march r&s

March 2010 Number 428 £3.00 www.bar.co.uk

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No: 428 March 2010 www.bar.co.uk

This month:Editor’s Column 6Industry News 6-15Simpler speed limits for HGVsAnger over UK taxPay and display warningTransport by water trialledUK housing market update

BAR News 16-23Industry statisticsAround the AreasWestern Area AGMBAR Services and TwitterProduct of the Month

CMG News 24-26CMG member profile: Nigel ShawFahey’s children’s hospital relocationNew CMG Membership

Training News 28-35Out and about with David HookinsWhat is Driver CPC?Fire safety risk

European News 36-43Consumers’ 14-day right to withdrawNews RoundupNew form of attestation

Letters 44People News 47And another thing... 49Competition 49Articles 50-61A Distant Sale: Part ThreeProfile: The Private Health PartnershipKeeping hold of your assetsVehicle bodiesProtect your IT systemsYour business and Twitter

Diary Dates 63Memberships 64Feature Schedule 65Photo of the Month 65

NewsFROM WATFORD

March 2010 Removals & Storage 5

Contact Details: Editorial Contribution on all aspects of the Removals & Storage industry are welcomed, together with photographs if appropriate. Please contact The Editor, Steve Jordan:Tel: 01908 695500 Fax: 01908 690099Email: [email protected] By post: Removals & Storage, The Words Workshop Ltd 26 Swanwick Lane, Broughton, Milton Keynes MK10 9LD

Contact Details: Advertising For all enquiries and bookings, please contact Marianne Lee: Tel: 01908 695500 Fax: 01908 690099Email: [email protected]: The booking deadline for all display advertisements is the 10th of the month preceding publication.

Removals & Storage is subscribed to by members of the British Association of Removers in the UK and Overseas.

Subscriptions: Additional subscriptions are available from BAR at: Tangent House, 62 Exchange Road, Watford, Hertfordshire WD18 0TG. Tel: 01923 699 480 Fax: 01923 699 481 E-mail: [email protected]. Current annual subscription is £36.00 in the UK and £60.00 overseas.

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in Removals & Storage are notnecessarily those of the British Association of Removers, or of its publisher.

All rights reserved: No part of Removals & Storage may be scanned, reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form without the prior written permission of the publisher.

President: Matt PurdieDirector General: Stephen VickersCompany Secretary: James FalknerEditor: Steve JordanAssistant Editor: David JordanNews Editor: Nikki GeeFeatures Editor: Charlotte FreestoneRemovals & Storage is designed on behalf of The British Association of Removers by: I Like. Tel: 01908 675854, Email: [email protected](To contact R&S, see details opposite.)

The British Association of RemoversTel: 01923 699 480 Fax: 01923 699 481 E-mail: [email protected]

Spring, they say, is just around the corner, and the recession is reported to be at an end. Let us hope so, and that the reported

upturn in the economy and the housing market continues to strengthen and gather pace.

BAR Training Services reports a very busy time during the first part of the year, with many courses being fully booked, and this trend seems set to continue as training assumes an ever higher profile in business. Particularly popular have been the nine Driver CPC courses which have been specifically tailored for the removals industry, on such subjects as packing, handling, and loading. Do remember also, that government funding through ‘Train to Gain’ is available for certain courses aimed at team leaders and those looking to progress to supervisory roles. New membership initiatives include the Legal Expenses Scheme which was announced and featured in February’s R&S. The service offers a low-cost solution in this critical area, through the services of DAS Legal Expenses in conjunction with Basil Fry & Company and Reason Global Insurance.

The new Young Movers Group gathers strength, and members will attend a business seminar event here in Watford on 17 March. This has attracted a lot of attention, with a full morning programme of seminars aimed at delivering practical benefits, followed by networking over lunch and a fun Murder Mystery session in the early afternoon. The next Young Movers social event will be held at the Annual Conference. The Commercial Moving Group have teamed up with Marsh Ltd to co-host a business seminar and networking event at the offices of the Facilities Management Association at Tower Place West, with spectacular views over the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. The event will be held on the evening of 29 April, and is free of charge

to CMG members. Entries for the Commercial Mover of the Year

Award and the Domestic Mover of the Year Award were received at a brisk rate. The CMOTY finalists have been announced, the names can be found on the members’ area of the BAR website. DMOTY finalists are known and inspections are underway. The winners will be announced and the prizes given, at the prestigious Gala Dinner held at the BAR Annual Conference at the Bristol Marriott Hotel, 13-15 May. Applications to attend the Conference are also coming in, and a full programme has now been finalised with an impressive line-up of speakers, and something to interest everyone. The first round of the popular BAR Annual Golf Challenge will also commence on Thursday 13 May, and booking details will be found on page 27.

The ‘soft’ launch of the new BAR Website on 11 January went well, with only a few teething troubles reported. Members are encouraged to keep their own details updated, including a description of their business and uploading their company’s logo. The online estimating system for customers is fast proving to be a success, and members are encouraged to take part and enjoy the benefits that this new initiative brings. The Broadcast and Notice Board systems on the website are also valuable tools which allow members to exchange information, ask for or offer assistance with such things as back-loads and overnight parking. Both the NAEA property search website and the FMA website will have direct access to the BAR sales lead generator very soon. Feedback from members on how they find that the new website works in practice is very important, so, please let BAR have your opinions by e-mailing commercial@ bar.co.uk, or calling 01923-699483.

On the cover: BAR and BAR Services exhibit at The Movers and Storers Show.

Removals & Storage March 2010

Industry News

6

Is it March already? The year’s almost over and I haven’t put the Christmas decorations away yet.

I thought I would take this opportunity for a brief grumble. It’s meant in a positive way to help members make better use of their promotional efforts. Here goes.

The expression ‘A picture paints a thousand words’, is based, apparently, on an old Chinese proverb. Clever chaps those Chinese. But some of the pictures I get offered for the R&S don’t say a thousand words: they either say nothing or shout something unmentionable.

Almost every picture I receive is: too small to print, irrelevant, out of focus or some combination of all three. I even had one the other day that had been taken in the rain and had water spots all over the lens. Then there are the ones that are too dark, infected with red eye or featuring people who look as though they would rather be elsewhere. Sometimes I wonder if there is a cunning plan to give me photos that are unusable in as many different ways as possible.

With modern digital cameras it’s hard to get it wildly wrong. I don’t expect perfection or even much in the way of creativity. But something that’s in focus and big enough to print would be nice once in a while. This is not the place for a photographic lesson (and I’m not the one to give it if it were) but, perhaps I could ask just one favour. Before you send me a photo just have a look at it, full size on your screen. If it’s not more than 300kb don’t send it to me – I won’t be able to use it. If it looks fuzzy, someone has their eyes shut, William at the back is making an inappropriate hand gesture, or the desk in the front is littered with festering coffee mugs – have another go.

Of course, I‘ll always try to use whatever you send to me: after all, it’s your magazine not mine. But it always worries me that you might also be sending those same dodgy shots to other publications as part of your PR programme. If you are, it should come as no great shock to you that your stories don’t get published very often. Other editors don’t have the same loyalty (or obligation) to BAR and its members as you should expect from me. Rather than enter into a dialogue with you to coax a better picture from you, or spend hours wrestling with Photoshop to make a silk purse out of something less attractive, they’ll take an easier option. It’s called the ‘delete’ key.

Happy shooting,Steve Jordan

THE

Editor’sCOLUMN

Reloc8 have signed an exclusive four-year deal with Teacrate worth over

£250,000. This is a strategic move for both parties with Teacrate exclusively supplying Reloc8 with branded crates for its new ‘Relocrate’ service. Relocrate forms part of Reloc8’s fully integrated move and moves management services.

Reloc8 chose Teacrate as its preferred supplier primarily due to its ability to supply on a

nationwide basis. With its network of nine strategically located and fully stocked depots, Teacrate can respond to local requirements on a next day delivery basis. Teacrate’s range of industry specific crates, branded to customer specifications was important to Reloc8 as was ‘Cratelink’, Teacrate’s online crate management system and ‘Bank on Teacrate’, its customer loyalty reward programme.

This involved members of staff going to five different schools across the county to

teach children about safety and the dangers of a lorry.

Charles Checkley, Branch Manager, is quite adept at getting the Lincoln depot in the local press. One of the local papers was running an article on how the

recession was affecting companies on the industrial estate where Pickfords is situated and as they’d had previous dealings with Charles the paper rang and asked for his opinion on the matter. Yet more free publicity for Charles’ branch without him having to do a thing - proof that putting a little effort into PR does pay dividends.

Pickfords’ Lincoln Depot help with local road safety schemePickfords’ Lincoln Depot recently helped out with the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership and Lincs FM’s Road Safety Scheme.

Charles Checkley with local children learning about road safety

Reloc8 sign with Teacrate for new Relocrate service

Teacrate Sales Director, Simon Johns with Reloc8 Director, Justin Palmer

March 2010 Removals & Storage

Industry News

7

Celebrity move for Nightingales

Among several celebrities who booked Nightingale Removals & Storage for their removals, the company is

extremely privileged to count Ms Wendy Craig, star of stage and screen, among its valued customers. Ms Craig is well known for her leading roles in television sitcoms such as Not in front of the Children, Butterflies, and Nanny; and in dramas such as The Forsythe Saga and more recently The Royal, a much-loved television series.

She was kind enough to write to Nightingales following her removal and praised the high quality of the company’s removal services. Richard Nightingale, Managing Director said: “Over the years we have been very privileged to move many people in the public eye. I have always been an avid fan of Ms Craig’s and found her to be as kind and gracious in real life as her many screen roles demonstrate. It was a pleasure and an honour to be of service to her and we wish her happiness in her new home and every success for the future.”

The DfT state that the changes are needed because of differences that have arisen between new vehicles which are fitted

with speed limiters, and older vehicles which are not. This means that while newer HGVs are limited to 56mph older vehicles are able to drive at up to 70mph on the motorway. Similarly, new passenger vehicles with over eight seats are limited to 62.5mph on the motorway but older vehicles are able to drive at 70mph. This can cause confusion for other drivers and creates a disincentive for companies to invest in safer and more fuel efficient vehicles. In addition, vehicles with speed limiters are not allowed to use the right hand lane of three-lane motorways but those without speed limiters currently are.

The proposals put forward in the consultation include:• Setting a 65mph limit for all buses, minibuses and coaches with more than eight passenger seats regardless of whether or not they are

fitted with a speed limiting device;• Setting the motorway speed limit at 60mph for all HGVs over 3.5 tonnes regardless of whether or not they are fitted with a speed limiting device;• Prohibiting all HGVs between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes and all buses, minibuses and coaches with more than eight passenger seats from using the right hand lane of motorways with three or more lanes.

Road Safety Minister Paul Clark said: “We want to provide clarity for everybody - drivers, operators, other motorists and the police - as well as making sure that there is a level playing field for those operating in the bus, coach and road haulage industry. These proposals simplify motorway speed limits for buses, coaches and lorries so that everyone has to abide by the same rules regardless of the age of their vehicle.”

The consultation can be found at www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open and will close on 27 April, 2010.

Simpler speed limits for heavy goods vehicles Proposals to simplify motorway speed limits for buses, coaches and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) were published on 2 February, 2010 by the Department for Transport (DfT).

Paul Everitt, Chief Executive of The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has called on the

government to use the March budget to encourage new investment in capital goods and help rebuild business confidence.

“New van and truck registrations continue to reflect a weak economic recovery and businesses are reluctant to commit to new

investment. January’s truck registrations are the lowest monthly figures since July 1991, leaving most truck makers very disappointed at the slow start to the year,” said Mr Everitt.

Year-to-date (YTD) registrations for medium and heavy trucks dropped nearly 54% from January 2009, with MAN taking the biggest hit – almost 75%. DAF continues to

lead the market, despite a sharp fall in its registrations compared to the previous year’s monthly figures, and Mercedes has had a strong month.

In the light truck market YTD registrations fell by 21.78% to 352. Van registrations fared better in January, with a drop of 1.69% to 11,546. However, the figures reveal that Ford’s market share has slipped 4% to 22.81%.

The DfT say changes are needed to provide clarity and a level playing field around speed limits

SMMT chief calls for budget support

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Industry News

9

A poll carried out by the Forum of Private Business (FPB) found that more than two thirds of SME owners believe the tax

burden placed on them is unfair - and over half think the tax system favours big companies.

The research was released just ahead of the January 31 deadline submission of self-assessment forms on the HM Revenue and Customs website. It was compiled by canvassing SME owners through the FPB’s Tax and Budget Member Panel which serves as a dedicated, subject-specifi c opinion-taker.

An overwhelming 43% of respondents to the panel said ‘fairness’ should be the main priority for the tax system. The next popular priority was ‘simplicity’, which was supported by one in fi ve smaller businesses, echoing widespread anger with a system which is among the most complex in the world. Additionally, 13% said they want to see the tax system reformed to make Britain more competitive internationally. In more general terms, 45% of respondents said their tax burden was a ‘very serious’ issue for their fi rms.

Commenting on the fi ndings, FPB spokesman Phil McCabe said: “Our members believe that they are bearing an unfair tax burden because of the moderate sizes of their businesses. The complexity of the British tax system is not only time-consuming and frustrating but it also puts small fi rms at an instant disadvantage. Big companies have the expertise and resources to understand the system and minimise their tax burden. For most of our members, hiring an outside tax consultant represents a signifi cant cost few can afford, especially in the midst of a recession.”

The Tax and Budget Member Panel also asked SME owners about the recent Pre-Budget Report (PBR). Respondents to the panel were distinctly underwhelmed by the measures announced by the Chancellor, with more than half saying that the PBR undermined both business confi dence and future employment. The increase in National Insurance Contributions proved deeply unpopular, with many FPB members expressing anger at further costs being added to employment.

Anger over UK tax systemSmall fi rms believe Britain’s tax system is deeply unfair and urgently needs to be simplifi ed, new research has revealed.

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FPB spokesman Phil McCabe

Important changes in relation to the treatment of Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) which apply to the customers’ goods

insurance arrangements of removals and storage companies and Self Storage Operators were announced at the end of last year.

In the 2009 Pre-budget Report PBRN15 dated 9 December, 2009 under the heading Insurance Premium Tax: Premium Splitting, HM Revenue & Customs announced that any fee (other than a VATable fee) charged in connection with insurance contracts with a private individual (an individual buying insurance in a personal capacity) will now be subject to IPT. The measure is designed to eliminate IPT avoidance created by the Homeserve judgment.

The implication of the draft legislation is therefore that any fees charged for services provided in connection with insurance contracts with businesses are excluded from this change.

The measure is effective on fees charged on or after 9 December, 2009.

The draft legislation can be inspected at www.hmrc.gov.uk/pbr2009/ins-premium-tax -0360.pdf.

HM Revenue & Customs has also confi rmed that fees connected to the arrangement of insurance with private individuals are subject to IPT irrespective of whether these are related to contracts regulated by the FSA or fall under the deregulated insurance arrangements.

It will now be necessary for companies to keep a record of the fees charged to their customers (private individuals only) so that the IPT due can be calculated. This should be included with your annual declaration at expiry of the period of insurance and the amount due will be invoiced to you as part of your year end premium adjustment and passed to insurers who will account for the tax to HM Revenue & Customs.

The British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA) is currently in consultation with HMRC to discuss the issues and implications; members will be updated accordingly.

Insurance PremiumTax update Prepared by the BAR Professional Advisers Panel


Industry News

10

The country has recently been affected by the worst winter in approximately 15 years and even though the snow has

disappeared, we may still experience a further cold snap.

The weather affected the haulage industry across the country with many vehicles not being able to undertake particular routes due to the hazardous road conditions. Effective management of staff is therefore crucial to ensure that business operates smoothly during such periods.

The overriding dutyEmployers have an overriding duty to safeguard the health and safety of employees. This should be the primary consideration for employers when asking their employees to attend work with the safety of employees weighted against the benefit to the business.

Part of this process must include assessing risk as employers could be liable for any accidents and may be required to pay for any subsequent claims. Such claims may extend to accidents on the road where employees have been sent out when it was unsafe.

In addition, an employee might be stranded

having been sent out on a journey and have to stay with the vehicle until it is safe to return. Depending on company policy, employers may be liable to reimburse for any expenses suffered by an employee whilst stranded.

The duty to protect other road usersThere is also an additional duty on operators to protect other road users and warnings suggesting that journeys ‘should only be undertaken when it is absolutely necessary’ should weigh heavily on employers’ minds. If your vehicles are involved in a collision which is caused by your employees’ negligence then you will be liable for any resulting personal injury claims and accident damage.

Sending employees homeThe snow and ice may give cause to send employees home from work due to cancellation of work or unsafe road conditions. Whilst employers may be aggrieved at having to pay employees full wages, if the employees have attended work they should be paid in full.

Employees failing to attend workThe situation is somewhat different in

circumstances where an employee does not turn up to work. Employees failing to attend work may give cause for an employer to not pay employee wages.

Usually, unless an employee’s contract of employment contains a provision obliging an employer to pay for time off due to bad weather, then there is probably no legal obligation to pay staff who do not attend work.

Employers should however consider the impact of refusing to pay, or alternatively forcing staff to take paid leave, due to adverse weather conditions. It may be that employees become demoralised which could cause further losses in terms of productivity later in the year.

ConclusionWhilst there is no generic legal obligation (unless the contact of employment states otherwise) to pay employees who do not attend work due to adverse weather, employers should consider and balance the impact on morale of the staff and the long-term profits of the company as opposed to the short-term losses suffered from the absences.

Proper communication with employees should be able to obtain a balance between keeping customers happy and staff morale high.

Information courtesy of Backhouse Jones Solicitors

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Weather or not to pay? It’s snow joke …


Industry News

11

Drivers who ‘pay and display’ to park their cars are being fined if they leave earlier tickets showing on their

windscreen, as council traffic wardens are exploiting a legal loophole to penalise motorists who have paid but simply forgot to remove a previous stub from their dashboard or window, according to a recent newspaper article.

If wardens or parking attendants can see more than one ticket they can fine the motorist. Critics have accused greedy council chiefs of seizing on ‘pernicious’ technicalities to punish drivers unfairly, in spite of pledges from ministers that town halls should not use their parking powers as a money-making scheme.

At present, 265 councils have powers to enforce parking and keep the proceeds under a system known as ‘decriminalisation’ which handed over control from the police to local authorities.

The clause imposing a fine on drivers showing multiple pay and display tickets is contravention number nine in a list of parking offences. For example, the City of London Corporation’s website says: ‘It is a requirement that only a single ticket is displayed. If more than one ticket is visible, the civil enforcement officer will issue a penalty charge notice and it is unlikely that we will withdraw it.’

The fines can range from £120 in the heart of London to £70 outside the capital with a 50% discount if paid within 14 days. Parking expert Barrie Segal, who runs the AppealNow website, condemned the latest example of councils using their powers to fleece motorists.

He said: “This type of enforcement is pernicious. No traffic has been blocked or delayed and no pedestrian has been endangered and yet the council will issue a parking ticket. It is this type of enforcement which convinces motorists that it is not about traffic congestion, traffic flow or safety but just old-fashioned greed to line the council’s coffers. Most motorists simply forget to remove old pay and display tickets.”

Last year councils raised £328 million in

parking fines, three times the amount collected by speed camera partnerships. Complaints from motorists over fines for petty infringements, such as displaying a disabled badge upside down, have soared in recent months. Motorists have also been fined when their pay and display ticket has fallen off the windscreen or dashboard. Such fines are routinely upheld by appeal adjudicators, even if the driver produces the voucher afterwards. Motorists can also be fined for parking more than 19.6 inches (50 cm) from the kerb.

The AA criticised the councils’ interpretation of the rules. A spokesman said: “It is one thing if somebody is being clever and plastering their windscreen with old pay and display tickets, it is rather different when somebody was in a hurry and forgot to remove an old voucher. There has to be some sense of proportion.”

The Department for Transport said the rule was intended to make sure all motorists were treated fairly. A spokesman said: “Where parking spaces are in short supply, ‘no return’ restrictions may be in place to stop people from monopolising a parking space for a long period of time. It is specifically in these cases that rules apply to prevent people from adding a second ticket to extend the amount of time they can park beyond the maximum allowed.”

Pay and display warning

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Industry News

13

The Torrent was recently loaded with nearly 1,200 tonnes of pulverised fuel ash (PFA) at the Drax power station on

the River Ouse, some 60 miles inland from the sea for delivery to Waterford. An alternative was to use 40 HGVs on the M62 across the Pennines to reach a western port before being loaded onto a ship for Ireland.

Specialist bulk handling company T W Logistics worked in partnership with ash sales agent Hargreaves Coal Combustion Products to organise the water route. The ash, a by-product from power stations, is used in the manufacture of concrete and concrete products and building blocks, as well as for structural fill. Peter Emery, Production Director of Drax, said: “Drax produces about 1.4 million tonnes of PFA per year and has traditionally used road transport to take it away. Using the

waterways to transport our PFA means that we use a lower carbon form of transport and reduce our movements by road.”

Transporting freight by water has the potential to cut fuel and labour costs with two men crewing one single 600 tonne barge which is able to move the equivalent of twenty-four 25 tonne lorry loads. Further trials are planned for later this year.

John Dodwell, chairman of the Commercial Boat Operators Association said: “With more than 100 ports around the UK which can handle vessels like the Torrent, using ships from inland wharves provides additional scope for further shipments both from Drax and from other power stations in Yorkshire and the Trent Valley. They have a choice of as many as nine inland wharves and docks in the area at which ships can load PFA.”

Wentworth International Movers assists with the relief effort in the Philippines

Wentworth International Movers offered its help and assistance in the relief effort in the

Philippines after it was hit by Tropical Storm Ketsana towards the end of last year. The storm saw Manila, the country’s capital, hit with its heaviest rainfall in more than 40 years.

When Wentworth’s Managing Director, Daniel Bagguley heard about the disaster the company, with the assistance of the Philippine Embassy in London, immediately made arrangements for a number of drop off points to be set up throughout the UK. Members of the public and the Philippine Society donated what they could at these points while Wentworth arranged collections.

“Before long we were able to load a 40ft container,” said Tim Standing, Export Manager at Wentworth International Movers. “Our agent swiftly cleared the consignment and delivered to the anticipating Department of Social Welfare in Manila. The donations were then divided up and distributed to the most appropriate areas.”

At one point, more than 80% of the capital was under water, the deluge engulfing whole houses and buses. Manila, which is on the island of Luzon, and the nearby province of Rizal bore the brunt of the storm.

Tim said that it was important to Wentworth International Movers to do all that they could in the wake of the disaster. “We have a very good social and business relationship with our friends and colleagues in the Philippines. We therefore decided to offer our help and support in the best way we knew how. It may not be a lot considering the grand scale of the disaster but we were pleased to offer our assistance and hope that our gesture made someone’s life more bearable.”

A letter from the Embassy of the Philipines’ Ambassador, Antonio M. Lagdameo read, “On behalf of the Philippine government and the Filipino people, I express deepest and most profound appreciation for your help and support following the recent typhoons in the Philippines. Your substantial assistance will go a long and meaningful way towards helping those adversely affected recover and return to their normal lives.”

Hauliers have been hit by a nationwide crime wave of thieves stealing batteries, warns the Road Haulage

Association (RHA). “Everyone working in the transport

industry should be extra vigilant,” said RHA Security Manager Chrys Rampley, and she urges operators across the industry to report any theft or attempted theft.

“Thieves are cutting through the security fences at transport depots to steal batteries, which I am told have a current market value of around £350 a tonne and there have been reports of thefts from around the country. We are working with the police – both individual forces and the national co-ordinating body, Truckpol - to combat the problem.”

Trials start on transport by waterwaysTrials are underway of a system for delivering ash from power stations by ship which could take up to 40 lorries off the road for each journey.

Trial by water - the Torrent is loaded on the River Ouse

Haulage fleets targeted in new wave of thefts

Members of Wentworth’s donation teamLeft to right: Adam Gaywood, Steve Bassnett and Chris Burns


Industry News

14

‘O’ Licence fi nancial standing increases

From the beginning of this year the fi nancial standing requirement for hauliers has been increased by 30%

as a result of the devaluation of the pound against the euro. This means that haulage companies must show a minimum fi nancial level for the fi rst vehicle of £8,100 and £4,500 for each vehicle thereafter.

All countries that are not in the euro zone are required to revalue every fi ve years. The Department for Transport has stressed that these increases are mandatory and have followed a fi xed formula.

Representations are being made to government to challenge the increases which many haulage companies feel are excessive particularly as the pound/euro exchange rate is showing signs of recovery.

UK HOUSING MARKET UPDATE

To keep BAR members informed of the changing conditions in the housing market the R&S will be compiling a monthly update of the most important facts and fi gures taken from the Halifax House Price Index.

January 2010Average House Price for December: £169,777 - up 0.6% from the previous month rising for the seventh consecutive month - up 3.6% on last year.

Mortgage Approvals for the last three months of 2009:Approvals in the fi nal 3 months of 2009 were 176,517, signifi cantly up on the number in the same period a year earlier (91,221). This was despite a marginal monthly fall (-1.7%) in December; the fi rst decline since November 2008.

Prices have risen by 9.9% since reaching a low in April 2009There has been an increase in the average price of £15,287 over this period. This follows a decline of 23% between August 2007 and April 2009.

Instructions to sell increased for the seventh successive month Low supply of properties for sale pushed up house prices. There are, however, some signs that the improvement in market conditions since last spring is leading more homeowners to try to sell their property. Instructions to sell increased for the seventh successive month in December, helping to increase the stock of properties available for sale. (Source: RICS monthly survey, December 2009.)

‘Noughties’ were a signifi cant period for the UK housing market Despite a fall of more than one-fi fth between mid 2007 and mid 2009, house prices increased by more in real (i.e. infl ation adjusted) terms than in any other decade over the last 50 years. House prices increased by 105% during the 2000s, taking the UK average house price from £81,596 in 1999 quarter 4 to £167,020 in 2009 quarter 4.

(Statistics taken from the Halifax House Price Index January 2010)

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Industry News

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The government has proposed removing an employer’s option to retire workers when they reach 65, claiming the change

will prevent an anticipated skills shortage. However, the Forum of Private Business

(FPB) believes that if the move goes ahead, it could prove highly damaging to thousands of small fi rms.

Currently, there is nothing to stop an employee working on past 65, providing his or her employer agrees. Many businesses are well aware of the skills and experience older workers provide and are happy to maintain their employment. However, if the default retirement age is scrapped, business owners will be forced to keep on over-65s, whether they want to or not. This, the FPB believes, will prove a huge problem for thousands of small fi rms, hampering their abilities to plan for the future. The move could also open the door to costly and painful employment tribunals, as an employer’s only means of ending employment will be through a

‘capability dismissal’ based on the declining competence of the worker.

FPB Chief Executive Phil Orford said: “I don’t think anyone would dispute the valuable contribution older workers make to the economy. With people living longer and healthier lives, the skills and experience older people can bring to the workplace are widely recognised. However, at the moment, there is nothing to stop anyone from working beyond 65, providing it suits both parties. The current law works perfectly well, so why tamper with it? By scrapping the default retirement age, all the government will do is take yet more control away from business owners, add even more complexity to workplace law, and open a door to costly and painful employment tribunal cases.”

The FPB has set out its views on the issue in response to a government consultation, which closed on 1 February. In its response to the consultation, the FPB emphasised the need for small fi rms to be able to plan ahead, especially

during times of economic uncertainty. The FPB also pointed out that just last year, the government defended the default retirement age in the High Court, arguing that it brings numerous social benefi ts.

Call for default retirement age to stayA small business support group has called for plans to scrap the default retirement age to be shelved.

AGS Four Winds London has recently moved to new world-class facilities to accommodate the growth of its business in international removals and storage.

We specialise in short- and long-term storage, and offer this service at highly competitive rates to the private and corporate sectors. We are also available for trade storage with the benefit of being conveniently located within the M25 with reduced transit times.

In view of this expansion, AGS Four Winds London is currently recruiting people with experience in Business Development and International Move Coordination.

Memb. No: A015

AGS Four Winds, for moving with peace of mind

� International and Domestic Removals � 36 years of experience � 125 branches in 75 countries

� Secure storage ��High quality packing material� Customs clearance and Transit Insurance

AGS, you deserve the best

AGS FOUR WINDS LONDONUnit 1, Trade City Business Park, Cowley Mill Road,

Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 2DBTel: +44 189 520 1595 - Fax: +44 189 520 1581

Email: [email protected]

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AGS FW London BAR_135x188_eng Hires.pdf 1 2010/01/08 04:58:36 PM

Many businesses are happy to keep skilled and experienced employees on after they reach offi cial retirement age


BAR News

During 2009, BAR has gathered industry statistics from a sample of member companies to compile

industry statistics for the professional removals industry. The statistics compare like-for-like months from 2008 and 2009. Members of the removal industry should overall feel optimistic for the future as results show various positive indicators. The findings from the year to end report are as follows:• Domestic moves within the UK for 2009 decreased by just 3% when compared to 2008. Figure 1 shows that the professional removals industry in the UK was hit hard for the first six months however the summer months were more positive and this continued through to December. December 2009 in fact showed a 32% increase in moves against December 2008.

• The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) has also reported similar encouraging findings; ‘The number of people searching for property soared by more than 25% in the 12 months to December (2009).’ The NAEA also reported 251 house-hunters on its books in December (2009), compared to 200 in December 2008. (Figure 1)• The Land Registry reported a severe dip in the housing market during the back end of 2008 and the first few months of 2009, indicated by low average house prices and low sales volumes. January and February proved to be the worst months of 2009, but encouraging figures released since have shown a marked increase for both sales volume and average house price. (Figure 2; Source: Land Registry)• Number of staff employed has decreased by a total of 14% during the 12 months of 2009

compared to 2008 (Figure 3). These results suggest that the recession has clearly affected the number of people earning a living within the industry however recovery is evident as Q4 findings are more positive with a 5% increase of employees in 2009. (Figure 3)• Number of vehicles in use has fallen by 9% during 2009 compared to 2008 (Figure 4) mirroring the trend of staff employed. Again Q4 findings are encouraging with a slight increase when compared to October, November and December 2008. (Figure 4)• Overseas moves to European countries have fallen by a total of 12% in 2009 compared to 2008 (Figure 5). March, September and December 2009 in comparison to 2008 fared better with more moves to overseas destinations. Conversely, eight months in 2009 showed a decrease.

Industry Statistics:January 2008/09 – December 2008/09 (Q1, Q2, Q3 & Q4)

5.00%

0.00%

-5.00%

-10.00%

-15.00%

-20.00%

Jan-18.06%

Feb-13.43%

Mar-17.86%

Apr-18.54%

May-12.03%

Jun-12.11%

Jul-11.46%

Aug-7.95%

Sep-8.81%

Oct2.43%

Nov-0.41%

Dec3.08%

YTD-14.02%

Figure 3: Number of vehicles in use

£190,000

£185,000

£180,000

£175,000

£170,000

£165,000

£160,000

£155,000

£150,000

£145,000

Jan 08 May 08 Sep 08 Jan 09 May 09 Sep 09

- 80000

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Figure 2: Number of staff employed

40.00%

30.00%

20.00%

10.00%

0.00%

-10.00%

-20.00%

-30.00%

Jan-15.68%

Feb-7.27% Mar

-11.05%

Apr-20.94%

May-14.01%

Jun-8.95%

Jul12.56%

Aug4.94%

Sep12.77%

Oct24.34%

Nov18.65%

Dec32.42%

YTD-2.95%

Figure 1: Number of moves within the UK

30.00%

20.00%

10.00%

0.00%

-10.00%

-20.00%

-30.00%

-40.00%

-50.00%

Jan12.05%

Feb-26.56%

Mar-40.58%

Apr-42.59%

May-21.40% Jun

-7.82%

Jul18.60%

Aug-6.92%

Sep-12.00%

Oct3.08%

Nov-23.53%

Dec5.56%

YTD-18.79%

Figure 6: House prices and sales volume - all England & Wales

40.00%

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20.00%

10.00%

0.00%

-10.00%

-20.00%

-30.00%

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-60.00%

Jan-10.16%

Feb-2.10%

Mar-4.48%

Apr-36.24%

May-30.69%

Jun-7.52%

Jul-3.28%

Aug-8.67%

Sep32.35%

Oct0% Nov

-6.25%

Dec4.65%

YTD12.46%

Figure 5: Number of moves to non-European countries

5.00%

0.00%

-5.00%

-10.00%

-15.00%

-20.00%

Jan-14.14%

Feb-13.31%

Mar-12.63%

Apr-15.49%

May-8.30%

Jun-7.52%

Jul-10.23%

Aug-9.66%

Sep-6.18%

Oct-1.60%

Nov0%

Dec2.88%

YTD-9.31%

Figure 4: Number of moves to European countries


BAR News

Despite the extremely tough trading conditions of the last year or so, Chris Waymouth of QSS reports that

interest in the various removals quality standards has remained high and in fact, surprisingly so with a healthy level of enquiries and only a handful of companies withdrawing from certification – no more than in any other year.

“We really did expect to lose quite a few companies who would either be seeking to cut cost or might be going under,” said Chris, “but in fact the reverse appears to be true. People seem to have realised that in these very competitive times anything that gives you an advantage can be really valuable, so they are turning to the quality standards to help them stand apart from the others.”

QSS was established by BAR in 1998 to provide assessment and certification service for BS EN 12522, the original domestic removals standard. Over the years, further standards have come into play and QSS now offers its services against the following:• BS EN 12522: domestic removals• BS 8522 (was PAS 126): commercial moving• BS EN 14873: storage• BS EN 15696: self-storage• BS ISO 15489: records management• ISO 9001: quality management systems• ISO 14001: environmental management

Additionally, a new international moving standard is now to be developed and a working committee has just been formed to do this, with the aim of getting it up and running within a year or so. This will provide a relevant, meaningful measurement of an international moving company’s services, but at a cost far below that of FIDI-FAIM.

In recent times QSS has developed a close working relationship with BSI (British

Standards Institution) and this has led to BSI granting licences to removal firms for its famous ‘Kitemark’, surely the world’s most widely respected symbol of quality.

If a firm holds one of the removals standards, it can apply to BSI for a Kitemark licence and no other inspection or ongoing administration is involved. Once the application has been accepted and the fee paid, the firm is entitled to display the Kitemark logo and to utilise the support services of BSI (a ‘pack’ is provided) and take advantage of the huge recognition and respectability that come with it. The annual audit for the relevant removals standard is carried out in the usual way, with no additional requirements or administration, and QSS then provides a copy of its report to BSI enabling them to renew the Kitemark licence for another year. It is as simple as that!

If you want to give your company “the edge” over its competitors, contact QSS and find out all about the standards and the Kitemark: how to go about achieving them, what is involved, what it costs … anything you might need to know.

The Removers Benevolent Association, like all charities, depends upon donations so that

the good work it does can continue with needy people in our industry. It was very welcome, therefore, for the Trustees to receive two recent donations from the residue funds of the old London & Home Counties branch of the Movers Institute,

totalling a very generous £1015.07. Our heart-felt thanks are offered to the Committee of the L&HC, and all concerned.

Donations to the Removers Benevolent Association may be made through the BAR Company Secretary, who also acts as Secretary to the Trustees, at BAR Head Office.

A message from the RBA

Quality standards and the ‘Kitemark’

Contact Chris Waymouth:E: [email protected] T: 01494 875357 M: 07831 309379

• The top European removal destination for 2008 was France followed by Spain and then Germany. • The top European removal destination for 2009 was Germany followed by France and then Spain. (Figure 5)• Overseas moves to non-European countries have dropped by 19% in 2009 compared to 2008 (Figure 6). The figures throughout the year are erratic with a significant 43% decrease in April 2009 but a 19% increase in July. Q4 months continue this irregular pattern.• The top non-European removal destination for 2008 was Australia followed by the USA and then New Zealand.• The top non-European removals destination for 2009 was New Zealand followed by the USA/Canada and then Australia. (Figure 6)

To summarise, the industry statistics imply that the recession has clearly affected the UK economy over several months and in particular during the latter end of 2008 and the first few months of 2009. The UK housing market has been hit hard with significant falls in both price and property sales as revealed by Land Registry. Their findings reflect the fortunes of the domestic removals industry as they are inextricably linked. The results of Q3 and Q4 of 2009 however are encouraging and suggest that the industry is tentatively recovering. This growth has continued after the renowned busy period of the summer, confirming the positive feeling. The overseas removals industry (to both European and non-European destinations) has clearly been adversely affected by the recession. Results are erratic and unpredictable and it will be interesting to see if future months reveal a more uniform upturn.

BAR would like to thank those members who have participated in the industry surveys – without whom these valuable statistics could not have been compiled.

To help conduct future meaningful surveys, BAR would like YOUR future support and participation! For more information, please contact the Commercial Department:[email protected] or call 01923 699 483.

All information will be treated in the strictest of confidence and will not be distributed to third parties other than in the form of aggregated membership statistics.


BAR News

Since the last R&S, Bristol, Sussex, East Anglia and Kent have all seen area meetings take place. Here’s what was discussed.

SussexIn Sussex they discussed promoting BAR and the OFT. The chairman explained that the Steering Committee are looking into ways of helping members understand the benefits of the Consumer Code of Practice and membership of

BAR. Apprenticeships in removals were also discussed and in the future BARTS hope to design a qualification for domestic removals to be part of the apprenticeship. It was felt that it will be difficult to convince BAR members to participate and feel that there needs to be a strategy in place to convince members to get involved in the apprenticeship scheme.

BristolStandards-based membership was also discussed in Bristol. One member asked why another badge was needed when the public don’t understand what BAR is all about. Reg Hackworthy explained that BAR want every member to have a standard whatever that may be, and that at present achieving membership simply means members have reached a criteria but not necessarily a standard. He explained that BS 8522 is a recognised standard within the commercial sector and universities and the NHS are now requesting this standard on their tenders. It was suggested to invite a representative from QSS to attend a meeting to explain the standards in more detail.

East AngliaIn East Anglia too there was a debate about standards: this time the future requirement to obtain BS EN 14873 (storage standard). Many

members are unhappy with this. It was advocated that the requirements could be included in the criteria administered by the BAR rather than the additional cost of an outside audit.

The BS EN 14873 requirement has focused attention on quality standards but the question was asked as to who is enforcing the current BAR membership criteria now that Peter Gawthrop is no longer with BAR. It was questioned as to whether the requirement for BS EN 14873 is a reason to employ QSS (partly owned by BAR) to carry out the inspections at additional cost.

Many members felt the charges for the website were too much and some questioned where this money was going. Questions were asked of the quantity and remuneration of BAR staff and if cut backs had been made due to the recession.

KentThe Kent Area meeting discussed the problem of ex-members continuing to use the BAR badge. The members that attended the meeting were very angry that BAR did not seem to back up their continued request for action to be taken. Members also discussed the implementation of the BS EN 12522 standard as a condition of membership. The majority believe it will be a good move but will only comply with the standard once it’s enforced. The members felt that it would improve quality within the organisation.

A summary of what members talk about

at Area meetings

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MEMBERSHIPINITIATIVE

Basil Fry & Co Ltd

Tel: 01372 385 985Email: [email protected]: www.basilfry.co.uk

Insurance

The Professional Advisers Panel is a brand newinitiative specifically designed to offer membersextended support across every aspect of their business.This is a development of our highly successful InsuranceBroker Panel scheme whereby BAR members receiveunlimited support, guidance and advice from qualified

specialist companies within the UK. We are constantlylooking at ways to support our members businesses;therefore, if this initiative proves to be a success, we willdevelop the Professional Advisers Panel even further intoother relevant areas such as Health & Safety andEnvironmental services.

Reason Global Insurance

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

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For any independent insurance, financial or legal advice, please contact aBAR Professional Adviser partner.

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BAR News

The formalities of the general meeting and the AGM were dealt with and after much persuasion Ria Russell from

Britannia Lanes of Somerset & Bristol agreed to stand for another two years as Area Secretary and Steve Noake from Fox Group agreed to stand as Treasurer. Other committee members elected were:• Mark Chudley, Chudley International: National Councillor;• Robert Poyner, Reloc8: CMG rep;• Tom Firbank, Firbank Removals: RBA rep;• Kathy Lugg, Herbert Davies Removals: Assistant Secretary;• Angus Russell, Britannia Lanes: Assistant National Councillor.

Additional committee members were also elected being:• Nigel Hobden, Hobdens Removals;• Tony Holland, Pickfords.

The speaker for the evening was Sarah Rowlands from QSS who had offered to come to explain to everyone who QSS were, the advantage of a quality standard and the ins and outs of how to achieve one of the three standards currently pertinent to BAR members.

Sarah then fielded a number of varied questions from the group on matters arising from the presentation. Although the general consensus from the meeting was positive towards a standards-based Association there was feeling amongst some that there needed to be more information from BAR HQ on guidance, what BAR were seeking to achieve and when.

With 39 people attending from 20 companies this was the best attendance for a meeting so far.

How do they manage to get this kind of attendance? The answer is simple, by involving and keeping the interest of the members and by giving back what they can to the membership the area encourages people to attend.

The Western Area chairman Angus Russell from Britannia Lanes of Somerset & Bristol said “The area as a whole tend to speak their mind about what is really happening in the market. This means that we can share ideas and market information.”

The committee is at the heart of coming up with ideas for speakers and events but draw their inspiration from their attendees to give a wide range of speaker, topics and events.

This is demonstrated in the events and speakers that the area put on. In 2009 the Area had speakers from BAR HQ in the form

Western Area AGM Yet again on a cold and wet winter’s night in February the Western Area of the BAR braved the elements to attend their annual AGM and meeting at the Brent Knoll carvery, where the food is always excellent.

Top: Adam Chudley of Chudleys International wins the £400 credit note against a BAR subscription for Sponsors Attendance DrawBottom: Some of the Committee - Mark Chudley: National Councillor; Steve Noake, Treasurer; Ria Russell, Area Secretary; Angus Russell, Chairman

of Stephen Vickers, Open SEO on search engine optimisation and Toby Pinn on auctioneers. The annual event was a New Year party on 15th of January targeted to encourage attendees who would otherwise be busy with the multitude of pre-Christmas events there normally are.

Another large draw for members is the attendance raffle made possible by the ‘Committee Position’ sponsors that the area has.

This allows the Area to provide a raffle that is unique to the Association. If any person attends four or more meetings in a year then they are entered into a draw and their company receives what was this year a £400 cheque made out to BAR on their behalf for their BAR subscription.

This year the cheque was gratefully received by Adam Chudley on behalf of Chudley

International and made possible by the Committee sponsors: Basil Fry & Co Insurance, Reason Global, BAR Services and Red Recruit.

After this there was a raffle, open to all attendees on the night, of a further 21 prizes that members had brought from them and their suppliers for the meeting.

Attendees are always welcome at the Western Area and the following meetings are planned for 2010:• 16 March: Presentation by Steve Jordan from R&S;• 11 May: General meeting and quiz;• 14 September: Presentation from Bob Tree of Basil Fry;• 9 November: Skittles and fireworks evening, The George Inn, Middlezoy, Somerset;• Jan: AGM, Brent Knoll.You are all welcome to come along.

Free Legal & FinancialAdvice Lines forBAR Members

MEM BERSHIPINITIATIVE

Financial Support Advice LineTel: 0207 630 6665

email: [email protected]


Please tear off and keep this card

For legal advice see reverse

The “Credit Crunch”, rising fuel prices, rising inflation, and more specifically the down turn in thehousing market and reductions in new mortgages and re-mortgages, are impacting us all.

As an Association we aim to support member companies in every way possible. To that end we have set up two freeadvice lines using partners with whom BAR have long established business relationships. One is an expansion of anexisting service, the other being a brand new service.

The advice lines will be available to Directors/Partners/Owners of member companies and will workas follows:

� Please give your BAR membership number, company name and your contact details.

� Briefly describe your issue/question to the advice line operator.

� Your call will be logged and checked by a partner to ensure proper follow up has taken place.

� The call will be passed through to the most suitable contact person.

� If you use the email facility, please provide the same information as above so that the email can be correctly dealt with.

� If it is possible to resolve the matter over the phone within a reasonable time then the advice will be free.

� If the specialist thinks that the matter needs a ‘face-to-face’ meeting then this will besuggested. This meeting can be at your premises, the adviser’s offices or a neutral convenientlocation. This meeting will also be free.

� Should the matter be complex requiring significant time, resource or research then the adviserwill provide a full written proposal and quotation. This proposal will be at a discounted rate.No charges will be made until such proposal is received and agreed.

You should note that this service is an additional and exclusive free service to members who, in the currenteconomic climate, may need immediate independent financial or legal advice.

More complex matters may be chargeable by our partners in this venture, but no charges will be made until all costsand services have been clarified and agreed by all parties.

To help us to monitor these services please send any comments, queries, suggestions to:[email protected]

Addressing the Needs of our Members...


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BAR Advice Line amendp1.pdf 1 21/12/2009 12:11


Legal Support Advice LineTel: 01254 828300



Main contacts will be:

Main contacts will be:

Advice Lines

Financial Support Advice Line

Legal Support Advice Line

Advice lines will be available from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday (excluding public holidays)

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For financial advice see reverse

Kathleen Parker – Partner:With Wellers for eighteen years and specialises inproviding strategic advice to her SME clients.Her work includes business reviews, tax planningand delivering advice for sustainable growth.

Norma Stewart – Partner:Has a broad range of commercial experience andworks with her clients as an integral part of theirbusiness, helping them handle compliance issues aswell as identifying fresh opportunities for growth.

Michael Webb – Manager:Michael knows the value of long lasting clientrelationships; has the technical ability and expertiseto respond rapidly to changes in legislation andprovide relevant and timely advice to his clients.

Timir Palit – Tax Manager:With more than thirty years experience covering awide range of corporate and personal tax issues,he has the skills to provide practical expertise andtailored solutions for his clients.

James Backhouse - Director:Regulatory and compliance matters and advice onO licence issues.

Jonathan Backhouse – Director:Company and commercial matters, includingrestructuring and business organisation.

Stephen Meyerhoff – Solicitor:Provides employment law advice as well ascommercial advice on contractual disputesincluding advising on terms of trading.

Barry Prior – Consultant:Specialises in goods in transit and liens.

0207 630 6665 email: [email protected]

01254 828300 email: [email protected]


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BAR News

In various recent articles BAR Services has talked about being a cooperative, i.e. a not-for-profit company that has been set

up solely to serve the purpose of its members. Whilst conducting research can help to find out what products and services are required, BAR Services also relies on feedback and information directly from the membership. In the same way, members should also be party to information about BAR Services, its special offers, new products and any other helpful information.

For this reason BAR Services is pleased to announce its new adventure onto Facebook and Twitter. Many of you will already be aware of the phenomenon of Facebook and Twitter - even if your awareness is only gained from the amount of time it takes up in the lives of your teenagers. For those of you who don’t, what exactly is all the excitement about?

Facebook is a free social networking website that allows people to communicate and update each other with information more efficiently. Twitter also provides a social networking and micro-blogging service that allows its users to send and read each others ‘tweets’. In simple terms, it acts just like birdsong in passing on invaluable information quickly and easily. The purpose of the BAR Services Facebook and Twitter pages is to enable members to interact directly with the sales team (and each other) thus providing the company with an invaluable insight in to their needs and opinions. Although at present information regarding BAR Services’ special offers and product information is communicated via the R&S and e-mail, this allows a further point of communication.

Not only will these pages provide details of the product of the month, any current promotions and industry news, it will also provide relevant details about environmental

Product of the MonthFoam Corner Protection

BAR Services Ltd, Moor Hall, Sandhawes Hill, East Grinstead, Sussex RH19 3HQ Tel: 01342 870087 Fax: 01342 870072 Email: [email protected]

Meeting the needs of the members is of the utmost importance to BAR Services. Of late, BAR Services has noticed an increase in requests for foam corner protectors and never wanting to disappoint, it has carefully sourced and now supplies such a product.

The good news is that, whereas before corner protectors could only be bought in large quantities,

this product can be bought in handy packs of 250. Even better, for environmentalists, the foam is naturally produced from environmentally sustainable materials, without CFCs and HCFCs.

Available in several sizes, the protectors are manufactured in a specially designed horse-shoe shape that allows maximum grip and protection to the relevant corners and edges.

For further details and prices on the corner protectors, please contact our sales team on 01342 870087 or alternatively e-mail [email protected].

Become a Tweeter with BAR Services

issues and any conferences and exhibitions the sales team will be attending over the coming year, 2010.

For BAR Services, one of the most important aspects of these social websites is the ability for its customers to be able to provide feedback to the company. Whether feedback is good or bad, the team want to know what customers think. In this way it can carry on doing the things it does well but can also learn about and address any issues customers have.

So if you are already a tweeter please add us to your friends (BARServicesLtd) and follow us on Twitter. If you’re not, then why not give it a try – we are sure you will become hooked. On the other hand, if the idea of interacting over the Internet fills you with dread then do not fear, you can still talk in the traditional way to anyone on the sales team by calling 01342 870087, e-mailing [email protected] or reading about them in the monthly R&S.

The BAR Services home page on Twitter


CMG News

Knowing Nigel as a long-time server of the removals industry, it might come as a surprise to many that his move

into the industry was not a planned one: far from it. Being unemployed Nigel was trying to find new ways of earning a living when he decided to give felt roofing a try with close friend, Paul Simpson.

Whilst on their first job, fixing a flat roof for a Dr Patterson, the pair were asked to recommend a good removals company to move the family to Oxford. “Off the top of my head I said, ‘We could do that’,” said Nigel. “That evening Paul and I went away wondering what we had got ourselves into. We had no van, no experience, and no money.” All major obstacles when trying to start a new business.

With the promise of this one job, Nigel and Paul bought an old furniture van. “It was a Bedford TK with a 300 diesel engine. I know some of you old-timers will be saying, ‘300? It’s a 330’ but it really was a 300 running on one piston. We went to find the owner, Chris Griffin who owns Griffins Removals of Sheffield and bought the van for the scrap value of £300.”

Nigel and Paul set to work re-building the van’s engine only to find that it also needed re-boring meaning cutting into the middle of the cab to access the top of the engine. “It was winter, it was freezing cold and raining, but determination saw the van running two weeks later.”

Just as things were beginning to come together, Dr Patterson was taken ill and decided against the move to Oxford. “The reality was now very clear,” said Nigel. “We needed to find some work. So we touted for business delivering three piece suites for an old fellow called Bill Rodger. He was your typical gangster type. He had just been released from prison for printing £5 notes and paying the staff wages with them, but work was work and we worked for Rodgers Upholstery for two years until it went bust.”

At around this same time Nigel and Paul, whilst also doing the odd domestic move and deliveries, found that they had built up enough of a business to buy another Bedford TK, but this time with a reliable 330 engine. “Things were going well,” Nigel recalled. “Business was so good we even rented a small lock up for conventional storage.”

However, when Paul left the partnership Nigel was left with the prospect of running the business alone, something which he admits he found very difficult. “I decided to approach Pickfords Removals to see whether they needed any external labour or vehicles. Within two years I was the largest supplier of staff in the country providing drivers and porters to all the Yorkshire depots and beyond.”

CMG Member Profile: Nigel Shaw. As the Managing Director of Specialised Movers in Sheffield and the man in control of the CMG purse strings, Nigel Shaw’s involvement and dedication to the removals industry is clear. Charlotte Freestone talked to Nigel about the benefits of the CMG and how he fell into the industry almost by accident …

Nigel formed Specialised Movers in the early 1990s, “We travelled the country undertaking major commercial moves from move planning to execution. I see Pickfords as being paramount in the building of Specialised Movers.”

Business continued to thrive and in 1995 Nigel met his wife and business partner Carole who Nigel says was the driving force behind renting their first warehouse. “This was a massive step. At this stage we could take on the world - me and Carole! However the one goal I thought I could never achieve was BAR membership.”

Nigel describes his view of the BAR membership at this time as seemingly for the bigger companies. However, Specialised Movers applied for both BAR and CMG membership at the same time, and the company became members of both groups with Nigel elected to the Council the following year.

“Immediately we began to see the benefits of BAR and CMG membership,” said Nigel. “We achieved the overall winner of the Yellow Pages’ First Impressions award twice. We have won the CMOTY Award of Merit every year since we joined, and in 2009 we achieved the CMOTY category winner for a Commercial Relocation of Over 50 Staff.”

So, other than achieving award winning status, how has being a CMG member helped Specialised Movers? “When you approach the client for the first time you have the confidence to sell your company at the highest level,” said Nigel. “This reassures nervous clients that they

are in good hands and, if all else fails, you can call on another member to assist, knowing they will provide a high standard of service.”

Nigel is the man in charge of the CMG’s purse strings and also one of the 12 elected councillors with a casting vote. Nigel describes one of the most debated agenda items of late as making the PAS 126 (later to become BS 8522) mandatory for membership to the CMG. “No decision is ever taken lightly. The intention was that all CMG members should be working to this standard in their everyday business. Personally, I would say the quality standard works very well for Specialised Movers, with more clients requesting it in tender documents.”

So, with 25 years in the business under his belt, is it time for Nigel to start slowing down? “The removals industry has provided me with great friends, great experiences and a good life. Now going into my 50s I feel it’s time to now start enjoying what I have achieved.” And with a lovely apartment in the Algarve, a large house on the outskirts of Barnsley and a beautiful Irish Border Collie named Harnie there is surely plenty for Nigel to enjoy. However, it doesn’t look as though Nigel will be staying put for very long. “Last year I bought a top of the range motor-home and, looking nothing like Max and Paddy on their Road to Nowhere, Carole and I will enjoy the next few years touring.”

All together now: “Don’t know where we’re going, Got no way of knowing, Driving on the road to nowhere.”

Keeping on truckin’ - Nigel Shaw

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CMG News

The New CMG Membership BAR would like to extend its congratulations to the following companies who have also achieved BS 8522 certifi cation:

Business Moves Group Ltd

Delivery Services

Greens Removals

Luxfords of Weybridge

The Standard requires a demonstrable and measurable level of compliance and achievement against all aspects of the commercial moving operation. Well done to all for their hard work and effort in achieving the standard.

McCarthy’s of Leeds

MJF Business Services Ltd

Sargents Ltd

Stephens Removals

The company was invited to tender against a number of other relocation companies and won the major proportion of the

contract, sharing the remainder with another local removal contractor.

P. Fahey & Sons Ltd has been contracted to move Booth Hall Children’s Hospital, St Mary’s Women’s Hospital, The Royal Eye Hospital and Manchester Royal Infi rmary Adults Hospital. Also included in the project was the movement of the Clinical Sciences Building, including laboratory areas on the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital site. The move included all laboratories, libraries, nurseries, wards, offi ces, pharmacies and chemical moves including biohazards, radioactive materials, art/artefacts, drugs, medical records and specimen slides from all hospitals to the new £500 million buildings on the Manchester Royal Infi rmary site.

The whole project required detailed co-ordination and planning, from the initial fi ve-day walk round to assess the requirements to presenting the tender. Simon Fahey, the Removal Service Project Manager, attended preparatory and project planning meetings and liaised with the commissioning group, agreeing move methodologies and the labelling strategy to be used, then Fahey’s site foreman and crews - working to the overall move plan – started executing the relocations, working to strict time schedules, shift working patterns and seven days a week for over a three month period.

The contract is still to be completed and so far has utilised approximately 20,500 packing crates, supplied by Northern Crates, 300 rolls of bubble wrap, 50,000 low adhesive labels and 5,000 security tabs, all supplied by P. Fahey & Sons Ltd.

Simon Fahey, Director said, “Earlier this year all our staff attended a ‘Team Leader in Commercial Moving’ course, held on our

Making child’s play of children’s hospital relocationP. Fahey & Sons Ltd was awarded a ‘Tender for the Removal Service for the Relocation of Central Manchester & Manchester Children’s Hospital’ and is currently completing a major relocation for the NHS Trust.

premises, carried out by David Hookins of BAR Training Services. Although my staff have years of experience, we felt it refreshed the demands and attitude required when carrying out commercial moves, this has paid dividends when completing moves of this stature.”

Simon continued, “I have been very proud to be involved in such a prestigious move, it has been a great challenge to which my team have risen to and passed with fl ying colours, completing every task asked of them, to carry out the relocation of the biggest children’s hospital in the UK and one of the largest eye teaching hospitals and women’s hospitals in

Europe has been a privilege.”The Head of Capital Procurement for The

Central Manchester Foundation Trust said, “I would like to add my thanks to this as I feel the conduct and service offered from Fahey’s has been exemplary throughout the move.”

The Directors of P. Fahey & Sons were so impressed with the new hospital facility that they made a donation of £1000 to the Harvey Slack Appeal, in aid of a young boy who lost both his arms and legs through meningitis. The young boy was transferred from the old hospital to the new hospital and has since been allowed to return home.

Top: Moving out of the old hospital buildingsBottom: Moving into the new ‘state of the art’ buildings

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Training News

Above: some of the many companies David has visited and helped over the past year

David Dale RemovalsThe second week in January saw David training with David Dale Removals at their Boroughbridge depot.

David Dale Removals offer UK, European and Worldwide removals and had brought their staff who are based in Spain back to the UK for the training. David Dale also invited staff from local BAR members to attend which is an excellent idea as it spreads the cost of the training and ensures a full course.

David Hookins delivered courses in fragile packing and export wrapping as well as a course in vehicle loading which was tailored to concentrate on the requirements of European moving taking into account the large distances involved and different standards of road surfaces.

The training took place over two days. The staff from Spain were not impressed by the amount of snow around, and were loading their vehicle for the return journey as David left.

Out and about with David HookinsDavid Hookins, BARTS’ Field Trainer, tours the country constantly providing operational training services on site to help companies manage the cost of first-class training. These are some of the projects he’s been working on during his travels:

David Hookins with the BARTS Mobile Training Unit and, above the trailer


Training News

DRS Moving Group Ltd.David visited DRS Moving Group Ltd, Dundee, to provide training on site to their staff.

Scot Brown, of DRS Moving Group Ltd, wanted to use the training to reinforce company standards, refresh existing skills and introduce new skills into the company and saw the training as complimentary to their own ‘in house’ training programme.

After discussions it was agreed that David would deliver training in fragile packing, packing of paintings, pictures and mirrors, loading and unloading of vehicles and export wrapping, and would focus on a standard throughout the company which was easily recognisable and professional.

The training was well received by the staff with excellent feedback. David is looking forward to returning to DRS Group Ltd in the future to continue assisting them with their training requirements.

Flemings RemovalsThe first week in January, after the Christmas and New Year break, saw David in Scotland with Flemings Removals of Inverkeithing, Rosyth.

Flemings Removals have taken advantage of BARTS’ five-year plan for Driver CPC training which guarantees training on a specified date at a fixed rate for the next five years.

The first course, which was delivered at Flemings’ premises, was LGV Driver Essentials which was attended by ten of Flemings’ drivers including four family members, truly a family run company.

With overnight temperatures well below freezing and almost two feet of snow on the

ground David appreciated Flemings’ hospitality by providing lunch and hot drinks throughout the day and is looking forward to returning next year when he will be able to deliver further Driver CPC training.

R&S MacQueen BrothersMacQueen Brothers, of Oban, arranged Driver CPC training, on site, with BARTS.

Graham MacQueen had booked a local hotel for the training and invited local hauliers to attend the training to share the cost which led to a full course of 15 drivers.

David Hookins explained to those present that the LGV Drivers Essentials course was a ’generic’ course which is of interest to all drivers. BARTS were designing further courses some of which would be of a ‘generic’ nature and others more specific to the removals industry.

The training was well received, including the lunch arranged by Graham, with positive feedback and suggestions for future courses. David thanked Graham for his work in arranging the training and confirmed his willingness to return in the future despite the snow and icy conditions.

Martells Driver CPC TrainingSussex Area members joined together for Driver CPC training at Martells International Movers’ premises in East Grinstead.

The training was arranged for a Saturday by Ed Kessell, of Martells, which suited all the members involved because it did not interfere with their Monday to Friday removals diary. The training will take place on the same date for the next five years, as per BARTS’ incentive plan, which guarantees the date and the cost.

With 15 drivers, from the three member companies attending the training, the cost per driver was kept to a minimum.

David thanked Ed for the use of his premises and complimented all three members on their willingness to work together in booking the training.

Driver CPC Training Western AreaDavid delivered Driver CPC training to three Western Area members at GH Yeates and Sons Ltd’s premises in Clevedon, Bristol.

James Griffin, of GH Yeates and Sons Ltd, arranged the training on behalf of the other members who agreed to share the cost of the training. This ensured that there was a full course and the cost per driver was kept to a minimum.

All three members managed to carry out removals on the day of the training using drivers who will attend another course which will be arranged later in the year. This is an ideal arrangement for the smaller BAR members who cannot afford to have all their drivers off the road, to attend training, at the same time.

David thanked James for the use of his premises and congratulated him, and the other BAR members, for taking a positive

approach to Driver CPC training by agreeing a training plan which suited all three of them.

R&S MJF Group LtdMJF Group Ltd, of Uxbridge, contacted BARTS with regard to training for their team leaders.

MJF Group Ltd carry out commercial moves on behalf of clients along with numerous other services including complete office fit outs, office design, supply of office furnishings, removal and recycling of unwanted office furniture, and a secure document shredding service.

Stephen Palmer, of MJF Group Ltd, explained that they wanted to formalise the positions of their existing team leaders and provide training for future team leaders.

David opened the course by explaining the various titles for their role as team leaders: foreman, supervisor, driver in charge, porter in charge, etc, and also explaining that the role was one of somebody who is in charge of other people whether a team of two or 20, it was the same role.

BARTS’ team leader course covers the role and responsibility of a team leader, the responsibilities of a team leader with regard to the company, team and customer, leadership styles, problem solving and gaining respect of the company, team and customer.

The training also offers an ideal forum for existing team leaders to discuss problems, ideas and solutions, which can be a valuable learning experience leading to improved understanding of their roles and improved performance.

The course was well received by those attending and many expressed their gratitude to the company for providing the course and the opportunity for discussion.

R&S Webbs International Removals LtdGareth Webb, of Webbs International Removals Ltd, Ramsgate, contacted BARTS to update their health and safety training.

David visited Webbs premises in Ramsgate to deliver the training. The training included manual handling and health and safety awareness. The training ensured that Webbs International are fully compliant with training as per the current health and safety regulations.

The health and safety awareness course covers current legislation, roles and responsibilities for health and safety within the business, hazard reporting, fire safety training and first aid awareness.

The health and safety awareness course not only confirms the procedures within the member company but also stresses the need to comply with other companies’ health and safety policies when working on their premises including risk awareness, security, and fire safety and emergency procedures.

The training was also attended by staff from Fox’s Removals and Storage, Margate: another example of BAR members working together to reduce the cost of training.


Training News

The EU passed the Driver CPC EU Directive in 2003. This will affect all professional LGV and PCV drivers. For new drivers it

introduces a new initial qualification, the Driver CPC, which increases the amount of knowledge that drivers need before they can drive. When combined with licence acquisition tests, the initial qualification includes a four-hour theory test and a two-hour driving and practical test. All drivers, new and existing, will then have to undertake 35 hours of training every five years to ensure that their Driver CPC is current. This is known as Periodic Training. Only courses that have been approved - and are being delivered by a training centre that has been approved by the Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training (JAUPT) - will count towards the Periodic Training requirement. Periodic Training is designed to confirm, and expand on, the existing knowledge and skills of each driver to ensure that they continue to be safe, courteous and fuel-efficient drivers. This will also enable drivers to keep up-to-date with ever-changing regulations and to

benefit from training throughout their whole career. This Directive became effective on 10 September, 2008 for the PCV sector and 10 September, 2009 for the LGV sector.

How is the training delivered?Courses and training centres must be approved by JAUPT on behalf of the Competent Authority for the delivery of Periodic Training. The content, title and method of delivery of each training course are looked at during the approval process. A course is a coherent programme of learning of at least seven hours. The seven hours excludes any breaks; only direct training and contact time (time with a trainer) count towards the Periodic Training requirement. Periodic Training is designed to improve the knowledge of the driver and it could include courses in subjects such as Disability Awareness, Tachograph Regulations and Safe and Fuel-Efficient Driving. There are no tests or exams involved but training centres will be required to evaluate each course to ensure that those attending have benefited from the training that they have received.

Identity checkingTraining centres must carry out identity checks in order to verify the identity of each participant on a course. This requires a visual check of an official form of identification: either a

passport and ‘old style’ paper driving licence, or photocard and counterpart driving licence. If a driver fails to provide the required identification their training will not be registered and they will not be allowed to attend the course.Information taken from JAUPT Guide to Periodic Training

Training Available on your premisesThe following courses can be delivered on site by our Field Trainer using our mobile training vehicle:

MAKINGTRAINING

AFFORDABLE

BAR Training Services

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• Health & Safety awareness• Manual Handling• Fire Safety Training• Induction Training• Basic/Advanced Packing Skills• Vehicle & Container - Loading• Warehousing• Export Wrapping• Commercial & Overseas Training• Team Leader Training•� Driver CPC

Please visit the BAR Training Services section at www.bar.co.uk to download a booking form or call us on 01923 699 484*All courses are subject to change.

BAR Training Services, Tangent House, 62 Exchange Road, Watford, Herts, WD18 0TG. T: 01923 699484 F: 01923 699481 E: [email protected] W: www.bar.co.uk

• Removals Documentation• Fire Warden Training• Risk Assessment• Fragile Packing - Beginner/Refresher• Specialist Packing/Piano’s• Writing a Winning Tender - NEW!• Selling Skills• Removals Apprenticeship• BTEC in Practical Estimating• BTEC in Removals Management•� Train the Trainer

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What is Driver CPC?

For further information on Driver CPC training contact BARTS on 01923 699484 or e-mail [email protected]


Training News

BAR Young Movers got together at their launch event held in Birmingham at the end of last year

and the day was a complete success. The BAR Young Movers special interest group is endorsed by and part of the Association and will be aimed at employees of BAR members aged in their 20s and 30s.

The project is managed by Loren Webster, BARTS’ Training Manager and Darren House of Farrer & Fenwick, the group is sponsored by Basil Fry & Company, Alchemy and Reason Global Insurance and recognised by FEDEMAC.

The Young Movers group is a forum for young people who may be new to the industry, young people on a career path, or young people entering or part of a family business. The aim of the group is to share

ideas to enhance their skills and progress their personal career objectives, to network, to learn from others and to forge personal and business relationships within the Association in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.

Each BAR Young Movers event has a focus on providing tangible business benefits to all involved and there is no joining or membership fee to become part of the group.

The next BAR Young Movers event is to be held on 17 March to include business seminars on risk management, career path choices and the BAR OFT Code of Practice.

Young Movers quotes and testimonials:‘The BAR UK Young Movers Group should be really excited to get involved with the European Young Movers. Our events are inexpensive and very focused on providing business benefits to the group and excellent networking opportunities. As a young mover myself I see so many opportunities in getting involved with the UK and European Young Movers. There is no better way to learn about European legislation and regulations than by speaking directly with your peers from various European countries. Imagine the scenario: a truck with access problems in Germany. What do you do? Call your fellow young mover whom

you’ve met and established a relationship with for assistance and advice. The more we widen our network of contacts the greater the possibilities. Loren Webster, BARTS’ Training Manager is set to attend the European Young Movers Conference in May to bring further networking benefits to our UK BAR Young Movers group. Annmarie Pearson, APAK Removals & Storage.

The group has been of direct benefit to me, having met another company, Lanes of Cornwall, I was able to contact them when I had a removal in their area and they were able to advise me of the access for the size of the vehicle I was sending, and if needed, they could have provided porter assistance and provided me with useful contact numbers if I needed to tranship. Clearly this would have saved me any unwanted costs if any problems had arisen. I will certainly be keeping in touch with members of the BAR Young Movers group as I can see this providing real benefit in the future. I will also be attending the BAR Young Movers business seminar and the various other business and networking events together with the Young Movers event at this year’s BAR Conference. Tom Ryan, Ryans Removals Ltd.

BAR Training Services offer members a payment initiative on all of our training

courses. Training may be carried out at head office, on-site or using our mobile

training unit.

Payment for training with a value of over £1,200 can be spread over four monthly

payments for your convenience.

To take advantage of this offer, a non refundable deposit of 30% must be paid with

your booking confirmation. Please see the example below:

For a full list of BARTS courses please visit the training section of the website at:www.bar.co.uk

Date: Deposit Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 TOTAL

Payment: £360 £280 £280 £280 £1,200 (all figures quoted are subject to VAT)

Cost of course - £1,200

MAKINGTRAINING

AFFORDABLE

Training Payment Initiative

Exclusiveto BAR

Members

Young Movers – get involved!Young Movers are already seeing the tangible business benefits that come from being a part of this exciting new group.


Training News

Writing a Winning Tender WorkshopNew course from BARTSThis course is designed to provide BAR members with advice and support to enable them to win new business when tendering for local government contracts – only £99 from 11:30am until 3pm.

Course includes:• Constructing a winning strategy• Risk management• What to write• Identifying your USP• Where you can stand out• Common mistakes• Opportunities to score• Presentations• Feedback• Pricing• Tips & techniques• Useful information

Dates: Wed 7 April, Wed 5 May, Tues 8 June, Tues 20 July.

BARTS Selling Skills Course

The expensive risk for breaches in fi re safetyBy Martyn Minker, Training Co-ordinator

Selling skills testimonials

Really good course, it gave me lots of help in my selling skills. Stephen Parnell, Maidmans.

I think the BARTS Selling Skills course is a good course, as a driver/porter; it gives an eye opening to what’s involved and an excellent guide to moving up the company chain. Craig Edser

The BAR Training Services course is a fantastic way of giving people in the removals industry an easier way of understanding the OFT Code of Practice and all its content. I have defi nitely come away with a better understanding – fi rst class, cheers!Philip Faulkner, Oldhams Removals

Well done – good day. Brian Maidman, Maidmans

Presented by Loren Webster, BARTS’ Training Manager, the BARTS Selling Skills course takes place between 11:00am –

3:30pm (10:30 for refreshments, course starts at 11:00) allowing all members to attend and benefi t from this not-to-be-missed, great value course wherever you are located.

Learn how to convert enquiries into sales and how best to promote the BAR OFT Code of Practice to your customers.

BARTS Selling Skills course will also be taking place at BAR Watford on the following dates throughout the year: 16 March, 14 April, 19 May, 9 June, 7 July, 11 August, 8 September, 6 October, 17 November and 8 December.

Don’t miss out, it’s only £99! Price frozen from 2009

Fire brigades are now responsible for enforcing all fi re safety breaches in any organisation. Failure to comply with fi re

regulations could result in a huge fi ne.Following a recent fi re in one of their stores,

a large, well known retailer was fi ned £400,000 for serious breaches in fi re safety and ordered to pay £136,000 in court costs. The breakdown of the fi ne was as follows: £250,000 for failing to produce a suitable and effi cient fi re risk assessment and £150,000 for inadequate fi re safety training.

Elsewhere in 2009 one of the world’s leading oil companies was fi ned £300,000 and ordered to pay £45,000 in court costs. It was found that

a fi re risk assessment was in place but it had not been updated in three and a half years.

To avoid large fi nes such as these all organisations should ensure that fi re safety training is regularly refreshed and a fi re risk assessment is carried out by a competent person and is reviewed on a regular basis.

To discuss fi re training and fi re risk assessment for your business please call BARTS on 01923 699484 or e-mail [email protected]

Breaches in fi re safety can now lead to large fi nes

BTEC Award in Practical Estimating

£545 + VAT (BAR MEMBER)

This 2 day course is practically based and is designed to teach students the art of estimating as well as face to face sales techniques.

The course covers topics such as :

- Practical Estimating at 2 local properties - Quantity Assessment - The Role of the Estimator - Health & Safety- Communication Techniques - Contract Conditions - Removals Insurance

BARTS Practical Estimating & Selling Skills Courses 2010

Book your places today

Call 01923 699484 or email [email protected]

Watford Course Dates 2010

March - 18 & 19 August - 17 & 18

April - 15 & 16 September - 22 & 23

May - 17 & 18 October - 20 & 21

June - 3 & 4 November - 18 & 19

July - 15 & 16 December - 09 & 10

BARTSTHE INDUSTRYSPECIALISTS

Selling Skills/Promoting the BAR OFT Code of Practice

£99 + VAT (BAR MEMBER)

This 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.

The course covers topics such as:

- The Role of the Salesperson - Marketing - Prospecting & Negotiating - Promoting the OFT Code - Communication & Presentation - Identifying Customer Needs - Closing the Sale

Watford Course Dates 2010

March - 17 August - 11

April - 14 September - 08

May - 19 October - 06

June - 09 November - 17

July - 07 December - 08

Because your people are your biggest assetBARTS

THE INDUSTRYSPECIALISTS

Est & Sell Skills Dec 2009 5 (Feb 2010).indd 1 2/11/2010 3:11:42 PM

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Brand New Workshop

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JAUPT APPROVED CENTRE AC00191

Flexible training the way you want it!

BAR Training Services train you at the following locations at specially

discounted member rates:

At your premises In the BAR areasBAR in Watford

Book your places NOW or for further information

contact BARTS on 01923 699484

INDUSTRY SPECIFIC DRIVER CPC TRAINING FROM BAR TRAINING SERVICES

BARTSTHE INDUSTRYSPECIALISTSBecause your people are your biggest asset

DRIVER CPC DEC 2010.indd 1 2/11/2010 3:18:02 PM


European News

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


CBI lobbies on agency employment

The CBI recently lobbied Business Minister Pat McFadden on agency work. The action was in response to trade union pressure for additional rights to be included in the Agency Work Regulations being introduced this year. CBI Deputy Director-General John Cridland argued that government needs to adopt an approach that will preserve competitiveness and employment by sticking to only what the European

Directive requires. His argument was that agency work offers important fl exibility that benefi ts business and provides working opportunities for 5% of the workforce. Union pressure is focussed on providing inappropriate employment rights to agency workers, and the CBI has argued that such an approach would lead to a large-scale fl ight from the agency model and lower total employment levels.

FEDEMAC has advised BAR that the European Commission has issued a new draft of its directive in Consumer Rights.

Unlike the previous draft it appears that the new version does not exempt the moving industry.

The Directive will obligate movers to provide their customers with particular information about the company and the service being offered. Numerous details will have to be given. In general movers will have to: give the customer the right to withdraw from the contract within a period of 14 days after signing the contract; inform the customer on how to withdraw from the contract; and inform the customer on how to withdraw from the contract by providing and using a standard withdrawal form. The moving company will not be allowed to charge any costs to the consumer if the withdrawal is made within the 14-day period.

Removal services and customer expectations are becoming more and more diffi cult. The time between fi rst contact of service provider and customer, contracting and carrying out the removal service is getting shorter and shorter. The moving industry could therefore be possibly affected in a considerable way

unless it is exempted from the element which allows the consumer right to withdraw from the contract in the 14-day period.

The EU Member States can currently agree or give comments on the existing draft on the new Directive on Consumer Rights. This means that the draft is currently in discussion in the administration of the EU Member States. FEDEMAC says that it would be very helpful in every case for national Member Associations and Direct Affi liates to act urgently at national level to obtain clarifi cation as to whether removal services are exempt or not.

FEDEMAC asks all member companies to contact their responsible administration body in the national government to clarify the terminology and to try to ensure the moving industry is exempted from the clause relating to the consumer rights to withdraw from a signed contract with 14 days after signature or for exemption from the Directive in general as had been the situation in the fi rst draft of the Directive.

(Note: BAR is actively lobbying government on this issue.)

Consumer rights:14-day right to withdraw

The world’s leading heavy-duty vehicle and engine manufacturing companies are urging for close co-operation between

policy makers in Europe, the United States and Japan to develop practical and effective standards for fuel-effi ciency and regulations that would then be used all around the globe.

Over a dozen chief executives of the global commercial vehicle industry – including Caterpillar, Cummins, Daimler, Hino, Isuzu, Iveco, Mack, MAN, Mitsubishi Fuso, Navistar, Nissan Diesel, Scania, Volvo and Volkswagen – met in Brussels in December 2009 to discuss the various opportunities and needs their industry is facing. The discussions focused primarily on the issues of climate change and global energy security, but also covered global air quality related emissions standards, improved fuel quality and specifi cations for renewable fuels.

The manufacturers agreed to actively encourage global policy co-operation and to provide their expertise to ensure that regulatory developments enhance the industry’s technological progress within realistic time and economic constraints. “A co-ordinated global approach for our industry is the most effective way to contribute to achieving global fuel effi ciency improvements from the road freight sector,” said Leif Östling, Chief Executive Offi cer of Scania and Chairman of the ACEA Commercial Vehicle Board, who hosted the meeting in Brussels. “We serve a global market place, and want to avoid confl icting regulations from different regions. That is simply too costly, and impedes technological progress. Global co-operation in developing specifi c requirements, as well as methods of evaluating fuel effi ciency, provides needed elements to further improve the environmental performance of our vehicles and increases the effi ciency of goods transport. That will serve both our customers and the environment.”

World’s vehicle manufacturers look for unity

Thinking time -The latest draft of the EC’s Consumer Rights directive means customers will have 14 days to withdraw froma contract with a remover

BAR Conference 2010 13 - 15 May 2010, Bristol Marriott Hotel City Centre

‘Partnership for Profit - Preparing for the Future’ 13 - 15 May 2010, Bristol Marriott Hotel City Centre

For the latest information and to book, please visit

www.bar.co.uk/conference2010.aspx

Welcome to the BAR Conference

Conference2010dps jan r&s.indd 1 19/01/2010 14:36:28

Conference 2010 Highlights

Following on from last year’s highly successful �� theme, this year’s conference aims to build and enhance on that theme by ��.

The BAR Annual Conference 2010 will be hosted in the Bristol Marriott Hotel - a superb venue that offers the perfect location for our 3-day event ... don’t miss this opportunity!

Don’t miss out on the event of the year ...Come and share the most highly anticipated event

in the professional removals calendar

�� The BAR Annual Golf Challenge 2010 kicks off on Thursday 13 May at the prestigious St. Pierre Country Club, ��The day will also include conference attendees competing for an additional competition prize. For more information, please contact [email protected].

�� We are delighted to welcome to the conference our keynote speaker Rachel Elnaugh of ‘Dragons’ Den’ fame.This former ‘Businesswoman of the Year’ and highly experienced entrepreneur will present a personal account of her professional success through the years. Don’t miss Rachel’s highly motivational and entertaining speech.

�� Top class presentations from our Corporate Alliance Partners - who will offer relevant expert industry advice and guidance on making the most of business partnerships and preparing for the future.

�� Find out what new and innovative products and services exist in the removals and storage industry by visiting our annual Trade Exhibition.

�� The Young Movers event will take place at ‘Jungle Rumble’ - a superb venue for our Young Movers to meet up and have fun playing crazy golf.

�� Who will be the 2010 Domestic Mover of the Year and Commercial Mover of the Year? The Gala Night Dinner will include the presentation ceremony unfolding the richly deserved DMOTY and CMOTY winners.

�� Top class social events NOT to be missed - beginning with a Drinks Reception followed by a Welcome Buffetand Party Night at the stunning Explore @Bristol & Planetarium, one of the South West’s most prestigious and unique venues. Enjoy and socialise with fellow members at this iconic location. The Black Tie Gala Evening Dinner held at the Bristol Marriott promises to be a��

‘Crack the Safe’ during the conference to win a brand new MINI ...

WIN A CAR!

To register for the conference, please visit:www.bar.co.uk/conference2010.aspx

Conference2010dps CENTER FINAL.indd 1 12/02/2010 12:07:04

Conference Programme

Morning�� - Those not attending the business

sessions have the opportunity explor the Roman city of Bath. The visit will include transport, a city tour and lunch. The Overseas Group will be joining the Partner’s Tour as their Conference event.

CMG Business Sessions

CMG Annual Meeting

Corporate Alliance Partner - Presentations by:

�� BT - to include the launch of an exciting new product which will support your business in the removals market place �� Facilities Management Association�� Greenworks�� PFM ‘Moving Trends Survey’

Afternoon�� within the exhibition area and a chance to eat and drink with our exhibitors

CMG Business Sessions - Presentations by:

�� Corporate Alliance Partner - British Institute of Facilities Management�� Keynote speaker and former BBC ‘Dragon’ Rachel Elnaugh�� Trailer for the 2011 conference

Evening�� at the Bristol Foyer

�� dancing, as well as honours and awards presentations, including ��and

�� winners. Music by�� a show band that has earned the reputation for offering the ‘very best in live entertainment’.

Morning�� - St. Pierre Country Club Championship Old Course

Evening

�� - sponsored by: drinks and buffet dinner included

�� at ‘Jungle Rumble’

Morning��

��

�� BAR AGM�� RBA AGM�� President’s Inauguration

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News RoundupEuropean News

Extension of Electronic Tolls in the Czech RepublicAs of 1 January, 2010 the system of electronic tolls in the Czech Republic was extended to all vehicles with a MPW of over 3.5t driving on motorways, assimilated roads and first class roads. It previously only applied to vehicles over 12t. The toll will be calculated according to the vehicle’s Euro category and the number of axles. The time of day and day of the week, as well as the season, will also be taken into consideration.

The toll will be calculated through an On Board Unit (OBU). OBUs are available at around 250 retail points (mostly fuel stations), against a 1’550 CZK deposit (around 60 euros). Instructions on how to install an OBU are explained in a short film available to view at www.mytocz.cz/en/index.html.

The toll itself can be either prepaid or post-paid. If using the prepay system the toll is paid in advance at a retail point, either by cash, credit or fuel card. The following documents are required: registration document with vehicle’s Euro category; the applicant’s identification document (driver licence); the form completed and signed; a 1’550 CZK deposit and a prepaid amount of minimum 500. If the emission category fails to be indicated on the registration documents the vehicle will automatically be entered as a Euro 2 category.

For the post-payment system, a valid contract must be concluded in advance. The amounts due for the tolls are calculated and regularly sent by invoice. To conclude the contract, the applicant must present the following documents: the applicant’s identification documents; all vehicles’ fuel cards or a copy of a bank guarantee; the original or certified copy of a Commercial Register extract not older than three months; the form completed and duly signed on the spot; registration certificates for each vehicle, with the emission category. Further information is available in several languages at www.mytocz.cz and http://www.premid.cz.

TfL to try average speed cameras on A13 A notorious A13 blackspot is the first place in the UK where average speed cameras will enforce speed limits along a major urban road. Transport for London (TfL) will fit 87 new cameras at 37 points between Canning Town and the Goresbrook Interchange as the collision rate on that part of the A13 is almost a fifth higher than typical major roads in London. TfL expects the new system will halve the number of people killed or seriously injured along the road and improve traffic flow.

SMMT wants action on digital radioVehicle makers, broadcasters and governments must work together to meet plans to fit digital radios into all new vehicles on European roads by 2013 and for every other vehicle to be ‘digitally enabled’ by 2015. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has told the House of Lords Select Committee on Communications that there is too little action, co-ordinated research and development between the parties. Its members broadly back the government’s digital radio aims but worry that many of the UK’s 31 million strong vehicle fleet won’t be adapted in those two years and will need converters and trained technicians to fit them. Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive said, “It is essential that there is a thorough cost/benefit study before the government agrees a date.”

EC to charge trucks for pollutionA new report from the European Commission’s in-house Joint Research Centre says that the advantages of charging trucks for pollution justify the higher prices this will mean for consumers. The report supports the EC plan to revise the Eurovignette Directive on truck tolls to allow national governments to cover pollution costs. It also suggests that the price rises would be ‘negligible’ and that the plan would cut road freight CO2 emissions by 8%. It says that truckers can absorb 20% to 30% of cost rises by using greater efficiency.

Sofia to raise parking tax for blue zone lots Days after the recent by-elections for mayor in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia, the municipality announced plans to increase the fee for parking in blue zones. “We will keep unchanged the blue zones in some districts, while in others the fee will go up several times. Parking in parts of the centre will be prohibited,” said the head of the transport commission at the municipality council.

EU compromises on 30% CO2 cut After talks amongst themselves, EU members have reached a compromise on their recent pledge to make a 30% cut in CO2 output by 2020. They will now accept a binding 20% cut with an aim to go to 30%. The original, binding 30% deal depended on other signatories committing to ‘comparable’ cuts. They didn’t, so the EU replaced a promise with an objective.

Tax inspectors and Customs officials strike in GreeceGreek tax inspectors and Customs officials have been striking in protest against government austerity measures. The measures have been introduced to try and tackle Greece’s huge budget deficit and national debt. The Customs officials strike could stop all forms of transport to and from Greece. The EU recently approved the plan but insisted on inspecting Greece’s notoriously unreliable accounts. Part of the government’s plan relies on tax collectors recovering billions of euros lost to tax evasion. Greece’s deficit is, at 12.7% (about euro 300 billion) more than four times higher than euro-zone rules allow. Farmers have already been protesting by blocking the Bulgarian border and civil servants are planning to strike, with there also being talk of a general strike. Bulgaria’s Economy Minister said that Bulgaria is suffering losses in the amount of euro 3 million per day over the Greek farmers’ protests.

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


Mutual recognition of driving disqualifications: UK and the Republic of Ireland The United Kingdom has taken the formal legal steps, along with the Republic of Ireland administration, to mutually recognise driving disqualifications issued to either UK or Irish drivers. This will mean that a UK driving licence holder disqualified for an offence in Ireland will no longer escape that punishment when they return home. Likewise, a disqualification earned by an Irish driver while in the UK will have their disqualification enforced on their return to Ireland.

Dublin HGV ban proves too expensive The ban on big trucks on the streets of Dublin is proving too expensive for the Irish capital to sustain. The HGV management strategy introduced in 2007 banned trucks of more than five axles from the city centre between 7am and 7pm, but the City Council agreed to pay truck tolls on the East Link toll bridge because they were left with no alternative route. That has now proved so costly - euro 1.6 million (£1.4 million) a year - that the council is now reviewing the policy which arose because under EU rules a toll road can only be enforced if an alternative route is available. A report is now being prepared for Dublin city councillors to allow them to consider alternatives to the present arrangements. It now seems likely that a further ban on four-axle vehicles on Dublin’s streets will be abandoned because it would also be too expensive. The cost of removing these vehicles is understood to be euro 500,000 (£451,493) per year in tolls, with no provision in the 2010 budget to pay for the move. In the meantime, the national toll road contract to operate the toll bridge runs until December 2015. Until then the council will have to pay the tolls or offer a non-tolled route for five-axle trucks to reach Dublin port.

Do you have any news? If you have please send it to: The Editor, Steve Jordan, Removals & Storage, The Words Workshop Ltd, 26 Swanwick Lane, Broughton, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK10 9LDTel: 01908 695500 Fax: 01908 690099 Email: [email protected]

European News

New form of attestation

On 14 December, 2009 the European Commission adopted a new attestation letter to be used by a driver to explain

to a control officer at a roadside check why he has insufficient charts/records in his possession, e.g. was driving an out of scope vehicle on other days or had just started work as a driver, etc. The new version of the attestation letter replaces the old one that was criticised for not having enough options to record activities.

The new form contains a field ‘performed other work than driving’, that may be used if drivers have done packing or storage work or another non-driving occupation. The form comes only in addition to the tachograph records and will not be required for activities that are already recorded in the tachograph.

EU member states are not obliged to require the use of this form, but the new standardised form will be recognised as valid for such

purposes where it is required. The form is accepted all over the EU in any official EU language. Its standard format facilitates understanding as it contains numbered pre-determined fields to be filled in.

To be valid the form must be completed in full signed both by the company representative and by the driver. Self-employed drivers may sign once as the company and once as the driver. The text of the form may not be modified. Only the signed original is valid.

There are still some grey areas around the use of the form, for example, some countries require the document at the roadside and some do not. It is, however, essential to have this information on hand if stopped especially in France.

Most countries have agreed to accept this form but, at the time of going to press, the UK authorities have not. BAR advises members to continue with their usual precautions as well as the new form to avoid any possibility of accusations that records are inadequate. Meanwhile it is tying to obtain a fuller explanation from the European authorities.

Send your letters to: The Editor, Steve Jordan, Removals & Storage, The Words Workshop Ltd, 26 Swanwick Lane, Broughton, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK10 9LDTel: 01908 695500 Fax: 01908 690099 Email: [email protected]

Re: standards for membership and the new websiteDear SirRe: BAR New standards as a requirement to membership

I am very much against the proposal [to introduce a standards-based membership to BAR] as the OFT

standard was supposed to be the best thing since sliced bread when it was sold to us and I have not seen it make any difference to my business, all this is another thing we have to pay for and spend time organising and in a few years time it will be something else.

Re: the new BAR websiteI believe BAR is going to have a big uphill struggle as this site is supposed to be our answer to removal brokers. If they can get this site on to the first page of Google for every search that is made for removal services are people going to click on a site that says “BAR” or a site that says “save 60% of your removal costs”. When people read the articles on the site why should they believe them and not what they have read on the removal broker sites?

I hope I am proved wrong and this new site does bring every subscribing member loads of extra work, time will tell.

Neil JamesHunt International

Dear SirWe acknowledge with thanks the two recent issues of Removals & Storage which arrived more or less together via Sweden, no quicker than from England but presumably at a cheaper postal rate!

Two issues together gave us lots and lots of reading with so many really interesting articles, the In the Beginning article by Tony Allen hopefully brings plenty of feedback. Whilst stated not to be a definitive article, the part where we are instructed not to accept a coffee or drink goes way against our long held instructions to all estimating staff with the underlying thought that to always accept an invited drink with the idea that this helps to get feet under the table and a chance to extend the selling time. We look forward to a long run covering this important and controversial topic.

The letter from another highly respected member … getting the price right … most certainly should be explored in great depth. We have carried out enquiries on the costing of the quite simple rate from and to the UK with alarming results, with truly massive cost variations by members, some of the members

running on a wing and prayer basis.The statement of cabotage deliveries/

collections only goes so far, the fines and sanctions for going over the permitted trips are not stated, we presume that any infringement could cause seizure of the vehicle and contents and presumably as this is an illegal act then the insurance would be void. Many BAR members are guilty of ignoring the cabotage rules believing these do not now exist!

Finally re: vehicle robberies in Spain, we are always willing for vehicles to be parked in our gated yard with CCTV cameras, this offer is available to all not just to the companies trading with us, for extra security vehicles can be parked overnight or over the weekend at the permanently security manned vehicle park in Malaga.

The pale print about the regulations was a little difficult to read in the bright sunshine here, presumably under artificial light this causes no problems and in any case this competition is again not available to third degree members outside the UK!

Andrew RileyBritannia Southern, Malaga, Spain

Letter to the Editor


Letters

44

Dear SirHail, Gentle Readers all! Last December, I upped and sought the opinion of all the BAR members I could find. Why? The short answer is - because no one else had. The long answer is:

BAR’s intention to make BS EN 12522 compulsory for membership (R&S Oct 2009), bewildered me. Was this a fait accompli? Shouldn’t we have detailed information first? Proposals, association-wide consultation through official emails? The website? R&S? (More on golf than BS EN.) And what “standards” are we talking about? What “standards” does BAR want to raise by forcing BS EN on members? Not standards of actual removals, which aren’t done well if management isn’t up to scratch, but the management paper trail!

BS EN - if you want it - go get it and good luck to you. Enjoy its wonders - extol them till you’re purple - but don’t force it on me. I’m not stopping you getting it if you want it, but why should I have to have it just because you do? R&S (Nov 2009) proudly proclaims BAR fulfils the criteria that distinguish a good trade association, as defined by Which? Why, then, must BS EN be compulsory?

BS EN isn’t exclusive to BAR. As a ground-levelling legal requirement for ALL removers, it would decimate the cash-in-trouser brigade; imposed as a membership criterion, it’s a disproportionately hefty financial and administrative burden that will penalise many small independent members, and frankly, I object to paying to do more admin to prove we run our company well - paying very heavily if the OG has its way and we must have a BS EN for every service we advertise. Cost effective? For a company with one van? Don’t think so. Can BAR determine “you can afford it” without knowing our budget?

Apparently, we’ll recoup BSEN costs: effective sales pitch = price boost. Does BAR dictate our marketing now? If we can sell ourselves without BS EN is management practice a main selling point? What’s the point of having it? For the vast majority of customers, BAR isn’t yet their first concern. The Code of Practice hasn’t superseded ‘price’ as the major factor in customer choice. Mrs. Jones is probably willing to risk the black economy rather than pay for the privilege of us having management merit badges. She wants to talk china, her plasma TV and white carpet, not discuss BS EN. Management standards haven’t cleaned her ward during her hospital stay, or educated little Ianto so he doesn’t need remedial maths when he starts university. If she knows no better than to agree to exchange and completion on the same day (is BAR lobbying against that?), will

she take kindly to a lecture on BAR and Code of Practice, or understand a homily on “management standards”?

Consider - what problem does compulsory BS EN solve? The BSI website says, “Standards are designed for voluntary use and do not impose any regulations.” A compulsory BS EN contradicts that concept. If BS EN is the best thing since cardboard cartons, everyone will buy it. (And what will the public think of BAR’s subsidiary, QSS, monitoring BAR members? Oooh! How ‘independent’ is that assessment, Mabel?) Yet the OGC report in December R&S says, “There was also concern that a Standard might disadvantage OG members when compared to companies who do not have OG membership yet carry out overseas moves.” If it’s so wonderful, how can it be a disadvantage?

But OG wants to prohibit us from advertising overseas moves unless we’re similarly disadvantaged!

If current legislation and BAR membership don’t ensure good all-round practice, BS EN won’t. The exclusive criteria of BAR membership should be enough evidence of ‘quality’ to justify the sprinkle of sugar we want in pricing. Compulsory BS EN will over-egg the pudding. Proof of the pudding is the product - the service. Customers turn down their deaf aids long before the sales pitch reaches ‘management standards’. If they buy on BS EN, why bother with BAR? Hmm…. I consulted my fellow members with the following question:

As a concerned BAR member, I am attempting an unofficial straw poll. The OFT-approved BAR Code of Practice - whose requirements are similar to those of BS EN 12522 - is already an integral component of BAR membership, and exclusive to BAR members. The BS EN standards are available to removers outside the BAR. I am wondering if making BS EN 12522 (and similar BS EN/ISO standards) compulsory for BAR membership, economic climate, are pushed into the position of choosing BS EN as an alternative beacon for quality to BAR membership, will we have a BAR left? I would be most grateful if you would reply to me, indicating your opinion as to whether or not obtaining BS EN 12522, or similar BS/ISO, should be:

A) a COMPULSORY qualification for BAR membership or B) a VOLUNTARY qualification

Please note - I will pass on only totals, should individuals request them, not who voted, or how.

I sent 654 emails. Of 92 replies, 82 (89%) chose B) a VOLUNTARY qualification.

Comments volunteered a desire to be heard, most expressing passionately indignant opposition to compulsion. One slap me on the wrist advocate chastised me for loading the question. (Well, where’s the torrent of impartial data about it from BAR? And before anyone says ‘Area’ - two Areas didn’t meet in 2009. Nine Areas had three meetings or fewer, the last in June.) Another remarked that BS EN is a “superb management tool”.

To that, I’d say - excellent! Whatever floats your boat, turns your wheels, packs your boxes. But why make it compulsory? To us, it would be as useful as a stair lift in a bungalow. We’d like to stay in BAR, and I think it would be a sad day if we’re expelled - not because we don’t meet a quality standard, but because proving it cost too much.

Alicia MossAberystwyth Removals & Storage Ltd

BS EN 12522 - The point of view behind THAT straw poll

BS EN - if you want it - go get it and good luck to you. Enjoy its wonders - extol them till you’re purple - but don’t force it on me. I’m not stopping you getting it if you want it, but why should I have to have it just because you do?

If current legislation and BAR membership don’t ensure good all-round practice, BS EN won’t. The exclusive criteria of BAR membership should be enough evidence of ‘quality’ to justify the sprinkle of sugar we want in pricing.


Letters

45

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Not many of us can say that we have worked in the same place for 50 years, however Pat Hawkins has celebrated

this very achievement having worked at Pickfords since 1959. Charlotte Freestone caught up with Pat to talk about the changes in the industry and the three Ps – people, places and possessions.

Pat fi rst joined Pickfords to multi-task between acting as a travel agent clerk and also working on the removals and storage side of the business. Pat said, “In those days Pickfords ran a travel agents service and the removals and storage side of the business from the same offi ces in Cheltenham. They employed me as someone who could do a little bit of everything.”

Having been part of the removals and storage industry for such an admirable amount of time it is no surprise that Pat has seen some changes to how things are done. “When I fi rst started we operated using Guy diesel vans which were very noisy, very dirty and not particularly reliable. Packing-wise we were using tea chests, newspaper and hessian wrappers.”

This led Pat on to the biggest change he has seen within the industry: health and safety. “At that time all the rules of health and safety as it is today were not in place, it was just the way things were. Guys would think nothing of putting tea chests on their backs to move them. Men were what you might call ‘macho’ and if they didn’t do it they were called wimps.”

Pat’s only break from Pickfords and the removals and storage industry came in 1965 when he joined the Gloucestershire

Constabulary as a Police Constable although, as Pat points out, he never really left at all. “I would always be popping in for a cup of tea and helping out as a casual member of staff when it fi tted in around my shifts.” Pat was enticed back by Leslie Rolls, the then South West Area Manager in 1966, as Acting Manager in Swindon.

Since this time he has moved around the country with Pickfords from Cheltenham to Kingston, to Bromley, to Fulham settling in 2003 in West London as a Sales Consultant.

So, now that Pat has completed 50 years service you would think he would be ready to sit back and put his feet up. “I’m not very good at doing that,” Pat confessed. “I still do a bit of part-time at Pickfords now, on the sales side of things. I think the main thing that has held my interest in the job is the people I have met, the different places I have visited and all of the possessions I have seen. It’s all the Ps! Pickfords to me has been a sort of passport to all of these things.”

Pickfords marked Pat’s 50 years of service in a presentation given by Kevin Pickford, at Hayes branch. Kevin said, “I would like to thank Pat for his dedication over the years and celebrate his extraordinary career. He has spent a lifetime working for Pickfords and has witnessed many changes in the company and the industry, from changes in packing techniques and materials, to the introduction of compliance. We look forward to continuing to work with Pat in the future - you can’t keep a good man down and you know what they say - things can only get better, the fi rst 50 years are the worst!’

Pickfords has announced the appointment of Russell Start as the new Managing Director of the Pickfords operating

company Moving Services Group UK Ltd.Russell will be taking over from Kevin

Pickford, who has been with the Group for over 30 years, the last fi ve years as Managing Director of Pickfords UK. Over that time Kevin steered the business through a change of ownership in 2008 and through the challenging economic climate of the recession. Kevin will be returning to his home and family in Australia and will continue to work with the Group.

Russell, a twenty-eight year veteran of the moving and relocation industry, worked for Pickfords for many years in a variety of senior management roles. In 2004 he moved to TEAM Allied, part of The TEAM Group, where he has spent the last six years as Managing Director.

Commenting on the appointment, Yogesh Mehta, Chairman of Moving Services Group UK Ltd said, “I want to thank Kevin for his tremendous contribution and we wish him every success in his future role. Russell has a rich knowledge of both the removals industry and of Pickfords, coupled with an impressive track record of sales-lead business growth. I wish him every success in this challenging role.”

Russell said he was delighted and privileged to have been given the opportunity to continue the great work achieved by Kevin and his team. “The business is in good shape and with optimism beginning to return to the markets we serve, I look forward to leading the company through its next stage of development. Although I previously worked for Pickfords for sixteen years, I am sure it is a very different business from the one I remember, and I look forward to getting re-acquainted with the company and its very special brand.”


People News

47

“A Passport to People” Pat Hawkins celebrates 50 years of service at Pickfords

Kevin Pickford and Pat Hawkins(in the chair)

New MD for Pickfords

Russell Start

SEE PAGE

64

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Who’s in charge? By WALLY WHINGER

A little while ago I had a letter from the company that insures my car, it’s the one based in Norwich that for some

unfathomable reason has just changed its name to something that sounds like a bus company. Apparently because of a problem with their system they hadn’t been able to collect a couple of Direct Debits from my account (being poor I pay monthly) and they wanted me to contact them to put matters right. Trouble was the amount they were asking for was a lot more than I actually owed.

There was no postal address on the letter, just a phone number so I had no option but to call it. After the usual press one for this and two for that, and then being subjected to a series of recorded adverts for things I didn’t want, I eventually got through to ‘Peter’ in the debt collection department. Peter was very polite and despite the crackly line and his strong accent did his best to help me, but because the amount on his screen was different from the one on my agreement, we went round and round in circles. After about ten minutes of international verbal tennis he decided to transfer me to Customer Service which involved another helping of classical music interspersed by adverts until ‘Jenny’ eventually answered. Unfortunately she had the same screen as Peter and so I was back to square one. “Look, could you

just send me a statement so I can see what I’m being charged for?” I pleaded. “All I can send is what is on my screen,” said Jenny. It was hopeless, so after 40 odd minutes on the phone I gave up and spent the next 40 typing everything out in an e-mail to their so called help desk – ten days later I still haven’t had a reply - and this, as Catherine Tate might say, is the biggest insurance company in the country.

If only they were the exception. Over the last few months I’ve had similar service from my broadband supplier, credit card company, the railway, and even the people who are supposed to service my central heating boiler.

Getting through to someone in authority when you have a problem is becoming nigh on impossible and we’re all expected to just put up with it. Well I for one have had enough. I’m sick of being messed about by companies that rely on computer systems and automatons to serve their customers, and in future I’ll be doing everything I can to avoid dealing with them.

Good business systems should be invisible as far as the customer is concerned, not an obstacle to be overcome every time they get in touch. Let’s make sure that in our efforts to become more effi cient and streamlined we don’t lose sight of what’s really important … people.

Can you think of any subjects for our grumpy old man to get his teeth into?You can email him at:[email protected]

Solution to February’s puzzle

Well fancy that! Nobody spotted the face of Stewart Gauntlett smiling out of the page last month so no prize this time. That’s two months on the trot that the prize of a company feature in the R&S has gone un-won. What is going on? This time it’s so easy it’s hardly even worth entering. Absolutely everyone will get it right so you’ll be in the hat with a thousand others. Or will you? Recent history suggests the competition is getting harder. So who could it be this time?

Answers to [email protected]


And another thing ...

49

And so we have reached the final act; the pay-off; the reason why we are here (easy to forget). Andrew (our salesperson)

has successfully negotiated his way through the essential first and second stages. He’s created the best receptive atmosphere for his potential customer (Mrs Mathews) and he’s spent time building her confidence in his company - and also, by definition, therefore in himself.

So where does he go from here? Well sooner or later he’s going to have to quote a price as obviously that is the logical conclusion to his visit. But this is a subject that perhaps we ought to discuss right now as this will influence the stages in between which we will be coming back to later.

Before we go any further, let’s get one thing straight. I’ve been a sales person for the whole of my working life, I’ve managed sales people, I’ve managed people who manage sales people and I’ve taught sales people. We hate quoting prices. We find it hard to look someone in the eye at this point. We think our price might be too high. We feel embarrassed about it. We think that we might give the game away by implying that we are actually here to obtain an order!

I have never had a sales person come back to me and say: ‘I lost the sale, I made a complete hash of the presentation; I got it completely wrong!’ We are much more likely to hear: ‘We (yes: we) lost the move, our price was too high’. As opposed to the alternative: ‘I (yes: I) won the move’. The essence of this is that when we are told that the customer placed the business elsewhere, we are devastated. When we are told that we lost it on price, we are delighted: ‘It wasn’t my fault; I’ve got an excuse; I’m secretly delighted!’

Boss: Hi Andrew. How did you get on with Mrs Mathews?

Andrew: I phoned her this morning to follow up my visit and our subsequent quotation.

The bad news is that she placed the job elsewhere. The good news is that it wasn’t my fault; our price was too high! It was the company’s fault.Boss: I’m sorry Andrew. The company has completely let you down, I can only apologise.

I don’t think so ...

Boss: Hi Andrew. How did you get on with Mrs Mathews?

Andrew: I phoned her this morning to follow up my visit and our subsequent quote. I’m afraid that she placed the order elsewhere. I’m sure that this was because I made such a bad job of my sales presentation that she didn’t even feel the need to offer me the opportunity of further discussing our proposal. She probably placed the job with someone who gave her more confidence. It’s obvious that she used the excuse of a too high price as the easiest way of giving me the bad news. I’m telling you what I believe to be the truth because I don’t want you to be left with the feeling that our prices are much too high. I know that you might then consider reducing our margins generally, thus adversely affecting the profitability of the company.

Dream on!I think you have the picture, but anyway we

know that Andrew is going to do such a good job that Mrs Mathews will want to place the business with his company and she is going to give him every opportunity she can.

So what we are saying is that no matter how we look at it, price is not the be all and end all. At the very worst it should simply be a subject for negotiation (and remember how in Part Two we said that any price reduction should always be accompanied by a suitable justification). It’s important to understand this, as it will influence how we conduct ourselves during the final stages.

So after we have given our sales presentation, what next:

Andrew: Well there you are Mrs Mathews, thank you for listening. That tells you everything you need to know about our company. Shall we have a look around your house now to see what you need to be moved and to discuss your requirements so that we can quote you a price.

Not bad; Andrew is not stupid. But ask yourself how this could be improved upon.

Firstly, we’ve already established that the sales pitch is much more important than we might think, and it certainly adds to the chances of obtaining the business.

Just a minute, but surely that’s obvious!

Well yes of course it is, but it’s surprising how many people spend too little time on their actual sales presentation. In addition, how does Andrew know if he’s done a good job? Well why not ask Mrs Mathews.

In his closure Andrew said: ‘That tells you everything you need to know about our company’. How does he know?

Let’s start again:

Andrew: Well there you are Mrs Mathews, thank you for listening. I hope I’ve told you everything you need to know about our company, however, are there any other points that you would like me to cover? Is there anything you would particularly like to ask? (In other words: ‘Mrs Mathews can you help me to precisely tailor my presentation to your actual needs?’. By the way, this is also where you are going to find out whether or not you did a good job as the reply you receive at this point will be a good indicator of your success.) Shall we have a look around your house now to see what you will need us to move and to discuss your particular requirements so that we can come back to you with our proposal. (Note the injection of the word ‘us’ here which denotes assumed mutual involvement, and of course every job is different, every requirement is particular. ‘Coming back to you with our proposal’ is so much more effective than ‘quoting a price’. It does two things, it signifies that you are offering more than just a price, and it reminds the customer that you will be coming back to them, which puts them under a degree of obligation.)

This is probably a good place to finish for now. In part four we will be looking at the ‘End of the End Game’ when we discuss both Andrew’s final summing up before he leaves the house, and also how he follows up on his visit. He’s also going to learn a foolproof method of gauging his degree of success – and this doesn’t have anything to do with expletives or rotten eggs!

A Distant Sale! By Tony Allen

Part Three: The Beginning of the end game

We hate quoting prices. We find it hard to look someone in the eye at this point. We think our price might be too high. We feel embarrassed about it.

So what we are saying is that no matter how we look at it, price is not the be all and end all. At the very worst it should simply be a subject for negotiation ...


A Distant Sale! Part Three

50

INTERNATIONAL & EUROPEAN T R A D E S P E C I A L I S T S

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Choose either International or European rates then just enter the User ID & Password

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SIMPSONS_Mag_Ad:DPS_FINAL 16/9/08 16:14 Page 3

The Private Health Partnership (PHP) has been working with BAR for over three years and has now joined as an Affiliate

offering BAR members a range of unique products and services. PHP specialises in providing advice on private medical insurance, dental insurance, cash plans, health screening, occupational health and absence management to companies and individuals.

The Private Health Partnership was established in 1989 to provide impartial, independent medical insurance advice to individuals and small businesses. It was one of the first specialist healthcare intermediaries in the UK. Over the past twenty years the company has grown and now over 100 members of staff are looking after over 8000 clients.

Richard Gould, PHP’s Development Manager said, “We’ve built up a reputation within the industry for our service and treating customers fairly. We are really committed to providing

tailor-made solutions and impartial and independent advice.”

As the economy appears to be improving most companies are looking to hang on to the skilled staff they have working within their team. Occupational Health Magazine (2009) stated that access to health-related benefits and insurance is becoming more highly valued by staff so offering it to employees could benefit current staff as well as being an effective recruitment tool.

Richard continued, “We are offering all BAR members a free healthcare review without obligation, whether you are considering private medical insurance for the first time or require a review of your existing arrangements, we can offer unbiased advice on all the options available.”

PHP complete reviews of the health insurance market and offer advice on the options that may best suit the needs of your employees or

yourself, offering advice to make sure that you get a plan tailor-made to your company.

“Our philosophy is that experience-based knowledge and advice are invaluable when looking to invest in your health,” said Richard. “Whether you are looking for private medical insurance or advice on any number of health related products, we see it as essential that you are able to turn to a company with a strong reputation and wealth of experience to guide you through the process.”

New Affiliate: The Private Health Partnership

For more information on the PHP offer for BAR members please contact Richard on 01274 588862 or e-mail [email protected].


PHP/Subcontractors

53

The statutory protection afforded to an individual who contracts to work for another will depend on their legal

status. Essentially, three possibilities exist: • Employee status: Case law has established that control, mutuality of obligation and personal service are an ‘irreducible minimum’ of requirements to establish a contract of employment. Employees enjoy the full range of statutory employment protection rights; • Worker status: Workers are entitled to a limited range of statutory rights, including paid holiday and the national minimum wage; • Self-employed status: Self-employed contractors enjoy no statutory employment rights.

Questions of legal status frequently arise where individuals whose contracts describe them as self-employed contractors argue that they are in reality workers or employees. This has recently been considered by the Court of Appeal in Protectacoat Firthglow Limited v Szilagyi [2009] who have given guidance on determining alleged ‘sham’ contracts and the importance of determining the true relationship between the parties by assessing the facts.

In Protectacoat, the Court of Appeal considered whether car valeters (whose contracts described them as independent contractors working on a subcontract basis) were employees or, alternatively, workers.

Facts The valeters signed an agreement stating that they were independent contractors and that they were responsible for payment of National Insurance Contributions and Income Tax.

The agreement also contained a provision allowing the valeters to substitute alternate workers in to do the work. All of these provisions support a self-employed status.

Decision The Court of Appeal allowed the claimants’ cross-appeal and as such ruled that the claimants were in fact employees. In doing so, they provided further guidance on how employment tribunals should address disputes which includes the tribunals looking at the actual legal obligations of the parties. This involves examining all the relevant evidence, including the written terms, evidence of how the parties conducted

themselves in practice and what their expectations of each other were.

Comment A question that is often raised before tribunals is whether the contractual documentation entered into by the parties is a sham that obscures the true nature of their relationship. Usually this involves an individual who, having entered into a contract purporting to be a self-employed contractor, subsequently wishes to argue that they are, in reality, an employee or worker (in order to claim the benefit of statutory rights).

The issue is particularly pertinent to the moving industry as self-employed subcontractors are often engaged by operators. Careful consideration needs to be given as to the true nature of the relationship. If the individual works exclusively for one operator and his hours and the way he is required to work is dictated by that operator then there is a real possibility that the subcontractor may in fact be an employee.

If you have any concerns about the nature of a relationship then please do not hesitate to contact one of our specialist lawyers.

Subcontractors - is it all a big sham? By Backhouse Jones

It is hard to measure at what point employee turnover begins to have a negative impact on a business. With the removals industry

being as it has been for the past year or so some companies may have been grateful for staff moving on, giving the business the opportunity to hold off on filling vacancies until things looked up. White and Company were one of these such businesses. Chief Executive Ian Palmer said, “We have made surprisingly few of our employees redundant. As we have needed to adjust our staffing levels to match business levels we have not replaced staff who, for whatever reason, have left our employment, thereby reducing the number of staff we employ without actually making too many staff genuinely ‘redundant’.”

Like many strong removals companies, Bishops Move has found that although it has been going through a difficult period this has actually served to make the team more solid. Managing Director Al Bingle said, “I think actually the company has become closer and stronger as we have all been working to ensure we make the most of all the opportunities that arise. Everyone is focused on driving the company through this challenging period so that it is well placed to expand as the markets improve.”

It has indeed been a challenging period, but most businesses still want their staff to remain satisfied and feeling as though they are appreciated as an integral part of the team. What then is the key to keeping employees happy and motivated when times are tough?

Lesley Crumpton, Director of Removal Recruitment, believes that good communication is key: “If staff feel part of the decision making processes, they feel more informed as to why they may be getting fewer hours. I would advise our clients to talk to their staff, tell them what is happening within the business, have regular staff meetings, get feedback from their staff and give them feedback as well. Make them feel part of the company and its objectives.”

This is something that White and Company takes very seriously. Ian said, “While times are tough all management staff and operatives have had to have restrictions placed on their salaries. Management took a salary cut and operatives had restrictions placed on overtime working (time off in lieu was introduced). We made sure a clear explanation was given to

all employees at all levels for the reason why restrictions and cuts were being made.”

However, Ian did not find a ‘one size fits all’ solution to the problem: “Strangely, there were at least as many operatives who were content to work reduced hours as there were those who were disappointed to have hours reduced. Some stayed at home child minding whilst their partners worked extra shifts. Consultation and open discussion is essential.”

But what happens when an employee leaves of their own accord? Finding skilled and competent packers and removal staff, a removals business’ most precious asset, is no mean feat. Skills of this kind are relatively scarce and so even when a vacancy is filled this could mean weeks of training until the high standard demanded by many nowadays is reached. “Using a specialised agency supplying trained and experienced removal staff solely to the removals industry is one way to lift the pressure,” said Lesley. “This will cut down on full time costs which will help businesses in the recession.”

A specialist agency can lift some of the pressure, however this still comes at a cost. And then there is the cost of finding a new staff member: the cost of administration of the resignation; recruitment costs; administration of recruitment and induction training for the new employee.

Caroline Frostick, Managing Director of Red Recruit believes that when a member of staff leaves of their own accord it can spell disaster for a company. “There are of course

KEEPING HOLD OF YOUR ASSETSDuring the recent tough economic climate most moving companies have been more concerned with how to cut their workforce than how to hold on to it. However, as the tide begins to turn, now is the time to start looking at how you can hold on to those people that make your business thrive. By Charlotte Freestone.


Keeping your staff

54

“ If staff feel part of the decision making process, they feel more informed as to why they may be getting fewer hours.” Lesley Crumpton, Removal Recruitment

obvious costs of replacing a member of staff but some of the underlying costs are often forgotten, such as the lost knowledge and years of experience that goes with a member of staff who is leaving. Processes and procedures have to be re-introduced impacting on service and inevitably on customer satisfaction.”

“There is also the cost of re-training and the inevitable impact of new staff making mistakes whilst on the learning curve. You could take four months base salary as a minimal cost for a member of staff leaving, and in some cases more.”

So, what are the main reasons that staff tend to leave an organisation? Sometimes it is the attraction of a new job which pulls them, however it can also be dissatisfaction in their current job that pushes them to look at alternatives. A lack of training, development and career prospects can also be a major contribution to an employee’s decision to find another job.

The big question is: How do you hold on to those cherished and trusted members of staff? Many may think the answer to the problem is money: If you give your staff a pay rise they will be happy in their job and stay within the business. This is, however, rarely the case. An unexpected pay rise is a bonus to any staff member, but it is far more likely that they are happy to be appreciated and recognised as a valuable member of staff rather than craving the money itself.

“Team morale is paramount to the workings of a successful company,” said Al. “This is

especially important in the removals industry where you have the office and the off-site element. We have, during the last quarter of the year, designed and implemented a new training scheme for all of our staff and set up a designated full-time trainer. We actively encourage staff feedback and have regular meetings to ensure the company’s objectives and goals are understood by all.”

White and Company, Ian said, has managed to keep up morale through a number of different events as well as training and preparing for future development. “We have held several large scale family events and also significantly increased our training spend at all levels, enabling us to prepare well for the future and demonstrating our commitment to our staff. Management have

taken part in FIDI training, sales staff with BAR training, IT training for all administrators, in-house export packing courses for operatives and upgrading of driving licences to LGV standard.”

Investment in training, as White and Company and Bishops Move have done, is great for staff morale if you can afford it, however when money is scarce what else can you do to hold on to your staff? Caroline advised , “Remember, thank you costs nothing. Keep staff motivated by sharing the company’s goals and targets. Tell the staff how the company is doing. Ask them for ideas on how the company could do better and ways to increase sales and the margins. Set individual targets and monitor performance with monthly reviews. Let people know the good and the bad and encourage good behaviour.”

Caroline continued, “Of course everyone likes to be rewarded financially for what they do but we found that people want to leave their work for other reasons. A top priority is job satisfaction, closely followed by being appreciated by the boss; career prospects as well as job satisfaction. These all come before money.”

So, as all businesses across all industries look for ways to hang on to those members of staff who help their business prosper, it seems that money should not be the main concern. Good old fashioned appreciation along with transparent communication could be the way to keep your team of irreplaceable employees on board.


Keeping your staff

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“ Remember, thank you costs nothing. Keep staff motivated by sharing the company’s goals and tartgets.” Caroline Frostick, Red Recruit

When speaking to those in the business of supplying vehicle bodies it is clear that 2009 was one of their

toughest years to date. This will come as no surprise as many removals companies cut back and tightened the purse strings, putting off unnecessary expenses such as new chassis.

Terry Sinnott at Unique Van Bodies said that last year was terrible for them, however he is reasonably positive about this year. “Since about four weeks before Christmas we have seen an increase in the workload and, fingers crossed, it seems to be picking up. The housing market is still in desperate need of attention but it looks as though the worst is over. Touch wood!”

And it wasn’t only Unique Van Bodies that were affected, Derek Avis of Vancraft said that the downturn had a dramatic effect on them, having to restructure and make some redundancies last summer. However, Derek too is optimistic about the future saying, “Business is now actually above normal levels and we have been able to re-employ those who wished to return.”

But, as we all wait for the effects of the recession to subside, there seems to have been a shift in popularity of the services vehicle body suppliers offer. Derek said, “We are experiencing a higher demand than usual for our refurbished chassis which, when they are fitted with new bodywork, show a saving of about £25,000 over a new chassis, whilst still looking new and earning the same revenue for the companies. We also have a team entirely dedicated to repairs and refurbishments, with a mobile estimator.”

Efficiency and economy are high on many companies’ agendas and the vehicle bodies industry appears to be altering their chassis to assist with these targets. Terry said that at the moment they are looking at the weight of the bodies in relation to the chassis cabs. “We are trying to make the van bodies lighter to give a better payload. If the body weighs less then the vans are able to carry more, making them more economical both in monetary values and environmental values. We are also working on the aerodynamics of the bodies.”

Vancraft has recently launched lightweight curtainsider bodies, made using aluminium framework for the general haulage trade, together with heavy duty curtainsider bodies for 18 to 26 tonne operations. Derek said, “These are proving to be quite popular and we currently have several orders for both types.”

So, as trade increases and the industry

continues to be proactive in developing newer, more economical bodies, what can be expected from the introduction of the EC Whole Vehicle Type Approval legislation (ECWVTA) to be introduced to the trucking industry over the next five years?

The ECWVTA covers European rules on the construction standards for road vehicles. The changes will see the extension of Whole Vehicle Type Approval from passenger cars to commercial vehicles, covering the finished vehicle including bodywork. Once the requirements come into effect, all affected vehicles will have to be built to an approved standard before they can be sold and registered for use on the road. The Department for Transport (DfT) has concluded that it will take this opportunity to introduce two national approval schemes:• National Small Series Type Approval;• Individual Type Approval.

Under European and the less strict UK type approval schemes, each vehicle provided must be checked to see that it meets these checks to make sure they meet with height, width and length regulations. It’ll be good for our clients and give them a bit of quality assurance and trust in our product. It will cut out the ‘cowboys’.”

So, as the economy recovers, it would seem that there are changes on the horizon for those in the business of vehicle bodies. New legislation looks to give the industry higher standards and consumers quality assurance, whilst new body shapes see it making moves towards producing more economical and environmentally sound vehicles. With the worst of the recession behind them, it would appear that the future for the vehicle bodies industry is bright.

Vehicle bodies - present and futureWe all know that last year was a challenging one for those within the removals industry, which had a domino effect on those businesses who effectively rely on the industry for sales. One area of commerce which did not escape the difficulties of last year was those supplying van bodies to removers. Here Charlotte Freestone catches up with the latest developments.

“ Business is now actually above normal levels and we have been able to re-employ those who wished to return.” Derek Avis, Vancraft


Vehicle bodies

56

Above left: The UVB factory floor;Above: work in progress at the Vancraft factory;Left: Vehicles on UVB’s production line;Top right: fabrication in progress at UVB;Right and below: Putting the finishing touches to a rebodied van and a skilled craftsman preparing a new chassis at Vancraft


Vehicle bodies

57

Since the beginning of the year there has been an increase in client side attacks on companies. These are sent by hackers

via an e-mail with either a PDF attachment or a web link containing malicious hidden applications. These hidden applications can be used by the attacker to connect to your computer and take full control on your machine.

We all need to be extra vigilant when opening e-mails from an unknown source, or links and attachments that we aren’t expecting. Here are some top tips for protecting your business from viruses and scams:• If you receive an e-mail from a person or business of which you have previously had no contact or no interest in don’t open it, unless you have very good reason to do so. If you think it may be something of interest be cautious when opening any links or attachments. If possible, telephone the sender before opening to confirm what the link is.• Anti-spyware and anti-malware software programs are essential. It is estimated that around 90% of all computers are infected by some sort of spyware.• If you are suspicious about a file, why not scan it online with over 20 anti-viruses at once? Go to www.virustotal.com.• Get in the habit of backing up all of your important information onto an external hard drive.

Unfortunately no applications can provide 100% protection. The best advice is to be cautious and protect your data with anti-spyware programmes.

Protect your IT systemsIt would seem that every day more and more scam e-mails aresent by hackers and criminals trying to access your informationand – scarily, opened – catching many people unawares. By Paul Digby of Digby computers


E-mail hackers

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The basicsThe best place to start with anything like this is at the beginning! Twitter is a social networking site which lets you write and read messages of up to 140 characters. The messages are public and you decide what sort of messages you want to receive by following people of interest. When you combine messages that are quick to write, easy to read, controlled by the recipient and exchangeable anywhere, you’ve got a powerful, real-time way to communicate which is turning out to be ground-breaking for businesses.

It allows you to send updates (or “tweets”) as many times a day as you like. When you follow people on Twitter you see their tweets, when people follow you they see your tweets. It is a constant stream of communication.

Practical ways Twitter can help your businessTwitter can connect you to past, present and future customers in a way that has never been possible before. For past and present customers it offers an easy and effective way of providing feedback. Customers may make suggestions that you would never otherwise have considered giving you invaluable customer feedback and helping you plan on improvements for your business in the future. Recommendations have the potential to lead to future business and, when you consider that one customer could have thousands of followers, it is an amazing source of PR for your company.

It isn’t all about the corporate nature of your company however. Twitter offers your business a unique opportunity to engage in conversations with people, giving partners and employees the chance to build real relationships with customers. As marketers say, it shrinks the emotional distance between your company and your customers.

How to gain followersThe best way to gain followers is to follow people yourself. You can search for specific people and companies using the search box

on your home page. You can also use this tool to look for people talking about your company, brands and products and also mentions of key terms in your sector.

To begin with just follow those whose tweets you genuinely want to read. This will help give you ideas for your own tweets and also give you the opportunity to say hello and build a conversation.

There are a number of sites to help you find people that you may want to follow. Twellow.com is one of these. It allows you to search within certain market sectors, towns, cities and even countries.

As you follow people and begin conversations they will follow you in return. The key to holding on to these followers is posting informative and lively tweets.

What to tweetThe possibilities are endless. Twitter is all about branding your company with a personality, offering something beyond the conventional company spiel and logo. For that reason tweets do not always need to be directly linked to your business, however if you have a lot to say or a lot to tell people about it is the perfect outlet for maximum exposure.

For example, if you have just secured a new client you can tweet about this with a link to your website to encourage others to have a look. You can tweet Twitter exclusive discounts, announce special deals and link to blogs within your website. You can also use Twitter to give customers and potential customers tips and advice, helping you become known as an expert in your industry. For example, you may decide to tweet: “You now need a visa if you move to India.” This will then encourage new followers who will view you as an informative source rather than a Twitter profile driven purely by sales and promotion.

We already mentioned the effectiveness of posting links to drive traffic to your website. Posting other links providing useful information and advice to your potential customers as well as recent news stories relevant to your industry can be an effective way of not only

keeping your finger on the pulse as far as industry news is concerned, but also those of your potential clients.

Twitter services to helpThere are a number of sites connected to Twitter which will help you grow your network and manage your Twitter account:

Twellow.com and Justtweetit.com These are, in effect, the ‘Yellow Pages’ of Twitter users. Here you can search for people who may be in your geographical location, or area of interest. For example, ‘corporate relocation’ or ‘HR professionals’.

HootSuite.comHootSuite will help you manage your Twitter account or accounts. It allows you to schedule tweets to send out later that day, week or even month so that you do not spend all day tweeting. HootSuite is the ultimate Twitter toolbox and allows you to measure the success of your tweets through graphs of daily clicks (when web links have been used). This gives you the opportunity to see the sort of links your followers are most interested in. It also allowsyou to shorten web links to make it easier for them to fit inside your 140 character limit as well as uploading pictures to post.

On top of that you can choose certain keywords to focus on which means HootSuite will filter out the ‘background noise’ and show you only posts you are interested in.

Twitter can be ground-breaking for businesses, but if you are new to Twitter it can sometimes appear intimidating and even a little pointless if you don’t understand its true potential. However, stick with it for a few weeks, vow to dedicate just ten minutes a day to tweeting and listening to what others are saying. It will almost definitely deliver a ‘eureka!’ moment when all will become clear.

The business argument for TwitterAccording to The State of the Twittersphere, a research paper produced by hubspot.com, each day five to ten thousand new people join Twitter. Current estimates of total users is around five million. That’s a lot of people and, for businesses, a lot of opportunities. Here Charlotte Freestone looks at how Twitter can help your business grow.


Your business and Twitter

60

More information is available from http://business.twitter.com/twitter101


Your business and Twitter

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European Van Lines International LtdUnit 6, Lakeside Industrial Estate, Colnbrook, Berks, SL3 0ED, UK

T: 01753 561490 F: 01753 680018 E: [email protected]

Memb. No: E007

Diary DatesNATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES 2010

BAR Annual ConferenceThe Bristol Marriott Hotel City CentreMay 13 – 15

European Young Movers ConferenceRome, ItalyMay 20 – 23More information and registration documents will be published shortly on www.youngmovers.eu.

FIDI Annual ConferenceMelbourne, AustraliaApril 11 – 16 OMNI Annual ConferenceQueenstown, New ZealandApril 16 – 19

BOARD, COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS 2010

Board of DirectorsMarch 24 May 14 AGMJuly 14December 1

Executive CommitteeMarch 17 -May 18 -June 30 -September 15 -November 24 -

National CouncilJune 15 -October 12 -

Overseas GroupJune 22 -October 13 -

Commercial Moving GroupJune 17 -October 14 -

BAR AREA MEETINGS 2010

Kent AreaContact Tom Bourne: [email protected]

East Anglia AreaContact Richard Dolan: 01449 613053

New Met AreaContact Darren House: 01932 253737

North West AreaContact Annette Harris: 0161 653 4455

Yorkshire AreaContact Graham Puddephatt: [email protected] 17 - Venue TBAMay 19 - Venue TBAJune 23 - Venue TBASeptember 15 - Venue TBANovember 17 - Venue TBA

East Midlands AreaContact Jayne Cliffe: 01778 394291Meetings will be held at:Lady Anne’s Hotel, Stamford March 17 7.00pmMay 19 7.00pmSeptember 15 7.00pmNovember 17 7.00pm

Southern AreaContact Greg Wildman: 01372 [email protected] June 23 6.00pm Venue TBAOctober 20 12.30pm Venue TBA

Western AreaContact Ria Russell: 01278 447099March 16 -Presentation by Steve Jordan, Editor of R&S magazine.May 11 - QuizSeptember 14 -Speaker to be advised or general meeting for current issues.November 9 -Possible skittles and fireworks evening at Middlezoy. (To be confirmed dependent on numbers and venue confirmation.)

West Midlands AreaContact Sarah Pargeter: 01384 377786Meetings will be held at:Gainsborough House Hotel, KidderminsterJune 9 7pm September 8 7pm November 10 7pm

BAR SCOTTISH AREA MEETINGS 2010

Contact Phil Stewart: 01786 448383Meetings will be held at:Hilcroft Hotel, WhitburnMay 11 -September 14 -November 9 -

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


Diary Dates

BAR Memberships March 2010Registered The following members have registered:

National Group

4321 Services Ltd Memb No: F045 Coxpow Farm Fallin Stirling FK7 7LU Tel: 01786 814 321 Web: www.4321services.com

Anglo French Euro Removals Ltd Memb No: A112 The Mill Business Park Maidstone Road Ashford Kent TN26 1AE Tel: 01233 660 963 Web: www.anglofrench.co.uk

Eagle Relocation Ltd Memb No: E035 Unit 6 Ascot Road Watford WD18 8AD Tel: 01923 801 500 Web: www.eaglerelocations.com

Branch

Armishaws Removals and ATN Smart Removers Memb No: A101 The Unit Grove Farm Frog Grove Lane Wood Street Village Guildford GU3 3HD Tel: 01963 34065 Web: www.armishaws.com

Additional Trading Name

SBS Removals an ATN of Clockwork Removals Ltd Memb No: C102 Unit C Vector 31 Waleswood Way Sheffield South Yorkshire S26 5NU Tel: 01909 774 115 Web: www.clockworkremovals.co.uk

Applications: BAR has received the following applications for:

National Affiliate

Dajon Data Management Ltd Dajon House 28 Sandgate Street London E15 1LE Tel: 0207 732 3223 Web: www.dajon.co.uk

National Group

Arnold and Self Removals 10 Wandle Way Mitcham Surrey CR4 4NB Tel: 0208 401 8778 Web: www.arnoldandself.com

Aussie Man & Van Ltd 2 Armoury Way Wandsworth London SW18 1SH Tel: 0208 870 4003 Web: www.manandvan.biz

Concise Removals & Storage Services Unit 15A Arnside Road Waterlooville Portsmouth Hampshire PO7 7UP Tel: 02392 263 197 Web: www.concise-removals.co.uk

Express Removals & Storage Ltd Unit 2 Glevum Works Upton Street Gloucester GL1 4LA Tel: 01452 523 676 Web: www.express-removals.co.uk

Park & Sons 73 Shelley Road East Boscombe Bournemouth Dorset BH7 6HA Tel: 01202 397 735 Web: www.parkandsons.co.uk

S & B Removals Ltd and ATN Aztec Removals Unit 15 New Albion Industrial Estate Glasgow G13 4DL Tel: 0141 951 3600 Web: www.sandbremovals.co.uk

Crispin Removals Ltd 18-24 Hows Street London E2 8EE Tel: 0207 739 0303 Web: www.crispins-removals.co.uk

David Gilkes & Sons Ltd Church Farm House London Road Ryton-on-Dunsmore Coventry CV8 3EW Tel: 0247 630 3268 Web: www.davidgilkes.com


Simplyship of Sheffield an ATN of Specialised Movers 316 Petre Street Ellesmere Sheffield South Yorkshire S4 8LU Tel: 0114 261 1183 Web: www.specialisedmovers.com

Simply Ship Plymouth an ATN of Hackworthy & Sons The Depository Elliott Road Prince Rock Plymouth Devon PL4 0SB Tel: 01752 228 815 Web: www.hackworthy.co.uk

S.P.Cocks an ATN of Hackworthy & Sons The Depository Elliott Road Prince Rock Plymouth Devon PL4 0SB Tel: 01752 228 815 Web: www.hackworthy.co.uk

International Associate

Baillie Moving Systems Ltd 600 Kingsland Drive Batavia Illinois USA 60510 Tel: 001 630 761 0408 Web: www.bailliemoving.com

Moving Star 41099 Boyce Road PO BOX 6021 Fremont, CA USA 94538 Tel: 001 510 675 9930 Web: www.MovingStar.us

Other Changes Unless shown all other details remain the same:

Red Recruit Ltd Memb No: R924 The Bower Langford Hall Witham Road Maldon Essex CM9 4ST

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

National Group

Aztec Removals and ATN Argyll Removals Memb No: A103


Memberships

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

Title: Pat Hawkins celebrates50 years service Sent by: Pickfords

This is the second time a picture sent in by Pickfords has won Photo of the Month. They also won it in December last year with a similar effort.

Truth be told though, the pickings were pretty slim in terms of photography this month, and the picture shown here was the only real contender.

Someone has gone to the trouble of putting a little

thought into it, and technically it’s right on the money. (For a fuller explanation see The Editor’s Column on page 6.)

Increasingly though, it seems only a handful of contributors are prepared to go to much trouble where photography is concerned. It’s a shame really because a good photo makes the story much more likely to be read. Anyway - well done Pickfords.

Pickfords strikes again


Feature Schedule/Copy Deadlines

Feature Schedule 2010Every month Removals & Storage includes a number of feature items. These are planned well in advance to allow members of and suppliers to the industry to join in. Here’s what’s coming up later this year.

April 2010: Shipping

E-mail us on any of the topics mentioned, or with anything you wish to say, at [email protected] or phone Charlotte Freestone on 01908 695500.

Copy and advertising deadlines 2010Article submission:5th of the month preceding publicationBooking of display adverts:10th of the month preceding publicationBooking of classified adverts:10th of the month preceding publicationBooking of trade adverts:10th of the month preceding publicationArtwork for adverts:15th of the month preceding publication

G W Lamb Memb No: L003

Overseas Group

Nippon Express (UK) Ltd Memb No: N023

International Associate

Victory Van Corporation Memb No: V305


Morris Removals ATN of Cadogan Tate Worldwide Moving Memb No: C106

Branch

Kings Removals & Services (Wisbech branch) and ATN Priestley Removals Memb No: K007

Liquidation

Carrmount Ltd and ATN Selles of Hull Memb No: C118

Sweden and Scandinavia

Austria

Channel Islands

North West

Scotland/Europe

Ireland Isle of Man

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Established 1990

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Scotland and Islands

TRADE SERVICES


France

France (continued)

Regular TradeServices toSOUTHERNCYPRUS& all other majordestinationsFull & part loads

Call Stuart, Sami or Jeremy on

01432 377477fax: 01432 279894


OVERSEASREMOVER

AdvancePayment

Guaranteed

Memb No: GO13

Cyprus

Cyprus and Malta

Contact Darrel or JustinTel: 01923 210669 • Fax: 01923 250355


� Weekly Services to North and Southern Cyprus, Malta, Egypt, Israel, Dubai, Morocco, Canary Islands, Lebanon and Tunisia.

Germany and Austria

Weekly Groupage Service Full origin and destination services available.

German speaking staff

WH HUMPHREY & SON LTD

Contact Darrel or JustinTel: 01923 210669 • Fax: 01923 250355


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

NAT I O N A L & IN T E R N AT I O N A L RE M OVA L SH AMILTONS

Contact our European department on 01379 851074 [email protected]

France&• Weekly services and competitive rates• Tranship & Hoist services available• Collection from your

depot or clients residence available

To download our tariffs visit:www.hamiltonsremovals.co.ukUsername:Trade Password: Ham662

SwitzerlandH081

TRADE SERVICES


Spain

www.william-worldwide-webb.comUK Office: Tel: 01843 585055

Email: [email protected] Office Tel: 0034 971 693566


• WEBBS INTERNATIONAL REMOVALS S.L.• WEEKLY SCHEDULED SERVICE

• RATES FROM £1.95pGBP PER CUBIC FOOT• NO VAT ! • PRICE GUARANTEE

• INFORMATIVE WEBSITE

WEEKLY

REGULAR

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Eastern Europe

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Eastern Europe

Weekly shuttle serviceFull, part and return loadsPoland, Hungary, BulgariaAustria, Slovenia, Croatia

Romania, Czech Republic

Contact ChrisT: 020 88035151F: 020 88074141

E: [email protected]

China

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Trade Notice TariffTrade notices are booked in units.Each measures 3cm x 1 column (6cm)or multiples thereof.

One Colour Black£391 (plus VAT) for a full year.Full Colour30% more (plus VAT) for a full year.

Each notice must be booked for a minimum of tweleve months and paid for in advance.

Caribbean

TRADE SERVICES


Switzerland

Worldwide

Regular Services to all Major Destinations Worldwide

Receiving in Windsor & StourbridgeContact Mike, Chris or Steve on

01633 488 [email protected]

Trade Rates to Europe

Australia and New Zealand

To Australia & New Zealand��Atlantis Overseas RemovalsReceiving Birmingham and Leeds

�� [email protected]�� 01132 789191��0121 451 1588

South Africa

United Arab Emirates

Regular TradeServices toUNITED ARABEMIRATESDubai, Sharjahand Abu DhabiFull & part loads

Call Stuart, Sami or Jeremy on

01432 377477fax: 01432 279894


OVERSEASREMOVER

AdvancePayment

Guaranteed

Memb No: GO13

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Trade services to and from Panama,Costa Rica,Puerto Rico Honduras,DominicanRepublic, El Salvador Ecudor Guatamala,colombiaNicaragua./Brazil,argentina,peru,chile,bolivia, venezuala, mexico,paraquay,uruguay.

LCL, groupage and full container services to central and south america. Paima, fidi,IAM, Bar. Warehouse receiving 6.30am-9.30pm saturdays 6.30am-4.00pm.Tel: +44 (0)1902 714555 Fax: +44 (0)1902 427837 Email: [email protected] Bros Moving Group, Burke Bros Trading Estate, Fox's Lane, Wolverhampton,West Midlands. WV1 1PA

South America

TRADE SERVICES


Trade Storage

External Elevators

Piano Specialists

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

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.

Computers and Internet

Trailer Hire

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

Training

Warehouse Containers

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TRADE SERVICES


TRADE SERVICES

Journal of the British Association of Removers

ADVERTISING RATES1st January 2010

DISPLAY AD RATES* (per insertion) 1–6 Insertions 7–12 Insertions

Members/Affiliates Non-Members Members/Affiliates Non-Members

Full Colour Full Page £745 £928 £707 £886

Half Page £470 £583 £434 £547

Quarter Page £279 £350 £266 £335

Mono Full page £473 £593 £434 £542

Half Page £343 £429 £308 £386

Quarter Page £220 £276 £208 £260

Inside Front Cover £886 £1110 £849 £1066

Outside Back Cover £955 £1157 £905 £1129

Front Cover (full colour, per single insertion) £964 £1190

CLASSIFIED RATES*

Situations Vacant £2.15 per word (min 15 words)

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

Boxed Ad £26.50 (per single column cm)(Vehicle Picture £16 extra)

Box Number +£26.50

Trade Cards £391 (3cm x 1column) per annum

Loose Inserts £278 per 1,000 (per A4 sheets supplied)

Half Page Mono £509

Half Page Colour £614

Quarter Page Mono £422

Quarter Page Colour £500

COPY DATE10th of the preceding month

MECHANICAL SPEC All advertisements to be supplied in eps format(CMYK, 300dpi) with fonts and pictures embedded oras a high resolution PDF (Acrobat Distiller settings canbe supplied on request). Please send on CD (with aprinted colour copy for checking layout)**

to the address below, or by email: [email protected]

GUARANTEED POSITIONSAll guaranteed positions, excluding front cover, insidefront cover and outside back cover, are charged at normal rates plus 20% and are subject to availability.

ENQUIRIESAll enquiries to:Marianne Lee, The Words Workshop, 26 Swanwick Lane, Broughton, Milton Keynes, MK10 9LD.Tel: 01908 695500Email: [email protected]

* All prices are subject to VAT at the current rate.** If no colour print is supplied, The Words Workshop cannot accept responsibility for the correct reproduction of the advertisement.

Removals and Storage is produced by The Words Workshop on behalf of The British Association of Removers.All display rates shown are per single insertion, based on singular or series bookings for editions of R&S within 12 calendar months.

Full Page:Trim 297mm x 210mmBleed 303mm x 216mm

Half Page:Horizontal 135mm x 188mmVertical 272mm x 92mm

Quarter Page:Horizontal 66mm x 188mmVertical 135mm x 92mm

Front Cover:Trim 210mm x 210mmBleed 210mm x 213mm

DISPLAY AD MECHANICAL DATA (height x width)

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 must be paid for in advance by credit card.

TRADE SERVICES


TRADE SERVICES

CLASSIFIEDS


ClassifiedAdvertising ChargesAll classified advertisements should be booked no later than the 10th and received no later than the 15th of the month preceding publication.

For all advertising enquiries please contact: Marianne Lee at The Words Workshop, marianne@the wordsworkshop.co.uk26 Swanwick Lane, Broughton, Milton Keynes MK10 9LDTel: 01908 695500 Fax: 01908 690099

RatesSituations Vacant £2.15 per word (min 15 words)For Sale and Wanted ads £2.15 per word (min 10 words)Boxed Ad (Semi-Display) £26.50 per single column centimetre (Please note all lineage & semi-display ads are set by R&S in house style)

Half Page Mono £509Half Page Colour £614Quarter Page Mono £422Quarter Page Colour £501Box Number +£26.50All charges are plus VAT.

Box NumbersReplies to Box Number advertisements should be sent to:The Advertiser Box no. (XYZ)The British Association of RemoversTangent House, 62 Exchange Road, Watford, Herts WD18 0TG

Situations VacantIn line with the Sex Discrimination Act, all positions are open to male and female applicants.

VehiclesPurchasers of a vehicle advertised in Removals & Storage should satisfy themselves that the payload/volume is suitable for the purpose for which they intend to use it.

Advertise your job vacancies in Removals & Storage magazineCall Marianne Lee on:

01908 695500 or email: [email protected]

FIND THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB

Woods Removals BRANCH

MANAGER

An opportunity has arisen for an individual with estimating experience in domestic and commercial relocations.

Candidates will need to be professional, PC literate,

with a flexible, “hands-on” approach.

International CPC holder preferably but not essential.

Salary and package dependant on experience.

Please forward your CV and current salary details to:Brian Allen, Managing Director, Woods Removals, 1

1a Icen Way, Dorchester DT1 1EW Tel: 01305 250202Or by email to: [email protected]

(Woods Removals is an alternative trading name of Camp Hopson Removals Limited)

For Sale

Warehouse containers £25 + VAT each, phone 07710 012345

Bedford, Ford, Leyland, Marsden VanplanPreferably Mid 80s Model, must be sleeper cab upstairs. Restoration project or mint, anything interesting considered.Phone Bill Webb 07802 661630 Direct www.webbsremovals.com

Wanted

Are You Looking To Sell?

We are looking to buy good quality household moving and storage companies in London and the home counties.

Please call 07933 123 123 in full confidence for a quick decision.

Situations Vacant

ADVERTISE YOUR VEHICLE WITH A

FOR SALEBOX AD

AND WATCH IT GO!This space plus photo

for only

£188+VAT

Small family run business looking to recruit a highly motivated

COMMERCIAL SALES

REPRESENTATIVEMust be experienced. Salary negotiable.

Please email CVs to [email protected]

Contact number 01784 438743

CLASSIFIEDS


BOOK YOURCLASSIFIED

QUARTER PAGEADVERTISEMENT

MONO:£422 COLOUR:£501

Contact Marianne LeeTel:01908 695500 Fax:01908 690099

Email:[email protected]

FOR

FOR

When it comes to writing it’s important to get things spot on. Whether it’s a

newsletter, an article for a magazine, the words on your website, or an advert

for the Removals & Storage, it’s important that you get the message just right.

Steve Jordan, our managing director, has worked in the moving business for over

thirty years and is a familiar face to many in the industry – he is also the editor of

this magazine. Steve’s long experience both as a moving man and a copywriter

has enabled him to assemble a team of writers that really know how the moving

business works - and that means we are in a unique position to provide the

right words for your business.

So, if you’re wracking your brains trying to think of a catchy story that will

get you in the news, want to start a newsletter but don’t have the time, or

simply hate writing - give us a call, we’ll be happy to help.

The Words Workshop ... moving is our business

Call: +44 (0) 1908 695500 or visit: www.thewordsworkshop.co.ukThe Words Workshop26 Swanwick LaneBroughton, Milton KeynesUnited Kingdom MK10 9LDThe right words for your business

CLASSIFIEDS


R&S is published monthly and costs only £48 a year for UK companies and £72 a year for Overseas companies. You may order as many copies as you wish.

Please send your order with payment to:British Association of Removers,Tangent House, 62 Exchange Road, Watford, Herts WD18 0TGEngland.

Order additional copies of R&S

Please send copies of Removals & Storage to:

Name

Company

Address

Postcode

Tel no

email

I enclose a cheque for

made payable to: The British Association of Removers

I wish to pay by debit/credit card (not Amex)

Card number

Expiry date MM/YY

Security code

FOR SALEMake and Model Marsden Vanplan X container, new MOT to June XXXX, full service history XXXXXkm. Feature, feature, feature,feature, feature, feature,feature, feature, feature,LEZ compliant.Asking price

Contact XXXX XXXXPhone and email address

VEHICLESALESOFFER!THIS SPACE PLUS PICTURE FOR ONLY

£188+VATContact Marianne Lee

Tel:01908 695500 Fax:01908 690099Email:[email protected]

BOOK YOURCLASSIFIED

QUARTER PAGEADVERTISEMENT

MONO:£422 COLOUR:£501

Contact Marianne LeeTel:01908 695500 Fax:01908 690099

Email:[email protected]

+VATFOR

+VATFOR

Or visit us at www.anglopacific.co.uk. London, Manchester, GlasgowFREEPHONE 0800 707 6093

Our Services ◆ Continuous receiving in London, Manchester and Glasgow◆ Worldwide LCL, FCL and airfreight services◆ Regular groupage services to Australasia, North America, South Africa, S.E. Asia, Dubai, Cyprus◆ On-line sailing schedule updates and shipment tracking

Memb No: A026

Jack of all tradeThose of you who don’t yet use our trade groupage shipping services obviously don’t know Jack.

You can rely on Anglo Pacific to handle your customers’ goods with care. We’ve been in the business for 30 years and offer frequent sailings on all routes to major destinations worldwide.

We’ll arrange shipment on the vessel promised and nominate reliable FIDI agents at destination. With depots in London, Manchester and Glasgow we offer a competitive solution wherever you are located.

At Anglo Pacific we understand your business and will ensure that your goods are handled professionally from start to finish.

Visit our website or simply call Jack and his team and get in the know.

Jack DorringtonTrade Manager

march r&s

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