Graebel becomes a signatory member of the UNGC
29th September 2016

 
Graebel Relocation was recently named a signatory member of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the world’s largest corporate citizenship and sustainability initiative. 
 

Companies that have signed the United Nations Global Compact are expected to align their operations and strategies with ten universally-accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment, and anti-corruption. By doing so, business, as a primary driver of globalization, can help ensure that markets, commerce, technology, and finance advance in ways that benefit economies and societies everywhere.
 

“We are very proud of Graebel’s CSR program and activities,” said Bill Graebel, Chief Executive Officer. “We determined that the UN Global Compact is an ideal initiative to unify our worldwide support for progressive human rights, labour, environmental and anti-corruption actions. In the area of human rights and labour we have identified being the ‘Employer of Choice’ as one of our critical company objectives. Further as we have expanded globally we have updated many of the company’s and supply chain policies and procedures to meet and exceed local requirements and to aggressively support our commitment to fair labour practices, freedom of association and to abolish child labour. We will use our ISO 14001 environmental program to support the UN Global Compact environment principles. Over the last year’s we have strengthened our anti-bribery programs and have conducted internal and external training. Graebel has many robust programs in place and will use the UN Global Compact annual ‘Communication on Progress’ to document these programs, identify areas for improvement and to establish metrics to measure our results”.

 

The Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact

Human Rights

Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and

Principle 2: make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses. 

Labour

Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;

Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;

Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labour; and

Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation. 

Environment

Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;

Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and

Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies. 

Anti-Corruption

Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.

 

Simon Hood promoted at John Mason
27th September 2016

 

John Mason International has appointed Simon Hood to its executive board, as sales and marketing director. 

 

Simon (32) joined the company to head up its marketing and sales team in 2015. Since then he has impressed in the role, raising the firm’s profile within the industry, in the wider relocation fraternity, and among consumers. 

 

With a combination of creative flare and a perceptiveness of market trends, Simon has gained individual business success since starting out in 2009.

 

Simon has worked within the global mobility industry for eight years – and has been recognised for his skills, expertise and achievements on several occasions during that time. Most recently, he was named in the top 10 of the Best Global Moving Rising Star of the Year category, in the International Mobility Convention’s Achievement in Mobility Awards.

 

Since joining John Mason International, Simon has cemented its reputation as one of the leading international moving companies in the UK. “This is a very exciting time here – and we are thrilled to be welcoming Simon to the executive board,” said Noel Briscoe, Chief Operating Officer at John Mason International. “Our team is world-renowned for the high quality services and support it provides to those wishing to up roots and move to pastures new. Simon’s enthusiasm, innovation, fresh outlook and creative strengths will further enhance our reputation as leaders in this field.”

 

Based in Liverpool and London, John Mason International is one of the top 100 removals companies in the world – providing professional, high quality, services to and from the UK to international destinations. Founded in 1884, the firm has many years’ experience within the moving industry, coordinating moves – tailored to individual circumstances – by sea, road and air.

 

“I’m flattered to be asked to take on a more senior role at this long-established and ambitious company,” said Simon Hood. “This is a fantastic opportunity – and I’m looking forward to some challenging but enjoyable and exciting times ahead at John Mason International over the coming months and years. The industry is undergoing a large amount of change brought about by new regulations and growing technology. John Mason has an excellent reputation within the industry and I’m looking forward to ensuring this, whilst we continue to see the company grow.”

 

Photo:  Simon Hood and Noel Briscoe

 

Shipping rates increase following Hanjin failure
26th September 2016

 

Xeneta’s global community of shippers is reeling from the impact of the demise of Hanjin Shipping, the world’s seventh largest containership operator. Xeneta crowd-sources shipping rate data from more than 600 major international businesses, many of whom have now been hit by stranded inventory, rising prices and – in a shock development for a sector struggling with structural overcapacity – claims of under-capacity from the remaining liners.

 

Oslo-based Xeneta is a global benchmarking and market intelligence platform for containerized ocean freight. Its community of shippers provide it with up-to-date information across over 17 million contracted rates, covering more than 60,000 port-to-port pairings. This gives it, and its customers looking to negotiate the best rates, an unrivalled real-time snapshot of the market.

 

That snapshot isn’t pleasant viewing for shippers right now. “The Hanjin saga has the potential to redefine the container shipping landscape,” commented Xeneta CEO Patrik Berglund. “For an industry that has struggled with collapsing rates, severe overcapacity (8.1% at the beginning of 2016) and devastated profit margins – with even Maersk down 90% year on year for Q2 – this marks an opportunity to finally regain the upper hand at the negotiating table.”

 

“Hanjin’s failure resulted in an immediate capacity reduction of up to 8% in transpacific and Asian-European routes and this gives competitors an obvious fillip. We’ve seen 2M (MSC and Maersk) moving to launch a new transpacific service, while the feedback we’ve received from our community details rising rates, stretched capacity, claims of broken contracts – when agreed at low prices – and a need to go to the spot market, where quotes of between one and three months are not being contracted.”

 

“In many ways the market has been turned on its head. Now it’s the liners flexing their muscles again. The question is, how long will this last?”

 

Berglund said that for many of the firm’s community it’s the stranded inventory that’s the number one priority, with an estimated USD 14.5 billion of goods marooned on vessels worldwide, belonging to some 8,300 different companies. Many of Xeneta’s customers have “hundreds of containers” stranded at sea.

 

That’s the immediate concern, but, as he explains, the long-term is also causing consternation. “Short term rates were already rising on the main Far East Asian to North European port route, the world’s most important trade channel, since hitting lows in March. Then the market average price for a 40’ container stood at USD 552, in late August it climbed to USD 1172 and now it’s USD 1834. Transpacific routes have climbed from USD 839 in March to USD 1887 now.

 

“As the year comes to an end the tendering/bidding season starts for many European shippers,” said Berglund. “This will be a wake-up call for the large-volume shippers who have maybe become accustomed to basking in long-term contracts at low rates. In a changed market the carriers won’t be as accommodating. Last term’s prices will suddenly be a distant memory.” 

 

The container segment has been stuck on a rollercoaster for years, Xeneta argues, and this latest corkscrew will do little to ease the sense of fluctuating rates and jolts in supply and demand.

 

“Stability is sorely lacking,” concluded Berglund, “and Hanjin could be the tip of the iceberg, as lenders tire of propping up players that have been limping along in this difficult market for too long. For the time being the carriers will enjoy exploiting the change of fortunes and their overcapacity gives them the means to step in and fill Hanjin’s hole. But this isn’t the long-term fix the industry needs.

 

“In this uncertain environment prices will continue fluctuating. That means shippers, freight forwarders and carriers need the latest data, from advanced software platforms like ours, to stay on top of developments and get the right price for their cargoes. There’s much more to come in this dynamic segment. I’d advise everyone to stay tuned.”

 

Strike at San Antonio Port, Chile
9th September 2016

Strike of Employees in Chile

OMNI would like to thank Ward Van Lines for informing us that …”members of the Union, who demand better job benefits, have today called for a strike in San Antonio Port in Chile.
Shipments arriving and departing from this Port, will have to be transferred to other local Ports.
However this means, delay in the logistical operations.”

NB: Advised 7th September ’16. 

 

09/09/16 – UPDATE

The strike is ongoing. Unfortunately at this date no further information is available.

As soon as we are made of any updates we will share them with you.

 

22/09/16 – UPDATE

The strike is now over and operations are expected to gradually return to normal.

Voerman International Winner in International Relocations & Mobility Category
6th September 2016

 

The National Business Success Award Institute has declared Voerman International BV as 2016 winner in the category of International Relocations & Mobility. According to the Nomination Committee, it has developed into a leading organization with a very strong position. “Voerman International combines its extensive expertise with an innovative approach, which makes it score very high on customer satisfaction. A stunning, highly innovative and socially involved company.”

 

Innovative, reliable, environmentally friendly and cost effective. Guided by Servant Leadership, both towards its employees, as well as its suppliers and customers. These are the words used to describe Voerman International and the way it takes care of all activities surrounding international removals. The Nomination Committee of the National Business Success Award Institute sees Voerman International as a progressive organisation that is going to enjoy even more success in the future.

 

Outstanding Category

Voerman has never been a traditional moving company – over the years, a unique business approach developed the organisation into a full-service relocation provider, focused on international relocations of expatriates and diplomatic missions. “A quick look at the Voerman website makes you realize you’re not dealing with your average moving company, but rather one of outstanding quality”, says Robert Zwaan, Head of the daily Nomination Committee. “All aspects that concern international removals are all dealt with by the staff. Insurance packages, for example, are an evident supplement to the scope of their services. When customers ask, Voerman will even find new homes for them.”

 

Furthermore, the company is remarkable through its technological innovations. A good example is the internetplatform move4u.com – an initiative (and property) of Voerman. “This platform is comparable to Ebay and brings together supply and demand on the international removals market,” said Robert Zwaan. “Even competing international movers are eager to use this website to find clients and search for services that fit their business. Meanwhile, Voerman has also launched a mobile App for this service.”  

 

Voerman also should be complimented on their corporate social responsibility, said the jury. There even is a Voerman Foundation, conducting various charitable activities, including support for an orphanage and charity for children with Down Syndrome in Russia. With money, goods and manpower, Voerman contributes to a better world, locally and globally. 

 

Voerman International BV was founded in 2011, however, the company originated in 1986, Headquartered in The Hague. Part of the Voerman Group, the organisation has offices in Russia, Poland and the Czech Republic. In the Netherlands, Voerman employs approximately 140 people (of which 70% are based in the HQ) and about 240 worldwide. 

 

The National Business Success Award Institute has been nominating the best companies in the Netherlands in specific sectors on the basis of strict criteria since 2011. A Success Award is based on extensive research to companies that have achieved excellent results in their industry and are a shining example of successful entrepreneurship. The National Business Success Award is the first and only annual business award in the Netherlands, with its own television programs ‘Successful Netherlands’ and the ‘Success Factor’. The top prize is 100,000 euros.

 

Image: Screen shot of Robert Voerman TV interview

 

See the full YouTube recording of Robert’s TV Interview here  

 

 

Suddath hires Mark Burchell
23rd August 2016

 

The Suddath Companies has announced the appointment of Mark Burchell as president of its Global Moving Services business unit.

 

Mark has been in the industry for over 30 years including ten years with Suddath (1997-2007).  Prior to re-joining Suddath®, Mark served as chief commercial officer for Santa Fe Relocation Services in London. In his new role, Mark will be responsible for leading the global household goods sales, corporate and residential, account management and customer service functions, as well as international operations and agency development for the recently formed business unit.

 

 “Mark brings a wealth of experience in leading teams on a global scale having previously held senior roles in both the US and Europe,” said Michael Brannigan, president and chief executive officer of The Suddath Companies. “He will help lead and strengthen our global moving services organisation as we look to accelerate the global growth of these businesses, and innovate our product offerings and service delivery model. We are very fortunate to have Mark join and lead a strong team to take us into the future.”

 

Mark will formally join Suddath in October upon completion of his current responsibilities with Santa Fe.

 

Suddath launches redesigned website
22nd August 2016

 

 

The Suddath Companies has launched its new website, www.suddath.com. The redesign, which merged a total of 36 individual sites into one, was commissioned as part of an overall digital strategy following an extensive internal and external audit of the Suddath brands. The primary objectives of the site redevelopment were to give a good first impression and provide new content to better reflect the vision of the 97-year old organization and to enhance the customer experience.  This includes:

 

•Consolidated service offerings: Moving & Relocation, Workplace Solutions and Global Logistics

•Vibrant design and a clean layout to take visitors on a journey through the organisation

•Responsive technology that allows customers to move seamlessly across mobile, tablet and desktop devices

•Information center that includes industry updates, best practices, current events and key tips to educate customers

•Interactive locations map that shows the Suddath footprint, contact info and offers Google-integrated driving directions

 

 

“To help better showcase our corporate DNA and brand, we have completely redesigned our website to establish our diversified service offerings under one Suddath brand and to serve as a resource and reflection of the many ways we are reimagining the way the world moves,” explained Melinda Byrnes, senior vice president of marketing, communications and brand management. “The new Suddath.com design aesthetic and site architecture now very accurately reflect the modern Suddath and align our brand, our services and our culture into one web-based experience.” 

 

 

John Mason adopts SurveyBot technology
15th August 2016

 

 

John Mason has recently adopted the use of SurveyBot: a new technology that allows customers to record video inventories and receive quotes via their own smart devices. 

 

“We are among the first in the UK to use this pioneering software with our clients – and it’s completely re-shaping and enhancing our offering here,” said John Mason International’s Simon Hood. “People connect with us on a recorded video chat, show the items they want to move, and they get a quote. It really is that simple and convenient. Having the ability to take video and turn it into an accurate inventory list is a game changer. It allows our customers to interact with us in their own way, right from their mobile phones.

 

Simon said that SurveyBot makes his service more efficient and affordable and offers customers convenience and flexibility, as well as ensuring information security. All videos are recorded, avoiding any risk of discrepancies. “We’ve already had a great reaction from our clients,” he said, adding that he believed it would transform the future of transportation, logistics and supply chains. “It could even be the beginning of the end of home removal surveyors.” 

 

Daniela Alpert, founder and director of business development at Crater, added: “With our video survey platform and virtual management solution, we’re breathing new life into a decades-old industry. We are providing the necessary, innovative, tools and software for moving companies that will support them in meeting the demands of this fast expanding digital landscape. We are pleased to now be in partnership with John Mason International and are extremely confident that our technology will see them through their mission to provide a flexible moving experience for their customers.”

 

European Commission bans GRIs
15th August 2016

 

 

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) in the UK says the European Commission’s adoption of new pricing rules for shipping lines will modernise the industry and bring it into the 21st Century.

 

The new legislation follows a three-year EU investigation into price signalling – the announcement of general rate increases – which was highlighted by FTA. Members of the Association’s British Shippers’ Council first raised concerns about the uncompetitive behaviour in 2010 and a dossier was submitted to the Council to support the claims.

 

The shipping lines involved agreed to significantly change their pricing behaviour, which is reflected in the Commission’s decision under Article 9(1) of Regulation 1/2003 declaring the binding commitments offered by the lines – most notably that they will cease to publish General Rate Increase (GRI) announcements.

 

FTA’s Director of European and Global Policy, Chis Welsh, said: “FTA welcomes the Commission’s decision. It closes another chapter in the liner shipping industry by ending inappropriate liner conference-type pricing arrangements. We welcome recent statements by some lines to modernise their existing pricing arrangements as a result of the Commission’s commitments decision, thus bringing shipping into line with normal business practices.”

 

Fifteen shipping lines were involved in the EU enquiry and all agreed in February to cease announcement of general rate increases – instead publishing actual prices to customers on an individual basis. This was put to a ‘market test’ for a month to allow interested parties to comment before the Commission announced its decision.

 

During the enquiry, the Commission made ‘unannounced’ visits to 14 shipping lines. In its preliminary assessment, it expressed concern that the practice of price signalling could allow the lines to explore each other’s pricing intentions and to coordinate their behaviour.

 

Mr Welsh said: “This new ruling will bring transparency to pricing in the liner shipping industry and will hopefully remove the need for our members to resort to court proceedings for competition damages.”

 

European commission fines truck manufacturers for breaking antitrust rules
15th August 2016

 

The European Commission has found that MAN, Volvo/Renault, Daimler, Iveco, and DAF broke EU antitrust rules. These truck makers colluded for 14 years on truck pricing and on passing on the costs of compliance with stricter emission rules. The Commission has imposed a record fine of €2,926,499,000 (€2.9 billion).

 

MAN was not fined as it revealed the existence of the cartel to the Commission. All companies acknowledged their involvement and agreed to settle the case.

 

Commissioner for competition, Margrethe Vestager, said: “We have today put down a marker by imposing record fines for a serious infringement. In all, there are over 30 million trucks on European roads, which account for around three quarters of inland transport of goods in Europe and play a vital role for the European economy. It is not acceptable that MAN, Volvo/Renault, Daimler, Iveco and DAF, which together account for around 9 out of every 10 medium and heavy trucks produced in Europe, were part of a cartel instead of competing with each other. For 14 years they colluded on the pricing and on passing on the costs for meeting environmental standards to customers. This is also a clear message to companies that cartels are not accepted.”

 

The decision relates specifically to the market for the manufacturing of medium (weighing between 6 to 16 tons) and heavy trucks (weighing over 16 tons). The Commission’s investigation revealed that MAN, Volvo/Renault, Daimler, Iveco and DAF had engaged in a cartel relating to:

 

•the factory price of trucks

 

•the timing for the introduction of emission technologies for medium and heavy trucks to comply with the increasingly strict European emissions standards (from Euro III through to the currently applicable Euro VI)

 

•the passing on to customers of the costs for the emissions technologies required to comply with the increasingly strict European emissions standards.

 

The Commission’s investigation did not reveal any links between this cartel and allegations or practices on circumventing the anti-pollution system of certain vehicles (commonly referred to as “defeat devices”).

 

In setting the level of fines, the Commission took into account the respective companies’ sales of medium trucks and heavy trucks in the EEA, as well as the serious nature of the infringement, the high combined market share of the companies, the geographic scope and the duration of the cartel.

 

Under the Commission’s 2006 Leniency Notice, MAN received full immunity for revealing the existence of the cartel, thereby avoiding a fine of around €1.2 billion. For their cooperation with the investigation, Volvo/Renault, Daimler and Iveco benefited from reductions of their fines under the 2006 Leniency Notice. The reductions reflect the timing of their cooperation and the extent to which the evidence they provided helped the Commission to prove the existence of the cartel.