayingthathastickledBrainMaidman?

•WhoisAndyCarrtexting?

•Andwhatis Malcolm Pearson thinking?

Send us your answer(s) and the best caption will be published in a future issue of R&S, with the winner receiving a bottle of champagne or flowers. Send your answers to: [email protected](Deadline for all entries is 17th December)

62

BAR News


Letters

63

Industry News


For any FREE* independent insurance, financial or legal advice, please contact a BAR Professional Adviser partner.

Financial Legal

Insurance

Basil Fry & Co Ltd

Tel: 01372 385 985Email: [email protected]

Website: www.basilfry.co.uk

Reason Global Insurance

Tel: 01273 739961Email: [email protected]

Website: www.reason-global.com

Wellers


Website: www.wellersaccountants.co.uk

Backhouse Jones Solicitors


Website: www.backhousejones.co.uk

in association with

The Professional Advisers Panel is a brand new

initiative specifically designed to offer members

extended support across every aspect of their business.

This is a development of our highly successful Insurance

Broker Panel scheme whereby BAR members receive

unlimited support, guidance and advice from qualified

specialist companies within the UK. We are constantly

looking at ways to support our members’ businesses;

therefore, if this initiative proves to be a success, we

will develop the Professional Advisers Panel even further

into other relevant areas such as Health & Safety and

Environmental services.

64

BAR News


Memberships

Registered:The following Members have registered:

National & European Group

Surrey Hills Removals Ltd & ATN Manns RemovalsMemb No: S11997 Dunsfold ParkCranleighSurreyGU6 8TBTel: 01483 273041Web: www.surreyhillsremovals.co.uk

Self Storage Special Interest Group

Martell’s International RemoversMemb No: M002Charlwoods Road East Grinstead, RH19 2HGTel: 01342 321303Web: www.martells.co.uk

Additional Trading Name

Johnson’s of Shaftesbury an ATN of Thomas Firbank Removals LtdMemb No: T050The WarehouseLower Station RoadGillinghamDorsetSP8 4PZTel: 01225 314433Web: www.firbankremovals.com

International Associate

FlatRate InternationalMemb No: F30527 Bruckner BlvdNew YorkNew York 10454Tel: 001 718 475 5786Web: www.flatrate.com

Resignation:BAR is sorry to lose the membership of the following companies whilst thanking them for their support:


G F Howland & SonMemb No: H051

Terminations:Non-Payment of Subscription


David Gundy RemovalsMemb No: G055

BAR Memberships December 2012

Any Member wishing to make any comment regarding an application should do so in writing to BAR Head Office within 21 days of receipt of this notification. Details of membership applications in process may also be found on the BAR website: www.bar.co.uk



Trade Services

Ireland Channel Islands

France

Scotland/Europe Isle of Man

Scotland and Islands

SHETLAND ISLESIAN F REID

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Regular nationwide serviceTel: 01595 696268 • Fax: 01595 693515

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Trade Services


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This space is available from just £33 a month

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Trade Services

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Greece

GREECEby Road

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UK Office: 01843 585055, [email protected] Office: 0034 971 693566, [email protected] website: www.william-worldwide-webb.com

Weekly Scheduled Service, Containerised Storage DepotsHolder of Spanish Transport Licence

for our Tranship vehiclesUnrivaled Infrastructure in Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza Excellent Rates, Payment in Euros or GBP accepted

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TEL: 01202 576514FAX: 01202 574011

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This space is available from just

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When booked as a mono unit for a series of 12 issues.

France - Spain - Portugal - ItalyWeekly Service for the Trade. Call now for best rates

Depots in Preston, Chester, Alicante, Malaga

PRESTON 01772 651570Email: [email protected] Web: www.moversint.co.uk


68

Trade Services


United Arab Emirates

SingaporeChina Caribbean

Israel Qatar

Europe

Europe and Scandinavia

Scandinavia


Trade Services

LOCAL MOVING • WORLDWIDE SHIPPINGWEEKLY EUROPEAN SERVICE

Recommended by the worlds finest piano manufacturers,auctioneers, music colleges & academies.

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Piano SpecialistsTraining

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Warehouse Containers

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[email protected]:08001389242or01708552981

Trade Storage


70

Classifi eds

Removals & Storage Removals & Storage December 2012

If you are considering the sale of your Moving & Storage business, or are facing the need to commit to a lease on a warehouse, please contact Sterling Relocation; we would be interested in talking to you.

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 123 123 in full confi dence for a quick decision.

OpportunitiesOpportunities

For Sale

Storage containers by Trafalgar Cases fi tted with barn doors 250 cu ft

Mint condition only 6 months old. Used for one job only and never been moved. Buyer to dismantle and collect

from warehouse near Gatwick.

52 available at £125 each plus VAT

Call Paul 07540 130869


Library Packing and RemovalsBrand new course designed, based on member feedback aimed at training operative foremen, packers and estimators in the methodologies for packing and removing libraries and extensive fi ling systems.

Course content:- Library Classifi cations, Sequential order, Labelling and packing the crate, Methods for packing a library, Using existing shelving, Mobile shelving, Crew organisation, Special collections and Integrating collections. Just £985 + VAT

BRANDNEW

for 2013!

Course DetailsCourses will be on site

at your premises.

Call BARTS to book

your date.

Contact Mike Sarll on 0208 836 3325 or e-mail: [email protected]


Services for full details at [email protected] or 01923 699 484Course can be delivered onsite for your convenience, please contact BAR Training


BAR News

Advertising Dealines

Classifieds

Sell it, Fill it, R&S it!Your R&S is the perfect ‘vehicle’ to advertise your:

- Business- Vehicles- Vacancies- And much more besides!

Call Sandra on 0117 957 5400 for details

Issue Booking Artwork

Deadline Deadline

Jan 2013 21st Dec 21st Dec

Feb 21st Jan 23rd Jan

Mar 14th Feb 18th Feb

Apr 20th Mar 22nd Mar

May 18th Apr 19th Apr

Jun 3rd Jun 5th Jun

Jul 20th Jun 24th Jun

Aug 17th Jul 19th Jul

Sep 20th Aug 22nd Aug

Oct 20th Sep 24th Sep

Nov 21st Oct 23rd Oct

Dec 19th Nov 21st Nov

72

BAR News


r&s december 2012

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