The British Association of Removers (BAR) has announced a decision to leave FEDEMAC (Federation of European Movers Associations). FEDEMAC’s main function is to express the concerns and needs of the moving industry on European level and to co-ordinate national activities with European impact.
John Mason International offers foreign exchange service
John Mason International has recently unveiled its new foreign exchange (FX) service for clients. The company says it is offering allows customers to transfer money across the globe with the click of a button.
“As well as moving their belongings to new homes abroad, our customers have a whole host of additional things to deal with,” said John Mason International director, Simon Hood. “We’re delighted to be taking another worry off their shoulders – making money transfers as simple and stress-free as possible.”
Unlike most banks, John Mason International FX doesn’t charge transfer fees or commission costs.
“We save our clients between two and three per cent, compared to bank exchange rates,” added Simon. “That is more than £1,000 on £50,000 – and as much as £3,000 on £100,000.”
John Mason brings family together for golden & ruby wedding anniversaries
Dover couple Cath and Sam Alwan couldn’t believe their luck when a representative from John Mason International Movers called to give them the good news that they had won the company’s Australia Day competition – a pair of tickets to Australia!
John Mason has been helping families move to Australia for over 130 years and this year put together a quirky Crocodile Dundee tribute video celebrating Australia Day, which caught Cath’s eye as she browsed her social media. When she saw there was a chance to win a trip down under, she thought she’d give it a go!
Cath and Sam had been planning to visit her brother and his wife in Perth this year, as she and Sam are celebrating their ruby wedding anniversary and her brother Paul and his wife Denise are celebrating their golden anniversary. However, various problems with their car meant that the money they had put aside for the trip, had to be spent on a new vehicle.
But now they can resume their plans, thanks to John Mason and ‘Croc’ Dundee, and can’t wait to get down under to celebrate. Indeed, when Cath took the call from the company, she didn’t believe the news at first saying, “I never win anything! Are you sure?”
Simon Hood, Sales and Marketing Director John Mason said, “It was one of the best phone calls we’ve ever made, Cath’s joy and excitement at the forthcoming trip are infectious and we can’t wait to hear all about it.”
After being assured she really had won, Cath was overwhelmed with excitement as this now means she can be reunited with her family for their double celebration. “I can’t wait to tell everyone,” said Cath. “I don’t usually enter competitions and never win, but I am so happy that I entered this one.”
1,000th Neopanamax vessel passes through the expanded Panama Canal
Less than nine months after the historic inauguration of the expanded Panama Canal, managers have announced that the 1000th Neopanamax vessel has passed through the waterway, highlighting the importance of the route and customers’ continued faith in the safe, efficient service the Canal provides.
On Sunday, March 19, the containership Mediterranean Shipping Company’s MSC Anzu made the historic transit through the expanded canal, from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. The Panama-flagged containership measures 299.98 meters in length and 48.23 meters in beam with a carrying capacity of 9,008 TEUs. During its transit, the ship called at Panamanian port terminals on the Pacific and Atlantic to discharge and load cargo on the way to its final destinations. The container ship is part of the SAWC-USA-NWC service between Europe, the United States and the South America West Coast that was consolidated last year to take advantage of the expanded Panama Canal.
Panama Canal Administrator Jorge L. Quijano said, “Today’s transit represents a considerable milestone, marking the industry’s strong adoption of the expanded Canal and its successful operations thus far.”
The container segment accounts for nearly half the transits through the Canal and represents its principal source of traffic. Fifty-three percent of containership cargo transiting the waterway does so using the expanded Canal. As of March 2017, the average number of Neopanamax vessels transiting the new lane per day is 5.9.
“Although the full impact will be felt gradually over time, we’re very encouraged by the success of the expanded Canal thus far as trade patterns continue to shift in favour of the route,” said Panama Canal’s Executive Vice President of Planning and Business Development, Oscar Bazan.
Ports around the world, and in particular along the U.S. East Coast, have already expanded or are in the process of deepening and widening their channels to accommodate the influx of Neopanamax vessel traffic due to the expansion. Many of these ports have witnessed record tonnage months, including the Ports of Charleston, Philadelphia and Savannah, which experienced record container volume growths in January of this year.
Image: MSC Anzu in the new Panama Canal
Matt Andrisani joins Voerman Group
Matt Andrisani has joined the Voerman Group. Matt has experience in working at an RMC (Relocation Management Company) and has a background is in client services, account management, business development, household goods moving, destination services and supply chain.
Matt will be managing relationships with both RMCs and key global accounts.
New president and chairman for Crown as Tom Doyle retires
Crown Worldwide Moving & Storage in California announced recently that its Board of Directors has appointed Salvatore (Tori) Ferrante as President and Chief Executive Officer effective immediately. Bob Bowen, Crown’s CEO for over nine years, will be assuming the role of Chairman of the Board and Tom Doyle, one of Crown’s original investors, will be retiring from that position.
Tori joined Crown in 1985 as a corporate sales executive after working for several years for Commercial Business Establishments (CBE) in Saudi Arabia. His international moving experience and sales acumen won him the role of president of the international division when Bob Bowen assumed the role of CEO in 2008. Tori’s contributions include spearheading Crown’s move-management software integration, instrumental in Crown’s merger with Armstrong Relocation’s family of companies all while maintaining an enviable sales record. He currently functions as the head of the international division for Crown and Armstrong. A strong voice in his industry, Tori is presently president of the U.S. Section of FIDI and a Director of OMNI. Tori is also very active in the ERC and other industry associations.
“It has been inspiring to watch Tori grow over the years both as a leader in our company and in our international associations where he is well respected by his peers,” said Bob Bowen. “Tori has proven to be even keeled, making decisions based on gathering all the facts and placing emphasis on providing quality to our customers and training for our employees. I am confident Tori will take on his new role, focused on the growth and success of Crown, with the same enthusiasm and professionalism which he has displayed for the last 31 years.”
“We didn’t even own a truck, just a lease to a warehouse in San Francisco,” said Bob Bowen when asked what the company was like when he joined. Bob was one of the early investors in Crown. At the time he was still working for Del Monte where he had cut his teeth in the transportation industry. U.S. military service pulled him away for a while, but upon his return to civilian life he joined Crown full time. He ran the international division for 30 years before becoming CEO in 2008. During that time he served on the OMNI (Overseas Moving Network International) board and in 1994 founded OSA (Overseas Shippers Association) a non-profit organization dedicated to helping its 200 members negotiate effectively with the global ocean carriers to move household goods and related commodities. As CEO Bob expanded the company to Sacramento, CA and relocated its operation in Los Angeles, CA to a state of the art facility in 2013, and revenue grew from approximately $20M in 2009 to $30M in 2016. In assuming the role of Chairman, Bob will focus on training, quality, cost containment, process improvement and supporting Tori as he grows into his new role. He also plans to remain an active member of the industry he loves by continuing to serve as director and member of the executive board of OSA.
Tom Doyle has been a calm leader for Crown in a tumultuous industry. In 1960, after achieving the rank of 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, he began a career in the moving and storage business that now spans over five decades. In 1972, when Crown was founded by Bob Menne, Tom was an initial investor. Originally charged with building a sales team for both household goods and office moving business, his leadership and resourcefulness were rewarded when he was promoted to President of the Domestic Division in 1973. While working for Crown Tom also served on the Unigroup board for six years. It was during this time that United Van Lines purchased Mayflower Transit and Van Liner Insurance Company. When Bob Menne decided to retire in 1999 it was clear to the board of directors that Tom should take over his role as Chairman. The role that Tom now proudly passes to Bob Bowen. Tom will remain on the Crown board of directors, but his retirement will give him more time to spend with his wife Pat, their four children and three grandchildren.
“Crown represents 45 years of my life,” said Tom. “Being part of a startup was challenging and its growth has been exciting. I am proud of Crown and know that the company will grow and prosper under this new management structure.”
John Mason celebrates Australia Day 2017 with quirky ‘Crocodile Dundee’ campaign
John Mason International Movers has followed up on last year’s ‘Removals Men’ video, with an even more ambitious and successful ‘Crocodile Dundee’ inspired video and social media campaign to celebrate Australia Day 2017 on 26 January.
Having helped over 50,000 people take the plunge Down Under during its 130-year history, the Aussie national holiday marking the anniversary of the arrival of the first fleet of convict ships in Sydney Cove in 1788, is a big deal for John Mason.
The international movers marked the occasion by coming up with an innovative digital campaign, which offered two people the chance to win a trip to Australia after watching a clip of ‘Mick Dundee’ wreaking havoc in London. Onlookers in the clip are left stunned by the bizarre antics of a man going walkabout in full Crocodile Dundee outfit.
Of course, people watching the video quickly realise it is not Mick Dundee, of iconic 80s film Crocodile Dundee. Instead it is a character called Terry Chadwick, customer removals operation coordinator (CROC) of John Mason – described as a “Pommie who loves Australia even though he has never been there!”
Simon Hood, Sales and Marketing Director John Mason said, “We have been delighted with the response to the video across our social media platforms, from customers and colleagues alike. We wanted to produce a humorous and engaging series of films, with the aim of ensuring the maximum number of people were exposed to the John Mason brand and excited about Australia Day.
Bridge closure in Kuwait means delays for two years
The Ghazali bridge connecting the main seaport Shuwaikh to Kuwait city has been closed for a period of two years for road development works. The closure is likely to create traffic chaos until motorists become familiar with alternative routes. The temporary road under the bridge is only open to heavy trucks and trailers from 4-10pm Sunday – Thursday.
The closure is likely to cause delays in handling containers from the port. OMNI members should work closely with their agents in Kuwait to monitor the situation and advise clients of delays and additional costs that may accrue.
Import Delays at Apapa, Nigeria
Yinka at IAL Nigeria has advised that household goods shipments to Nigeria are now subjected to more intensive customs examinations due to an incident two weeks ago where a lot of guns and ammunition was found in an import shipment that arrived through the Apapa ports.
Consequently, we have noticed an increased number of officers attending the examinations which ultimately results in more boxes being pried open with an equal increase in levels of pilferage and indeed damage.
We will continue to try our best to avoid any unpleasant outcomes but will appreciate that prospective transferees are informed of the likelihood of delays and rummaged boxes.
Thank you.
Aires awarded prestigious Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Ethics
Aires has been awarded the Torch Award for Ethics by the Better Business Bureau of Western Pennsylvania. Aires received the award in a presentation ceremony conducted at the company’s Pittsburgh, PA headquarters and attended by Better Business Bureau representatives, Aires clients, and members of the Allegheny County Council.