Grospiron International hosted a party on the free evening of the FIDI conference to entertain its partners from around the world. The party was held at the beautiful La Petite Maison restaurant in exclusive Palm Beach, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and with a panoramic view of Cap d’Antibes and the Lérins Islands.
SIRVA, and BGRS, both leading global relocation and moving companies, announced on 6 May, 2022 that they have entered into a definitive agreement to combine into a new organisation initially named SIRVA BGRS. The transaction is expected to close within the next 90 days and is subject to regulatory approvals.
A recent press release said that by bringing together two of the world’s leading relocation companies, the combined business will deliver unparalleled support to clients through diverse product offerings, robust technology and expanded global presence.
Chris Mackley, General manager of OMNI, talks to Paul Barnes of Inspire Global Mobility Consulting about the ways in which OMNI is pushing forward sustainability within its members. Chris talks about OMNI’s programme of workshops with academic Johan de Kam, and how it’s working with FIDI and IAM to encourage the whole industry to take the sustainability issue seriously.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WzJGRijqHZV1K1qxyjwN5UE-k85VI2kV/view
OMNI member Mudanzas Mundiales in Costa Rica has reported that, due to an alleged hacking, the platforms Administración Tributaria Virtual (ATV) and Tecnología de Información para el Control Aduanero (TICA) of the Costa Rican Ministry of Finance are temporarily out of service.
This service interruption directly affects the nationalisation and tax payment processes for the entry of merchandise into Costa Rica. Although the contingency plan for the National Customs Service is being executed, it only applies to exports, the other operations in the system will be re-established once the situation is solved.
Graebel in the USA has recently announced the appointment of Patti Wasson as its chief people and ethics officer. Patti will lead Graebel’s global human resources team, including employee relations; diversity, equity and inclusion; talent management; learning and leadership development; and total rewards.
OMNI held the latest in its World Series of online educational workshops on 29 March 2022. This time the subject was marine insurance. Tori Ferrante, OMNI Director, moderated the discussion with Marc Wille, CEO of Pac Global Insurance Inc. providing the expert input and Jason Will, Country Manager of Asian Tigers China offering a mover’s perspective.
Mudanzas Mundiales Group in Costa Rica has reported on a concert performed by the British band, Coldplay in the country. The concert launches its tour that aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 50% compared with its last tour in 2016-17. It was fitting that it should start in Costa Rica as the country stands out for its commitment to sustainability and its leadership in promoting measures and practices focused on mitigating its environmental impact.
OMNI (Overseas Moving Network International) has announced a full programme of workshops for 2022 focussing on sustainability within the moving and relocation industry. The workshops, which are open to all OMNI members and FIDI affiliates, will help companies to develop sustainability strategies and implement them throughout their businesses.
Wiebe van Bockel – CCO Voerman Update on war in UkraineGroup, provides an update on the situation in Ukraine
In this special update we would like to give you an overview of what we see as early consequences of the war in Ukraine. The consequences are way beyond Ukraine and Russia alone as this war progresses. As we have a large relocation, moving & logistics company in Russia, we see the impact daily with our own staff, but also with the clients we serve. We will continue to monitor the developments and keep you informed in the coming weeks on what is going on and what the impacts are due to this war in Europe. It is likely that this will have an influence on all our clients in one way or another.
OMNI member Ward Van Lines in Chile has reported that the long-standing technical problems it has been having with its phone service have now been resolved. The company said that it is ‘deeply sorry’ for any inconvenience caused to its partners. Connections have now been fully restored.
The correct number on which to contact Ward Van Lines is: +56 22 66 36 700
Brytor International acquires Formula Global Mobility and Granero Moving in Florida
Brytor International Moving in Canada, in collaboration with IMS Moving Network, has announced its acquisition of Formula Global Mobility LLC and Granero Moving LLC based in Florida. The company will has eight offices in Canada and will significantly expand its presence in North America through the acquisition.
Aires in Pittsburgh, USA has announced that its founder, Jim Putt, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Naples, FL, on March 1, 2022. He was 78 years old. The entire organisation mourns his loss and shares thoughts and prayers for his son Bryan and the entire Putt family.
Sir Alastair Robin ‘3rd Baronet and 9th Laird of Strathgarry’ Stewart, died peacefully, aged 96, on Sunday, 13 February at home in Walters Cottage with his beloved wife Patricia and his daughters Judith, Lucy and Catherine beside him. He had been quietly ‘winding down’ for several months and the end was very gentle.
Alastair was a director of Neale and Wilkinson Ltd from 1947–71 and the managing director of Stewart and Harvey Ltd from 1971–90.
A Commemoration & Celebration of Alastair’s full and happy life will take place on Tuesday 17 May 2022 at 12.00 noon at Walters Cottage, Little Baddow, Essex. Instead of flowers, Alastair requested donations to the Alastair and Patricia Stewart Charitable Fund, managed by Essex Community Foundation (Reg. Charity No 1052061). These can be made by electronic bank transfer to bank account sort code: 40-51-62, account no: 89735215; online via https://essexcommunityfoundation.enthuse.com/cf/sir-alastair-stewart; by cheque payable to Essex Community Foundation, 121 New London Road, Chelmsford, CM2 0QT or in person to the funeral director.
The family expressed its gratitude for the love and support he received in his final months.
Brytor International Movers in Canada has opened a new branch in Florida, USA to meet the growing demands of its customers including long-distance international moving between Canada and Florida. The new branch will be managed temporarily by the company’s CEO Jacques Monier. The new contact details are:
Address: 4740 NW 15th Avenue, Suite 3D Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Tel:
Miami: 786-788-0336
Orlando: 689-698-7639
Fort Lauderdale: 754-732-8251
Fabricio Bertoldo from Metropolitan Transports in Brazil, explains how the company’s membership of OMNI has helped it through difficult times in the past and helps it plan for a successful future.
Metropolitan Transports, has been one of the top international households goods movers in Latin America since it started in 1969, over 50 years ago. Along the way its main objective was to offer quality services and to aggregate value to its clients for its top tier multinational customers. It also diversified its business to become a leader in the record storage business, information technology management (Business Process Outsourcing and Business Process Management) and relocation. It has operations in the USA and throughout Brazil including major centres in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Curitiba. This allows the group to cross sell, share its fix costs and enhance investment capabilities.
Aires in Pittsburgh, USA has announced the promotion of Joleen Lauffer to become the company’s president. Current President, Jeff Wangler, will continue with Aires as Chief Executive Officer.
In an agreement signed on December 29, 2021 by Gosselin Group CEO Marc Smet and the founding co-owners of UniMove bv, Gosselin has agreed to acquire 100% of UniMove’s share capital; the business will operate from its existing Rotterdam premises and trade alongside Gosselin’s existing Dutch moving branch.
Chris Mackley, from the UK, has been announced as the new General Manager for OMNI (Overseas Moving Network International). Chris started working with OMNI at the beginning of January. He will work alongside Ian Waters, the current General Manager, until Ian leaves the organisation following the OMNI annual conference planned to take place in Marseille, France, in April. This will ensure a smooth handover of the management of the organisation.
Asian Tigers Korea has announced the promotion of Saenah Song to the role of Chief Executive Officer.
Saenah began her career with Asian Tigers in 2003 and has served in various leadership roles in the operations, business development and agent relations within the company over the past 18 years. “Accepting this new role is both humbling and a privilege,” she said. “I take comfort in knowing that Joseph has already accomplished the hard part and laid down a solid foundation from which to build on for the future. The mission for all our team members remains the same as day one, to continue serving our clients, colleagues, agents and partners with the utmost care and professionalism.”