RS January 2012

January 2012 Number 450 £4.00 www.bar.co.uk

Avoiding fraudulent insurance claims 51 New offerings from BAR Training Services 46

GB Liners: Brighton, where it all began

No: 450 January 2012 www.bar.co.uk

This month:News from Watford 06Industry News 07-16

- Industry wins Fuel Duty victory- Humber Crossing tolls halved - Road investments and toll plans announced- Guidance on Gender Gap- Warning on Agency Workers- Four million more cars on their way- Emigration hits new low- New opportunities for drivers with diabetes- Cash for apprenticeships- Government unveils new housing strategy- Concerns over Scottish Freight Grant- Call for new approach to road management- Freight traffic to Europe down- Lorry parking in short supply- A465 to be dualled- IAM calls for 80mph trials- Council cuts to hit winter safety- New Thames Crossing likely- Severn Crossing tolls rise- M25 turns 25- Santa Fe supports Chinese school- Harrow Green becomes Birmingham Chamber Patron- Interdean holds Rugby Sevens day- PHS Teacrate in BMG deal- Anglo Pacific take baby in their stride- JT & Sons in regimental golf day- Robinsons wins EMMA award again- Richard Healey wins Scottish honour- Unusual move for Arnolds- Sheltered housing from Thomas Watson Cottage Homes- Chill wind in the housing market

BAR News 17

Sign up for the BAR Newsletter!BAR Annual Conference 2012Young Mover: Gareth FosberryIndustry statistics

BAR Services 26Olympics Monitor 28QSS Update 30Commercial Moving Group News 31Overseas Group News 34Training News 46European News 49People News 58Memberships 60Competition 61Diary Dates 62

January 2012 Removals & Storage 5

On the cover: GB Liners van at Brighton Pier. Original photograph taken by William Barber

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“I want to be able to market the fact that we are BAR members but still be able to differentiate us from the vast majority of Removal Companies. I believe the only way to do this is to have compulsory quality standards based membership. BS EN 12522 is a start but not nearly stringent enough to differentiate us from the rest.” Geoff Watson, Group Managing Director, Doree Bonner

- Avoiding fraudulent insurance claims

- GB Liners: 89 years of moving with the times

- New Member Profile: The Transporter Removals

- Affiliate Profile: Steel Storage

- International Profile: Biddulphs International

Features 51-57

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Removals & Storage January 20126

BAR News

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] Deadlines: The deadline for all article submissions for the February 2012 issue of R&S is 3rd January 2012.

Advertising For all enquiries and bookings, please contact Steve Pearce on:Tel: 0117 957 5400Email: [email protected]: The booking deadline for all display advertisements for the February 2012 issue of R&S is 11th January.

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 (see contact details to the left).

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

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

President: Reg HackworthyDirector 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]

Article submission: 4th of the month preceding publication

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NewsFROM WATFORD

E very so often all our efforts at lobbying politicians in London and Brussels, which so often

seem to bear little fruit, are worthwhile after all. On pages 7-16 we read that the Government are to invest substantial sums in road improvements, river crossings and so on, as well as extending hard-shoulder running at congested times to the M3 and M6. The pressing need to stimulate the UK economy is behind this, of course, but we have good reason to believe that our own efforts have also played their part. The fuel duty increase planned by Government for the New Year has now been cancelled, while the increase planned for Summer 2012 will be less than originally intended, just 3%. So far so good, and efforts will continue, along with our colleagues in the FTA and RHA, to see that this most unwelcome duty increase is cancelled also.

Elections will be held in the Spring to find a new Directly Elected Director for the BAR Board, as well as Directors for our subsidiaries, QSS and BAR (Services) Ltd. These posts are a key part in the

working of the democratic structure of BAR, enabling representatives of Member companies to get involved and influence the shape of the future for the Association. A call for interested parties to stand for election will be made in February, with the ballots to take place under the direction of the BAR Company Secretary during March, and the successful candidates being in post from the AGM in May onwards.

The Membership Criteria Working Group have now presented their initial report to the Board on revised and more stringent criteria for existing Members and new applicants. A wide consultation on these revised criteria will now take place, initially through the three Group Councils (National & European, Commercial and Overseas), and then to each BAR Area. It is very important that the views and opinions of individual Members are made known on this subject, so please make sure you take part in the discussions.

August 2012 will come round quickly enough with all the excitement (and congestion) resulting from the Olympic

and Para-Olympic Games. So, be sure to keep up to date with the latest developments and news, by checking the link in the Members’ Area of the BAR website.

In response to Members’ comments regarding the number of ad-hoc emails, many of them being missed by Members, we have been trialling a newsletter bringing together all of the information into one weekly emailing. So far most feedback has been positive. Do you have any content for this, or any comments? Please send to [email protected]

Contact Details:

January 2012 Removals & Storage

Industry News

7

Industry wins Fuel Duty victory Chancellor George Osborne bowed to pressure and gave the industry the news it was anxious to hear in his Autumn Statement, scrapping the proposed 3p a litre fuel duty increase on petrol and diesel that was due to come into force in January 2012.

The first increase in fuel duty will now take place in August 2012, when petrol prices will rise by 3p a litre rather than the

initially proposed 5p.The move comes after sustained pressure

from the FairFuel UK campaign, which is supported by industry bodies such as the BAR, the Road Haulage Association and the Freight Transport Association.

BAR Director General Stephen Vickers thanked BAR members for keeping up the pressure by signing the e-petition. “We now need to press the Government to scrap the duty increase altogether,” he told R&S Magazine.

FTA said that the Chancellor’s decision will provide a much needed lifeline to many businesses as the price of diesel has risen by over 13ppl (13.9 per cent) in the last year, representing an extra £1.4bn cost to road freight operators. Commenting on the fuel duty reprieve, Theo de Pencier, FTA’s CEO, said “we have avoided a horrendous New Year’s hangover; January’s rise would have cost the industry around £325m. But while we are

relieved that the Chancellor has steered us out of immediate danger, it is obvious that getting the UK back on the road to recovery requires a long term fuel duty strategy, and one which doesn’t make tough times that much tougher for businesses in an already uncertain economy.”

“This represents a victory for the RHA and for the FairFuelUK campaign group”, said Road Haulage Association Chief Executive Geoff Dunning. Overall, commercial vehicle operating costs have risen by 6.2 per cent in the year while over the same period haulage rates have risen by 4.5 per cent. As a result, profit margins, which are typically less than three per cent in the haulage sector, have been under significant pressure.

Mr de Pencier said the decision “will help to keep the wheels of industry turning and shows that government has listened. However, the Chancellor has not been bold enough. He should have ruled out the planned 3 pence per litre duty rise in August 2012 as, if world oil prices remain high and above $100 per barrel into next year, it will still hit industry hard.”

Road investments and toll plans announced

The Government has published an updated National Infrastructure Plan that includes investing over £1bn to

tackle areas of congestion and improve the national road network, with £270m for two new managed motorway schemes which will allow the use of the hard shoulder at congested times on the M3 and M6.

The Treasury has confirmed that it is exploring whether ways to increase the long term capacity and performance of the Fen Ditton to Ellington section of the A14 could be funded through tolling or other innovative financing measures including the private sector and local partners.

The Confederation of British Industry is supporting the introduction of a toll lane on the A14 financed by the private sector, all the way from Rugby. The industry body has suggested that the A14 should be one of the roads considered for tolling in the future. “Those that choose to go on the new road or on a new lane on the existing road can do so, a bit like the M6 toll road,” CBI regional director Richard Tunnicliffe said.

In addition to considering tolling options on the A14, the Government will also consider tolls to fund other new road capacity if appropriate, including a new Lower Thames Crossing. In the Midlands, the A45, the A43, the A453 link, the Kettering Bypass, and the M1 and M6 will all be improved. In the South West, the Bristol link road and the A380 bypass will go ahead. On the road network, in summary, the Government is: • taking forward immediate investment on the A14 to reduce congestion and increase resilience including junction improvements; • funding the A14 Kettering bypass between Junctions 7 and 9; • funding the A45/46 Tollbar End improvement scheme; • improving access to Manchester Airport by building a new dual carriageway road linking the M56 at Manchester Airport to the A6 south of Stockport; • investing in A453 widening between Nottingham, the M1 and East Midlands airport; • taking forward two new managed motorway schemes on the M3 in Surrey and on the M6 along part of the route between Birmingham and Manchester; and• accelerating the current major projects planned on the M25 (Junctions 23-27) and the M1 (Junctions 39-42).

Humber Crossing tolls halved

M r Osborne also confirmed that the tolls for cars using the Humber Crossing will go down to £1.50 from £3.

The Government agreed to reduce the bridge’s debt by £150m, meaning a lower toll could be charged. But it is insisting on governance changes to the Bridge; the size of the Humber Bridge Board will be cut from 22 members to as low as eight, and there will be more representation from the local business community.

Local MP Graham Stuart welcomed the decision and said “for far too long the people

of Yorkshire and the Humber have suffered because of the high tolls.

“At last the Humber Bridge can start boosting jobs and opportunity, not acting as a brake.”


Industry News

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The jump in people and cars will be accompanied by surges in traffic volume and delays on the UK’s roads, which are

already the most heavily used in Europe.Traffic volume will go up by 43 per cent by

2035, and average delays will rise by 54 per cent over the same period, the RAC said in its report, Keeping the Nation Moving.

Professor Stephen Glaister, Director of the RAC Foundation, said “forget about Plan B, ministers do not even have a Plan A for dealing with the awful conditions forecast for the roads in the years ahead. It is a case of jams today, and even more jams tomorrow.”

The Department for Transport’s own figures show that by 2035 traffic is set to rise by almost 50 per cent and delays by more than 50 per cent. And these are only average figures. The RAC warns: “In some places, at some times of the day, the jams will be many times worse. The impact will be immense, not just on car drivers but also on businesses trying to move their goods about.”

The Foundation is calling for a fundamental look at how the strategic and main roads are planned, developed, funded, operated and maintained; how the traffic that uses the road

network is managed; and how that use is paid for.

In the meantime it suggests there are scores of relatively small scale road improvement schemes which could be implemented as part of the growth agenda. They would deliver big benefits to significant numbers of people and businesses.

The RAC Foundation, together with consultancy group Arup, has identified 96 unfunded road schemes that are currently sitting on the Department for Transport’s shelves. Together these would deliver significant returns, with the top ten projects all offering benefits of more than £6 for every pound invested. By comparison, HS2 (from London to Birmingham) offers a return of no more than £1.60 for each pound spent.

Professor Glaister said “in isolation HS2 might have merit, but viewed alongside many of the road projects it seems very average. The currently unfunded schemes we have identified seem to tick all the right boxes yet government are turning a blind eye to them. The reality is that 91 per cent of passenger miles travelled take place on the roads, mostly in private cars; just 8 per cent is by rail.”

Four million more cars on their wayThere will be at least four million more cars on the UK’s roads in the next twenty-five years as the population grows by more than ten million, according to a dramatic new report from the RAC Foundation.

Warning on Agency Workers

ACAS has told employers that falling foul of the Agency Workers regulations could result in fines of

£5,000 at an employment tribunal, which would be multiplied if more than one temporary worker at the organisation is found to have received unequal treatment under the regulations.

The Agency Worker regulations will give temporary workers the right to the same basic employment conditions as direct recruits after 12 weeks in the role.

They will also be entitled to the same access to job vacancies as permanent members of staff and collective facilities, such as the staff canteen, childcare facilities and transport services — from the first day of their assignment.

Also, with recent statistics from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation revealing that the demand for temporary staff is expected to remain strong after the regulations are expected to come into force, a high proportion of employers are likely to be affected by the changes.“It is important that businesses get a grip of the changes as failure to do so can be very costly,” say solicitors Backhouse Jones. “Hiring and re-hiring temporary staff on a succession of shorter periods is risky given the new provisions within the Regulations.”

Emigration hits new low

N et migration to the UK in 2010 as 252,000 – the highest calendar year net migration figure on

record, according to the Office for National Statistics.

While immigration has remained steady at 591,000, this increase has been caused by declining emigration, which in 2010 was 339,000 – the lowest since 2001.

Emigration by non-British citizens also declined to 203,000, from a peak of 255,000 in 2008.

Fewer people are emigrating from the UK for work-related reasons. Provisional figures for the year ending March 2011 show that 174,000 emigrants left the UK for work related reasons. This is the lowest for five years.

Study continues to be the most common reason stated for immigration to the UK, having overtaken work-related reasons in 2009. Final figures show that 238,000 people arrived to study in the UK in 2010, compared with 211,000 in 2009.

Guidance on Gender Gap

ACAS, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, has launched new guidance on gender pay reporting to

help organisations identify and address the gender pay gap.

The guide, Voluntary gender equality analysis and reporting, is aimed at the private sector and voluntary organisations that are unsure how to address gender equality issues.

There is still a significant gender pay gap, with women who are working full time in the public sector being paid on average 10 per cent

less than men; and that figure rises to 19.8 per cent in the private sector.

According to solicitors Backhouse Jones, employers must ensure their organisation is adhering to the required gender pay requirements, as the Home Office will be conducting a survey of employers with 150 or more employers to monitor the number of employers that are carrying out gender equality reporting, and will report its findings in September 2012.


Industry News

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At the heart of the strategy is a new build indemnity scheme that will assist up to 100,000 prospective buyers who are

currently frozen out of the housing market because of the need for large deposits. Under the proposals, homebuyers will be able to secure loans on newly built homes – the bedrock of the first time buyer market – with only a five per cent deposit.

The Government and housebuilders will help provide security for the loan, so if the house is then sold for less than the outstanding mortgage total the lender will be able to recover its loss.

Through the scheme lenders will be encouraged to offer mortgages with smaller deposits, increasing demand for new homes and giving a welcome boost to the housing market.

The Government will also consult on proposals to increase discounts under the Right to Buy scheme, giving social tenants the opportunity to buy the homes they live in. The discount will be improved dramatically and will be up to half the value of the home, making home ownership ever more achievable.

For the first time, the receipts from additional Right to Buy sales will be used to support the funding of new affordable homes for rent on a ‘one for one’ basis, which is expected to deliver up to 100,000 new homes .

Other measures announced in the strategy include assistance to housebuilders, reforms to social housing, and support for the private rented sector.

New opportunities for drivers with diabetes

U nder new rules which came into force on 15 November 2011, drivers with diabetes who would normally be

prevented from obtaining or driving a vocational licensed vehicle will now have their applications considered by the Driver and Vehicle Licence Agency (DVLA), albeit the driver will be required to conform to a very strict monitoring regime. The Freight Transport Association has welcomed the changes, which will enable people with insulin treated diabetes to apply for vocational licences to drive buses or lorries. Ian Gallagher, FTA policy manager, said: “This change in the law could mean some people who were previously prevented from driving are now able to regain their livelihood and their independence. Of course it is vital to make sure that only drivers who are safe to do so are allowed to drive on our roads, but the government is confident that medical advancements in treatment and diagnosis mean that a blanket ban is no longer needed. This change will give those whose condition is under control the opportunity to work and to make a useful contribution to society.” Meanwhile, the AA and a group of diabetes charities have launched an education campaign, to educate people with the less serious, type 2 diabetes, on how to manage and prevent their blood sugar dropping too low, also known as ‘hypoglycaemia’.The campaign aims to raise awareness of the symptoms of hypoglycaemia and what people can do to reduce their risk of hypoglycaemia, including where appropriate, seeking timely help from their GP if necessary.

Making the RBA your charity of choice

E quipment, parts and electronics suppliers will be looking to offer the Removals and Storage Industry

competitive deals at the start of the year. Matt Purdie of Matt Purdie & Sons recently renewed his contract for 3 large photocopiers / printers. He told R&S “Although the price was considerably cheaper than with the last supplier, they are also donating £500 to a charity of my choice as an extra incentive. Naturally I have chosen the Removers Benevolent Association (RBA). I am sure that I am not the only company being offered this kind of deal and would urge others to consider donating to our industry charity at every occasion.”

Government unveils new housing strategyIn a bid to unlock the housing market and in particular to make it easier for first-time buyers to get on the property ladder, the Government has announced a range of measures to restore some dynamism to the British housing market.

Cash for apprenticeships

To encourage thousands of small firms to take on a young apprentice aged 16 to 24, the Government has said it will offer

employers with up to 50 employees an incentive payment of up to £1,500.

This will support up to 20,000 new apprenticeships in 2012/13. An initial payment will be made two months after the individual has started their apprenticeship; the balance will be paid after the apprenticeship has been completed and the trainee has progressed into sustainable employment.

Apprenticeship providers will be required to

offer training in English and Maths up to the standard of a good GCSE (level 2) for all apprenticeships.

Business organisations have welcomed the announcement. Susan Anderson, CBI Director for Education & Skills, said “at a time of record high youth unemployment, the introduction of a £1,500 incentive payment to small companies which take on young people is welcome news.”

BAR Training Services will be launching new apprenticeship schemes this year. For more information, email [email protected] or telephone 01923 699 484


Industry News

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According to the report, there were more vehicles parking overnight (13,708) than there were on-site spaces (13,173)

– this means overall demand out-strips supply.

The study reviewed lorry parking facilities, including their capacity and levels of use, as well as other indicators of demand. The final report gives hauliers, councils and potential private sector investors a comprehensive picture of the demand for lorry parking and facilities easily accessible from the strategic road network as well as identifying hotspots where there is currently inadequate supply to meet demand.

There were 280 lorry parking sites surveyed throughout England. South East, West Midlands and East England were busy on-site (≥70 per cent utilisation) and had more vehicles parking on and off-site than spaces.

41 per cent of all vehicles recorded were choosing to park off-site.

This study demonstrated that there were

significant demand issues for lorry parking across England. This was coupled with a high amount of reported crime, costing the economy millions of pounds each year.

“Local authorities that had excess demand only had limited scope to reduce this issue through available on-site capacity. This highlighted a need for new development or increasing existing capacity in a number of

locations. The high amount of recorded crimes further indicates a need to provide additional secure parking facilities, beyond just increasing capacity,” the report says.

It is also hoped that making more information available about where facilities can be found will make it easier for drivers to find places where they can park up safely and where facilities are available.

Mike Penning said “It will also help developers and local councils who want to plug gaps in the market helping to boost growth in the sector.” He wants to see more high quality lorry parking facilities in the places where they are most needed. “This will improve safety for drivers and reduce disruption for local residents,” he said.

There will also be discussions with the Road Haulage Forum on proposals to improve the provision and quality of parking facilities, and with local authorities to explore best practice in tackling problems with inappropriate parking.

Lorry parking in short supplyA comprehensive report on the availability and use of lorry parking facilities in England has been published by Roads Minister Mike Penning.

ABeith removal firm has received an award in a prestigious competition. Richard Healey Removals Ltd based in

Willowyard Industrial Estate has been named winner of The Transport News, Scotland’s Top Training Truck Operator 2011.

Richard Healey Removals have been up against some of Scotland’s largest transport firms and their continuous staff development plan has put them on top. The firm provides a variety of courses for staff with the aim to encourage and nurture high standards.

Richard Healey Removals has already been

commended for its excellence when it was ranked one of the top five for Domestic Mover of the Year 2011 by BAR.

In December 2010 the company were successful in obtaining two quality standards namely, BS EN 12522 Furniture Removals for Private Individuals and BS 8522 Commercial Moving Services. These awards are a result of the staff’s hard work and continuing effort to improve the level and quality of service given to their customers.

Richard Healey Removals Ltd. attended a Champagne Breakfast at the Crowne Plaza

Hotel to celebrate. The award was presented to Georgina Berry by HRH The Princess Royal and the category sponsor CEO of Skills For Logistics, Mick Jackson.

Richard Healey wins Scottish honour

M ajor savings for taxpayers and benefits for the national economy could be unlocked by reforming

the Government’s management of England’s motorways and trunk roads.

Alan Cook, the non-executive chairman of the Highways Agency who led the review, said “by applying the lessons learnt by the best performing companies in other sectors, there is the potential to save taxpayers at least £200m a year after five years, and to provide a much better service for road users and the wider economy.”

The report proposes some fundamental reforms as to how the network should be managed, the role of Government in

relation to the network and the future relationship between the Department and Highways Agency, including the Agency’s status. The Cook report also recommends tough new targets for efficiency and customer service.

“The importance of this network to the growth of the economy is enormous,” Mr Cook said, “it handles a third of all traffic in England and two-thirds of all freight traffic. But policy makers need to be much clearer about what they want the network to deliver in return for the public money that is spent on it. Meeting the country’s current economic and financial challenges demands a change in our approach.”

Call for new approach to road management

Severn Crossing tolls rise

F rom January 1st, new prices have been in force on the Severn Crossing.

The price for cars has risen to £6.00 from £5.70, for light goods vehicles to £12.10 from £11.50, and for HGVs and buses to £18.10 from £17.20.


Industry News

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“Even with free-flow tolling at Dartford, the northern approach to the tunnels will still be congested,” Mr Penning said. “The

small bore tunnel has a huge restriction. We need to look at having another Thames crossing for this piece of national infrastructure.”

Basildon MP John Baron argued that given that the existing crossing makes around £30 million to £40 million profit a year, it would be better to introduce automatic number plate recognition technology at the existing crossing first to see whether that solves the congestion problem, before raising tariffs to fund a second crossing.

“We are aware of the congestion at the toll, but most of that is caused by the barriers,” Mr Penning responded.

“An archaic method of collecting tolls is in place. We will introduce free-flow tolling as soon as we can. A lot of construction work

needs to be done but, at the end of the day, the biggest problem is that the M25 is such a success we need to have another crossing over the Thames.”

Meanwhile, Mr Penning has also confirmed that there will be no increase in April 2012 to the current level of charges at the Dartford Crossing.

New Thames Crossing likelyRoads Minister Mike Penning has reiterated in Parliament that the Government is considering the construction of a new Thames crossing, to relieve congestion at the existing Dartford Crossing.

A465 to be dualled

The Welsh Government is proposing to inject £150m into dualling a crucial section of the A465, known as the Heads

of the Valley, to reduce journey times and improve safety. Minister with responsibility for Transport, Carl Sargeant said, “The A465 is a crucial artery of our transport network and the principal road link between West Wales and the Midlands. Dualling the Heads of the Valleys road will help improve safety, shorten travel times for commuters and businesses and contribute to the wider regeneration of the region. We’re also very aware that this route passes through some very beautiful and environmentally sensitive areas which is why we have ensured that contractors are mindful

of these issues from the outset and take them into consideration during the design and build of the project.” Ian Gallagher, FTA’s Policy Manager for Wales, welcomed the news. He said “by dualling this notoriously poor stretch of what is a crucial trade route linking east and west, the government has addressed a concern that we have had for some time.

“The road between Gilwern and Brynmawr includes some very steep sections, by allowing motorists to overtake slower moving road users, like lorries, and by ultimately reducing congestion on this well-used trunk road by increasing capacity, there will be road safety and journey time benefits to be had.”

Council cuts to hit winter safety

B ritain’s roads could become more hazardous for motorists as the frosts and local council cuts bite.

In spite of the last two winters of severe cold, snow and ice, many councils are planning to cut back on winter road services, including salting, exposing motorists to dangerous driving conditions. According to the Institute of Advanced Motorists, Last year there was a 37 per cent increase in the number of cars overturning in snow and ice.

Budget estimates from the Department for Communities and Local Government show a 3.6 per cent decrease in estimated spending for salting roads, snow ploughing, and standby arrangements across England. This represents a significant cut when inflation is considered. Sixty-seven councils appear to be reducing the amount they are spending on winter road services, with 33 budgeting more than ten per cent less than last year. Most worryingly 21 councils appear to have budgeted over 30 per cent less than they did last year.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “Roads are essential for the economy not only in rural areas where cars are the only way to get around but also on the main routes that keep our economy moving. Ambulances, supermarket food deliveries, meals on wheels, utilities, even the armed forces, all rely on having a usable road network. Last year, parts of Scotland nearly ran out of food and fuel. The 24-hour, just-in-time logistics system simply wasn’t able to cope with the weather.Councils must make contingency plans to ensure that essential supplies can always get through, no matter what the weather. This has to include dealing with large numbers of drivers stranded for hours with no access to heat or food.”

Santa Fe supports Chinese school

F ive years ago, Santa Fe, along with its parent company, The East Asiatic Company (EAC) opened a school in

China as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility Programme. The Santa Fe Hope School was opened in October 2006 in a ceremony which was attended by the CEO of the Santa Fe Group, Lars Lykke Iverson and the Chairman of Santa Fe China, Ms Wang Fanqiao.The school is located in the countryside of Shandong province, roughly 500 kilometres from the capital of Jihan and caters for 320 students. Lars and Ms Wang returned to Hope School in October 2009,

pledging a gift of 20 computers to aid the children with their studies.

Lars and Ms Wang paid another visit to the Hope School towards the end of last year. This time around, a donation was made on behalf of Santa Fe of ten much-needed air conditioning units. Again, the school’s pupils and its staff showed warm appreciation of the kind proffering from Santa Fe. Lars gave a speech to the school and he and Ms Wang had the opportunity to interact with some of the students. This was followed by lunch with the school’s officials and later a more official dinner where the school’s fantastic progress

was discussed. During the course of this meeting, it was agreed that Santa Fe would re-visit the Hope School in 2013.

Lars Lykke Iverson, CEO Santa Fe Group


Industry News

13

M ike Penning hailed the economic benefits of London’s Orbital route and looked ahead to plans for the

continuing improvement of the motorway for road users, when he visited the Highways Agency’s regional control centre at South Mimms.

He said “the M25 has been and continues to be a catalyst for economic growth. The opening of the M25 in 1986 was a celebration of engineering excellence, and since then communities, businesses and millions of road users have benefited from the vastly improved transport connections it provides for them.

“We can look forward to continued government investment to further improve

traffic flows and reduce congestion. The M25 will be a vital transport link during the London 2012 Games next summer, when the current widening work has finished.

“Before 2015 we aim to start work on two major schemes to open up sections of the hard shoulder on the M25 as an additional running lane, benefiting all road users, including freight traffic and commuters, and boosting the economy.”

The Minister visited the Highways Agency’s East Regional Control Centre, one of the two hubs from which the M25 is managed on a day-to-day basis.

On average 150,000 to 200,000 vehicles use the busiest sections of the M25 each day.

The M25 has continued to evolve, and currently the final phases of schemes to add a fourth lane in each direction between junctions 16 and 23, and between junctions 27 and 30 are being carried out; they will be completed ahead of the 2012 London Games.

To further improve traffic flows, the hard shoulder will be opened up on two further sections of the motorway as an additional traffic lane. Work to introduce this system to the M25 between junctions 5 and 7 and junctions 23 and 27 will begin before 2015, subject to the completion of statutory processes.

M25 turns 25

Roads Minister Mike Penning has heralded the 25th anniversary of the M25 as a significant milestone in the evolution of one of Europe’s busiest motorways.

Harrow Green becomes Birmingham Chamber Patron

On 1st November 2011 Harrow Green joined the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Patronage

scheme, enabling the company to forge high-profile connections to businesses and business leaders in the region.

Liz Harper, Harrow Green’s commercial manager, says: ‘Becoming a Patron is an important extension of our commitment to businesses in the region. We already work closely with a number of Midlands companies, building partnerships to help businesses change and develop. It’s appropriate that we should consolidate our achievements, and our brand, by becoming a Patron of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce.’

Harrow Green is an important provider of office furniture and fit-out services in Birmingham and the surrounding area, as well as a relocations specialist.

The Midlands hub, Harrow Green’s largest operation outside London, works from a modern warehouse facility in Bromford, four miles from Birmingham City Centre, which houses its sales, administration, operations and records management teams.

R oad safety group, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), is calling for the Government to pilot an 80 mph

speed limit on a controlled and managed motorway to assess its practicality and safety, and road users’ reaction to it. In September the Government announced that the motorway speed limit could be raised to 80mph.

On uncongested motorways more than half of car drivers exceed the 70mph speed limit, and around a fifth exceed 80 mph; it is rare for the police to prosecute drivers travelling between 70 and 80mph. Road safety groups have raised a concern that legalising today’s tolerated, yet unofficial, 80 mph speed limit would simply create an unofficial 90 mph limit. If this happened average traffic speeds would increase, as would accidents and their severity. More people could be killed and seriously injured. The IAM highlights the need for a full risk assessment of an increase in the speed limit, and believes strict enforcement is required to ensure greater compliance with the limit. For example driving at 82mph should risk a speeding ticket.

The IAM wants to see 80mph trialled initially on Controlled Motorways and Managed Motorways where variable speed limit

technology is used. These have already been implemented successfully on the M25 orbital motorway in Surrey and the M42 in the West Midlands. IAM CEO Simon Best said “a fifth of motorway-users already travel at this increased speed, and more than half exceed 70mph when they can, suggesting that a properly controlled 80mph limit may not show huge increases in carbon or road casualties. A detailed trial is needed to assess these risks though, and if they are shown to increase significantly, of course a better-enforced 70mph limit may be a more appropriate system.”

IAM calls for 80mph trials

80

Elizabeth Harper, Commercial Manager at Harrow Green

Do you have any news to share with R&S readers?:

Send to:[email protected]


Industry News

14

Anglo Pacific take baby in their stride

M oving house can be up there with divorce and family loss for stress levels. But few families can have

experienced the stress that Simon and Carmel O’Neill felt as they packed up their London home in preparation for Anglo Pacific World Movers to ship them back to New Zealand, and baby Violet Rose Veronica O’Neill appeared some five weeks early…

Carmel says “Simon and I had a very tight schedule to stick to and Violet certainly didn’t feature on the immediate to-do list. We flew in from New Zealand at 5.30pm on the Thursday planning to spend the evening packing the last bits and bobs, but at 6pm my waters broke so we jumped in a taxi to University College London Hospital. By 3am a very healthy Violet was with us.” Fortunately Carmel and Simon had packed the bulk of their London home some three weeks previously so Violet’s

surprise entrance didn’t derail the family’s plans. The only minor blip was when Anglo Pacific’s men boxed up the twins’ clothes as Simon hadn’t been there to warn them, but they were easily retrieved and Grace and Tom could dress themselves the next day.

Violet’s “baby box” had already been set aside – Mummy must have had a sixth sense that she was going to be early.

“Without Anglo Pacific’s great help and extreme patience we wouldn’t have been able to achieve the mission impossible of packing a house, preparing a car for shipping and growing from a family of four to a family of five in the space of just a few days,” Carmel says.

“The team took everything in their stride, adapted to our changing situation and our belongings are now safely on their way to New Zealand.”

Grace, Tom and baby Violet www.anglopacific.co.uk

N ineteen teams competed in the tournament, playing a gruelling fifty-eight games across three pitches. One

team even travelled all the way from Belgium to take part! The crowds flocked to show their support as their friends and family played in their respective matches.

The teams put up a great fight, with old-timers of the Interdean Tournament, Ruislip, having very narrowly missed out on the cup for the second year running. Newcomers to the tournament, Hollywood Praetorians, put on a great show in the semi-finals, with an impressive end score.

Interdean’s on and off the pitch rivals, Pickfords, were worthy winners. A young and confident side, they thrashed their opponents throughout the day, all the way to the finals to bring home the Cup. In the final, Pickfords emerged 26-19 victors over Ruislip.

Entertainment on the day was found in the shape of a Wild West Fun Run bouncy castle, a sweets and cake stall, balloon popping competition plus – originally intended for the younger crowds – and the space hopper race ended up being a big hit with the adults! There was even a 1955 restored Ford Popular on display with experts on hand to give those interested a little bit of history on the car.

Considering the number of heavy tackles, there were relatively few casualties on the day, bar a lost tooth and a couple of black eyes.

PHS Teacrate in BMG deal

C rate rental specialist PHS Teacrate and Business Moves Group (BMG), the dedicated office and commercial

relocation company, have renewed a 3-year exclusive crate supply agreement.

BMG have also purchased a core supply of 10,000 company branded crates from Teacrate to support their nationwide service, operating out of offices in Reading, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Leeds. In addition, Teacrate’s co-ordinated supply of rental crates to BMG for client locations across the UK, will take place as required.

“Teacrate’s national infrastructure and support capabilities were key to us continuing to choose them as our exclusive crate supplier,” comments Rachel Houghton, Managing Director of BMG. “From our past experience we know that Teacrate’s services will add value to our operations.”

Alongside its network of eight fully stocked service centres, Teacrate has a national fleet of over 50 vehicles on the road each day undertaking crate collections and deliveries. Of particular value to many of Teacrate’s business moves customers such as BMG, is ‘Cratelink’, which gives customers 24/7 order processing and tracking facilities.

“We value very highly the relationship that we have built up with BMG”, says Paul Bullock, Key Account Manager at Teacrate. “We are delighted that BMG have chosen to continue our successful relationship and we will work together with them to service their requirements as we have always done.”

Interdean holds Rugby Sevens day

Last year’s Interdean Rugby 7s tournament smashed the last three years’ fund raising, reaching in excess of £32,000 which will be donated to Marie Curie Cancer Care.

The Interdean Transformers lock horns with the Hollywood Pretorians

Interdean Transformers in a game against Gosselin, a Belgian company who flew a team out from Brussels!


Industry News

15

Robinsons Relocation has been awarded the 2011 International Moving Company of the Year Award, for the

second year running, at the annual EMMA (Expatriate Management Mobility Award) Awards.

Managing Director Anthony Robinson paid tribute to Robinsons’ staff: “I am absolutely thrilled, delighted and proud at our success. Winning the International Moving Company of the Year Award for the first time was an outstanding achievement, the culmination of a long journey and an enormous amount of hard work by all of us who work for Robinsons. But as everyone knows, it’s even harder to retain an award than to win it the first time, especially as we were up against some incredibly tough competition who were all chasing after our crown! So to hold them all off and win again is truly remarkable. It

was extremely satisfying that the judges saw that we have something special to offer to the market. These awards are for everybody who works for us. Their dedication and determination has been fully recognised within our industry at an international level, and everyone can hold their heads up and be proud that they work for the industry’s finest.”

Robinsons wins EMMA award again

JT & Sons in regimental golf day

Sheltered Housing available

F or almost 100 years, the Thomas Watson Cottage Homes have been providing sheltered housing to former

employees of the freight industry. When Thomas Watson, General Manager and later proprietor of Sutton & Co., hauliers based in the City of London, died in 1910, his daughters decided to perpetuate his memory by building this estate.

The homes consist of 11 flats and 19 cottages on the estate in Barnet, Hertfordshire. While priority is given to former employees of Sutton & Co. and successor companies now part of DHL, the next category is for former employees of any person, firm, company or undertaking engaged in the business of carrying freight.

The Trustees wish to hear from anyone who would like to be considered for a property on this estate with the above qualifications.

The first cottage style bungalows were opened in 1914 and Colgate Court, comprising 11 flats and a guest suite was added in 1996. This year the building of 8 new cottages has been completed and new residents were welcomed into them in the Summer.

Each cottage has a living room, kitchen, Bedroom(s) and bathroom. All properties have an alarm system connected to the Sheltered Housing Manager’s Cottage and to the Barnet Homes Lifeline centre (ASSIST).

The properties are not available for purchase. Weekly Maintenance Contributions are calculated to meet local requirements for Sheltered Housing. The Trustees are responsible for all internal and external decoration and maintenance of the estate.

Any readers who may be interested in applying for a property, now or for the future are invited to write to The Clerk to the Trustees at : 6A, The Hall, The Thomas Watson Cottage Homes, Leecroft Road, Barnet, Herts EN5 2TJ or call 020 8449 3032.

Timon and Jenny Thorncroft of JT & Sons Relocations held a charity golf day in aid of the London Regiment Welfare and

Benevolent Fund at Seddlescombe Golf Club on 18th November 2011. A number of BAR members supported the event, including some of Timon’s colleagues from CMG. The players enjoyed bacon rolls on arrival and then set to battle; a number of the players had only recently started playing and the course is tree lined, which proved difficult for the novices.

Despite this, the scores were impressive. there were 8 teams of four, and amazingly two teams tied on 83 points; the tied teams were Greg Wildman (Basil Fry), Malcolm Pearson (Clockwork), Rod Seeland (BCL) and Nick Flaxman of (Northern Crates) the other team was Graham Puddephatt (Reason Global), Juan Coo (JT & Sons), Kerry Doidge and Tamsin Wiggins (both of EDGC). As a result of the draw, Timon declared a putt off, and nominated Malcolm Pearson and Graham Puddephatt to decide the result, Graham managed to win by a

narrow margin at the second play-off hole. Nearest the pin was won by Steve Cornhill and the longest drive by his brother Richard Cornhill both of the London Regiment.

The golf was followed by a buffet and an auction expertly conducted by Captain Gary Anglin, who by writing thousands of letters manages to obtain some wonderful auction items, resulting in over £1200 being raised for this cause. JT & Sons have nominated the London Regiment as their charity for 2011/12 and have raised money throughout the year at various events.Timon and Jenny are very proud of everyone who took part in the golf day considering the time of year and the predicted weather, and thank the following companies, A Williams Plumbing, Basil Fry, BCL, Chatfield Removals, Clockwork, Northern Crates, Plus Crate, Reason Global and The London Regiment for sending representatives to take part. Further information on the regiment and its benevolent fund can be found on http://www.bcoyfundraising.com/acknowledgements.php

Robinsons at the EMMAs

The Freight Transport Association has met Members of the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood to gather support for protecting

the Freight Facilities Grant, which could be ended by the Scottish Government next year, making it less attractive to shift freight from road to rail. FFG has allowed companies to invest in shifting goods by more environmentally friendly means, crucial in helping Scotland meet its target of a 42 per cent cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. However, FFG’s future hangs in the balance

following a precipitous cut in funding in the revised Scottish budget in February and a real terms cut in ‘support for the freight industry’ to an annual allocation of just £1.1m every year until 2015, announced in September 2011’s spending review. The FTA believes this level of funding will be insufficient for the majority of intended schemes and will have the effect of making Scottish railways instantly less attractive for those who could consider taking goods off the road.

Concerns over Scottish Freight Grant


Industry News

16

F igures from the Land Registry show an annual price decrease of 3.2 per cent in October which takes the average property

value in England and Wales to £159,999. The monthly change from September to October is a decrease of 0.9 per cent and continues the negative monthly price change seen in September.

The only region in England and Wales to experience an increase in its average property value over the last 12 months is London with a movement of 0.3 per cent. The East experienced the greatest monthly rise with a movement of 0.7 per cent. The North East experienced the greatest annual price fall with a decrease of 7.2 per cent. Wales experienced the most significant monthly price fall with a decrease of 3.0 per cent.The most up-to-date figures available show that during August 2011, the number of completed house sales in England and Wales increased by 1 per cent to 62,010 from 61,469 in August 2010. The number of properties sold in England and Wales for over £1 million in August 2011 decreased by 7 per cent to 714 from 764 in August 2010.

Nationwide, which covers the whole of the UK and is based on a sample of loans issued in any given month, reported that prices increased by 0.4 per cent in November, taking the annual rate of growth to 1.6 per cent, up from 0.8 per cent the previous month. The price of a typical home is now £165,798. “House price growth is likely to remain soft, with prices moving sideways or drifting modestly lower over the next twelve months,” chief economist Robert Gardner said. “Much of the current resilience in house prices reflects the lack of supply on the market at present. Indeed, the pace of building in recent years has fallen well below the pace of household formation.”

Halifax, which also covers the entire UK, but bases its index on a sample of each lender’s own loans each month, said that on a monthly basis, house prices rose by 1.2 per cent in October. House prices in the three months to October were 0.3 per cent lower than in the preceding three months. This measure of the underlying trend has turned negative for the first time since June. The average UK house price in October was marginally higher than at the end of last year. The average price in October was £508 (or +0.3 per cent) higher than in December 2010 on a seasonally adjusted basis, at £163,311. Housing economist Martin Ellis said “the prospect of exceptionally low official interest rates over the foreseeable future is likely to continue to support the market in the face of a very difficult economic climate. Both prices and activity levels are expected to remain close to current levels over the coming few months.”

Figures from Communities and Local Government (CLG) for September show that UK house prices decreased by 1.4 per cent over the year and decreased by 0.7 per cent over the month (seasonally adjusted). The average mix-adjusted UK house price was £207,326. Average house prices increased by 0.6 per cent over the quarter to September, compared to a quarterly decrease of 0.8 per cent over the quarter to June (seasonally adjusted). Average prices decreased during the year in all UK countries; England (-1.1 per cent), Wales (-3.4 per cent), Scotland (-3.3 per cent) and Northern Ireland (-11.6 per cent).

Prices paid by first time buyers were 0.7 per cent lower on average than a year earlier and prices paid by former owner occupiers also decreased by 1.7 per cent. Prices for new properties were 8.8 per cent higher on average than a year earlier whilst prices for pre-owned dwellings decreased by 2.1 per cent.

And the latest monthly market report from the National Association of Estate Agents showed that the number of sales to First Time Buyers decreased to its lowest level in nearly three years during October. The National Association of Estate Agents’ (NAEA) market report for October shows that just 16 per cent of overall sales made in the month went to this sector, compared with 22 per cent in September. This is the biggest slump recorded by the NAEA in nearly three years – December 2008 was the last time agents reported such a decrease, when FTBs made up just 10 per cent of the market share. The number of house hunters registering at branches across the country also decreased slightly, with 305 per branch in October compared with 308 in September. Overall sales remained consistent across the property market in October, with an average of 8 per branch. Similarly, supply levels remained in-line with figures in September, with 72 houses available.

Price change by region Source: Land Registry

Chill wind in the housing marketThe best that can be said of the housing market in the final quarter of last year is that it continued to tread water, while two government surveys have pointed to a sharp deterioration in both prices and transaction numbers towards the end of 2011.


BAR News

Gareth probably won’t be reading this article for a while – over the holiday period and the New Year he plans to be

skiing in the Alps, celebrating a full ten years at ICM Gerson as we see in 2012.Gareth’s experience in the industry goes back even further than that; he worked in the call centre and the exports shipping department of Allied Pickfords, right after leaving college and working in a bar / restaurant for a couple of years.

That’s a long time for a Young Mover to be part of the removals community and is a very encouraging sign of just how the industry can offer real careers to young people and engage them in our fast-moving and rapidly developing business.

As Key Account Manager, Gareth now looks after the largest corporate account at ICM Gerson and manages a team of four people. “My role includes producing reports, regular visits to the account, managing big VIP moves (imports & exports), providing quotations, carrying out presentations, as well as working

with overseas agents, freight forwarders, clearing agents and third party suppliers,” Gareth says. “I also manage the private business sector in our company and have to find ways of generating new private business.”

Gareth says that after a tough 2010, the company has enjoyed a much more positive 2011, and is upbeat for the prospects for 2012, especially as London will be hosting the Olympics – “it should hopefully have a positive effect, both for the UK economy and for the moving industry itself.”

In the longer term, Gareth is clearly committed to playing a part as the industry adapts to today’s dramatic changes in economy and society. “I think that IT will play a much bigger role in the future of the moving industry and I embrace any new ideas and innovations that will be of benefit to the industry,” Gareth says. “I also think that relocation services will become increasingly more important and we can actually see that happening now in the industry.”

Like many of the BAR Young Movers, he has particularly fond memories of the Star City event in Birmingham in 2011, which combined guest speakers and learning opportunities with

team bonding at the nearby Quasar centre, with a meal and drink to follow.

In a prior stint as a member of an unofficial Young Movers group, Gareth also helped organise a five-a-side football tournament which brought out the competitive spirit in the Group. Gareth himself is player-manager for a local football team, and is already a keen golfer, so like many senior figures in the moving industry he is already combining sport and business!

“I believe that the Young Movers Scheme is an excellent medium for young people within the industry to get together and share ideas,” Gareth says, “and it provides excellent networking opportunities.”

And to consolidate the scheme and ensure its success in the future, he suggests that members of the BAR should provide the Group with a list of people, who meet the age criteria, with their e-mail addresses.

“This way we could build up a database of people and when a Young Mover event comes up, everyone in the industry in the specific age bracket, will be aware of any Young Mover events taking place,” he says.

A decade of good moves: Gareth Fosberry It’s now ten years since Gareth Fosberry joined ICM Gerson as a young lad from Chingford and in that time he has worked his way up to become a Key Account Manager and an active member of the BAR Young Movers group. Gareth talks to R&S about his ideas for growing the Young Movers initiative and his vision of the future of the removals industry.

Young Mover Profile: Gareth Fosberry

Sign up for the BAR Newsletter

I f you are not already receiving BAR’s regular electronic newsletter, it’s well worth signing up for this. It

provides useful updates on latest industry news as well as golden nuggets of information about BAR’s activities. It aims to be no more than 2 pages long, with short, punchy stories and links to where you can find out more information. To sign up, go to the ‘About BAR’ > Newsletter section of the BAR website (www.bar.co.uk).


BAR News


BAR NewsBAR News

According to the latest figures, the total number of UK domestic moves in November 2011 increased by 0.59%

compared to November 2010, reflecting a rather stable picture when comparing like for like months.

The number of moves to European countries in November 2011 compared to the same month in 2010 has decreased slightly by 4%; however the number of overseas moves (non-European) remains stable and shows no change, which is hopeful for the overseas market.

BAR Members identify the top European removal destinations for November 2010 as France followed by Spain and then Switzerland. The top European removal destinations for November 2011 were France followed by Switzerland and then Spain.

BAR Members identify the top overseas (non-European) removal destinations for November 2010 as Australia followed by New Zealand and then Canada. The top overseas (non-European) removal destinations for November 2011 were USA followed by Australia and then New Zealand.

The number of vehicles in use for November

2011 compared favourably to November 2010 with a sizeable increase of 10%, this signifies a positive indicator for the UK domestic market. The number of staff employed in November 2011 compared to November 2010 also shows a positive increase of 1.33%.

BAR will continue to report monthly industry statistics. To take part in the new industry incentive scheme, look out for the monthly email which will contain a link to the online survey. It is important for BAR to receive these monthly statistics from Members as it helps BAR gain a better understanding of the industry, and allows BAR to send regular reports to the press and relevant industry bodies.

Industry Statistics: November 2011

BAR would like to thank those Members who have participated in the November Industry Survey.

Take part in the online industry surveys and automatically be entered into the monthly cash draw to win £100.

For more information, please contact the Commercial Department: [email protected] or call 01923 699 483

Please note all information received is aggregated and treated in the strictest of confidence.

10.00%

8.00%

6.00%

4.00%

2.00%

0.00%

-2.00%

-4.00%

+0.59% 0.00% +10.00%-4.00% +1.33%

0.00%

+0.59%

+10.00%

+1.33%

-4.00%

Industry Statistics: November 2011 November 2011 compared to November 2010


BAR NewsBAR News


BAR NewsBAR Services

H ere is a short but sweet guide to the products that are currently available:

File Storage BoxesThe file storage box is always high on the BAR Services’ best sellers list. Having always supplied three standard sizes, BAR Services can also arrange to manufacture these cartons to your customer’s own specification. Whether your customer requires file storage cartons in a specific size, with or without hand holes or with an integral or separate lid, this can be accommodated. On larger quantities, the file storage carton can be printed in your own company colours, however, if you want to keep costs to a minimum a smaller quantity of 50 can be purchased in the standard BAR Services print.

Plastic CratesA complete range of crates are available in various sizes and styles. The 80 & 54 litre container with an attached lid are most in demand for office moves. Manufactured in a tough polypropylene, the crate can be stacked five high and supplied with a tamper evident seal to provide complete security. As with your cartons, your crates can also be printed in your company’s logo to help raise your company’s profile. A handy area has been left to allow bar-coding for easy identity or a RFID tag can be used to allow accurate inventory control to make your office move a fast and efficient operation. The office move crate is a tough and durable alternative that is cost effective as it can be used again and again. This not only keeps costs down but it also helps improve your carbon footprint. Your customers will be pleased to hear that not only is the crate reusable but once the crate is at the end of its life the material can be recycled.

Correx BoardCommercial movers have mentioned that from time to time they require a good quality product that provides temporary protection and that is also impact resistant. BAR Services currently supplies such a product which is plastic corrugated and is commercially known as correx that is enhanced by its twin skin corrugation. It is ideal for surfaces such as floors, walls, windows and columns and can be easily

moulded to provide optimum protection. Combined with its easy to handle characteristics, Correx is also water resistant and can be purchased in a flame retardant grade certified to the LPS1207 standard. Made in a strong and fluted polypropylene, members may be concerned with its environmental properties. The good news is that Correx is CFC- free and is produced using a minimum 50% post industrial waste.

TechnoboxesThe technobox is a handy but often forgotten carton used for packing complete computer terminals. Available to buy in a heavy duty and mottled board, the carton size is 559 x 559 x 559mm and used in conjunction with anti-static air bubble bags, the technobox provides protection for the hard-drive, screen, keyboard and all other IT accessories in one handy box.

Air bubble BagsThe anti-static bubble bag comes in one size of 1000 x 1000mm and is ideal for protecting the ancillary products that accompany your customer’s computer terminal.

Destruction Sacks & SealsWith the destruction of sensitive data becoming more of an issue for businesses, why not offer your customer a document destruction service? All you will need to buy is two products which are now available from BAR Services. Firstly, a high quality, woven polypropylene sack (commonly known as a destruction sack) is now available in various sizes. Manufactured in a tough and tear resistant material, these sacks are the ideal product for the secure disposal of highly sensitive and shredded documents. The sacks can also be printed to suit your own individual design requirements. Secondly, a comprehensive range of tamper evident security seals is also now being supplied. The one -piece moulded, nylon seals are the most popular and BAR Services recommend these for use with its destruction sacks as detailed above. The sequential numbering system allows for full audit traceability providing your customer with complete piece of mind that no unauthorized access has been gained to sensitive documentation.

Office Move LabelsFinally, this may seem like an obvious suggestion but it could end up being one of the most important. This simple label provides information as to the room and position of all office equipment and personal belongings and are available in ten colours. This helps ensure that all of your customer’s office paraphernalia moves smoothly from Site A to their correct place at Site B. This prevents unnecessary losses and therefore potential insurance claims.

This is just a short list of the basic products that BAR Services recommend you use on your commercial move. BAR Training can also assist and advise you with suggestions but if you have other products you have seen or need further information on, then the sales team will be very happy to provide this for you or to try and source what you require. Please call 01342 870087 or email [email protected]

BAR Services helps you to move offices If you are looking to grow your domestic moving business into the office and commercial moving sector, the quality of your service and cost are vital to your reputation. With its 30 years’ of packaging experience, BAR Services can help by providing not only good quality materials that meet the standards required by BS 8522, but keen prices that help you stay competitive.


BAR News

If you are you looking for a garment carrier that is quick and easy to assemble and can be re-used over and over again, read on!

BAR Services is very pleased to announce the introduction of the Correx Board Garment Carrier to its range of products. After various recent enquiries from Members, BAR Services have carefully sourced a new supplier that can supply this popular multi-trip product.

Made from fluted polypropylene, this ingenious carrier has many benefits that will be of interest to the members. Initial member feedback from this product has been extremely positive. With estimates that the box could be used for at least 100 journeys, the carrier is a very economical alternative for transporting your customer’s clothes. Combined with the fact that tape is not required in its construction, the carrier is

not only cost-effective but this also ensures there is less impact on the environment. The garment carrier is also easy to use and convenient. Time constraints on your crew mean that packing as quickly as possible if of the upmost importance; the carrier can be constructed and ready for use in 10-15 seconds and be returned flat-pack in the same amount of time. As mentioned before, no taping is required saving on those vital minutes that can be better spent elsewhere. The carrier is also water resistant, durable and very robust so there is little chance of the box collapsing in transit.

If this sounds of interest or benefit to you, contact BAR Services for further information on this product. Simply call 01342 870087 to speak to the sales team or email: [email protected]

Product of the Month Correx Board Garment Carriers

BAR Services

BAR Training ServicesTraining from the Removals Experts

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

Introduction to EstimatingIdeal for staff who are new to the role. This 1 day course focuses on teaching students the unit system, methods of estimating, risk assessment, the role of the Estimator and selling services to the customer

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

Just £199 + VAT p/p (BAR Member)

BRANDNEW

for 2012!

Course Dates 201223 January 05 March 08 May

Course to be held at BAR, Watford


BAR News

>> Olympics monitor

This regular section of R&S is designed to help members prepare for the transport challenges that we will all face this summer as the UK hosts the largest sporting event in its history.

To avoid congestion and safety and security issues during the Games, London 2012 is developing plans for

temporary traffic and parking restrictions with the police, local authorities and others that is designed to provide a safe environment around venues and keep traffic moving so that local residents and businesses can carry on with their day-to-day activities.

One plan is for temporary resident and business parking protection areas around Games venues, in order to prevent spectators from trying to park around the venue and protect parking for residents and local businesses.

The operating hours of existing controlled parking zones or event day parking zones may be temporarily changed to protect resident and business parking spaces while events are being held. Where there are no parking controls around a venue, a new temporary parking zone will be needed to prioritise parking for residents and local businesses.

In addition to the resident and business parking protection areas, London 2012 is also designing a temporary traffic management area within close proximity of each venue.

These areas will include traffic management measures to provide safe access for visitors to the venue, such as temporary road closures, and banned turns. Access to some streets may be limited to local residents and businesses.

Residents and businesses will still have access to their properties and the emergency services will have access at all times.

Further information about how people can register for temporary parking permits will be provided by London 2012 and the relevant local authority.

Residents and businesses within the parking protection area will be entitled to visitor permits so that friends and family can visit during the Games. Further information, including the number of permits that residents and businesses will be entitled to, will be provided by local authorities early next year.

London 2012 is asking local residents and businesses to comment on its outline plans and will begin a programme of formal consultations. After this feedback is received, they will consider the comments and update their plans as appropriate.

The formal consultation programme for traffic orders will began in November 2011.

Local access and parking during the Olympics

TfL’s at Windsor

D avid Silvey, London 2012 Road Freight Interface Manager for Transport for London will be one of

the speakers at BAR’s Annual Conference which will take place in Windsor on 17-19 May 2012.

For information and to book your place, contact the Conference Team on 01923 699 483, email [email protected] or visit www.bar.co.uk/conference2012.aspx

Olympics Monitor

Parking fines move slammed

P roposals to impose additional parking charges beyond the Olympic Route Network during

the Games period in London have been criticised by the Freight Transport Association.

The FTA believes that London Councils’ plans to extend the £200 parking fine penalty currently set for the Olympic Route Network (ORN) to surrounding areas is an unjustified, cynical move to cash in on the Games at a time when businesses will be under intense pressure to keep London moving.

Companies delivering goods kerbside on the high street typically attract penalty charge notices (PCNs) quite innocently. Although these are often successfully contested, which in itself costs time and money, many are not and the industry still pays many millions in PCNs each year.

FTA’s Head of Policy for London, Natalie Chapman, said “we all know that next summer is going to pose an enormous challenge for the logistics sector already – the last thing it needs are further financial burdens.

If we want the Games to be a success we need to get behind the logistics companies that are so crucial for allowing businesses to keep up with heightened demand and to making everything run smoothly.

“These proposals are unjustifiable and heap on added pressure at a time when many companies are still trying to work out how the ORN is going to affect customer delivery.

By extending out these PCN costs beyond the ORN, the goalposts have been moved once more and companies are going to be left with a bigger logistical headache if they want to avoid incurring fines for doing their jobs.”


BAR News

>> Olympics monitor

26 per cent of road freight operators are still ‘not at all prepared’ for the logistical challenge posed by the 2012 Olympic

Games, according to a survey by the Freight Transport Association.

Transport operators were asked to rate their contingency plans, the provision of additional vehicles and staff, and the preparedness of their customers for managing changes to their deliveries. Over 30 per cent said that they were ‘not at all prepared’ in their plans to order extra vehicles or hire additional drivers or staff, down from 40 per cent in July. And 26 cent said that their customers (e.g. restaurants, shops, pubs etc.) were similarly ill-prepared, down from 38 per cent in July.

Natalie Chapman, FTA’s Head of Policy for London, said “a prolonged period of high demand – FTA is telling its members to treat the Games and the Paralympic Games like a three-month Christmas period – against the backdrop of severe delivery restrictions poses a huge challenge. But although for some forward-thinking companies the race to prepare for this enormous global event has already begun, many businesses haven’t even started warming up yet.”

FTA’s survey also asked industry to indicate its level of knowledge of how the Olympic Route Network (ORN), which will effectively be closed to deliveries between 6am and midnight, and Games Lanes, which are designated roads set aside for athletes, Games officials and marketing partners only, will affect their operations. Eighteen per cent of respondents reported that they had ‘little knowledge’ and 26 per cent ‘no knowledge’ when asked how the Olympic Route Network

or Games Lanes will operate. Around a fifth felt that they knew a lot about the Olympic Route Network and Games Lanes in October, compared to just a tenth in July.

FTA has developed a five-step way to prepare for the Games:1. Check your known delivery locations against the TfL postcode list available from www.tfl.gov.uk/developers (you will need to register)2. If a postcode is affected, look at the ORN maps on the TfL website to determine how that delivery point will be restricted. Even if there are no additional restrictions to the delivery point, routing may be affected, so check your current routes against the ORN maps. (www.tfl.gov.uk/orn)3. Talk to your customers about how their deliveries may be affected next summer. Ask for estimates of volumes. Can you deliver in a different way (Reduce, Retime, Reroute or Revise-mode)? (See www.tfl.gov.uk/2012 for more ideas)4. Consider how you will resource your business next summer. Plan your scheduled maintenance to minimise vehicle down time during the Olympics. Consider any changes to your staff holiday policy for the Olympics. Do you need to hire in more drivers or extra vehicles?5. Check if there are any other operating restrictions that you need to overcome. Are all the vehicles you will be using in London compliant with the new tougher Low Emission Zone standards which take effect in January? Do you need to apply for a London Lorry Control Scheme permit if you wish to operate at night or at weekends in London?

Industry still not preparedInterdean and Sharron Davies launch checklist

I nterdean’s UK Sales Director, Barrie Gilmour, was delighted to introduce Sharron Davies MBE as

the Headline Guest Speaker at the Forum for Expatriate Management’s Global Mobility Summit in November 2011.

HR and Mobility Professionals from a number of multinational organisations assembled to hear Sharron’s interactive seminar on how organisations can prepare their assignees for being in London throughout the Olympic period.

Having experienced nine Olympic Games in a number of capacities, not least; athlete, pundit, commentator, supporter, organiser, interviewer, mentor, ambassador – Sharron was the ideal person to discuss preparation for the Olympics.

Sharron gave the audience a unique insider’s guide to the Olympics, drawing on her personal experience which began at the tender age of 13.

Sharron answered questions from the audience of HR and Global Mobility Managers, including issues such as immigration and security. The Olympic Swimming Legend even gave one member of the audience a tip on their front crawl stroke!

Many of the HR & Mobility professionals who attended the seminar took the opportunity to meet Sharron and ask her further questions at Interdean’s stand. Feedback from the seminar was extremely positive, with many passing comment on how knowledgeable and approachable she was. Using Sharron’s insight, Interdean’s Subject Matter Experts have come up with a checklist of things for companies who are relocating employees throughout the Olympic period to consider. The free checklist can be accessed at http://www.interdean.com/files/Olympic_Preparation_Checklist.pdf

Olympics Monitor


Industry News

30

B S 8564, the Overseas Moving quality standard, is closely related to BS EN 12522, the original ‘domestic removals’

standard and also shares some elements with BS 8522 (commercial moving) and BS EN 14873, the ‘storage standard’.

These standards have been created in order to provide the moving industry with recognised, specific and measurable benchmarks which are directly relevant to its activities, unlike more generic quality standards such as ISO 9001. Accordingly, it is likely that BS 8564 will become one of the qualifying criteria for membership of the BAR Overseas Group.

ImplementationBecause of the synergies with other standards, companies who are already certified to one of them should find it relatively straightforward to add the requirements of BS 8564 into their existing Quality Management System.

Some elements are mandatory, i.e. the standard says that certain measures “shall” be carried out and sometimes the exact process and required results are specified. Prior to assessment it is most important to ensure that all such requirements are being met as any shortcoming against those clauses will result in “nonconformities” which will delay certification. In other areas the standard is less rigid, merely giving recommendations for best practice. When assessing a company’s performance against those, an auditor can show greater flexibility and may report only “suggestions for improvement” rather than nonconformities. Either way, all the audit findings will be followed up during the next year’s visit to ensure that corrective action has been taken and that it has been effective.

Throughout, the standard has been written by movers for movers and there should not be anything that will cause major difficulty for any well-run moving company. On the contrary, virtually everybody who has undertaken any of the removals standards to date has said that it was not as difficult as expected.

ScopeBS 8564 covers the three phases of an overseas removal: firstly the initial contact, survey and quotation; then the carrying out phase; and lastly the follow-up including quality measurement and the handling of any claims or complaints.

In developing the standard, input was gathered from clients and various industry bodies all of whom made an invaluable contribution to the work of the development committee. Their involvement ensured that the standard would be valued and meaningful in the marketplace. As with BS 8522, the commercial moving standard, in the course of time it is expected to become a regular requirement for major tenders in both the public and private sectors.

The standard covers the following areas:• Initial contact and preliminary information (inquiries, surveys, quotations)• Personnel – their professionalism, performance and presentation• Competence of operational personnel (experience, training)• Vehicles (suitability, condition and maintenance)• Packing materials (suitability and adequacy of range and stocks)• Key documents – specific contents of quotation and job sheet• Subcontracting (control of subcontractors and ensuring consistent performance and compliance with the standard throughout a move) • Liability / provision of insurance• Claims and compensation for loss or damage• Equipment (adequacy, training of operatives)• Health & Safety• Security• Monitoring the service (customer satisfaction analysis and follow-up)• Complaint and feedback handling• Corrective action

• Quality Policy contents, communication and review• Quality Manual – to contain all the operational procedures, certain other prescribed procedures including recruitment, training, maintenance of equipment, incident handling, quality control• Document controlN.B. QSS has produced a model Quality Manual containing typical policies and procedures for removals and storage activities. Although this still requires personalisation for each firm’s particular practices and according to the standards held, it does give a ‘fast start’ to the development of a compliant quality system. To purchase a copy of the standard or for any further information, contact Chris Waymouth at QSS:T: 01923 699480 M: 07831 309379E: [email protected]

In addition to its usual work on the removals and storage standards plus ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, QSS has recently added a further standard to its assessment and certification services: BS 8564.

BS 8564:2011 The new Overseas Moving Standard

It is likely that BS 8564 will become one of the qualifying criteria for membership of the BAR Overseas Group.

QSS Update

QSS offers significant discounts for companies holding multiple standards.


CMG News

BS 8522

Remembering Peter Middup

Along term supporter of the work of the BAR and in particular of the CMG, Peter will be sorely missed, professionally and of course personally.

He was a warm and witty companion to all those that had the pleasure of working with him.

“It’s dreadful news and the CMG has lost a good friend,” Ian Studd of Harrow Green said.

“I had known Peter for some 15 years in both business and personal capacities, and found him to be one of life’s gentlemen,” former BAR President David Bunting said. “It was always a pleasure to meet up with him, which I did pretty regularly at Exhibitions and CMG Conferences, and the advice he often dispensed was always pertinent, practical, and valuable. I will miss him, and have no doubt that the Commercial Moving Business in general will now be the poorer with his passing.” A thanksgiving and memorial service for Peter was held in Leigh, Kent, on December 7th. In Peter’s memory, the CMG has made a donation to the Fishguard Lifeboat Crew Fund.

Peter Middup, who for over two decades was the publisher of PFM and PFM Awards and a leading figure in the facilities management industry, has died aged 63. Peter suffered a heart attack while hill-walking on holiday in Wales with his wife on November 16th 2011.


CMG News

BS 8522

R umours were rife that BAR Vice-president Ian Studd had been practising for days and fancied lifting the coveted

CMG trophy. No doubt others were having the same ideas but they were not letting on. Bacon rolls and coffee were consumed, the banter began and laughter prevailed. Some visited the practice range. Others just prepared themselves. With golfers out on the course it was noticeable that any chances of conversations were limited as your reporter could see golfers to the left and the right as far as the eye could see but very few travelling directly up the centre of the fairways!!!!

After the exertions were completed then the tales of ‘how close’, ‘the put just lipped out’ and what might have been began, all of this over a few pints, of course. With the score cards collected and checked by Rod Sealand, to whom we are grateful, it was off for dinner. By the look of the plates it was enjoyed by all.

Now the moment that everyone was waiting for, the results! These were presented by Mark Herrington, who had only just officially taken over as the CMG Chairman. Prizes awarded, several happy smiling faces, more banter especially at the overall winner Kevin Mack, it was noted that Company Moves Ltd seemed to have monopolised the prizes, Ted Mooney finishing as runner up in the main competition and Kevin collecting the nearest the pin prize

as well. The guest prize was won by Peter Doman, he must have accumulated enough prizes to open a shop by now, and runner up was Stephen Vickers. The longest drive was struck by Julian Dalton from Steel Storage, although not there to collect his prize he has since confessed it was ‘the only thing he did right on the course all day’.

It seemed only right and proper that in true CMG style the proceedings were moved to the main bar, where the traditional games began, this year some sort of putting competition which involved Malcolm Pearson and Dave Ewert. Nobody seemed to understand the rules but that was not a surprise.

Another great day followed by an equally great evening that was enjoyed by all the participants, with most looking forward to next years’ event.

Commercial Moving Group Annual Golf Competition

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.

On a fine Tuesday in early October 2011, just under thirty intrepid golfers braved the journey and rigors of hitting golf balls all day. With the main sponsors entering a past ‘guest’ winner in Peter Doman and a now fit again Greg Wildman, it already looked like being a good day. Harrow Green had several entries and that made them look favourites to have the winner.

CMG Golf

Belton Woods, Grantham

Report provided by Kevin Mack of Company Moves

Results 2011CMG Trophy1st – Kevin Mack – Company Moves - 33pts

2nd – Ted Mooney – Company Moves - 30pts OCB

3rd – Stuart Fitton - Harrow Green – 30pts OCB

Guest Trophy1st – Peter Doman – Basil Fry – 41pts

2nd – Stephen Vickers – B.A.R. – 30pts

Longest Drive Julian Dalton – Steel Storage

Nearest the Pin – Kevin Mack – Company Moves

CMG Chair Mark Herrington presents Kevin Mack his award


CMG News

BS 8522

B AR’s Commercial Moving Group members Harrow Green, Pickfords, Amaryllis, Johnsons, BCL, Specialised

Movers and Fox have been appointed to a national framework agreement for the supply of furniture removal solutions for local government and the wider public sector.

The four-year contract established by Pro5 provides these CMG members with a major commercial opportunity.

The Pro5 Group is a professional buying consortium (representing CBC, ESPO, NEPO, WMS and YPO) with a combined purchasing power in excess of £2 billion a year .

The Pro5 customer base currently encompasses schools, colleges and universities in addition to all major local government departments including Social Services, Catering, Transport, Highways, Building, Energy, Admin and Waste Management as well as the Emergency Services.

“In establishing this arrangement, a number of local authorities approached Pro5 for a

commercial removal services solution, ” Terry Gibbs, head of regional sales, Harrow Green, told R&S.

Working closely alongside the Pro5 partners, YPO led on the procurement process and is responsible for managing this framework agreement.

The Pro5 collaboration will help bring cost savings through aggregation, efficiency savings and sharing of procurement expertise, benefits which Pro5’s customers can take advantage of.

A criteria of the Invitation to Tender was for BAR membership and CMG accreditation. This ensures that suppliers are fully equipped to follow high standards of quality and service for public sector customers.

The national framework removes the need for local authorities and public sector bodies to advertise via OJEU (Official Journal of the European Union), providing time and efficiency savings in their procurement processes. Customers can either appoint a

supplier on the agreement by direct award, or run a further mini-competition between the shortlisted suppliers.

The national framework agreement has been separated into three lots: small removal requirements, large removal requirements and specialist disposal requirements.

There are five companies appointed to each lot: Harrow Green, Pickfords, Amaryllis and Johnsons have been appointed to all three lots. The other three CMG members have been appointed as a fifth supplier in each lot.

CMG members appointed to public sector agreement


Overseas Group News

T he original company was founded in 1929 as Bonners Removals of Welling and was a traditional family company servicing its

local community. After 60 years of providing an unrivalled service they were acquired by Dorees Removals, another local family run business that had itself been established for 40 years.

In 1994 Geoff Watson and Gordon Lyall formed the holding company Kelerbay Ltd and after acquiring Doree Bonner, established the Doree Bonner International Group. Both Geoff and Gordon had worked in the Removals Industry since 1979 and 1983 respectively and were both previously directors with one of the world’s largest removals companies.

Since 1997 Kelerbay Ltd has acquired numerous family managed businesses throughout the UK. All of these businesses enjoyed an excellent local reputation and now form part of the Doree Bonner International Group, which is able to offer a wide range of quality services on a local, national and international basis.

The Doree Bonner International Group has achieved steady growth over the last 15 years or so now boasting nine locations nationwide. Although growth by acquisition that has seen them acquire no less than 15 family ran businesses has somewhat stalled since the recession started to bite in 2008, they are continually searching for those rare opportunities that will prove to be a great “bolt on” business or a business that will plug a gap geographically.

With full service locations in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Nottingham, Dunstable, High Wycombe, Bath, Dartford and

Canterbury, the company employs 200 staff, operates 65 vehicles and has nine superb facilities housing 8,000 containers.

The Company culture is based upon all staff enjoying their work. As Geoff Watson says “when you were at school you were good at the subjects you liked and liked the subjects you were good at – and an atmosphere where no one is afraid to give an opinion, come forward with a suggestion or share an idea has to be good for the business.”

Sally Saunders, who is now Group Personnel manager, is proof of the company’s view on training. Sally joined Doree Bonner in 1995 as an administration assistant and quickly showed her potential. After several promotions involving greater responsibility, Sally is now fully qualified in Personnel management and training. She is also a qualified auditor and is responsible for the Group’s many quality, environmental and systems accreditations. “There are many more examples of staff blossoming under this atmosphere where it is firmly believed that if you never make a mistake you are probably not trying hard enough!” Geoff says.

The company’s approach is summed up by its mission statement: “to provide a removals and storage service so admired by our people, business partners and customers that they recommend us to others with total confidence.” Staff are not judged on the mistakes they may make, but how quickly they react to put right that that mistake.

Geoff Watson is joint Group Managing Director with Gordon Lyall and his

responsibilities focus on sales management and development and marketing of the Company’s services, products and brand.

Gordon is responsible for all things operational - vehicles, properties, materials, insurance arrangements, purchasing etc. Both are ably supported by Nigel Smith the company’s Financial Controller , Sally Saunders Group Personnel Manager, and James Dasey, the International Services Director.

Differentiating serviceThe state of the world economy has of course, had an impact upon the business. There has been a top to bottom review and all aspects of the Company have been investigated and cost saving measures implemented across the Group. The key focus however, is still to maintain an enviable level of service.

Geoff firmly believes that the company’s reputation within the market place and the Industry is the most valuable aspect of its continued success.

Geoff Watson said “there is no doubt that having looked at every cost within the business since 2007 we are leaner than we have ever been, but my sales responsibilities have become even harder. The biggest challenge we have in terms of Sales and Marketing is the problem of trying to differentiate ourselves and the services we provide, from other businesses within BAR and from other moving companies outside BAR.”

Geoff is a keen supporter of BAR but finds it difficult to understand how the association can represent such a diverse selection of companies

Leading from the Front on Standards and QualityGeoff Watson, Group Managing Director of Doree Bonner, is a thirty-year veteran of the removals business, and in that time has built Doree Bonner into a large, nationwide concern with an outstanding reputation for quality of service. As Geoff explains for R&S, he is a passionate believer in the need for standards-based membership of BAR, which would differentiate members from the rest of the online pack. For Geoff, BS EN 12522 is only a small step on the way to the professional, quality-based Association of the future.

Overseas Group News


who offer such differing levels of service backed up by vastly different levels of infrastructure and yet can all display the BAR badge and boast membership of Britain’s leading association of movers.

There are circa 600 members of BAR and during Doree Bonner’s acquisitive years Geoff visited many of them and has great concerns over the difference in the presentation of resources and facilities. Geoff believes that BAR will only become a real force to be reckoned with when it can promote and be proud of the weakest company within the Association.

“I want to be able to market the fact that we are BAR members but still be able to differentiate us from the vast majority of Removal Companies,” Geoff says. “I believe the only way to do this is to have compulsory quality standards based membership. BS EN 12522 is a start but not nearly stringent enough to differentiate us from the rest.”

“I was particularly disappointed but not surprised when the vast majority of members voted against this recently. It was a “black day” for the Industry and the Association. Because of this misguided decision we were a laughing stock amongst our International Moving colleagues who attended the FIDI Conference that shortly followed this decision as of course they are all FIDI FAIM accredited. I’d also suggest the Guild were “rubbing their hands with glee”. Unless this decision is reversed I believe a number of Companies large and small will be considering their future membership of BAR.

I read an article in a recent R&S which suggested that if members failed to differentiate themselves as legally compliant, safe, trained and honest, quality operators then many smaller members will be out of business within five years. Whilst I agree with this wholeheartedly the question has to be asked if this can describe all present members of BAR?”

Looking to the futureGeoff maintains that BAR needs to consider the Guild as a serious competitor, and they ignore them at their peril. “If stringent standards are introduced and are a requisite for membership then we can really start marketing BAR as something to be really proud of and be able to differentiate ourselves in the public’s eye from such associations as The Guild.”

Geoff also feels strongly that the industry needs to protect itself against so called ‘Bedroom brokers’ that have emerged with the internet explosion.

Whilst the more reputable of these companies play a vital role in generating additional business, many that sell Moving companies leads, may be successful at marketing, search engine optimisation and key word search, but removals is only a very small part of their business.

“The worst are those that market themselves through the internet as professional international movers, attract the enquiries but then have no resources to carry out the moves themselves,” Geoff says, “or do they? Of course they do because they subcontract to BAR members who willingly carry out the move using all their expertise, resources and agent relationships internationally!”

Geoff believes that care must be taken to guard against those presenting themselves as professional international movers – particularly online – but without the necessary resources to provide anything like a professional service. This can only reflect poorly on the industry as a whole, notwithstanding the fact that they are

undercutting prices because a BAR member will be operating a move cheaper than these companies who are quoting the customer direct, as the ‘Bedroom Broker’ keeps a commission. “Simply if BAR members did not do moves for these people then they would not exist!”

Geoff adds “it is all too easy these days to produce a slick professional website that appears to be very attractive to the customer but has very little substance behind it. Our continued investment in quality and standards has a very definite cost attached to it. It is however becoming increasingly difficult for the customer to differentiate between a professional company such as ours and a company lacking in standards, substance and quality.”

“This is increasingly exacerbated as price to the customer is such a key factor. In the public’s eyes, there is a growing perception that all Removal Companies are the same. Quality standards which are stretching but not impossible to achieve in order to help ensure the clients can really see a difference are a must.”

“Once the BAR members agree to have quality based membership, only then can we start marketing the Association and the Brand correctly, but first we must have something to market and that something has to be based on fact,” Geoff concludes.

“Customers must look for a Mover like they look for a holiday company which is a member of ABTA; the ideal is for BAR’s marketing strategy to ensure a customer actively looks for a mover that is a member of BAR. But there is still a long way to go”.

Mission statement: to provide a removals and storage service so admired by our people, business partners and customers that they recommend us to others with total confidence.


Training News

Happy new year from BARTS!New for 2012!

B AR Training Services have introduced two brand new courses for 2012 based on the

feedback they have received from BAR Members. Both courses will run throughout the year at BAR Watford and are available to BAR Members at a discounted rate. A brief summary of both these brand new courses can be found below

One-day Introduction to Estimating courseThis new course is ideal for any member of staff who is new to the art of estimating. The 1 day classroom based programme focuses on teaching students the unit system and methods of estimating as well as introducing them to the key skills required in the role as an estimator/surveyor.The course content includes: The Unit System, Methods of Estimating, Risk Assessment, Role of the Estimator and Selling Company Services to the customer.

One-day Commercial Estimating courseDeveloped due to substantial BAR Member feedback the 1 day course focuses on the skills required in order to carry out an accurate and thorough commercial estimate. Students will learn methods of commercial estimating and have the opportunity to carry out a practical assessment of a Commercial building The course content includes: The Unit System, Methods of Commercial Estimating, Risk Assessment, Questions to Ask the Client and Practical Survey of a Commercial Building.

For further information on either of these brand new courses, please contact BARTS on 01923 699494 or email [email protected].

B ARTS have chosen to freeze their prices for all training courses to help BAR Members to have their training delivered by the Removals experts at affordable prices. Contact BARTS to receive a copy of the latest training brochure for all your training

needs this year or see the new website

Training prices frozen!

www.removalstraining.com

The official website of BAR Training Services is now live!

This simple-to-use website will enable BAR members, and the removals industry as a whole, to find out about all of the BARTS training courses available and to register your chosen courses online.

Everyone in our industry has to ensure compliance with training such as Health & Safety, Manual Handling and various other compulsory training. BARTS provides all the industry-specific mandatory, skills, and management training.

And, let’s not forget the Driver CPC rules which require you and your staff to do your 35 hours Driver CPC training by September 2014 in order to continue to drive vehicles above 3.5 tonne vocationally. Plan ahead and make

sure you do not leave this until the last moment: BARTS Driver CPC prices currently start from just £49.25 + vat per driver.

BARTS provides tailor-made training courses, programmes and workshops to suit your company’s needs. These are delivered at your premises so you do not have to pay for travel costs and hotel accommodation for your staff. Or, if you prefer, training can also be provided at the BAR head office in Watford.

Simply register for the courses you need for your business and we will contact you to organise dates that are convenient for you this year.

Book now for the year ahead and take advantage of the current prize freeze on training rates!

For more information about all our courses, programmes and workshops, see www.removalstraining.com

Prepare for a successful year ahead!

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


Selling Skills/Promoting the BAR OFT 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 201215 February 11 July

Introduction to EstimatingIdeal for staff who are new to the role. This 1 day course focuses on teaching students the unit system, methods of estimating, risk assessment, the role of the Estimator and selling services to the customer

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

Course Dates 201223 January 05 March 08 May


BRANDNEW

for 2012!

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 qualification.

Course Dates 201227 February - 02 March 16-20 April

£1,675 + VAT p/p (BAR Member)

NEWLY IMPROVED for 2012!

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 201224 & 25 January 06 & 07 March 09 & 10 May

£545 + VAT p/p (BAR Member)

NEWLY IMPROVED for 2012!

1 Day (7hours) Driver CPC

£100 + VAT per driver (BAR Member)

Course Dates 201211 January 02 May

JAUPT APPROVED CENTRE AC00191

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

BAR Training ServicesTraining from the Removals Experts

BARTS 2012 Training Dates All courses taking place at BAR Watford*


Training News

B ARTS delivered a 2-day BTEC course in Practical Estimating to 12

delegates in mid-November 2011. The first part of the course was to explain the different techniques in calculating volume. A good example is to use the unit system, and I personally use a 2-drawer filing cabinet (10 cubic feet) as a bench mark.

We then moved onto health and safety and what needs to be considered on a risk assessment when viewing a property. This was followed by a visit to a local property made available to BARTS by a local resident to allow the delegates to walk round and cube up the volume and to make out an Estimator’s report. The cubing of the

property proved a useful exercise, as delegates were quite varied in their totals, but it enabled us to identify the areas which needed addressing.

The remainder of the day was allocated to going through the Duties and Role of the Estimator including the skills required.

On Day 2 we covered the Estimator’s Report and the details required, as well as what additional information is required for Overseas and Commercial Removals.

A visit to a second local property was slightly more challenging than the previous day, and the delegates had to cube the volume and estimate the types and amounts of packing cartons. When we

discussed the results of their reports this time, the totals were much closer to each other and the correct cubic volume, so we know they are heading in the right direction for when they take their exam this year.

Tanya Foden of Johnsons Moving Services wrote: “This course gave me a good understanding of how to cube a job up. This will assist me greatly in my day to day duties. Understanding the factors for costing will enable to plan a relocation more effectively.”

Scott James Clarke of Clarke and Co Ltd wrote: “Very pleased with the course overall, very professional and knowledgeable Trainer, great training course.”

Practical Estimating

Our company’s sole purpose since its inception in 1977 is to serve the membership – to supply good quality, innovative packaging products at low prices. This is achieved by buying jointly on your behalf and passing on the discount achieved from this bulk purchasing power!

As a member, we should be your preferred supplier but are we? For many of you the answer will be yes but for those of you that say no then we would like to know why?

Your feedback is important so please ring us on 01342 870087 or you can simply emai [email protected]

We look forward to hearing from you.

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

Over a 3-day and 4-day period in October and November 2011,

BARTS Management course in Removals Management was delivered to 6 delegates at our Watford HQ.

The delegates all had experience and knowledge in certain fields of the industry, and the course, I think, gave them a broader look in managing a Removal company.

There were 20 modules covered ranging from

Business law, Employment Law to Removal planning and Costing and Warehouse management.

The six delegates were from four removal companies, three from White & Co (3 different depots) and one each from APAK Removals, Simon Long Removals, and Clark & Rose.

The course was a light-hearted affair with some nice banter and humour amongst the delegates, but when it came to learning, they all took it seriously and got involved in

the tasks that they were set and also asked intelligent questions.

Between the six delegates, one of the main points of interest in the course was Removal Planning, and this was highlighted during one of the tasks that was set. With what started out as a light hearted task, the delegates’ competitive streak came through, which I thought was a good result, as the Removal Industry is a very competitive business.

BTEC in Removals Management

Januaryhandy tip

When maintaining equipment and you have squeaky furniture skate or dolly wheels, don’t make the mistake of spraying WD40 on them – this is a degreasant and runs off, it is only a short term fix. Take the spindle out and use spray grease, making sure you keep the wheels grease free.

BARTS Field Trainer, Peter Walters


European NewsEuropean News

R&S is grateful to FEDEMAC for its contribution to this section

Traffic offences directive to take effect – elsewhere!

The European Union directive of 25 October 2011 facilitating the cross-border exchange of

information on road safety related traffic offences has now been published in the Official Journal (OJ).

As a result, Member States are obliged to transpose the Directive into national legislations by 7 November 2013.

However, the UK, Ireland, and Denmark are not required to implement the Directive, which establishes a system for chasing up road traffic offenders across the rest of the EU.

IRU calls for incentives to cut emissions

Speaking at the European Commission / International Council on Clean Transportation

debate on reducing greenhouse gas emissions for heavier vehicles, IRU General Delegate to the EU, Michael Nielsen, called for incentives and support by the European Commission and Member States for innovation in road transport, to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Mr Nielsen highlighted the 97 per cent reduction in particulate emissions that has been achieved since 1990 for heavy commercial vehicles, and the 36 per cent reduction in fuel consumption since 1970, with the corresponding drop in CO2 emissions.

Mr Nielsen called for an end to the European Union’s neglect of the road transport sector, which has prevented operators from increasing their operational efficiency and productivity in the same way as in other sectors.

“Only through an integrated approach to innovation, the provision of incentives to allow investment in latest vehicle technology, increased driver training, and infrastructure guaranteeing free flows, can road transport continue to deliver on its environmental obligations”, Mr Nielsen argued.

Fedemac launches new directoryFedemac, the Federation of European Movers Associations, of which BAR is a member, has launched a new online directory that will make it straightforward for consumers and businesses to find member companies in their region.

E arly in 2012, a Broadcast Function will be added to the directory that will make it much easier for companies to find

resources and partners in other countries.This directory is modelled on the service on

the award-winning BAR website. BAR proposed at the Federation’s general assembly that Fedemac establish a similar function on their website, given the success of the service in generating leads, and have been closely involved in the technical specification process.

The directory can be found at http://www.fedemac.com/index.php?id=326

The directory is based on drop down menus that allows users to search by country and by region, as well as by post code and company name, all across Europe, from Portugal to Finland and Cyprus to Norway.

The site provides full contact information for each company found in a search, including telephone, website and e-mail. In effect, it is the digital equivalent of the printed directory and is kept up-to-date on a monthly basis – and with a broadcast function due to be implemented in February/March 2012.

From that time, if the user is logged in, they will be presented with an option to issue a broadcast to all the companies contained in the search results, which will lead to an email being sent to the recipients.

Lucien Pot, Immediate Past President of Fedemac, says the service has been designed to

encourage new business opportunities for the removals industry, and assist movers who need additional manpower at a certain location or may need additional equipment for a certain task.

“The directory brings together companies that belong to our member associations from all over Europe,” Lucien says. “With a quick local survey of the directory, it is much easier to find a trusted, reputable partner for an international move.”

“With the implementation of a broadcast function, movers will be able to quickly and conveniently ask for help from selected companies within a specified area, without the need to make numerous phone calls.”

Other advanced features of the broadcast service include the possibility of establishing a blacklist of companies with whom a member does not want to work again.

Automatically, companies of member associations will be registered as participants in the Broadcast Project; they will have to explicitly confirm their non- participation (opt-out policy). Once the Broadcast Project is up and running, all companies registered will be sent an email highlighting the purposes and advantages of Broadcast participation.

The Broadcast in this first iteration is not optimised for use on mobile devices such as cell phones. Such functionality may nonetheless be added in the future.

News Roundup R&S is grateful to FEDEMAC for its contribution to this section

The Transport Committee of the European Parliament has set a new range of targets for safe and

sustainable transport by 2020.The committee has called on the

European Commission to take measures and / or to propose legislation to reduce road deaths and the number of severely injured road users by 50 per cent; reduce CO2 emissions from road transport by 20 per cent; and increase by 40 per cent the number of secure parking spaces on Trans-European Network (TEN-T) roads, among others.

Overall greenhouse gas emissions from

transport should be cut by 20 per cent from 1990 levels, the committee says.

MEPs also asked the Commission to table a proposal by 2014 to ensure that the costs of pollution, noise and congestion are reflected in the price paid by the user for all forms of transport. They want the revenue generated in this way to be used by Member States to fund sustainable mobility.

Longer and heavier trucks using modular systems (also known as giga-liners) should “only be allowed on certain routes at the request of Member States when the infrastructure and safety requirements allow for it,” the Committee added.

Transport Committee sets new 2020 targets

Januaryhandy tip

BARTS Field Trainer, Peter Walters


Industry News

50

European News

Euro meeting in London

The European Transport Training Association (EuroTra) has been covering major transport issues at

its two forthcoming events - the first it has held in the UK for seven years.

The EuroTra Winter General Assembly, on Thursday 1 December, involved 26 European and Canadian delegates, and discussed topics such as driver shortages, retention of drivers and the impact of initial and periodic training in Europe.

The EuroTra Expert Forum then discussed the subject of urban deliveries. Speakers included Glen Davies of Transport for London on the Freight Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS); Lisa Lavia of the Noise Abatement Society and Natalie Chapman of the Freight Transport Association on night-time deliveries; and Dan Evanson of Transport for London and FTA’s Natalie Chapman on the 2012 Olympics. Both events were held on board the HMS President at Victoria Embankment.

News RoundupIRU joins trailer height campaign

The UK’s fight against EU proposals to limit the height of future semi-trailers to just 4 metres has won a powerful ally in the

International Road Transport Union (IRU).The IRU has urged European Commissioners to

rethink proposals to harmonise height limits for single-deck trailers, which, industry argues, would harm industry, increase lorry miles and fly in the face of carbon reduction aims. James Hookham, the Freight Transport Association’s Managing Director of Policy and Communications, said “IRU’s support shows that the loss of a national trailer height exemption is not just a UK issue. Far from it, the estimated cost of harmonising trailer heights in the way being proposed would amount to around €800 million every year for those affected; an additional cost that Europe could certainly do without right now. We have worked hard to influence the Department for Transport, MEPs and Commission officials aware of the efficiencies and carbon savings achieved in the UK through the use of ‘high-cube’ and double deck trailers and this ‘harmonisation at all costs’ attitude must be abandoned immediately.” FTA has announced a 5 stage campaign plan to drive home its message:1. Letters to the Secretary of State for Transport and EU Transport Commissioner – to get those at the top sighted on the seriousness of this issue and

answer FTA’s demands for it to be stopped.2. Briefings for MEPs – the European Parliament will get to vote on the final proposals on a ‘take it or leave it’ basis before they become law. It is important to make sure they vote the right way and understand the significance of this issue for UK logistics.3. Visits to UK depots for European Commission staff – FTA wants those making the decisions to see first-hand how we do things in the UK and realise the practical implications (and sheer folly) of their intended actions.4. A rally in Brussels to consolidate support for a higher limit – there would be implications for operators in other Member States so FTA is organising an event to share experiences and build an alliance of interests. Any FTA member wanting to attend will be more than welcome.5. Consolidate support amongst other Member States – the UK is not the only country to operate trailers over 4 metres high so FTA is rallying support from others who will be affected. So far FTA believes France, Sweden and Ireland are with us.” Mr Hookham said “our plan is already going strong and with IRU now onside our message will hopefully resonate even more loudly in Europe and we will see this proposal killed off before any serious damage is done.”


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How one firm narrowly avoided a dubious claim worth almost £100,000

ALondon-based removals firm was hired to move a series of owner-packed boxes and some items of furniture. During the move, the customer left the

two members of the removals crew alone with the goods for around two hours.

Shortly after delivery, the customer claimed that £91,321 worth of valuable watches had gone missing. One of these watches alone was allegedly worth £80,000.

After initial enquiries with the drivers and customer, the firm suspected fraud. However, having never dealt with such a claim before, the company stopped short at referring to its own terms and conditions, unsure how to investigate further.

The firm got in touch with its broker, Reason Global, to ask for advice. Having dealt with many dubious claims before, Reasons immediately contacted its claims management company Cunningham Lindsey and specialist loss adjuster Baker & Co, who took the case off the removal firm’s hands. Baker & Co found that the customer had reported the missing items to the police and was issued a crime reference number, yet no further investigation was pursued. Furthermore, the customer claimed that the alleged missing watches were not actually owned by him but had been borrowed which meant he had no evidence of their value or, indeed, their very existence. Baker & Co advised the customer that he should have claimed for the goods under his own company policy and reminded him that under the terms of the agreement between the removals firm and the customer, owner-packed cartons were excluded unless they were included in a pre-agreed inventory. Baker & Co concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support the claim and informed the customer. Reason Global quickly resolved the case. As a result, the claim was not pursued any further and the firm avoided both liability for £91,321 and a damaged insurance record.

F or the removals and storage industries, the most common type of fraudulent claim relates

to alleged missing items, most likely because this type of fraud is difficult to prove. Essentially, the insurer has to prove that not only were the claimed-for items delivered, but that the claimant knew that this was the case and decided to claim anyway.

In order to avoid costly and time-consuming false claims, firms should follow best practice as often as possible. The Claims Team from specialist insurance broker Reason Global has outlined three major points to consider:

Always take a detailed inventory for goods going into storageIn particular, ensure that if a customer is allowed access to the goods whilst in store, suitable amendments to the inventories are made. A lot of claims have been paid out over the years because a customer was allowed unrestricted access to their goods whilst they were being stored, only to then claim that goods were missing when the consignment was ultimately delivered.

Ensure that a member of staff stays with the vehicle at all timesIf this is not possible, the cargo compartment must be secured when there is nobody in attendance. This helps to minimize the number of false claims based on the argument that the vehicle was left unattended. If this is the case, even for a minute or two, it then becomes almost impossible for an insurer to argue successfully that

all items were delivered as they cannot discount the possibility that a passer-by removed something from the consignment whilst it was left unguarded. Even if it’s most unlikely that someone was able to gain access to the goods, any chance that they could have been tampered with, however small, will potentially assist the claimant in pursuing their claim.

Reseal owner-packed cartons with your own tape Generally speaking, claims for missing items from owner-packed cartons can be excluded under terms, but not when Insurance or Standard Liability is sold. If a claim relates to loss from an owner-packed consignment, insurers will generally ask the claimants to describe in writing such things as the carton in which the item was packed, where in the property the carton was collected from, how the carton was sealed and if there was any evidence of the carton being tampered with. Insurers often use this information to go back to the collection/delivery crew to confirm the details, which is possibly why surprisingly few claims are pursued beyond this point. However, resealing owner-packed cartons with the remover’s own tape helps to avoid any allegations of pilferage from cartons.

Feature – Tips and a case study on avoiding insurance fraud

Reason Global’s Claims Team provide some practical tips and a brief case study outlining how a client of Reasons narrowly avoided a fraudulent claim of almost £100k.

Best practice to avoid false insurance claims by customers

Reason Globalwww.reason-global.comContact Graham Puddephatt on tel: 01273 200 479 or by email: [email protected]

Contact Details


Industry News

52

M any of you will have been to Brighton, or London by the Sea as it is colloquially known. A mixture of

grandeur and tat, a higgledy-piggledy of architecture, a city at the cutting edge of social attitude, a place where wealth and poverty sit close by.

It was in this town (now a city) that my grandfather established a removal business in 1923. Like most start ups, the business was not exclusively removals. By day, he moved soil in the back of his truck for the Patcham (A23) Bypass and at evenings and weekends with hoops and canvass fitted, he carried out removals in the same truck. And like many start ups, he traded from home which, in those days, was Kemp Street, just off Trafalgar Street and a stone’s throw from Brighton main line railway station.

Somewhat surprisingly given the economic backdrop (General Strike, Wall Street Crash, the

Depression) the business must have prospered because by the early 1930’s my grandfather took a lease on the shop at 75 Trafalgar Street and that shop was to become the Brighton offices of the business for the next 75 years or so.

Over those 75 years, the buildings have had a number of cosmetic refurbishments, but that is all. We, being typical tenants, wished to minimise the amount of money we spend on a landlord’s property and the landlord showed little interest either, so gradually the building got tattier and shabbier and the lack of maintenance became more and more apparent. A severe storm meant buckets at the ready, and turn the electrics off!

However, in the 1990’s and in the middle of another recession came the chance to buy the freehold for £60,000, money we didn’t have. Ever resourceful, my father borrowed the money from the vendor, agreed to pay him 17 per cent interest and pay the loan off in a year’s time without, I think, the faintest idea where the money was going to come from.

It then took another 15 years or so to remove the tenants of the “social housing” above the office (people who didn’t understand that if you

Rob Bartup of GB Liners tells the epic tale of how the Brighton-established company moved out of their historic offices and converted them to flats and shops. After the worst global financial crisis in seventy years, and being confronted by reams of local authority paperwork and red tape, Rob finally completed the operation this year, preparing GB Liners for a new stage in its long and colourful history.

Cover Feature – GB Liners

GB Liners: Brighton, where it all began


Industry News

53

leave a bath tap running and the plug in…) and to obtain planning consent from the very, very politically correct, green influenced Council, all under the watchful eye of the Conservation Officer for this building, which sits right at the edge of the North Laine Conservation Area.All those battles fought, the builders arrived on site in July 2008 to strip the building back to four almost upright walls to build an extra floor above 73 and 75 with the envisaged end result being four flats for sale and three refurbished shops to let.

Now I am sure that many of you reading this will remember what happened in October 2008 and how grim the early part of 2009 was. I, of course, was the man with four flats ready for sale in April 2009. I was trying to sell them into what was probably the most difficult housing market for a generation. I also had a bank loan financing all this and banks were in their “we have no friends” phases.

But it was spring, the sun was out and, amazingly, three of the flats sold within ten days at the asking price with the fourth selling shortly after. Champagne went on ice.

You may get the feeling that this was all too good to be true, and it was. One of the purchaser’s solicitors asked Brighton Council to confirm that all the planning conditions had been complied with and were told, “No” and that enforcement action was being taken.

After some enquiries, it transpired that a Planning Officer had been to site in February, pronounced himself unhappy and he would be writing. Of course, there was no letter but we now had four unsaleable flats.

Next follows 10 months of negotiation with planners, including our friend the Conservation Officer, two sets of building work, one rejected by the Council and, finally, planning consent was given in May 2010. After another set of building work, we get the work finished in September 2010, the planners sign if off and all the flats are sold by Christmas. It takes another six months to collect compensation from the Architect’s professional indemnity insurers and then I can put all the files away. In 1981, we had built a warehouse on the adjoining site. So in the latest move in this chess game, we have built some new offices in the warehouse, in preparation for turning that building into a self-store. In August this year, after 78 years in 75 Trafalgar Street, we moved 10 yards away to the new offices. The next phase will see us sell the remaining shops, proceeds going into a new warehouse and offices on the Brighton outskirts with the existing warehouse and offices given over entirely to self-store.

Has it been hard work? Yes. Have I had sleepless nights? Yes. Would I do it again? Well maybe. Was it worth it? Probably. Is it more fun than the moving business? No.”

Cover Feature – GB Liners

“The next phase will see us sell the remaining shops, proceeds going into a new warehouse and offices on the Brighton outskirts with the existing warehouse and offices given over entirely to self-store.”

Rob Bartup, Managing Director, GB Liners.

The Brighton office: before...and after

George Bartup

The Training team at Brighton in the 70’s


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Feature – New Member Profile

Colin must be one of the only people in the business to have come to removals from the world of.... opera! For seven years,

Colin worked as Transport and Stores manager for English National Opera in London, which included managing over 80,000 square feet of warehouses, before accepting redundancy and using that payment to establish his own business.

“Originally I was going to be a man and van operation, but after the first six months (and losing 3 stone in weight), I quickly realised I didn’t want to be in that cut-throat world, so I bought a 7.5 tonner, already had my CPC National & International so got my operating licence, and went into removals in a much more professional way,” Colin says.

“We started the business in the recession and it’s been difficult,” he tells R&S. “We started by ourselves, from the ground up with nobody to take a lead from in the business, but we have traded through the recession and business has really picked up, and we soon had to buy another 18-tonner.”

It’s the top end of the market where The Transporter Removals has been seeing most action, and Colin has just acquired a second 18-tonner to respond to this demand.

“We’re moving away from the small stuff,” Colin says. “We are going for the upmarket niche, with 5-bedroom, 6-bedroom and 7-bedroom houses, not one-bedroom flats. It’s been a very busy summer and we actually lost work because we only had one 18-tonner. We’re inundated with work now, which is really encouraging – but it was a long time coming!”

The recipe for success is a familiar one: integrity, quality of services, and keeping prices

for jobs realistic and consistent. It’s a recipe that is of course fully in tune with the BAR philosophy of removals; Colin says he joined the Association last year to provide people with that guarantee of excellent service.

“We don’t cut corners,” Colin says. “We strive to offer quality service, where people have high expectations and receive what they expect, which is sadly lacking these days.”

“We have to hold our prices even though others may drop theirs,” he adds. “We are far below the tier that can drop prices when the market is quiet – we can’t afford to cut prices to ridiculous levels just to get the work and then try to increase them when costs escalate. We sometimes have to pick up the pieces for customers who have been dropped by their remover because it was priced during the downturn periods at a stupid price. We think that we and other BAR members should hold our nerve, and focus on the quality of service.”

“We think that for the last four years we have been setting the local benchmark for prices in Northampton. We’ve found that people will always pay for quality.”

Building a ReputationAs a young company, most of the work for the Transporter Removals comes from the company website and from word of mouth from satisfied customers.

But Colin has started to use the BAR lead generator, and says the BAR could play a much greater role in supporting its members in promoting themselves and the BAR online. He would also like to see more of a BAR presence on the ground in Northamptonshire, in the form

of area meetings. Buoyed by the success of last year, The Transporter Removals has just announced the launch of its business removals service, which Colin expects to be less of a cyclical business than purely domestic moves, with less peaks and troughs in demand. The company has also opened a new office in Pattishall, to extend its reach across the county.

And in stark contrast to the challenges the company faced when starting out four years ago, Colin says that one of his main problems now is in scaling up the business from part-time to full-time employees and building a full-time driving crew, as there is now enough work to get the lorries out every day.

“Time after time we are now seeing work coming back to us from returning customers and from customers who refer us to other people,” he says. “It’s taken four hard years to win that reputation, and we are committed to giving our customers the highest quality removal service in every aspect to maintain it.”

“We think that we and other BAR members should hold our nerve, and focus on the quality of service.”

Colin Wood, Managing Director, The Transporter Removals.

The Transporter Removals

The Transporter Removals Northampton entered the trade four years ago, just as the worst recession in living memory began to break. As the owner Colin Wood tells R&S, times have been tough since then, but the company has established a strong position in the top end of the Northampton market, and last year was able to expand its fleet and diversify into business removals.


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Feature – Affiliate Profile

Steel Storage

An ever-increasing proportion of BAR members are expanding into the self-storage sector, and the market for self-

storage design and construction remains as competitive as ever. One of the main players in this market, Steel Storage, has in-house manufacturing capability and over the course of the last ten years has supplied self-storage solutions to an impressive roster of BAR companies: Hackworthy and Sons, Luker Brothers, Yeates Removals, Martell’s of Sutton, Cadogan Tate, Matt Purdie and Sons and Britannia Premier.

The company’s close commercial and social links to the Association helped it build its business in its early years and then to consolidate its market share through the downturn. Steel Storage is a regular exhibitor at the Annual Conference and sponsored the recent short hole competition at the CMG golf day.

Adrian Starling, the company’s sales and marketing director for Europe, says that “self-storage is one of the fastest growing segments in the real estate industry and in Europe it’s really only just getting started. It’s a natural extension to the moving business, as it allows the customer to have access to their possessions while they are waiting for their new home to become available. Adding self-storage to an existing moving business can provide BAR members with an additional steady revenue stream.”

Like most people involved in the self-storage business, Adrian is upbeat on the long-term prospects for growth, given the level of catch-up that the UK and Europe still have to play to reach US standards of penetration.

“The USA now has a self- storage space for every 12 people,” he says. “We estimate that in the UK this figure is around one unit per every 184 people, so there is plenty of room for growth.”

The self-storage industry began in America in the 1960s and has doubled in size every decade since. In the United Kingdom, self-storage first began to take off when Steel Storage set up its office and factory in Twickenham in 1996, building on the company’s experience in building self-storage facilities in Australasia since 1991.

“The current economic situation has not had a major impact on the average self-storage operator,” Adrian says. “The need for self-storage has remained important to people despite the economic slowdown; some even having to use self-storage for the first time due to changes in their situation caused by the economy.”

“At Steel Storage we have noticed a slowdown in new facilities being built, but they are still being built – not just by existing operators but there are also new entrants coming into market, and some of those have a mover background.”

Steel Storage is one of the self-storage sector’s best-known companies. Sales and marketing director Adrian Starling talks to R&S about how the industry continues to grow in the UK and about the company’s relationship with BAR. He also discusses the launch of Steel Stak, a self-storage product designed specifically for the removals industry.

Steel Stak A key to the company’s success has been its investment in research and development, often in customer-led projects that result in the launch of creative new products in the market.

Adrian says that one of the company’s recent innovations, Steel Stak, is particularly well suited to the removals industry. Steel Stak is a steel container that is durable, ventilated and lockable and provides a secure solution to store customers’ personal items. It can handle a loading capacity of up to one metric tonne and it is possible to stack up to four containers on top of each other.

“Steel Stak provides a good alternative to the current storage method of wooden crates,” Adrian explains. “Because it is stackable it can fully maximise any available floor space and it’s easy to take down to provide quick access to customers.

An added advantage that Steel Stak has over wooden crates is that Steel Stak containers can be listed as assets (wooden crates are considered packing materials) and therefore they can be insured!”

For Adrian, the company’s partnership with the removals industry remains a strategic priority for Steel Storage. “Self-storage and moving really complement each other and there are many opportunities for cross selling,” he says.

“Customers who come in for self-storage may require moving services and customers who come in from the moving side of the business may well be interested in storing their belongings; having a one-stop-shop provider of both moving and self- storage is bound to enhance their commercial offering.”

And he says that Steel Storage can adjust the design of their Steel Stak product to suit the space that BAR members have chosen for their self-storage operations.

“If a BAR member is thinking of self-storage we would start with a feasibility study to determine if any proposed building is viable or we can help find a suitable building if so required,” he explains.

“After this consultancy period we put together an optimised space mix design that is fully tailored to our customer’s wishes within any potential building constraints. We then manufacture the products made to measure based on the design. Finally, we’ll send in our experienced fit-out crews to install our products and provide a quality facility which includes partitions, mezzanines and fire protection all of which are assembled to the highest standard.”

“Self-storage is one of the fastest growing segments in the real estate industry and in Europe it’s really only just getting started.”


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Feature – International Associate

Biddulphs InternationalRyan Gibbons of Zimbabwe-based Biddulphs International talks to R&S about how the company has prospered and diversified throughout all the country’s changing economic fortunes.

B iddulphs is an international household and office goods transportation company based in Zimbabwe, South

Africa and Botswana, specialising in overseas shipping, removals, storage and commercial distribution.

Ryan Gibbons, who oversees all operations, explains Biddulphs International is a fourth generation family owned business that was established by the late Fred Biddulph over 80 years ago in Salisbury, Rhodesia, now known as Harare. A South African operation with head office in Pretoria has also been set up. The South African business has long been a BAR associate, and many BAR members will have worked with them.

Now that the Zimbabwe economy is stabilising, and hyperinflation has been banished to the past, Ryan says Biddulphs’ local business has at last been able to join its South African cousin in BAR. “We are currently working on revamping our operations and with the economy showing strong signs of recovery it has now been possible to join the BAR,” Ryan explains. “We’ve been working with many BAR, IAM, FIDI and UniGroup Worldwide UTS members over the years.”

“Biddulphs as a group have always believed in providing the very best quality and customer service,” Ryan adds. “Linking up with the BAR as an international associate will help us to improve our global footprint and quality of service to the customer.”

In total, Biddulphs now have nineteen branches spread across Southern Africa. All branches have fully-staffed offices, vehicles and modern warehouses. Selected and trained agents have also been appointed in other areas to supplement the branch network.

All branches are equipped for overseas moving and the four main ports in South Africa together with Zimbabwe are utilised. These are situated in Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg and Harare. Biddulphs has over the past few years developed wide experience with the handling of contracts for large corporate companies.

In recent years, the company has diversified its operations in Zimbabwe. Its core business remains household (i.e. local, regional and international), office and furniture removals, together with short, medium, long term and bonded warehouse storage options. But Biddulphs now also uses its branch network to offer cross-border services (i.e. full load and groupage consignments) to and from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho. From time to time special trips can be arranged to destinations in Northern Africa.

In addition, the company is now one of Zimbabwe’s top three freight and logistics transporters, offering a daily overnight express service to all major towns and city centres.

Biddulphs is also one of the only removal companies in land-locked Zimbabwe that can offer its own direct transport of containers and customs clearance to the ports in South Africa, rather than sub-contracting services to third party transporters.

“For both overseas removals and cross border removal/freight services, customers can also take advantage of our pay one way programme due to our expansive branch network which enables us to provide a uniquely competitive service,” Ryan says.

Economic volatilityThe mix of the company’s business has changed, in accordance with the fluctuating fortunes of the Zimbabwean economy. Just prior to the hyperinflationary period in Zimbabwe, Ryan says the company experienced a huge volume of outboundshipments.

However, with the economy improving and now utilising a multi-currency system, the tables have now turned and Biddulphs is experiencing a “huge volume” of inbound shipments both from international agents as well as by road from surrounding countries within Southern Africa.

“We also receive a large volume of work from many of the expatriates coming into and out of the country along with the huge Embassy expatriate network in Zimbabwe,” Ryan says.“Immigration into our country is an important part of our work,” he adds. “We’ve been moving people for over 80 years so we’ve become very experienced at what we do and have been able to build up great working relationships with Immigration in being kept abreast of any changes that may affect the customer.

As we all know, immigration is a stressful process and since we offer a complete door-to-door service, customers usually prefer to go

through us for their immigration rather than using an external customs agent. We’re always here to help, even if it is not related to a household move.”

Currently however, the shipping department of the company is going through a reasonably quieter period than normal, as international companies have put their investments in Zimbabwe on hold more than likely due to the global economic financial crisis; “this has had a negative impact on the Zimbabwean removals market, but on the positive side of the economic crisis, local removals and office/corporate removals have picked up significantly, as companies and individuals move to find more affordable landlords as well as downsizing their operations accordingly.”

And in this volatile economic environment, the company is looking forward to working more closely with other BAR members.

“We hope that membership will benefit us and our trading through having a greater global footprint and awareness of whom to contact first for any household shipments, regardless of size or nature, into and out of Zimbabwe, as well as Southern Africa,” Ryan says. “We are looking forward to working with many more members within the BAR.”


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Steven Den Brinker, Business Development Manager, Interdean.

S teven Den Brinker has joined Interdean as Business Development

Manager, to maintain existing client relationships but also to generate new business in the corporate marketplace. Steven has gained a great deal of valuable experience throughout the thirteen years of his professional career. “I have spent a number of years working in buying and therefore I know how frustrating it can be dealing with

pushy salespeople who don’t actually want to listen to what your company’s needs are, they just want to sell their goods or services to you,” Steven said. “My experience has taught me that listening to clients is imperative and in doing so, I can build a tailored solution around their individual needs”.His native language is Dutch but Steven also speaks fluent English and German, making international transactions a lot easier.

Interdean Netherlands appoints Den Brinker

People News

Do you have any news to share with R&S readers?:

Send to [email protected]

M ark Muss has been appointed Regional Director, Alpine Region

effective January 1st 2012. Mark will now be based out of Interdean’s Geneva office and will be responsible for the following Interdean countries; Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia.

“We see this as a tremendous step forward in the evolution of Interdean. Mark has a very successful track record of building customer-focused service centres and so I am particularly excited to have him manage this region with its huge potential” said Dale Collins, CEO of Interdean Relocation Services.

Mark joined Interdean in 1995 and has enjoyed a successful career in the Moving and Relocation industry managing many aspects of the

business. Interdean also announced that Marc Meier has been appointed Director of Special Projects. In this new role, Marc will be assisting Dale Collins with numerous special projects to address and support the growth Interdean has seen over the past five years.

Marc joined Interdean in 1983, with a career in moving and relocation spanning 35 years. Marc’s most recent role saw him serving as the Managing Director of Interdean Switzerland, covering Interdean’s operations in Geneva and Zurich.

“Of course I am delighted to be able to assist Dale in my new role at Interdean” said Mark. “Given my tenure and experience in the business I am looking forward to adding value to the new Group as we strive for greater business efficiency and sustainability”.

2 Appointments at Interdean Switzerland

Mark Muss, Director of Alpine Region, Interdean Switzerland

Marc Meier, Director of Special Projects, Interdean Switzerland

For any 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]: www.basilfry.co.uk

Reason Global Insurance

Tel: 01273 739961Email: [email protected]: www.reason-global.com

Wellers

Tel: 0207 630 6665Email: [email protected]: www.wellersaccountants.co.uk

Backhouse Jones Solicitors

Tel: 01254 828 300Email: [email protected]: 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.


BAR NewsMemberships

Registered:The following Members have registered:

National & European Group

Dynamic International Freight Services LtdMemb No: D061Unit 1 Trident Industrial EstateBlackthorne RoadColnbrookSL3 0AXTel: 0175 368 2222Web: www.dynamic-freight-shipping.co.uk Swift Shift Removals LtdMemb No: S11747 Castle RoadAntrim BT41 4NATel: 0289 446 8743Web: www.swiftshift.co.uk

Applications:BAR has received the following applications for:


Funnels Removals & Storage LtdHylands Nursery Carshalton RoadWoodmansterneSurreySM7 3HZTel: 0173 735 0573Web: www.funnellsremovals.com

Grays Storage and Removals LtdUnit 1 23-47 Mare StreetHackney, LondonE8 4RPTel: 0208 525 2888

Kwik Move (UK) LtdUnit 1B Bonville Trading EstateBonville RoadBrislingtonBristolBS4 5QUTel: 0117 300 5885 Web: www.kwikmove.co.uk

International Associate

Willmove Worldwide RemovalsCtra. de los Santos de la Humosas/n, Parque Industrial Neinor Henares, Edificio 11, Nave 13 y 1428880 Meco-MadridSpainTel: 0034 918 864 345Web: www.willmove.net

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

International Associate Passies International Moving Co BVMemb No: P303

Termination:Non-Payment of Subscription


HPI Commercial Services Ltd Memb No: H100

BAR Memberships January 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


BAR News

Don’t delay! Send in your answers now to [email protected] The answers to last month’s quiz were: 1) Liam Fox 2) 75Bn pounds 3) Spain 4) Michael D. Higgins 5) Australia 6) Italy 7) DrachmaCongratulations to Keith Evans of Move-it Channelmoving who has won his company a free quarter page advert in a future issue of R&S.

• What is the EFSF? • What was Operation Ellamy? • Name three contenders for the position of Republican Party candidate for the US presidency.• What is a Tobin tax?• Who is the new Prime Minister of Italy?• Who were the try scorers in the Rugby World Cup Final?

Remember 2011? Here’s another chance to show you paid attention in 2011 (or carefully read the newspapers’ review of the year before tucking into a festive lunch!).

R&S Competition

North West Area

Contact: Annette Harris

0161 6534455

[email protected]

January 19

Northern Ireland Area

Contact: Dominic Murray

02890 748588

Dominicmurray@coastways

-storage.com

Scotland Area

Contact: Georgina Berry

0151 502220

[email protected]

January 10

Southern Area

Contact: Peter Doman

01372 385985

[email protected]

South Wales Area

Contact: Andrew Robbins

01792 584229

[email protected]

South Western Area

Contact: Sue Christophers

01637 872529

[email protected]

January 24

Sussex Area

Contact: Miranda Hyder

01342 870087

[email protected]


Diary Dates

Diary Dates

BOARD, COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS 2012

Board of DirectorsApril 4 - 10.00am-15.00pm

National CouncilFebruary 7 2012

Overseas Group CouncilFebruary 8 2012

CMG CouncilFebruary 9 2012

BAR AREA MEETINGS 2012

East Anglia Area

Contact: Andrew Pearson

01362 853777

[email protected]

January 10 – 12.00pm

The Flying Fortress

East Met Area

Contact: Paul Freeman

0800 413335

[email protected]

East Midlands Area

Contact: Andy Wade

01476 579210

[email protected]

Kent Area

Contact: Tom Bourne

01797 228000

[email protected]

New Met Area

Contact: Julie Thompson

01932 410100

[email protected]

Northern Area

Contact: Alan Hoggin

0191 5491194

[email protected]

January 24

Western Area

Contact: Ria Russell

01278 447099

[email protected]

January 10

West Midlands Area

Contact: Sarah Pargeter

01384 377786

[email protected]

Yorkshire Area

Contact: Graham Puddephatt

0845 6021775

GrahamPuddephatt@reason-

insurance.com

January 19

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

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 16 areas listed. Minutes from past 2012 area meetings can be viewed and

downloaded (where available).

* WEB BANNER for Series Display Advertisers on www.bar.co.uk (taking 5+ Issues per year)

Advertising Size Specifications (All sizes given as height x width in mm)

Full page(including 3mm bleed)

303 x 213 mmtrim: 297 x 210 mm

Full page(including 3mm bleed)

213 x 303mmtrim: 210x297mm

Half page135 x 190 mm

Quarter page

135 x 90 mm

Banner38 x 190 mm

Junior Half

88 x 123 mm

NEW!

NEW!

Looking for a size/format not shown? Please give us a call to discuss your requirements.

FREE

Please Note:All rates shown cover the cost of advert insertion only. Advertisers should provide their own advertising artwork. Removals & Storage can generate new or amend existing artwork for an additional charge.All advertising under £100 must be paid for in advance by debit/credit card (excluding AMEX).

Classified ratesSituations Vacant £2.15 per word (min 15 words)

Sales and Wants £2.15 per word (min 10 words)

Boxed Ad £30 (per singe column centimetre) (Picture £20 extra)

Box number £30

Loose inserts £280 (per 1,000 Inserts supplied)

Half page mono £510

Half page colour £615

Quarter page mono £425

Quarter page colour £500

Vehicle sales box £190

Trade ratesTrade notices are booked per unit or multiples thereof, and run for a minimum of 12 months. One unit measures 30mm x 1 column (60mm)

1 unit mono £395

1 unit colour £510

Copy dateThe copy date for all advertising is the 10th of the preceding month.

Mechanical spec All advertisements to be supplied as a high resolution PDF (Acrobat Distiller setings can be supplied on request). Page advertisements must be supplied with trim marks and bleed where appropriate. Half and quarter page advertisements do not require trim marks. Please send by email (file limit 10mb file, zip if larger) to: [email protected]

Guaranteed positionsAll guaranteed positions, excluding front cover, inside front cover, inside back cover and outside back cover, are charged at normal rates plus 20% and are subject to availability.

FREE

Journal of the British Association of Removers

Advertising Rates 1st January 2012 (All prices are subject to VAT at the current rate)

Display advertisement rates (per insertion) 1-4 insertions 5-8 insertions 9-12 insertions

Members/Affilliates

Non-membersMembers/Affilliates

Non-membersMembers/Affilliates

Non-members

Full colour Full page £745 £935 £730 £915 £710 £890

Half page £470 £590 £455 £570 £435 £545

Quarter page £280 £350 £275 £345 £270 £340

Junior half £260 £325 £255 £320 £250 £315

£890 £1,115 £870

£955 £1,195 £930

£1,090

£1,165

£965 £1,210

Inside front cover £850

Outside back cover £905

£1,065

£1,135

Front cover (full colour, per single insertion)

NEW SIZE

Banner £190 £235 £180 £230 £175 £225NEW SIZE

EnquiriesAll enquiries to: Sandra Zealand / Steve Pearce, Rubicon Marketing, 1a Badminton Road, Downend, Bristol BS16 6BB.Tel: 0117 957 5400Email: [email protected] [email protected]

Tel: 01923 699483

Membership enquiries to: [email protected]

Trade Services


Channel Islands

Isle of Man

Ireland

Scotland/Europe

Scotland and Islands

Austria

Italy

This space is available from just

£33 per month

Promote your services to over 4,000 UK based removers

from just £33 per month

SHETLAND ISLESIAN F REID

Removals & StorageUnits 5&6, Lower Blackhill Ind. Estate, Lerwick, ZE1 ODG

Regular nationwide serviceTel: 01595 696268 • Fax: 01595 693515

Email: [email protected]

Trade Services


Italy

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

TRADE ROUTES

TO ITALYFRANCE-AND OF

COURSE 01732 358900 ‘WHEN SERVICE MATTERS’EN ROUTE

France

Germany and Austria

Weekly Groupage Service Full origin and destination services available.

German speaking staff

WH HUMPHREY & SON LTD

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

Switzerland

Germany

Trade Services


Spain

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

Purely The Balearics, No Bull! WEEKLY

REGULAR

MALLORCAMENORCAMAINLAND

SPAINFRANCE

IBIZAPORTUGAL

CYPRUSNORWAY

Memb No: W001

TEL: 01202 576514FAX: 01202 574011

[email protected] www.whitesmovingandstorage.com

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

Cyprus

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

Cyprus and Malta

GREECEby Road

&ITALYENROUTE

• 7day transit time

• Twice-monthly departures

• BritishCrews & ProfessionalService

• Highlyrecommended in Greece

00441733311561 | [email protected]

www.nomad-international.com

Greece


£66 per month

Trade Services


IF IT’S ALLCHINESE TO YOU...

TRADE Part or Full LoadsBeijing, Hong Kong, ShanghaiDeliveries throughout P.R.C

Call: 0845 [email protected]

China

Regular Services to all Major Destinations Worldwide

Receiving in Windsor & StourbridgeContact Mike, Chris or Steve on

01633 488 [email protected]

Trade Rates to Europe

South Africa

United Arab Emirates

2 weekly trade service to South AfricaAlso cover Namibia | Zimbabwe

+44 208 749 0362 | [email protected]

Caribbean

Scandinavia

Regular TradeServices toUNITED ARABEMIRATESDubai, Sharjahand Abu DhabiFull & part loads

Contact Justine or Stuart on

01432 377477fax: 01432 279894

email: [email protected]

OVERSEASREMOVER

AdvancePayment

Guaranteed

Memb No: GO13

Israel

India

TradeServicesto INDIAOne point of entry fordelivery anywhere in India.11 receiving depotsFull & part loads

Contact Justine or Stuart on

01432 377477fax: 01432 279894

email: [email protected]

Memb No: GO13

ISRAELThe largest consolidators of HHPE

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

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

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

W o r l d w i d e R e l o c a t i o nFi n e A r t & A n t i q u e s S h i p p i n g

Worldwide

Space to Hire


£33 per month

Trade Services


www.tradestorage.co.ukWe are not a removal company oryour competitor, you are our clients

on which our business depends.

[email protected] or Swindon

0208 795 4838 or 01793 731696

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

Trade Storage Limited.

LOCAL MOVING • WORLDWIDE SHIPPINGWEEKLY EUROPEAN SERVICE

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

A family run business, Est. in 1968.

THE PIANOSPECIALISTS

Mem. No G005

100 BOLLO LANE, CHISWICK, LONDON W4 5LXTel: +44 (0) 20 8994 9733 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8995 0855Email: [email protected] www.gandrremovals.co.uk

G&R Advert 60x60mm:Layout 1 20/10/08 16

NO NEED TO GO ANYWHERE ELSE FOR YOUR TRAININGOPERATIVE TRAINING THAT COMES TO YOUR FRONT DOORPACKING • MANUAL HANDLING • EXPORT WRAPPINGVEHICLE LOADING • CONTAINER LOADING

REMOVAL SPECIFIC HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING ON SITEHEALTH & SAFETY POLICIES • HEALTH & SAFETY ASSESSMENT • ACCIDENT CONTROL • FIRST AIDRISK ASSESSMENT • HSE COMPLIANCE

Call BARTS on 01923 699484 or email [email protected]

Trailer Hire

Warehouse Containers

TRAILER HIREFrom car trailers to 3200 cubic feet

stepframes, 8 containercurtainsiders unsignwritten haulage

available too. (UK and Europe).www.tradestorage.co.uk/trailers020 8795 4838 or 01793 731696

Trade StoragePiano Specialists

Training


£33 per month


£33 per month

Classifieds


Wanted

1317 Merc (preferred) container van ‘06 or ‘07. Cash available. Contact John: 01224 213336 (Aberdeen) FULBOURN - TO LET -

WAREHOUSE UNIT

TO LET

For further information contact: Stephen LingEmail: [email protected]

Tel: 01223 884702

13,841 sq ft Warehouse, plus 1,900 sq ft Office space. Only 3 miles east of Cambridge.Easy access to A11/M11 and A14.

Two-storey office space to the front of the premiseswith open plan warehouse space.

Secure parking / loading area to front of unit.

Are You Looking To Sell?We are looking to buy good quality household moving

and storage compnies in London and the home counties.Please call 07933 123 123 in full confidence

Opportunities

Removals & Storage Business for Sale (East England based)

Rare opportunity to purchase long established company with excellent staff and reputation, 5 vehicles, large depot. Storage turnover £80k/pa.

Sale due to retirement. Contact 07845111243.

For Sale

CT Boxes (Demounts Bodies) for sale 1800 cuft rear barn doors, tie rails £6K + VAT each. Van Blankets For Sale 1.00 GBP + VAT each To view visit http://www.removalstoitaly.net/about.asp and click on video at bottom of page contact [email protected]

Wishing all our readers a Happy New Year

Make the mostof your BAR membership

For more information visit: www.bar.co.ukor contact: [email protected]

Instant recognition• Use of the BAR brand • OFT approved Code of Practice• FREE use of the BAR model Terms & Conditions

Award Winning Website www.bar.co.uk• Unique sales lead generator • Member’s search directory • Real-time online estimating & enquiry system • Member’s area with free broadcasts and noticeboard facilities

Networking Events• Annual flagship conference and exhibition

• Business seminars

• Area meetings

• Young Movers

FREE Professional Support& Advice• FREE legal advice line

• FREE financial advice line

• FREE informal conciliation service and low-cost arbitration scheme

FREE Products and Services• FREE Marketing & promotional materials downloadable from bar.co.uk members area

• FREE monthly issue of Removals & Storage (R&S) magazine

• FREE Award winning membership pack

Subsidised Products and Services• Comprehensive range of products, services and marketing materials from BAR Services at exclusive member rates

• Subsidised industry specific training

• Discounted advertising in R&S magazine

• Exclusive rates for industry specific Quality Standards

Exclusive Promotional Opportunities• Industry recognised annual awards: - Domestic Mover of the Year (DMotY) - Commercial Mover of the Year (CMotY)

Full member representation• BAR Board of Directors, including three directly elected members

• BAR Executive Committee

• Local representation through 16 BAR areas

• BAR Functional Group Councils and Special Interest Groups

PLUS• Access to full range of business partners: - Affiliates - International Associates - Professional Advisers Panel - Corporate Alliances - Furniture recycling - Confederation of British Industry (CBI) - Trade Association Forum (TAF)

• Easy Payment Terms: - Membership Subscriptions - Training Courses

• FEDEMAC membership including free European information on www.fedemac.eu

• Range of lobbying activities

• The Removers Benevolent Association (RBA) charity for the removals industry

• New Members Induction Incentive Scheme

RS January 2012

Documents

solicitors backhouse jones

greenhouse gas emissions

professional advisers panel

fastest growing segments

lars lykke iverson

richard healey removals

bar oft code

inside front cover