Anyone running a business knows how difficult it is to find and retain good staff, and in times when vacancies are plentiful, it’s more difficult than ever. Paying people properly is obviously very important, especially when inflation in many counties is in double digits, but there is much more to it than that. Making your staff feel valued and treating them with respect and compassion is equally important if you want to recruit and keep the best people in your team.

One company, Global International Relocation, based in Portugal, has taken this approach even further and appointed Chief Happiness Officer, Fábio Pina, to oversee a team of HR professionals who manage the wellbeing of all employees and their emotional bond with the company.

Fábio is no stranger to keeping employees happy, having held a number of similar positions since starting his career in 2017.

Fábio said, “I believe my journey on this earth is and will be travelled by moving people along their path. I humanise all corporate processes towards a full life, with sense and meaning. I do my best to manage human emotions within organisations, seeking to anticipate the people’s needs and desires so that they have the tools, resources and motivation to perform well in their functions and being able to be the happiest possible.”

Photos: Fábio Pina; Members of the team at Global International Relocation.

Gosselin in Belgium has acquired two warehouses in Vilvoorde near Brussels as well as 50% of the shares of operating companies Transmoove and NNOF from the current shareholder Vebego. The Joint Venture came into agreement on 28 April 2023. The remaining 50% of the shares of the operating companies have been acquired by the current management team under the leadership of Christophe Pierre.

“With this acquisition, we will be able to further diversify our service offering with the office moving, office design and furniture refurbishing business. We are impressed by the value proposition of NNOF and Transmoove, the competence and the dynamic of the teams as well as the purpose-built infrastructure,” said Marc Smet, CEO of the Gosselin Group.

Marcel Jörg, CEO of Gosselin Moving added: “The intention is to further strengthen and enhance the moving capacities of Gosselin in its home market, Belgium. In addition, Gosselin seeks synergies on the international moving side between the Brussels based Transmoove operation and Gosselin’s Antwerp based headquarter operation.”

The company has stated the new shareholders’ intention to explore the expansion of the business into other European markets in the mid-term.

Philippa Robinson took over as OMNI President on Monday 3rd April during the OMNI Conference in DaNang, Vietnam. On taking over she thanked Walter Lafitte (pictured presenting Philippa with a bouquet of flowers), for all his hard work during his presidency during a particularly testing time.  She thanked the OMNI members for their confidence and signaled her intention to work with the board to continue the development of the organisation.

Rob Lilwall, global explorer and National Geographic TV star, wowed the OMNI audience with his stories of adventure under some of the harshest conditions on Earth when he performed as the keynote speaker at the DaNang conference.  He delivered a message that resonated strongly with the audience, comparing the resilience and agility he needed during his extraordinary exploits to the qualities industry leaders need to ensure successful businesses in an uncertain future.

Walter Lafitte, OMNI President, opened the OMNI conference this morning in the wonderful Intercontinental hotel in DaNang, Vietnam.  He included in his speech a strong message focusing on strong leadership and sustainability in a rapidly changing world.

The OMNI conference in DaNang opened with a welcome reception at the trendy Sky 36 bar on the roof of the Novotel overlooking the city and the famous Dragon Bridge.  Guests were treated to exceptional food, a glass of wine or two, fire dancers and the company of friends and colleagues ahead of the business sessions to be held in the stunningly beautiful Intercontinental hotel overlooking the South China Sea.

As delegates start to arrive at the OMNI conference in DaNang they will be welcomed into a unique haven of cool peace and tranquility. The ideal place to relax and work together on business strategy.

OMNI member Vinelli and Scotto in Milan, Italy wishes to announce that its international division, V&S by Fercam, will now operate under the brand name Fercam Removals and Relocation.  The old email addresses will continue to operate but will, in time, be replaced by new ones.  Agents are recommended to use the following email addresses in future:

for enquiries: removals-relocation.partners@fercam.com

for billing milano-vignate.invoice@fercam.com

for any team member:  name.surname@fercam.com

OMNI (Overseas Moving Network International) has recently announced that it has accepted hasenkamp in Spain into membership.  The company joins SIT to become the second OMNI member in the country.  hasenkamp in Germany has been a member of OMNI for many years.  The hasenkamp group also has offices in Belgium, Poland, Moscow, UAE, Qatar and Cuba.

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The sixth and final episode of the OMNI sustainability series of online workshops, hosted by academic, consultant and trainer Johan de Kam took place on the 18^th January 2023.  It was attended by OMNI and FIDI members.

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Robinsons in the UK has announced the recent death of Ian Brown who had been with the company since 1994.  He died on 7^th February following a short illness. His family were by his side. Anthony Robinson commented. “We will all miss him more than words can express, he was not just an employee but a mentor, wise counsellor and friend to everyone.”

Photo:  Ian Brown

 Aires has promoted Jennifer Murr to vice president for the Gulf Coast Region. In her new role, she will continue to oversee regional operations, sales, and profitability, while expanding her work on the executive leadership team.

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Jacques Monier, CEO of IMS-Brytor, has announced that the company’s new branch in Seattle is now fully operational. The new branch has also achieved FIDI Certification.

Juan Romero oversees the Seattle branch, in addition to those in Vancouver and Calgary. Robson Granero, as Business Development Director, will use his success in Florida and apply it to the Washington State.  Customers will be supported by move consultants Fabiana Costa and Geraldine Taboada.

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K C Dat in Singapore, trading as Asian Tigers Singapore, has announced the promotion of Patrick Goh and Kelvin Yap to the positions of Senior General Manager and General Manager respectively for moving services. Both Patrick and Kelvin have been working in business development for the company for almost 20 years. In their new roles, they will continue to oversee client relationships and all things moving services.

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AGM Relocation Ltd (AGM Group) has announced the acquisition of The Senior Move Partnership, a specialist senior relocation services provider based in the UK.

Celebrating its tenth anniversary this year The Senior Move Partnership provides high quality, sensitive, bespoke, specialist relocation services to the senior living sector. This acquisition sees AGM Group adding to its portfolio of market leading removal and relocation brands.

The Senior Move Partnership will further expand AGM Group’s service support nationwide and is a perfect fit to the group’s strategy to meet the diverse needs of their clients.

Effective from the acquisition:

• The Senior Move Partnership will continue to operate throughout their existing network of partners within the UK.
• Clients will have full access to The Senior Move Partnerships services and benefit from all AGM Group brands.
• Service between The Senior Move Partnership and its clients will continue uninterrupted and will not be affected.

Russell Start, AGM Group CEO, commented: “We are excited about the prospect of The Senior Move Partnership brand integrating into the AGM Group of companies. This will allow us to expand our relocation services into an exciting new market and extend our service offerings across the brands. We look forward to welcoming The Senior Move Partnership to the AGM family as we continue to deliver great service and value to our customers, whatever their moving requirements.”

About The Senior Move Partnership
Formed in 2012 The Senior Move Partnership provide high quality, sensitive, bespoke, specialist relocation services to the senior living sector. The Senior Move Partnership have a network of Senior Move Managers across the UK working to ensure that a later life move is a positive experience.

Over the past ten years The Senior Move Partnership have been helping make life-changing moves happen for thousands of their clients. Supporting senior movers in all kinds of circumstances – from those moving down the street, to clients relocating to the other side of the country. The adaptability of their bespoke service they offer is one of the founding principles intrinsic to senior move management.

Photo: Russell Start

The 23^rd November 2022 saw the fifth in OMNI’s series of six sustainability seminars hosted by academic, consultant and trainer Johan de Kam.  Whereas the first four in the series looked at strategy, reducing waste, employee management and developing low carbon corporations, session five focussed on organisational culture and sustainability. The session was open to all OMNI and FIDI members.

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The Suddath Companies (TSC) in the USA was recently honoured for making significant global business contributions to northern Florida. The JAXUSA Partnership, the economic development division of JAX Chamber, selected TSC as the 2022 recipient of its International Company of the Year award.

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Asian Tigers is working to help provide relief to the people of Cianjur, West Java, following a major earthquake in November last year.  Indonesia is prone to earthquakes because it is on the Ring of Fire, an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Ocean basin. The shoe-shaped area stretches for 40,000 kilometers (25,000 miles) and is the site of most of the world’s earthquakes.

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Aires has announced that the company has earned the 2022 Juan Peralta Ecology Award for Outstanding Achievements and Contributions in Sustaining and Protecting the Environment from the Pan American International Movers Association (PAIMA). This is the fourth time Aires has earned this recognition from PAIMA.

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