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 THE
Leader
No: 414 January 2009 www.bar.co.uk COLUMN
This month:
Editor’s Column 6
Moving News 6-15
Schoolkids learn road safety with Pickfords
Light at the end of the tunnel?
Former packer wins medal for estimating What’s what in Watford
McGimpsey Brothers brings Xmas cheer

A
Matt Purdie & Sons wins top livery award new year, a new beginning… and control the membership inspection and
Most members will know that last re-inspection programme.
Prepare for RoSPA awards 2009
year a full review of the way BAR is The dispute resolution service will also fall
BAR News 17-25 structured and governed was carried out, as a under its remit. This department will be led by
Yorkshire in the 70s result of which various changes were made, General Secretary Robert Syers, who will also
Join the CMG some fairly minor and cosmetic, others much continue his role as company secretary for BAR
Brussels 2009 and why you should attend more far reaching. While such matters are not and its subsidiaries. Consumer affairs adviser/
generally regarded as particularly exciting, or Code compliance officer Andrew Fawssett and
Belgian Centre for Comic Book Art
even of much interest to the average member, field officer Peter Gawthrop complete the team.
New year, new look website for BARS they nevertheless have a direct impact on the As reported in last month’s edition, we have
Product of the Month range and value of services every member said goodbye to long serving Consumer Affairs
Free Situation Wanted advertising receives from the Association. Manager David Thomas – we wish him a long
The key governance initiatives included the and happy retirement.
People News 26
appointment of a director general; the change Financial Controller Robert Ross, supported
Domestic Mover of the Year 27 from a Board of Management to an expanded by assistant Shelley Hansberry, will run the
External Affairs 32-35 Board of Directors; and the setting up of an Financial Department and related matters,
ID cards and points for foreign nationals Executive Committee to execute the policy and including facilities and equipment management,
News Roundup strategy set by the Board and to guide and contracts, IT and company Health and Safety.
assist the DG. Like all trade associations, BAR Administrative support to all departments
Letters 39
relies heavily on the ‘volunteer sector’, i.e. those will be provided by Executive Assistant Dianna
And another thing... 41 members who give their time freely to serve Hoskins, who also acts as personnel manager.
Competition 41 on the Board, councils and committees. But no Dianna is supported by Receptionist/
Articles 42-56 less important is the role played by the permanent Administration assistant Melissa Fowler.
Carbon dioxide emissions cause confusion staff – and here too important changes have The Training function continues as before
David Wicks interview been made at BAR head office. under the caretaker management of Martyn
Under the overall authority of Director General Minker supported by Field Trainer David Hookins,
Simple online insurance from Reason Global
Stephen Vickers, three new departments have pending the appointment of a new training
Britannia plc – friend or foe?
been created with the express aim of improving manager.
Cold calling: 10 hints and tips the level of service and the range of benefits Reports from each of the key departments
What not to do on the web of membership: will be published regularly in Removals &
Pre-Budget Report – help or hindrance? A newly formed Commercial Department, Storage and on the website to ensure that
The Park Royal story headed by Paul Swindon, will deal with all members know what is happening and why,
aspects of membership including recruitment, and more importantly, exactly what they are
Photo of the Month 47 the introduction and development of new getting for their money. On which note, and
Feature schedule 57 member services, marketing and communications, on which much more will be reported in the
Diary Dates 59 conference, and support of the functional coming months, while subscription fees have
Puzzle 59 group councils. Paul will be supported by two been frozen at last year’s rates, the restructuring
Memberships 61 new members of staff, Devina Parshotam, and will allow a whole range of new services to be
Jo Swinton, to both of whom BAR extends a developed including a completely new website,
warm welcome. new prestige-building competitions, extended
The Regulatory Department will primarily be and nationally recognised training programmes,
concerned, as its name implies, with compliance and enhanced marketing for BAR and its members.
with membership criteria, Code of Practice and And that is why the new BAR structure is
On the cover: other applicable standards. It will administer important!
In tough times, the BAR wishes all its members the best of luck for
the coming year.

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 690099
Email: rands@thewordsworkshop.co.uk
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 690099
Email: marianne@thewordsworkshop.co.uk
Deadline: 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 The British Association of Removers
Association of Removers in the UK and Overseas. Tel: 01923 699 480
Fax: 01923 699 481
Subscriptions: Members of BAR and individual members of E-mail: info@bar.co.uk
The Movers Institute may become subscribers by applying to BAR
at: Tangent House, 62 Exchange Road, Watford, Hertfordshire President: Matt Purdie
WD18 0TG. Tel: 01923 699 480 Fax: 01923 699 481 Director General: Stephen Vickers
E-mail: info@bar.co.uk. Current annual subscription is £36.00 General Secretary: Robert Syers
in the UK and £60.00 overseas. Editor: Steve Jordan
Assistant Editor: David Jordan
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in Removals & Storage are not
necessarily those of the British Association of Removers, or of News Editor: Nikki Gee
Features Editor: Lynne Thomas
its publisher.
Removals & Storage is designed on behalf of
All rights reserved: No part of Removals & Storage may be The British Association of Removers by:
scanned, reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form without I Like. Tel: 01908 675854, Email: talk2ilike@btopenworld.com
the prior written permission of the publisher. (To contact R&S, see details opposite.)

January 2009 Removals & Storage 5

 Moving News

School children
THE
Editor’s learn about the
COLUMN importance of road
safety with Pickfords
T
his time last year the weather men were predicting a hot summer,
the Conservative party were dead certs for winning an inevitable During November, Pickfords visited local schools
election, Northern Rock was known only to its customers, Bernard
Madoff was considered to be honest, and the Bank of England saw no
across the country to emphasise the importance
need to reduce bank rates below 5.5%. What did we know? of road safety.

T
Not everything was as we understood it to be. There were a few surprises
in the offing – most of them bad as it turned out. But although the world’s he national initiative, Cornwall, Teeside, Manchester
pundits are now predicting global meltdown it’s probably worth organised with the assistance and Leeds took part with employees
remembering that those same pundits had no idea at all what was going of the Council Road Safety from all areas of the business
to happen in 2008 so there’s no reason at all to believe that they have a Officers and the Metropolitan giving up their time to take part.
clue about 2009. Just around the corner could easily be the antidote to Police, aimed to show 10–12 year Managing Director Kevin
all the gloom and despondency we’ve been promised. Judging by the olds the dangers of large vehicles Pickford said, “There are nearly
previous accuracy of predictions, a worldwide boom is just as likely as when cycling, particularly at 1000 Pickfords vehicles in the
all the depressing stuff we’re fed every day. road junctions. A Pickfords lorry fleet and road safety is a major
Well it would be if it were not for supposedly intelligent people such was brought into the school to focus for Pickfords to ensure the
as John Varley, head of Barclays Bank, who went on record this week show the children the blind spots safety of its drivers but also of
saying that house prices have another 10 to 15% to fall between now around the vehicle. The children other road users. We worked
and the end of 2009. How dare he! He obviously knows nothing about were asked to sit in the driver’s with the Road Safety charity
economics otherwise his bank wouldn’t be in the mess it is today. But seat and imagine they were the Brake last year and this year we
by indulging in this mindless speculation simply to try to look clever he driver. They then checked the decided to make it a national
will undoubtedly create the very thing we fear. Thanks a million John. mirrors to spot cyclists at blind initiative. By the end of the month
Anyway, let us not be disheartened. The only thing that’s certain about spots around the vehicle and we achieved our aim of educating
the future is its uncertainty. It’s time for a little positive thinking, some honked the horn when the cyclists nearly 3000 children on the
hard work and as much co-operation as possible between everyone in came clearly into view. importance of being seen and the
the industry to make sure we are all in good shape when the clouds lift. Pickfords branches in Enfield, potential dangers on the roads.
Talking of clouds, I would like to record my thanks to Tony Richman Stirling, Glasgow, Newcastle, It was a great achievement by all
who has just filed his last report on behalf of BAR External Affairs. Tony Worcester, Lincoln, Exeter, our employees who took part.”
has given tremendous service to BAR, much of it unpaid, over more
years than any of us care to remember. Although he provided R&S and
the membership with a wealth of information his work was largely
unseen and, I believe, will be hard to replace. I wish him success, happiness
and good fortune in the future.

Steve Jordan

Spotted!
One bright November afternoon, the boys and girls at the R&S office were having a
group grumble about the lack of correctly-applied BAR/OFT logos they had seen on
removal trucks when, behold, this Palmers lorry arrived to deliver to a flat immediately
across the road. In celebration the editor swung his trusty camera into action and took SEE
this beautiful study in badge perfection. Well done Palmers. PAGE
47
Above: Pupils from
Honilands Primary
school in Enfield
Left: Children of
Whittington
CE Primary School
on Wednesday 12th
November in support
of National Road
Safety Week.
Adults from left:
Steve Thomasson;
Simon Ferriday;
Nigel Ferriday; Mark
Griffiths, Driver, with
Tigger, his cab mascot

6 Removals & Storage January 2009


It this the light at
the end of the tunnel?
In what has been a tough year for most
business sectors in the UK, the removal
industry has been one of those hardest hit,
with no end to the extreme slowdown in the
domestic housing predicted. But according
to BAR member GB Liners, there may just be
a light at the end of the tunnel.
Robert Bartup, Managing Director explains,
“It has without doubt been one of the toughest
times we’ve experienced in over 80 years of
operating in the moving industry. We’ve seen
a number of well established removal companies
drastically reduce their operations, and others
cease trading altogether. We are fortunate to
be better placed than most, as we don’t just
carry out UK domestic moves, but also cater
for those moving overseas and undertake an
increasing amount of corporate relocations.”
“However domestic removals are our
mainstay, and during 2008 the industry has
been receiving less than half the enquiries
compared to the same period in 2007. At GB
Diamond Relocations helps santa
Croydon-based Diamond Relocations Limited was happy
to give Father Christmas a helping hand this year when it
provided transport for him to go around the streets of
Carshalton and Wallington in Surrey.
Diamond Relocations have close links to The Rotary Club
in Carshalton and when asked to provide the transport was
more than happy to continue to support its local community.
The annual event is the biggest fundraiser for the local Rotary
clubs with all the money raised going to local charities. It
runs for several weeks prior to Christmas, with every street
possible getting a visit from Santa between 7pm and 9pm.
Diamond Relocations Limited Records Management
Division provided one of its vans and a driver to assist. Robert
Hollis, Director, said, “In such trying times, it brings some
cheer to the faces of all concerned.”
“... we’re
certainly not
predicting
an economic
upturn but...”
-Robert Bartup
Liners we’ve sought to reduce operating costs
rather than undertake wholesale redundancies,
to retain our pool of skilled employees for when
the market picks up again. And, whilst the
overall national picture is still depressed, with
mortgage approvals down by 70% compared
to the same quarter last year, several of our
branches in the south of the country are
showing a marked improvement in their
year-on-year enquiry rates over the last four
weeks. In our London branch enquiries are
down by just 16% compared to the same
period of last year, with the branches at both
Cirencester and Cheltenham reporting similar
figures, whilst in Brighton the number of
enquiries is now the same as last year.”
“With the potential of a recession and rising
unemployment we’re certainly not predicting
an economic upturn but, following clarification
of the stamp duty holiday and the interest rate
reductions, we may finally be seeing a level of
confidence returning to the housing market.”
Diamond Relocations giving
Santa a helping hand
Moving News
Crate donation helps
crisis centres provide
festive comfort
G
B Nationwide Crate Hire will lend
more than 2,000 crates to homeless
charity Crisis to assist its ‘Crisis
Christmas’ centres over the festive season.
The crates will be used to enable the
charity to transport equipment to set up
the centres which open every year from
23rd to 30th December. With nine locations
throughout London, they provide vital
companionship and hot meals for many
homeless people as well as access to essential
services like housing and benefits advice,
health checks, training and further education
opportunities. In 2007 alone the centres
welcomed 2,000 guests and served 27,000
meals, as well as providing medical and
dental assistance to more than 800 people.
Leslie Morphy, Crisis Chief Executive,
said: “Crisis Christmas is now in its 37th
year and for many people it represents the
first step towards finding a way out of
homelessness. We wouldn’t be able to
provide this service without the generosity
of companies such as GB Nationwide and
we’re very grateful for their support.”
Chris Day, Commercial Manager at GB
Nationwide, added: “We’ve been lending
crates to Crisis for over ten years and we’re
delighted to be able to help the charity
provide such a vital service, particularly at
a time of year which can be extremely lonely
for those without a home or family. We would
like to urge other businesses to consider
how they could assist the centres and ensure
homeless people are not left out in
the cold.”
Crisis is the national charity for single
homeless people and is dedicated to ending
homelessness by delivering life-changing
services and campaigning for change.
For further information on Crisis visit
www.crisis.org.uk.
Chris Day, Commercial Manager at GB Nationwide
with one of the crates donated
January 2009 Removals & Storage 7

Former packer wins medal for
highest marks on practical
estimating exam
A
former packer who “came in off the road”
to try his hand at practical estimating
won the Gerson medal for achieving
the highest marks on the certification exam.
Peter D’Arcy, an international sales consultant
for Leicestershire-based Atlantic International
Movers, beat the exam scores of many who had
been estimating for years.
The results, which came by post from the
British Association of Removers, shocked and
thrilled the former packer. “I was just hoping
to pass, let alone come out on top,” said Peter.
“First I saw I got a pass; then I saw that I got
an A; and then I saw that my test estimates
were the closest to the actual volume. It felt
absolutely fantastic.”
For Peter, the win marked the end of a
transition from packing to surveying. He is
thankful that Atlantic has allowed him to
Peter Illand Removals relocates and diversifies
E
dinburgh-based Peter Illand Removals
has moved from its home of 61 years to
allow the company to diversify into
document management. The long-established
family firm, which has recently changed its
name to The Illand Company, is now housed
in a state-of-the-art document storage facility
in Bonnyrigg, only six miles from Edinburgh’s
city centre and a mile from the busy city by-pass.
Partner Peter Illand now stores documents
for one of the world’s leading insurance
companies in the 16,000ft2 12mtr high premises
over four levels. One of Scotland’s top solicitors
firms is also a client along with two housing
associations and various other business outlets.
Moving News
Brytor Wins
Innovation Award
Brytor of Toronto has won an award for
innovation from the Canadian Association
of Movers; this is one of three awards
presented by CAM every year.
Peter D’Arcy, left,
with his Gerson Michael Rathbone, President of Brytor,
medal and his said that his company had been one of first
certificate in three Canadian companies to achieve FAIM
practical estimating,
shaking hands
accreditation back in 1999; and the first to
with Atlantic’s introduce the Australian designed software
Managing Director, system, Moveware in North America. The
Darren Bundock.
company also introduced a number of
innovatory elements into its purpose built
offices and warehouse completed in 2000
such as complete open plan offices with
senior management sharing space with staff;
and 9-foot dock doors to facilitate access for
containers and 24 hour video surveillance.
Michael also helped to change the Association’s
name from CAM to FIDI Canada.
make such a transition during his eight-year
career with them. “I’d been working as a
packer for years and wanted to try estimating,”
continued Peter. “Atlantic gave me the chance
to come in to the office and have a go at it.
They even paid for me to take the test.”
Not all estimators have certificates in practical
estimating, and only an exceptional few can
boast of having won a Gerson medal from the
BAR. With his years of packing experience and
a medal in practical estimating, Peter now
has a unique blend of qualifications that make
him something of an “all-star” in removals.
The Gerson medal is named after the late
J L Gerson, one of the founder members of
the Movers Institute. Peter, whose Gerson
medal is on display in his living room, also Michael, right, received his award from Leonard Hoyt
holds a certificate in overseas packing and an of Hoyts Moving & Storage, who is a Director of CAM
advanced certificate in packing.
Peter said, “We moved officially on May 1 Peter Illand:
2008 and the credit crunch may be depressing Illand Company
for some but we’ve found that businesses are Partner
looking to store documents off-site to free
space in their existing premises. Our building
has the capacity to store 130,000 standard
archive boxes and 120 standard, 250ft3
containerised storage boxes. In addition, we’ve
incorporated external self-storage units from
250ft3 mover boxes to 20ft ISO containers.
Peter continued, “The 1.8 acre site on the
Sherwood Industrial Estate also has ample
room for expansion for a further 25,000ft2
building which takes our total archival capacity
to 450,000 boxes.”
January 2009 Removals & Storage 9
 Moving News

McGimpsey Paul McGimpsey,

left, with Councillor

Brothers brings
Tony Hill of the
Management
Committee, right,

Christmas cheer
and Dorothy Beattie,
Senior Manager of
Age Concern Bangor
Not for the first time, McGimpsey
Brothers brought unexpected
Christmas cheer to 50 house
bound elderly citizens.
Based in Bangor, Northern Ireland, and
well established in the North Down area,
McGimpsey Brothers delivered 50 Christmas
hampers to a group of people on the Age
Concern home visit list.
The exercise has been carried out over the
last few years and reflects the company’s wish
to give something back to those in most need
within North Down. Company Director,
Campbell McGimpsey, one of four brothers supported us over the years.” act, appropriate for the festive time of year.”
who have developed the company over the Facilitating the hand over, Town Centre Commenting on the donation Age Concern’s
years, said: “We’ve nurtured our company for Manager, Stephen Dunlop said: “I’ve a strong Dorothy Beattie noted, “Christmas is a
many years using North Down as our base. admiration for companies such as McGimpsey particularly difficult year financially for all of
Our modern premises at Conlig offers state of Brothers who can do something like this for us and especially for those elderly people on
the art self storage facilities and we are now such a worthy group at Christmas. Too often fixed income. Age Concern is extremely grateful
involved in removals right across the world. corporate gifts go to those who already have that once again McGimpsey Brothers assisted
This Christmas gift was just our way of saying so much. This is a worthy twist of the normal 50 of our elderly citizens by delivering a much
thank you to the people of the area that have story and I applaud them for this Christian welcome and needed Christmas hamper.”

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10 Removals & Storage January 2009


Health and safety
management award
for Pickfords
Pickfords has been awarded BS OHSAS 18001
certification for health and safety management
across its national network of centres.
P Dolphin
ickfords has emphasised
its company-wide focus
on health and safety
management by being awarded
BS OHSAS 18001-2007 certification
by BSI Group, the UK’s national
standards body. The BSI
certification covers Pickfords’
entire nationwide network of
removal and storage centres –
including major regional sites in
Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff,
Glasgow, Gateshead, Hayes,
Milton Keynes, and Normanton,
as well as the company’s head
office in Enfield, Middlesex.
Designed to promote a safe and
healthy working environment, BS
OHSAS 18001 certification is only
awarded to companies that meet
exceptionally high standards in
health and safety procedures as
part of their risk management
strategy. It certifies that Pickfords’
health and safety management
system is consistently able to
identify and control health and
safety risks, reduce the risk of
accidents, improve overall safety
performance, and ensure full
legislative compliance.
Pickfords is one of the few, if not
the only moving company in the
UK, to have received certification
for all of the key international best
practice standards for Quality
(ISO 9000 and FIDI FAIM),
Environmental Management (ISO
14001), and Health and Safety
Management (BS OHSAS 18001).
Pickfords’ Managing Director
Kevin Pickford said the new BS
OHSAS 18001 certification
reflects the company’s nationwide
Moving News
TRADE REMOVAL SERVICES
Weekly shuttle service by Road
BULGARIA HUNGARY
CROATIA ROMANIA
CYPRUS NORTH SLOVAKIA
GREECE TURKEY
Left to right:
John Horsefield,
Health and Safety
advisor; John Glackin,
Auditor/Client
Manager, BSI; LOOSE GROUPAGE, SINGLE ITEMS & FULL LOADS
Kevin Pickford, FULL DESTINATION SERVICES TAILORED TO YOUR NEEDS
Managing Director;
Tracey Rogers, ANTIQUES, FINE ART & EXHIBITION CONSIGNMENTS
Facilities Manager; CARS, VANS & BOAT TRANSPORTATION
Richard Summers,
Group Compliance
Fortnightly LCL Groupage service to
Manager
CYPRUS SOUTH & ISRAEL
focus on health and safety. “We’ve
always had a strong commitment MOVERS
to ensuring the safety of our staff GUARANTEED FAST, EFFICIENT & UNBEATABLE RATES
and our clients’ employees when
we’re operating at their premises. 020 8804 7700
But BS OHSAS 18001 is a rigorous www.dolphinmovers.com
external test that proves we’re Memb No: D052 trade@dolphinmovers.com
committed to setting robust health
and safety procedures on an
ongoing basis.”
He added: “It also makes good
business sense. In a competitive
marketplace, our customers are
looking for more than just keen
pricing. This external certification
means we can tangibly demonstrate
to customers that our business is
managed responsibly and we can
provide a reliable service without
excessive downtime, and associated
costs, caused by work-related
accidents and incidents. Adding
BS OHSAS 18001 to our existing
certificates for quality and
environmental management is
part of our strategy to highlight
the Pickfords brand as a world
leader in delivering best practice
to global standards to our valued
customers.”
John Horsefield, Pickfords’ Health
and Safety Advisor, said the
company puts a heavy emphasis
on ongoing health and safety
training for its entire workforce.
“Our employees display the right
attitude and commitment to health
and safety and have shown they’re
willing to take responsibility for
themselves, their colleagues and
our clients’ staff,” he says. “We will
now begin a rolling programme of
BSI audits every year to maintain
our OHSAS 18001 certification.”
January 2009 Removals & Storage 11
 ��������� ������������ ��������
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WORLDWIDE
TRADE SERVICE

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REMOVER

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Matt Purdie & Sons
wins top award
M
att Purdie & Sons of Bathgate, West
Lothian, has recently been awarded
the prestigious title of ‘Scotland’s Top
Fleet Livery 2009’ by Transport News, the road
haulage magazine for Scotland and the north
of England.
The Transport News Scottish Rewards have
been running for 15 years and are considered
to be the ‘oscars’ for the Scottish transport and
road haulage industry. This year there were
16 award categories, with nominations being
submitted by members of the industry and
the general public, and a record number of
nominations were received.
Matt Purdie & Sons were amongst five
short-listed finalists and were announced as
the winner of ‘Scotland’s Top Fleet Livery
2009’ at an awards ceremony held on Friday
7th November 2008 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel
in Glasgow.
John Henderson, Features Editor of Transport
News and a member of the judging panel, said
the judges were impressed by the very high
standards maintained by the company in all
areas, such as premises, staff and strong
Clark & Rose braves arctic conditions for client
C
lark & Rose has proved it’s willing to go
to any lengths, and temperatures, to
satisfy customers.
The company has just completed the
relocation of the Albone family from their home
in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, to Vuollerim,
Northern Sweden. Despite having substantial
previous experience in Sweden, this relocation
was the furthest north that had been encountered
by the company and resulted in the vans
being equipped with ‘super’ anti-freeze for
the sub-zero conditions.
The move, which took a total of eight days
from collection to delivery, was necessary as
Glen Albone, a self-employed builder, is planning
corporate identity that even flows through to
items such as packaging materials, and of
course the company’s very fine vehicle livery.
John commented that it had been a while since
they’d seen such a strong candidate from the
removals industry, a sector that they’re keen
should be included to give the awards as wide
a scope as possible.
Left to right:
Mary Rhodes,
TV sports presenter;
Matt Purdie;
Owen Pilling,
OPC Graphics -
award sponsors;
Dougie Donnelly,
(TV presenter and
commentator)
Above: the winning
vehicle livery.
to develop houses in the area, with backing
from the Swedish Government. It’s hoped that
Sweden could become a popular destination
for ex-pats, similar to Spain and Bulgaria,
which could result in an influx in the number
of moves Clark & Rose deal with.
Gary Beattie, Clark & Rose’s London Branch
Manager said: “This move was slightly different
to our previous jobs in Sweden because it was
so far North and our drivers eventually found
themselves travelling within the Arctic Circle,
a first for Clark & Rose. The area which we
moved the Albones to is somewhere the
government would like to develop and hopefully
an increase in the number of houses here
Moving News
Crown relocations
launches intercultural
services web site
A newly created website provides
information about Crown Asia-Pacific’s
Intercultural Services Program, Global
Passport.
Crown’s Global Passport services include
specialised training for relocations,
repatriation, working across cultures, and
young professionals working overseas, as
well as training for spouses and families,
to help them cope with cultural conflicts in
all aspects of their lives – both professionally
and personally. The program is tailored,
through a comprehensive needs analysis,
to meet individual needs and key concerns.
The program is currently being offered in
19 locations across the Asia-Pacific region.
New locations are added on a regular basis,
to meet the needs of relocation professionals
and transferees.
Jill Bedford, Regional Director for Crown’s
Global Mobility Services division, Asia-Pacific,
said, “It is very exciting to be harnessing
the talent and experience of Crown’s own
diverse and highly international workforce,
along with the expertise of our network of
trainers, to deliver programs of real strategic
and personal value to our corporate clients
and their employees. Intercultural
communication and leadership skills are
now accepted core competencies for all
multinational and global businesses, and I
am thrilled that Crown can draw on its own
success and experiences in more than 50
countries to further support our valued
clients.”
Plans to extend the Global Passport program
in key markets of the Europe/Middle East/
Africa regions are in development. Crown
Relocations continues its partnership with
Aperian Global to provide intercultural
services in some of its worldwide regions.
would be good for business, although our
drivers will have to be prepared for the icy
cold conditions!”
Mr Albone was delighted with the quality of
service he received. He said, “We were extremely
happy with the service provided from start to
finish it was very professional and concise.
The packing was carried out excellently, and
the driver and porter did amazingly well on
the very, very long trip up here.” He continued,
“The guys did a great job unpacking and were
efficient and courteous throughout. They kept
in contact with us at every stage of the journey
giving us an update on their estimated arrival
time at every opportunity.”
January 2009 Removals & Storage 13
 Moving News

Transport firms in line

for safety awards
Transport, storage and distribution companies should start preparing
now for the 2009 RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards to
be sure they can meet the entry deadline.

A
round 120 businesses and organisations
from the sector picked up awards this
year out of the 1,500 honoured - a record
for the awards programme, which has been
running for more than 50 years and is the
leading scheme of its type.
This celebration of health and safety good
practice attracts businesses and organisations
of all sizes and types, and they have until
February 13 to submit their entries. But early
preparation will help to avoid a last-minute rush.
Tom Mullarkey, RoSPA Chief Executive said:
“In the current economic climate, awards are
more important than ever. They demonstrate
that employers care about their employees
and will not let slip their standards of health
and safety practice even in tough times. They
also offer a path to improvement which allows
companies to adjust their pace of development
to their own circumstances. By showing their
determination to save lives and reduce
injuries, our winners are an inspiration for
others to follow.”
The majority of the awards are non-competitive
and mark achievement which is graded at
merit, bronze, silver and gold levels. Those
demonstrating continued improvement can
win gold medals, President’s Awards and
Orders of Distinction.
The competitive awards go to the best entries
in 21 individual industry sectors such as
construction, healthcare, transport and
logistics, engineering, manufacturing and
education. There are special awards for
workforce involvement, training, occupational
health, environmental management and the
management of occupational road risk. There
is a trophy for the best organisation operating
or based in Scotland, and RoSPA’s top accolade
is the Sir George Earle Trophy.
The awards are sponsored by NEBOSH – The
National Examination Board in Occupational
Safety and Health. Presentations will take place
from May 12 to May 14 at the Birmingham
Hilton Metropole Hotel where there will be
three prestigious gala dinners. The ceremonies
run alongside Safety & Health Expo 2009 at
the NEC. Winners can also be presented with
their awards at the RoSPA Scotland event held
in Glasgow in September.
Entries are welcomed from all types of
business or organisation, whether public or
private sector, and there are many new entrants
each year. RoSPA’s independent expert judging
panel not only considers accident records, it
also looks for high standards of management
and safety performance. Full details can be
Award Guidance Notes and Entry Form, top,
found at www.rospa.com/awards/index.htm, are available to download from
or more information is available by ringing www.rospa.com/awards/index.htm
0121 248 2090 or e-mailing awards@rospa.com.

Quality Award
for Streff
Streff in Luxemburg has won the Luxemburg
Quality Award presented by the Luxemburg
Chamber of Commerce.
The award was presented to Stefan Chorus
and Caroline Vanormelingen, Streff’s Quality
Manager, on 25th November by the Luxembourg
Minister of Economy, Jeannot Krecké in front
of nearly 250 business people and state
representatives.
Stefan said: “This Award is the result of our
endless efforts to enhance our position as the
leader in our business in Luxembourg through
innovation and quality management, ensuring
organic growth through a sustainable
development of our services.”
The company has recently achieved
certification for Quality (ISO 9001), Security
(OHSAS 18001) and Environment (ISO 14001).
Left to right: Stefan Chorus; Caroline Vanormelingen, Quality Manager;
2008 also saw the company’s 80th anniversary Jeannot Krecké, Minister of Econnomy;Max Chorus; Vincent Lucas, Sales Manager
(1928-2008).

January 2009 Removals & Storage 15

Mixed Case 1
Rafegue Merlot Cabernet Reserve (France) x 2
An ample, well structured wine with fine, elegant tannins and notes of spice
and pepper.
Rafegue Sauvignon Blanc Reserva (France) x 2
Fresh flavours of delicate apple, pear and floral notes. Dry, delicate palate with
apple and peach flavours balanced with refreshing acidity.
Sol Rey Red (Spain) x 2
Dry, well structured, clean with a moderate intensity of fruit with notes of plums
and red cherries.
Sol Rey White (Spain) x 2
Dry, balanced acidity, clean with a hint of citrus fruit and a refreshing finish.
Apple Tree Flat Shiraz (Australia) x 2
Intense and complex flavours of redcurrant, pepper, cherry and sweet spices.
On the palate there are lovely forest berries coupled with a firm texture and
balanced acidity.
Apple Tree Flat Semillon Sauvignon (Australia) x 2
Pale gold in colour, pleasant nose of fresh citrus with a slight Mixed Case 1
SPECIAL OFFER
honeyed quality from the Semillon. The palate possesses similar 12 Bottles - £39.99
characteristics to the nose, showing citrus fruit flavours. Free delivery on mixed case orders. Case prices inclusive of VAT and subject to availability.
Medium bodied, dry with good acidity. Drinking well.

Further to these mixed case offerings please take the chance to look at www.coevintners.com for a full
selection of wines which BAR Members receive a 10% discount across all products. Plus, there is free
delivery on all orders of 24 bottles or more. For these exclusive mixed case offers or anything else
from the Coe Vintners Portfolio call 020 8551 4966 Quoting ‘BAR Wine Club’.

Mixed Case 2
Sauvignon Petit Bourgeois (France) x 2
Complex notes of herbaceousness, green apples and yellow plums. A zesty
palate with crisp acidity with notes of granny smith apples.
Chateau de Garras (France) x 2
Ripe plumy and cherry flavours with a lovely spiciness and toastiness from the
oak. Medium body, juicy texture, soft ripe tannins with cherry and blackberry
flavours.
Oppi Valpolicella (Italy) x 2
Morello cherry, soft easy drinking style, soft and subtle.
Chianti Classico San Martino (Italy) x 2
Good concentration of cherry fruit and a hint of violet. Firm structure and a
long finish.
Ca’Linverno Rosso IGT (Italy) x 2
Good concentration with notes of forest berries with sweet spice and good
acidity. Drinking well now.
Domaine Georges Michel Sauvignon Blanc SPECIAL OFFER
(New Zealand) x 2 Mixed Case 2
A classic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with lovely gooseberry, 12 Bottles - £49.99
elderflower, honeydew melon and limey flavours. Long length. Free delivery on mixed case orders. Case prices inclusive of VAT and subject to availability.

BAR Membership Initiative in Association with:

 BAR News

Yorkshire in the 70s

T
he BAR Yorkshire Area hosted everyone
north of Watford for this year’s annual
dinner. The event was held at The Monk
Bar Hotel in York which was the most
spectacular venue and the hotel certainly
did them proud. To escape the onslaught of
Christmas parties, the theme for the evening
was 70s disco. Everyone got into the spirit of
the times and the outfits were outrageous.
Greg and Helen Wildman took first prize for
the best dressed but Gareth Littlewood gave
them a close run for their money.
The evening’s huge success went in part to
the kind generosity of the sponsors. Adrian
Starling from Steel Storage provided the food
and drink for the cocktail party and John
Simpson from Simpsons Packaging donated
all the wine for the evening.
Party revellers danced well into the night with
compilation dances lasting up to 45 minutes
causing a lot of sore legs in the morning.
Many thanks to all who attended and
especially to the sponsors for providing the

Top: Austin Powers

funding when the industry is facing hard times.
Go-Scotland
and friends. It said
70s on the invite, BAR Scottish Area held its annual go-karting
but 60s styles were event in Livingston on 20 November 2008.
just as good; There was an excellent turnout of 7 teams,
Centre: times may
be tough today
with 4 drivers per team, taking part in a 2-hour
but back in the 70s endurance drive.
you could still get The participating teams were:
three Afros to
the Mullet;
- PHS Teacrate
Bottom left: Heel! - AMC Removals
70s footwear style - Kenneth Hayton Removals
was unrestrained
- Matt Purdie & Sons
to say the least
- Richard Healey Removals
- Clark & Rose
After a very closely fought contest, with
teams completing almost 300 laps each,
congratulations and the trophy went to the
winning team from Clark & Rose. Runners-up
were the team from Kenneth Hayton Removals,
with Richard Healey Removals finishing third.
Participants also enjoyed an excellent buffet,
very kindly sponsored by PHS Teacrate, and
the BAR Scottish Area sends a big thank you to
Stuart McLean and everyone at PHS Teacrate.

Top: Race action from the Livingston event;

Centre: All the participants;
Bottom: The 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams -
Clark & Rose, Kenneth Hayton Removals and
Richard Healy Removals respectively

January 2009 Removals & Storage 17

The Professional Advisors Panel is a brand
new initiative specifically designed to offer
members extended support across every
aspect of their business. This is a development
of our highly successful Insurance Broker Panel
scheme whereby BAR members receive
unlimited support, guidance and advice from
For any independent insurance, financial or legal advice, please contact a BAR
Professional Advisor partner.
Insurance
Basil Fry & Co Ltd
Tel: 01372 385 985
Email: broking@basilfry.co.uk
Website: www.basilfry.co.uk
Financial
Baker Tilly
Tel: 01923 657788
Email: BAR@bakertilly.co.uk
Website: www.bakertilly.co.uk
in association with
qualified specialist companies within the UK.
We are constantly looking at ways to support
our members businesses; therefore, if this
initiative proves to be a success, we will
develop the Professional Advisors Panel even
further into other relevant areas such as Health
& Safety and Environmental services.
Reason Global Insurance
Tel: 0845 602 1775
Email: info@reason-global.com
Website: www.reason-global.com
Legal
Backhouse Jones Solicitors
Tel: 01254 828300
Email: enquiries@backhouses.co.uk
Website: www.backhousejones.co.uk

Join the CMG
(and make more money)
It’s quite simple really. If commercial
moving companies join the CMG they will
make more money. That’s the message from
the CMG Council.
How? There are many ways:
1. The CMG advertises in the Facilities
Management press to increase its awareness
with key customers. It also submits regular
editorials to these publications to promote its
opinions and enhance the status of its members.
This promotional activity helps facilities
managers understand more about the CMG.
In the 2008 Moving Trends Survey conducted
by Premises and Facilities Management
magazine, an increasing number of FM
professionals said that CMG membership was
important in their choice of moving company.
2. The CMG has exhibited at the Total Workplace
Exhibition at Olympia in recent years to expand
the awareness of the Association and its values.
The CMG intends to attend other exhibitions
this year.
3. The CMG has recently announced strategic
partnerships with BT and BIFM (British
Institute of Facilities Management). These
relationships will expand the promotional
opportunities for CMG members through joint
marketing with these high profile organisations.
Further strategic alliances are being negotiated.
4. The CMG has pioneered the BSI PAS126
standard for commercial moving. All CMG
members will be required to have PAS126 by
the end of August 2009. This will enable the
CMG to promote itself as being 100% compliant:
a huge commercial advantage. FM professionals
are increasingly recognising the new standard
and requiring their suppliers to meet it.
Companies that have the standard are
recognised for their excellence.
5. The CMG works constantly to increase its
membership – now standing at 81 companies
across the country. This provides all members
with a ready supply of trained assistance
wherever it’s needed.
6. The CMG has just agreed an exciting range
of industry-specific diplomas that will take
staff from the beginning of their careers in
commercial moving right through to top
management. Every company understands
that its people are its best asset and keeping
them at the top of their profession is the best
way to improve performance and reduce staff
turnover.
7. The Commercial Mover of the Year
competition is open only to CMG members.
Winners and finalists of the competition are
recognised as providing excellent service.
They have the right to display their certificates
and use their achievements to promote their
companies.
The CMG does all these things, and more, for
one reason only: to help its members make more
money. That’s the point of being in business.
If your company earns a significant
proportion of its income from commercial
moving you must seriously consider joining
the CMG. Join it not for the networking
opportunities, not for the camaraderie, not
just because you want the badge for its own
sake – join because you want to make more
money. In these credit crunching, market
crashing days, can you really afford not to be
part of the only organisation in the country
that is recognised for commercial moving
excellence?
To join the CMG contact the BAR commercial
department on: 01923 699499 or email: paul.
swindon@bar.co.uk.
BAR News
PAS126
COUNTDOWN:
WILL YOU
BE READY
IN TIME?
It’s only 8 months now before all members
of the Commercial Moving Group (CMG)
will be required to have PAS126, the BSI
standard for commercial moving, to
remain as CMG members. The clock is
ticking. Will your company be on time?
31st August 2009 is the cut off date for all
CMG companies to be certified to PAS126.
So far only a handful of companies have
achieved the standard and only around 30
of 81 CMG members have started the process.
As time goes on there is a real danger that
QSS (Quality Service Standards Ltd.) the
organisation charged with the job of
assessing companies for PAS126, will
become swamped with work and not be
able to complete all the necessary
assessments by the deadline date.
Chris Waymouth, Chief Executive of QSS,
is concerned that companies might delay
too long. “It’s not a long process for each
company but with over 50 companies yet to
be assessed we need to keep a steady flow
of approvals,” he said. “We don’t want a
bottleneck at the last minute.”
Those companies that have already
achieved PAS126 say that it’s not onerous
and agree that any current member of the
CMG should be able to reach the necessary
standard with little change to their working
practices. Ian Studd, Chairman of the CMG,
explained that the purpose of making the
Standard compulsory is to provide members
with a unique selling tool by allowing the
full force of CMG promotional activity to
focus on the fact that the CMG is 100%
approved to the commercial standard. “It’s
a fabulous opportunity for us to stand out
from the crowd,” he said. “That’s why it’s
so important for everyone to get approval
before the deadline.”
QSS is currently working on updating the
PAS126 standard to become the full BSI
standard BS8522. But Chris Waymouth
urges CMG members not to wait before
getting certified as the date for the
introduction of the full BS is not yet set and
the operational differences in the standards
will not be material. “Companies should go
for PAS126 now and we can easily update
them to BS8522 when it becomes available,”
he explained.
The membership of CMG companies that
do not achieve PAS126 will lapse on 1st
September 2009. It is already a mandatory
requirement for all companies applying for
CMG membership.
For more information on how your company
can become certified to PAS126 contact
Chris Waymouth on cwco@btinternet.com
or the BAR head office.
January 2009 Removals & Storage 19
 BAR News
Brussels 2009
Probably the most important
conference you’ll ever attend
B Getting around
usiness is down, money is tight and
spirits are low – that’s exactly why you
should come to the BAR conference
this year in Brussels. Can you really afford to
stay away?
The theme for the conference is ‘Partnership
for Profit’ and the business sessions will be
targeted specifically to help BAR members
use partnerships as a way of improving their
businesses, vitally important at any time but
during a recession, even more so.
BAR has recently signed strategic partnerships
with BT and BIFM and is soon hoping to achieve
a similarly close working relationship with
NAEA (National Association of Estate Agents).
Being in Europe FEDEMAC will also be featuring
strongly to accentuate the close relationship
BAR has with its European partner.
But perhaps the strongest and closest
partnerships will be, as usual at this annual
event, forged through direct contact with
others in the same industry with similar
problems, fears and opportunities. It’s the
annual opportunity for the whole industry to
get together as one to swap ideas, provide
support and develop ways of working together
for the benefit of the entire membership.
The 2009 conference will also see the launch
of the Domestic Mover of the Year award which,
together with its older brother the Commercial
Mover of the Year award, provide participants
with the greatest promotional opportunity of
the year. If you haven’t already joined in, it’s
now your last opportunity.
For exhibitors too the 2009 event will provide
maximum exposure to the membership with
the exhibition being staged immediately
adjacent to the business sessions and all the
refreshments being served within the exhibition
area. The logistics for the event have been
20 Removals & Storage January 2009
carefully worked out to create the maximum
foot-fall through the exhibition and generate
the best possible sales opportunities for all
those taking part.
in Brussels
Apart from being the most important BAR Easily accessed on foot
conference you’ve ever attended it’s just possible Brussels is a compact city that is best covered on foot,
that it could be one of the most enjoyable too. although it does boast an excellent public transport
The Conrad hotel is the most dazzling luxury system which is easy to negotiate and you’d be well
hotel in Brussels where you can relax in 5-star advised to take advantage of it.
luxury. It’s located on the famous Avenue Metros & Trams
Louise and is within easy reach of the Palais Many of the Metro stations in Brussels are decorated
Royal, the most fashionable shopping district with works of art. There are lots of them, and most
with the its elegant boutiques, the majestic are accessible for disabled people. Also, brightly coloured
Grand-Palace and the headquarters of NATO trams weave throughout the city - both under and over
and the European Union. ground. The underground trains are called ‘Prémetro’.
For the last few months R&S has been Taxis
running a regular item highlighting some of Brussels has an astonishing 600 taxi ranks located
the city’s attractions including the Cantillon throughout the city, but don’t expect taxis to stop if you
Brewery and the Delirium Café featured last try and hail them in the street. It is also advisable to check
month, but there’s lots to see just wandering that the meter is on when you get in. It is a legal requirement
around the town too. Why not go visit the to take a receipt from the driver when you leave.
market square, one of the most beautiful town
squares in Europe, and take a look at the
gothic town hall, among the most stunning
city halls in the Low Countries.
If you’ve not attended a BAR conference
before, there’s a new event designed specially
for you: Pickfords is sponsoring a newcomers’
welcome event at the start of the conference
to allow everyone attending for the first time
to meet each other and to be introduced to
the BAR Board members and members of the
secretariat. It’s the ideal way get to know
new people and get the most out of what will
undoubtedly be a splendid weekend.
If you need to meet new people, build new
partnerships, learn how to make your business
more profitable during difficult times, and keep
up to date with all that’s new in the moving
industry, you really can’t afford not to be there.
 BAR News

So what is there to see in Brussels?

Belgian Centre of Comic Strip Art

Some of the world’s most popular comic setting of the Waucquez Warehouses which are considered Left: the Centre’s
fine Art Nouveau
strips, or bande dessinee, were created by to be one of the masterpieces of the most famous Belgian exterior
Belgian artists and a museum dedicated architect, Victor Horta. He built the house in 1906 for the Below: Tintin -
to their craft has become one of Brussels’ Waucquez family who used it for a wholesale cloth business. Belgium’s best
known comic
most popular visitor attractions. The building displays the principles of Horta’s architectural strip export is
The Belgian Centre of Comic Strip Art houses some of style: sunlight filters from the glass ceiling into the central well represented
the country’s best know comic strip characters including hall, illuminating the rest of the warehouse in a natural among the many
exhibits
Willy and Wanda, The Smurfs, Lucky Luke and most way. The Warehouses were beautifully restored between
famous of all Tintin, the comic strip sleuth with his 1987 and 1989.
trademark tuft of yellow hair. Today Tintin is a
multimillion-euro industry with everything from books, Location
branded mugs and even his own clothing label. There has Zandstraat / Rue des Sables, 20
been talk about opening a museum dedicated to the little 1000 Brussels, 02/219.19.80
chap, but so far it has not materialised. Opening hours
Visitors can learn everything about the birth and From 10am to 6pm
development of a comic strip album from the Second World Admission
War to the present day and relive childhood memories of Adults: 6,20 (Euro) per person.
reading their favorite comics. Seniors: 5 (Euro) per person
As always, the museum has a gift shop with albums and Children under 12: 2,50 (Euro) per person
gadgets featuring all the Belgian comic strip heroes. Groups (minimum
The museum is located in the beautiful Art Nouveau 15 persons): 5 (Euro) per person.

January 2009 Removals & Storage 21

 BAR Conference 2009
1-3 May, Conrad Hotel, Brussels

The BAR Annual conference is the most highly

anticipated event in the removals calendar and
this year is no exception!
Never before has it been more
important to forge new business
relationships, friendships and
alliances especially during this
difficult economic climate…
and your association is here
to help!
This year’s conference will
bring together an assorted
mix of professional
removers, specialist trade
suppliers and a host of
industry leaders offering
their expert knowledge,
guidance and advice on
how to tackle some of the
key issues surrounding the
professional removals
industry.
Share your individual experiences
with your fellow members and
discover what new innovative
products & services exist by visiting
our Affiliates and Business Partners
at our annual trade exhibition.
Hosted in the Conrad Hotel in
Brussels, this superb venue provides
the perfect location for our 3 day
event. With a broad range of thought
provoking business sessions, a series
of topical debates…can you afford to
miss it?
Come and experience the charm
and heritage that Brussels has
to offer!
‘Partnership for Profit’

For more information visit: www.bar.co.uk/conference2009.aspx

or email: conference@bar.co.uk
Conference BOOK BEFORE THE END OF JANUARY 2009
Delegate Packages AND RECEIVE A 10% DISCOUNT
Full Package - 1st Attendee Cost TVA % TVA £ Total Full Package - 2nd Attendee Cost TVA % TVA £ Total
Delegate Fee £207.00 21% £43.47 £250.47 Delegate Fee £207.00 21% £43.47 £250.47
Accommodation £492.00 6% £29.52 £521.52 Accommodation £343.00 6% £20.58 £363.58
Total Cost £699.00 - £72.99 £771.99 Total Cost £550.00 - £64.05 £614.05

3 Night’s Accommodation (B&B) 1st – 3rd May ’09, entry to all Business Sessions, 3 Night’s Shared Accommodation (B&B) 1st – 3rd May ’09, entry to all Business
Trade Exhibition, all Social Events, Tea/Coffee refreshments & buffet lunches. Sessions, Trade Exhibition, all Social Events, Tea/Coffee refreshments & buffet lunches.
Partners Tour on Saturday 2nd May.

Two Night Package Two Night Package

- 1st Attendee Cost TVA % TVA £ Total - 2nd Attendee Cost TVA % TVA £ Total
Delegate Fee £207.00 21% £43.47 £250.47 Delegate Fee £207.00 21% £43.47 £250.47
Accommodation £343.00 6% £20.58 £363.58 Accommodation £268.00 6% £16.08 £284.08
Total Cost £550.00 - £64.05 £614.05 Total Cost £475.00 - £59.55 £534.55

Accommodation (B&B) on any 2 consecutive nights between 1st – 3rd May ’09, entry Shared Accommodation (B&B) on any 2 consecutive nights between 1st – 3rd May ’09,
to all Business Sessions, Trade Exhibition, all Social Events, Tea/Coffee refreshments & entry to all Business Sessions, Trade Exhibition, all Social Events, Tea/Coffee refreshments
buffet lunches on the respective dates. & buffet lunches on the respective dates. Partners Tour on Saturday 2nd May

Day Delegate rate Cost TVA % TVA £ Total Room Upgrades ( per
per night )
room
Cost TVA % TVA £ Total
Delegate Fee (per day) £125.00 21% £26.25 £151.25 Deluxe £25.00 6% £1.50 £26.50

Entry to all Business Sessions, Trade Exhibition, Tea/Coffee refreshments Premium £50.00 6% £3.00 £53.00
& buffet lunches.
Junior Suite £100.00 6% £6.00 £106.00

Please Note: In order to comply with Belgium and EU VAT authorities we are required to show the tax
calculations against the different elements of the costs, with the appropriate Belgium TVA rate.
N.B. The Delegate Fee and Accommodation are only available as a combined package and cannot be
split or sold separately.

Exhibitors & Sponsorship

If you would like to take an exhibition stand or sponsor an opportunity
at the conference, please email: conference@bar.co.uk
 BAR News
A new look website for the new year
B
AR Services has great pleasure in
announcing that as of January 2009 its
fully updated and innovative new website
is up and running for business as usual.
No doubt you will by now be aware of the
new face of BAR Services. At the May 2008
BAR conference, the company unveiled its
refreshing new identity to the members
followed by a mailshot of its corresponding
catalogue and price list. The final part of the
re-branding process was to update and
amalgamate both of its websites to make
sourcing products as well as ordering an
easier process.
BAR Services sees its website as a vital tool for
growing the business but felt it was important
to bring the website up to speed with its new
corporate identity. “The idea behind the re-brand
was to provide an image where the message
was clear and concise as to the services and
products provided by BAR Services,” explained
Jane Shaw, Project Manager. “By redesigning
the catalogue and updating the product codes
we also wanted to make viewing and ordering
our products a simple and straightforward
process – we have now applied this philosophy
to our website.”
Shopping on the Internet can be economical
and convenient, the BAR Services online shop
is always open — seven days a week, 24 hours
a day — and the bargains online can be
numerous. Surfing the net isn’t just about
Product of the Month
Movers retail kit
Previous articles by BAR Services have
highlighted the potential revenue that can be
made by selling packaging products directly
to the public. Many of the members may
have thought ‘great idea, but how do I begin
providing such a service and what do I need to
get started?’
Those clever people at BAR Services have
introduced a complete starter kit that provides
a retail solution in answer to both of these
questions. The ‘Movers Retail Kit’ provides all
the necessary products to suit all your customer
requirements complete with an attractive stand
BAR Services Ltd, Moor Hall, Sandhawes Hill, East Grinstead, Sussex RH19 3HQ Tel: 01342 870087 Fax: 01342 870072 Email: sales@barservices.co.uk
24 Removals & Storage January 2009
buying an airline ticket, booking a hotel or payment option for members who would prefer
sending flowers; with a click of a mouse you to pay as they go. Although members have the
can now purchase all your packaging needs availability of credit facilities with BAR Services,
too. BAR Services has always been a phone some may prefer to pay for smaller orders
call away but with the new look website up immediately by credit card. With buying
and running, delivery of your order is now habits changing with the advancement of the
also just a click away. World Wide Web, more and more customers
The new website is now fully updated in the are requesting the ability to buy and pay online
vibrant company colours so customers will have in one simple and easy process.
little doubt that they are on the BAR Services For further information regarding the services
website. Its new design means that it is easy provided by the website or to obtain a members
to surf and navigation friendly which means log-in, please contact the sales team on
finding the products you require should be quick 01342 870087 or email sales@barservices.co.uk.
and easy. The website has been reorganised
to provide you with information on the ‘product
of the month’ as advertised in the R&S, any
current best sellers and information on
special offers.
The website will be visible to the public and
trade customers; however, a second level of
the website will allow exclusive access to the
discounted prices that are available to the
membership. As with the previous website,
each company will be emailed a personalised
log-in that allows them to interface with the
members’ area of the website. “One of the
benefits of being a BAR member is the saving
achieved by the bulk buying power of BAR
Services,” explained Jane. “By using the unique
Out with the old. The new year sees a new-look
member log-in, these prices can be accessed website replacing what BARS’ customers are used
on the new website.” , seeing, above
to
BAR Services has also added an online
providing the ideal point of sale display for your
company. The kit is supplied with mattress sacks,
furniture covers, webbing, tape and air bubble
film – in fact everything that is needed for your
customer to move or store, excluding the cartons.
All of the products supplied come in handy,
individually wrapped packets to make buying an
easier process for you and your customer.
For further details on this product
or to place an order, simply call
BAR Services on 01342 870087.
Alternatively, please feel free to
email sales@barservices.co.uk.
 BAR News

Free Situation Your news or event could be

Wanted advertising FRONT

PAGE
NEWS!
To help companies and their employees during the recession R&S is
offering individuals who have been made redundant from BAR companies
the opportunity of advertising their services free. This is intended to help
Did you know that the R&S front page
people find new employment in the professional moving industry and help
is available to book for just £945 + VAT?
BAR members to fulfill their obligations to do all they can to help their
If you have some interesting news to
employees during this difficult time.
share or maybe a special event planned,
All entries will be confidential and replies will be to a unique box number then why not tell everyone about it in
address supplied by BAR. To take part please provide brief details (no style via the front page of the R&S? You’ll
names or company details will appear in the advertisement) including roles, also get a write-up in the magazine to
experience and location to Marianne@thewordsworkshop.co.uk. This accompany it. If you’re interested in
service is available only to BAR members’ staff who have been or are making a booking then please e-mail:
about to be made redundant. rands@thewordsworkshop.co.uk

BARTS courses available on request*

These courses can be delivered on site by our Field Trainer using our new training vehicle
• Basic Packing • Packing of Specialist Items • Health & Safety
• First Aid at Work • Manual Handling • Loading/Unloading
• Export Wrapping • Commercial Skills • Fire Awareness
Please visit the BAR Training Services section at www.bar.co.uk to download a booking form
*All courses are subject to change

January 2009 Removals & Storage 25

 People News
New recruits for Interdean
I
nterdean International Relocation would
like to welcome four new employees:
Kathleen Stuart-King, Global Mobility
Director; Susana Bourne, Global Mobility
Manager; Elaine Sedgwick, Business
Development Manager; and Alina Vuluga,
Relocation Manager.
Kathleen, who is to be based at the company’s
UK headquarters, has a wealth of experience
within the relocation industry. Her latest role
was Account Director, and she has also worked
as the Quality & Internal Control Manager for
a major relocation company.
Kathleen will be responsible for all components
of international relocations for the company’s
clients. She will also run a designated team
responsible for hiring, training and
development. Kathleen will act as a main point
of management for the vetting of new suppliers
which will involve the approving of pricing
structures and managing the quality of service
delivery through key performance indicators.
Susana is based at the company’s Madrid
offices and joins Interdean from her role as
Operations Director for a major Spanish
relocation company. Susana has worked in
the relocation industry for over eight years
and was part of the best practise committee
for the EuRA Quality Seal.
26 Removals & Storage January 2009
Susana is responsible for all components of Top:
international relocations for Interdean’s clients Kathleen Stuart-King;
in Spain. She also looks after client relationships, Centre:
Susana Bourne;
client policy development, benchmarking and Bottom:
reviews. Elaine Sedgwick
Alina, who is based at the company’s
Bucharest office, joins Interdean from Move
One Relocations where she worked as Account
Manager. Alina’s main role at Interdean is
co-ordinating the Relocations Services, in
addition to working with the sales team.
Alina majored in psychology and graduated
from Bucharest University in June 2007, with
a degree in Clinical Psychology and Positive
Psychotherapy. Previous to her work with Move
One Relocations Alina also has considerable
project manager experience, following her
time with an event organiser in Bucharest.
Elaine, who is to be based at the company’s
offices in Budapest, has a wealth of experience
in the relocation sector. She joins Interdean
from SIRVA Relocation in Germany where she
was the company’s European Account Manager.
Elaine has also worked for Cheryl Koenig
Relocation Services in Germany and Sterling
Relocation in London.
Elaine’s main role at Interdean will be
handling corporate and diplomatic accounts
in Hungary.
 Domestic Mover of the Year
Are you the shining light in removals?
The BAR Domestic Mover of the Year is a
National Council initiative that is open to all
members whose domestic moving accounts for
more than 50% of their total turnover. The
award will be presented at the BAR conference
in Brussels in May 2009.

for more information and an application pack,

visit www.bar.co.uk/dmoty.aspx
or contact BAR on 01923 699498
 The BAR Domestic Mover of
the Year Competition
The Aims of the Award
This National Council initiative is for
outstanding performance, commitment
and leadership in the domestic removals
market.The aim is to encourage and celebrate
high standards, and to reward those
companies who really lead by example.
The Prizes
Six finalists will each receive a complimentary delegate
package for the BAR conference which includes the Gala
Dinner at which the winner will receive the Award for BAR
Domestic Mover of the Year.
The winner will receive:
• The BAR Domestic Mover of the
Year trophy to be retained for 12
months.
• A striking, etched glass trophy to
keep.
• A framed Award certificate.
• Entitlement to use the Award
Winner logo.
• £1000 worth of packaging
materials provided by BAR Services.
• Award Winner decals for up to 4 vehicles (two per
vehicle, more may be purchased if required).
• 4 half-page adverts in Removals & Storage of your
own design showing Award Winner logo to be used
within 12 months.
• A framed photograph of the moment the winner
receives the Award.
The 5 other finalists will each receive:
• A framed Award certificate.
• Entitlement to use the Award
Finalist logo.
• A framed photograph of the
moment the finalist receives the
Award.
28 Removals & Storage January 2009
Award criteria
Entries for the award will be judged according to the following
criteria:
• Commitment to quality and standards
• Quality and appearance of premises and vehicles
• Knowledge, professionalism and helpfulness of staff
• Customer satisfaction
• Compliance with the BAR Code of Practice
• Support of and participation in BAR services and
activities
• Promotion of BAR through marketing, display and
advertising materials
• Adherence to essential issues, e.g. Health & Safety
• Commitment to training and development of staff.
Entry is open to any BAR Member Company or branch whose
domestic removals activities account for at least 50% of its
removals turnover.
More specifically, the award is open to any company that
considers the removal service they offer meets the entry criteria
described above. For the purpose of this award, removal services
will include all household removal work whether carried out for
private individuals, corporate clients, military or other service
personnel, councils and local government.
Judging
An experienced panel of judges, appointed by BAR, will
determine the winner and the runners up. Judging will take
place in three stages.
Stage 1 - the judges will assess the written submissions and
agree a shortlist of 10.
Stage 2 - mystery telephone shopping exercises will be carried
out followed by on-site assessments of the 10 shortlisted
companies. The findings will be submitted to the judges who
will assess the scores and agree on 6 finalists.
Stage 3 - the membership at large will be invited to cast their
vote for one of the 6 finalists as their nomination for BAR
Domestic Mover of the Year.
Marks will be awarded at each stage as follows:
Stage 1: maximum available 50
Stage 2: maximum available 40
Stage 3: maximum available 10
• The top ten scores from Stage 1 will progress to Stage 2.
• Scores from Stage 2 will be added to the brought forward
score from Stage 1 and the top 6 cumulative scores will
progress to Stage 3.
• The scores from Stage 3 will be added to the brought forward
scores from Stages 1 and 2 to determine the Winner.
 Timetable and key events: 2009
Fri 13 Feb Application period closes. All entries must be
received by BAR by this date.
All completed application forms will be
acknowledged.
Tues 17 Feb The judging panel will consider all entries and
select a short list of 10 on the basis of the
written submissions received.
Fri 20 Feb The 10 shortlisted companies will be notified
and their names posted on the BAR website.
23 Feb -13 Mar During this period on-site assessments and the
mystery telephone shopping exercise of the 10
shortlisted companies will be carried out.
Tues 17 Mar The judging panel will assess the scores and
agree on 6 finalists.
Wed 18 Mar The 6 finalists will be notified and their names
posted on the BAR website
23 Mar –17 Apr During this period all BAR members will be able
to vote on-line for the company who in their
opinion most deserves the award.
Voting will be one member one vote.
20 April The judging panel will compile the final scores
and determine the Winner.
3 May Winner’s and finalists’ awards will be presented
at the BAR Gala Dinner held in Brussels on the
evening of Sunday 3 May 2009.
FAQ
Do we have to pay a fee to enter?
No. Entry is free of charge.
We are International Associate members of BAR.
Are we eligible to enter?
No. As this is the first time BAR has run a competition for
domestic moving we are restricting it to UK members only.
Who are the judges?
Judges are selected on the basis that they are experienced
business professionals. No judges will be selected who work for or
are closely associated with any competition entrant. BAR and the
judges will not disclose any information provided on the winners
or entrants beyond the published award citations.
Conditions of entry
1. All applicants must provide any information requested by
the judging panel for the purpose of assessing the
application for the award and answer any questions
accurately, truthfully and to the best of their ability.
2. All applicants, if shortlisted, agree to allow access to their
premises at a date to be determined by the judges (in
accordance with the timetable).
3. All applicants, if selected as a finalist, must be able to
attend in person or send a representative to the BAR Annual
Conference in Brussels 1-3 May 2009 as guests of the
National Council.
4. All applicants agree that if they win the competition they
will maintain the silver trophy in good condition and return
it to BAR one month before the next DMOTY Awards
ceremony.
5. All applicants accept that the decision of the judging panel
is final.
Entry will constitute a complete and binding acceptance of these
conditions. The judging panel agrees to respect the commercial
confidentiality of the information provided on the application
form and as otherwise provided or obtained during the
adjudication process.
Important information for applicants
To enter your company for the award, please complete and return
the application form together with the supporting documentation
requested. The application form may be downloaded from
www.bar.co.uk/dmoty.aspx or posted to you on request.
The completed application form must be sent to:
DMOTY Judging Panel, BAR, Tangent House, 62 Exchange Road,
Watford, Herts WD18 0TG no later than 13 February 2009.
We will confirm receipt of the application form. If you have not
received confirmation by Monday16 February please contact BAR
immediately.
If you have any questions relating to entry procedures, conditions
or the award criteria, please email dmoty@bar.co.uk
Entries must be received by BAR no later than 13 February 2009.
What if I miss the deadline?
We guarantee to consider only entries received by the deadline.
How formal is the Awards Dinner?
It is a black tie dinner, so it is pretty formal. For gentlemen, that is
a dinner jacket (Tuxedo or a ‘smoking’ jacket), and for ladies,
elegant evening wear or for both, national dress.
Can I bring guests to the Awards Dinner?
If you are a finalist, BAR will provide you with one delegate
package. You are welcome to bring guests, but you will need to
purchase the appropriate package for them.
January 2009 Removals & Storage 29
 Domestic Mover of the Year

�
Application Form
Name of Company/Branch:

BAR Membership No: Contact Name:

Address:

Postcode:

Telephone:

Email:

Website:

Please indicate approximately what percentage of your overall removal turnover is represented by UK domestic
removals (this should include any household, corporate, military or local government moves). %

Please list any quality standards or

other accreditations held by the
company

List any awards attained by

the company in 2008

In not more than 100 words please complete the following statement in support of your application.
“I believe my company would be worthy winners of the BAR Mover of the Year because…”

Please continue on a separate sheet if necessary…

Please supply the following in support of your entry:
1. Sample of standard removals marketing brochure or leaflet.
2. Trade directory advertisement (Yellow Pages or equivalent).
3. Sample of letterhead.
4. Sample blank removals quotation form.
5. Example of operative training certificate or sample of training records.
6. 10 customer references or responses received in 2008 (letters or questionnaires).

Please send the completed form and supporting documents to:

DMOTY Judging Panel, British Association of Removers, Tangent House,
�

62 Exchange Road, Watford WD18 0TG to arrive no later than 13 February 2009
 The BAR Services guide to upping sticks: 5

A moving
display
for when
your
customers
need
a little
something.

W elcome to the BAR Services

Mover‘s Retail Kit! For all
the essential items your customer
individually packed for
convenience. Don‘t delay, phone
BAR Services now on:
needs to make moving home a 01342 870087, and see that
simpler process. extra profit roll in!
Complete with an attractive point
of sale display, all products are

�����������������������������������������������������������������
 External Affairs
Employing Foreign
Nationals: ID Cards and
Points-based System
Important information for businesses wishing to employ
workers from outside the EEA or Switzerland
A
s reported on in earlier BAR Notices
and at National Council, two major
government initiatives linked to reforming
the UK’s immigration system took effect as of
the last week in November:
From 25 November 2008, the UK Border
Agency (UKBA) started issuing compulsory
identity cards to foreign nationals from outside
of the European Economic Area* (EEA) who
apply for further leave to remain in the UK
within certain categories. Under the
government’s new Points Based System (PBS),
businesses need to be licensed as sponsors by
32 Removals & Storage January 2009
the UKBA before they can bring in any skilled
foreign workers from outside the EEA.
From 27 November 2008, when Tier 2 (skilled
workers) and Tier 5 (temporary workers) went
live, licensed sponsors only are able to sponsor
incoming migrants by issuing them with a
‘Certificate of Sponsorship’. Licensed sponsors
will be required to keep records of the migrants
they sponsor including their contact details
and, in time, a copy of their identity cards.
* European Economic Area comprises EU27 member
states, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein
Now only
licensed
sponsors
can bring
in foreign
workers from
outside the
EEA
POAs
retained by
DfT working
group
A
Data Validation Working Group, set up
by the Department for Transport in
2006 as a result of the government
‘promise’ to the Trade Unions to review the
‘workings in practice’ of the EU Road Transport
Working Time Directive has retained the rules
applying to Periods of Availability (POA) in
relation to porters, packers and second drivers.
This is of prime importance to the moving
industry.
It will come as no surprise to learn that one of
the Union’s chief aims was to remove/tighten
the procedures for Periods of Availability (POAs).
However this was not accepted by the Group.
However BAR members should not become
complacent. Enforcement of the Regulation
will, in the future, be stepped up together with
an increase in site visits/checks, etc. It is,
therefore, very important for members to work
within the rules of the legislation and to
maintain the all important records.
More detailed information can be found in
the official update of the Road Transport
(Working Time) Guidance which can be found
at www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/freight/road/working
time/rdtransportworkingtimeguidance.
 Addressing the Needs of our Members...

Free Legal & Financial

Advice Lines for
BAR Members
The “Credit Crunch”, rising fuel prices, rising inflation, and more specifically the down turn in the
housing 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 free
advice lines using partners with whom BAR have long established business relationships. One is an expansion of an
existing service, the other being a brand new service.
These services will run for 12 months, from 1st January 2009 to 31st December 2009.
The advice lines will be available to Directors/Partners/Owners of member companies and will work
as 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 be
suggested. This meeting can be at your premises, the advisor’s offices or a neutral convenient
location. This meeting will also be free.
• Should the matter be complex requiring significant time, resource or research then the advisor
will 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 current
economic 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 costs
and services have been clarified and agreed by all parties.
To help us to monitor these services please send any comments, queries, suggestions to:
membersupport@bar.co.uk

Please tear off and keep this card

in association with Financial Support Advice Line

Tel: 01923 657788
& email: BAR@bakertilly.co.uk
www.bakertilly.co.uk
For legal advice see reverse
 Advice Lines
Advice lines will be available from
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday – Friday (excluding public holidays)

Financial Support
Advice Line 01923 657788
Main contacts will be: email: BAR@bakertilly.co.uk
Mark Wilson – Partner: Tim Harrop – Manager:
Has specialised in business turnaround and Has worked in the debt management
insolvency work for 24 years, his work includes department of a major clearing bank and has
business reviews and problem solving for been seconded by Baker Tilly to Ford Credit.
commercial lenders.

Karen Spears – Director: Hilary Norris – Manager:

Broad range of corporate insolvency experience Over 25 years insolvency experience covering a
over the last 20 years, particular expertise in wide range of assignments in both corporate
solvent liquidations. and sole trader/partnership arenas.

Legal Support
Advice Line 01254 828300
Main contacts will be: email: ian@backhouses.co.uk
James Backhouse - Director: Stephen Meyerhoff – Solicitor:
Regulatory and compliance matters and Provides employment law advice as well as
advice on O licence issues. commercial advice on contractual disputes
including advising on terms of trading.

Graham Quigley – Consultant: Barry Prior – Consultant:

Company and commercial matters, including Specialises in goods in transit and liens.
restructuring and business organisation.

Please tear off and keep this card

Legal Support Advice Line in association with

Tel: 01254 828300
email: ian@backhouses.co.uk &
www.backhousejones.co.uk
For financial advice see reverse

News Roundup
If you have any news please send it to:
The Editor, Steve Jordan, Removals & Storage, The Words Workshop Ltd, 26 Swanwick Lane, Broughton, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK10 9LD
Tel: 01908 695500 Fax: 01908 690099 Email: rands@thewordsworkshop.co.uk
MEPs call for
hydrogen filling
stations across Europe
The European Parliament recently backed
Commission proposals to boost the development
of hydrogen vehicles, but warned that the
strategy would fail without concrete measures
to support the establishment of a Europe-wide
filling station network for hydrogen powered
vehicles. The report backs Commission
proposals to introduce harmonised type-
approval criteria for hydrogen cars, saying
this will help boost the market for such
vehicles, while also averting the safety and
environmental risks that could occur if each
member state starts drawing up its own
approval system. According to a Commission
study, simplified procedures could help vehicle
manufacturers save up to euro 124million in
approval costs for the period 2017-2025.
Alongside biofuels and electric power, hydrogen
is one of the EU’s main hopes for replacing
oil in the transport industry in future, reducing
air pollution and cutting transport-related
CO2 emissions.
MEPs back cross-border
traffic fines
The European Parliament’s transport committee
has recently backed plans to make it easier for
national authorities to fine drivers from other
EU countries for offences committed on their
territory, such as speeding and drink-driving.
The draft directive aims to stop drivers from
consistently going unpunished when committing
offences in another country simply because
it is too difficult to identify them or check the
address at which their vehicle is registered.
The text provides for the establishment of an
electronic data-exchange network enabling
national traffic authorities to identify foreign
vehicle owners from their registration
documents and send them offence notifications.
Member states will have two years to set up
the system and start operating it. Speeding,
drink-driving, neglecting to wear a seat belt
and failure to stop at red lights – the four
leading causes of road deaths – will all be
covered by the new scheme. MEPs are already
considering the possibility of extending the
new rules to other road traffic infringements
and have called on the European Commission
to submit a report on the matter two years
after the directive’s entry into force.
External Affairs
New traffic offence Risk Assessment:
sanctions in Slovenia Health and Safety Tool
The following traffic offence sanctions have
been updated in Slovenia:
Risk Assessment is an important Health &
Safety tool to help you to protect your workers
• Exceeding authorised speed
and your business. To help with your risk
• Driving without lights during the day
assessment, the Health and Safety Executive
• Driving without lights during the night
has published a wide range of examples that
• Overhanging loads and exceeding maximum
show what a record of a risk assessment
authorised weights and dimensions
might look like. Simply choose the one closest
• Use of a mobile phone without the
to your industry/requirements and adapt it to
appropriate ‘hands off’ equipment
meet the needs of your own workplace. Visit:
• Exceeding driving time
www.hse.gov.uk/risk/casestudies/index.htm.
• Drivers must be in possession of tachograph
discs for at least the previous 7 days
• A tachograph must be in good working
order
• Exceeding the maximum permitted
alcohol level
Visit the BAR website - Members Area/
Industry News/Driving into Europe/Slovenia
- for more detailed information.
Police Power to Daytime running lights
capture freight data on vehicles to become
The expected process to revise the proposals
for implementation of the police power to
mandatory
The European Commission has decided to
capture freight data, pursuant to section 33
introduce Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) on
of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality
new vehicles from 2011 onwards in a bid to
Act 2006, has taken longer than anticipated.
increase road safety using energy-efficient
The original proposals received considerable
technology. The directive, which requires
criticism from BAR and other transport-related
all new types of passenger cars and small
organisations. The police and other government
delivery vans to be equipped with DRLs from
departments have been working on revised
7 February 2011 onwards, was approved
proposals since an industry consultation in
unanimously by the so-called ‘CARS 21’
2006. It is understood that the new proposals
high level group aimed at boosting the
are nearing completion. However, Home Office
ministers have now decided that
competitiveness of the auto industry, the
Commission said. Trucks and buses would
implementation of the freight data power
be subjected to the new rule 18 months later.
should be delayed to allow further work to
According to Commission estimates, the
be undertaken to establish the likely costs
proposal could help save between 1,200 and
and impact on industry of the police using
2,000 lives per year, contributing to the EU
the power. Independent consultants will be
goal of reducing the number of deaths on EU
engaged with selected carriers across the
roads from the current 43,000 per year to
different sectors of the freight industry to
25,000 by 2010.
establish the overall impact. Reports on this
work, which are expected early in 2009, will
help inform both the development of the Bridge strikes
secondary legislation and the Impact The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has
Assessment – both of which will be advised that there has been an increase in
published with a formal 12 week public bridge strikes (collision of the top part of the
consultation. BAR and other organisations vehicle against a low bridge) in the UK. It seems
need to be vigilant about publication in order that truck drivers are using satellite navigators
to make sure that the industry’s views are to plan their routes, however UK satellite
put forward and to identify possible databases are usually updated approximately
continuing concerns. once every two years and they are updated
for cars but not for trucks. A number of
companies produce satellite navigators for
trucks but these are expensive. Car satellite
navigators may be bought for a cheaper price
but are dangerous as they are not destined to
be used by trucks. The RHA has also drawn to
attention the fact that, in the UK, compensation
has begun to be claimed for consequential
loss, not just actual damage to property.
January 2009 Removals & Storage 35
FREEPHONE 0800 707 6093
Or visit us at www.anglopacific.co.uk. London, Manchester, Glasgow

32 Removals & Storage January 2009

 Trade Secrets
Find out what you can achieve on-line with our
trade groupage shipping services,
and make sure you’re in the know.

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 groupage 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 our friendly experts and

get the facts.

Memb No: A026

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

January 2009 Removals & Storage 33

 Letters

Send your letters to: The Editor, Steve Jordan, Removals & Storage, The Words Workshop Ltd, 26 Swanwick Lane, Broughton, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK10 9LD
Tel: 01908 695500 Fax: 01908 690099 Email: rands@thewordsworkshop.co.uk

Received
with thanks
Back in September
BAR and UKWA (UK
Warehousing Association)
had a head-to-head golf
tournament at the Portal
Golf and Country Club.
UKWA won the trophy, but
was not the only winner.
Sponsors Basil Fry & Co
donated £100 to the
children’s hospice Julia’s
House. Here’s the letter
received in thanks.

January 2009 Removals & Storage 39

 And another thing...

Spend more in 2009

By WALLY WHINGER

A
few years ago I happened to read a
newspaper article by film director
Michael Winner that changed my life.
It was published in December and was called
‘Spend more next year.’ Winner spoke about
how he flew first-class to a Caribbean island
every summer and spent about £100,000
living it up in a posh hotel and entertaining
his friends to lavish parties. He went on to
say that for years he had driven himself
around London attending meetings, often
getting into trouble for illegal parking and
worrying about drink-driving; but now he
employed a chauffer and his life was much
less stressful.
The point he was making was this. Money
makes the world go around, so if you’ve got
it spend it, both for your own benefit and for
the benefit of others around you. It is of
course important not to spend more than
you can afford. Winner said that despite his
considerable wealth he wasn’t rich enough
to own his own jet and had to make do with
BA first-class, but if he ever was in a position
to buy one he would.
Most people seem to be obsessed with
saving money and while for many of us,
especially in the current financial climate
it’s a bitter necessity, for many others it’s
just plain mean. Winner pointed out that his
annual trip to the Caribbean meant that the
hotel he used returned a profit and was able
to employ its staff who would otherwise be
out of a job, and his friends could enjoy a
standard of hospitality they would otherwise
not be able to afford. His chauffeur had the
use of his executive car when he didn’t need
it and he’d given a man a job who may
otherwise have been out of work.
We know that life will be tough this year
and that money will probably be tight; but
for goodness sake let’s not stop doing everything
in the mistaken belief that it will make
things better.
We all need to live within our means, but
it’s important to keep spending what we can
afford to keep the economy running. If we
all put up the shutters and wait for the crisis
to pass it will take a very long time indeed to
get back to normality.

Can you think of any subjects for our

grumpy old man to get his teeth into?
You can email him at:
david@thewordsworkshop.co.uk

Well, who would have believed that only Robert Syers, BAR General Secretary and BAR President Matt Purdie
recognised Removals & Storage editor Steve Jordan in his Santa suit last month? Now as, of the two, it’s only Matt who
runs a removals company, it seems reasonable that the company profile this month should be awarded to him even
without resorting to the trusty ‘first out of the hat’ principle. Congratulations to them both. It is rather odd that nobody
else saw through the disguise particularly as Steve’s picture is in every issue - but maybe everyone just assumed it was
the real Father Christmas in the photo. This time it’s back to the fuzzy faces of the past, but who could this be?

Answers to Steve Jordan on: steve@thewordsworkshop.co.uk

January 2009 Removals & Storage 41

 Emission confusion
Carbon dioxide
emissions from cars
cause confusion
By Lynne Thomas
T
here appears to be a great deal of
confusion in the industry regarding the
emission targets for cars. None of the
companies I rang seemed to have a clear idea
of what exactly had to be achieved, nor when
it had to be completed. On investigation it didn’t
surprise me. It is to say the least confusing if
only because there appears to be no clear
consensus between EU Member States.
Surprisingly the European Parliament’s
environment committee have put car
manufacturers on the back foot by not only
endorsing European Commission’s proposals
for restricting carbon dioxide emissions from
cars by 2012, but by proposing a second target
for reductions by 2020.
France – one of the EU’s largest car producers
– together with Germany, Italy and the UK
have been pushing the bloc’s government to
water down the proposals and give industry
more time and flexibility to meet the emission
targets. There appears to be a political will to
avoid a second reading in Parliament. If the
dossier is not adopted at the first reading it
will need to go through a second round of
negotiations. The Parliament is effectively in
recess in the spring of 2009 in order to prepare
for the European elections in June, so there is
little time left for compromise.
The negotiating mandate allows the French
Presidency to clarify plans that would delay a
requirement for car-makers to reduce the
average CO2 emissions from new cars until
September 2015. A compromise deal was first
struck between the French President, Nicolas
Sarkozy and the German Chancellor Angela
Merkel in June 2008. However the Parliament
may see
Sandra things differently – in November 2008
Goudswaard
42 Removals & Storage January 2009
its environment committee (ENVI), which has
been leading on the issue, rejected demands
to push back the emissions deadline from the
original date of 2012.
The mandate also allows France to negotiate
on the following issues:
• Penalties: how to make fines an incentive
for industry to invest in new technologies
rather than pay fines;
• The relationship between eco-innovation
and the extent of CO2 emission cuts;
• Derogations for small ‘niche’ manufacturers
depending on the volume produced each
year;
• The establishment of a long-term target for
reducing emissions to around 90-100g/km
by 2020.
France – one of the EU’s
largest car producers
– together with Germany,
Italy and the UK have
been pushing the bloc’s
government to water
down the proposals...
Establishing precise figures for these issues
is set to be a sticking point in the negotiations.
Member states’ views in the Council differ
according to the relative strength of the car
industry in each country.
Let us look at the proposals:
The bill would force car firms to cut the average
emissions of CO2 in new cars by a reduction of
some 24% on the average 158 grammes of CO2
per kilometre which cars emit today.
Companies that do not meet the 130g target
would be fined euro 20 per gramme per
kilometre over the limit in 2012, a sum that
would increase to 95 by 2015.
Compromise amendments to the bill that
echo what the industry had been lobbying for:
1 The delivery of a three-step phase-in of the
emission reduction targets, with 70% of a
company’s car fleet having to meet the target
in 2012, 80 per cent in 2014 and only the
full fleet having to meet the target in 2015.
2 The fine on car firms too should be sharply
reduced, from euro 95 per gramme per
kilometre to euro 50.
These proposals have been supported by
the Socialist, Guido Sacconi, responsible for
shepherding the bill through the environment
committee, along with conservative members.
However, MEPs from Mr Sacconi’s own group
in the end sided with the Liberals and the
Greens to back legislation in keeping to the
European Commission’s proposals.
Some Euro-deputies have suggested that there
be a requirement that would see manufacturers
having to meet a target of a maximum
95 grammes of CO2 per kilometre on average
by 2020, subject to a review in 2014. Originally
there had been no secondary target in the
commission’s proposals.
The UK Liberal MEP Chris Davies said that
MEPs stood up for tougher measures to combat
global warming and had sent a strong message
to corporate lobbyists to back off.

“The package is weaker than the parliament
proposed last year but very much better than
might have been expected given the amount
of arm twisting and political threats that have
taken place,” he said.
The European Automobile Manufacturers’
Association (ACEA) warned that the vote
“threaten[ed] the future of car production
in Europe.”
“The Environment Committee has given a
wrong signal today,” said Ivan Hodac, the
group’s Secretary-General. “This is bad news
for Europe, especially with the overall economic
circumstances deteriorating already.”
Members of the various ‘Green groups’ were
pleased with the proposals: “The Parliament
appears to have stood up to the demands of
Members of the
various ‘Green groups’
were pleased with
the proposals: “The
Parliament appears to
have stood up to the
demands of the car
industry...
the car industry and four or five car producing
member states. They have sent a strong signal
that Europeans need fuel efficient cars now,
not in five or ten years time,” said Jos Dings,
Director of green transport campaign group
Emission confusion
STOP PRESS
European
Parliament
and member
states reach
agreement
on cars
and CO2
Ten years ago, following a very hard
fought lobbying campaign against the
legislation, the European car industry
made a voluntary commitment to
improve fuel efficiency and to cut CO2
emissions by 25% by 2008. It would
appear that the industry has failed to
comply with its own commitment. The
aim was to reach 140g CO2/km but the
average European car emits 158g.
Although at the time of writing the
European Parliament and EU Member
States have agreed on a legal framework
to reduce car emissions in reality the
law represents nothing more than
Transport & Environment.
a postponement of the 2008 target
Meanwhile, Franziska Achterberg,
for another decade. The text of the
Greenpeace’s EU transport campaigner, was
agreement also mentions a 95g/km
optimistic that the vote “means that the car
target for 2020, but the clause is not
emissions legislation could still become the
worded very strongly which perhaps
first effective EU law to limit our impact on
opens the door to further postponements
the climate.”
or weakenings.
These proposals from the commission still
have to win the full backing of the full sitting
Jos Dings, director of the European
of the European Parliament. At the time of
Federation for Transport and Enviroment
writing voting on this bill has not yet taken
said: “In 1998, oil was trading at a
place but it is expected before the end of 2008.
fraction of the prices we have seen over
Apart from the obvious help to the
the last 12 months, and our knowledge of
environment what benefits will the proposed
the severity and urgency of the climate
legislation have for companies? It is hoped
change threat was not as far advanced
that this proposal will also benefit consumers
as it is today. And yet the car industry,
through important fuel savings and hopefully
backed by the major car producing
it will further improve energy security. In
countries, has managed to kill a car fuel-
addition to promoting eco-innovations and
efficiency law in Europe for the second
high-quality jobs in the EU.
Europe has a strong and innovative
time in a decade. Europe sent the wrong
automotive sector. This proposal aims to
signal to the car industry ten years ago,
and it has sent the wrong signal again
safeguard this competitiveness through
provisions which are fair and flexible and
today.
which will stimulate the development and
He continued: “The EU’s long-term
deployment of cutting edge automotive
greenhouse gas reduction targets will
technologies. Under the legislation, several
manufacturers will be able to group together
simply not be reached if the industries
primarily responsible for climate change
to form a pool which can act jointly in meeting
are able to weaken their individual
the specific emissions targets. Manufacturers
in this pool will be required to abide by the
targets to this degree. The reality of
course is that other industries have
rules of competition law.
been cutting emissions over the last
Whether that means that the removal industry
decade since Kyoto was signed, while
will be able to buy both fleet cars and one offs
those from the transport sector, and cars
at greatly reduced prices remains to be seen.
in particular have been rising. The car
industry, once again, has been given
R&S welcomes your views on this issue. Please
special treatment.“
email rands@thewordsworkshop.co.uk
January 2009 Removals & Storage 43
 David Wicks Interview
PHS Teacrate –
2009 and beyond…
David Wicks, Managing Director of PHS Teacrate, talks about
two new reward schemes for PHS Teacrate customers
D
uring 2008, PHS Teacrate made
substantial investments throughout
the business - in staff, equipment and
technology. Together these enhancements have
enabled an increase in capacity, expansion in
services and added value to its customers. Now,
as times are tough, PHS Teacrate is embarking
upon a customer reimbursement program.
In this interview, David Wicks, Managing
Director of PHS Teacrate, talks about the new
schemes and how PHS Teacrate intends to
look after its current removals and logistics
customers in the year to come.
David explained that the two new reward
schemes involve PHS Teacrate giving away
money. “2008 was a very eventful year for us,”
he said. “We made a lot of improvements, upped
our capacity and streamlined our scheduling
just in time for this wretched credit crunch!
So now we’re introducing two schemes to
help out our customers and at the same time
encourage them to put a bit more business our
way. A cashback scheme – Bank on Teacrate -
and a business referral programme.”
He said that the ‘Bank on Teacrate’ scheme
was designed to encourage customers to put
all their crate business with PHS Teacrate.
“Customers will still benefit from our usual
undivided attention as well as receiving a
rebate for any additional business that they
give to us from each year of their contract to
the next. So anyone who doesn’t have all their
crate rental with us would benefit by moving
it to PHS Teacrate. Clients can also sign up for
packaging and handling equipment that could
help boost their rebate.”
The scheme is also being extended to include
all the other PHS Group products allowing
moving companies the opportunity of making
a commission from business referrals. “We’re
also starting a referral program that will reward
our removals customers for business that they
put our way. PHS Teacrate is part of a larger
group, PHS Group plc, which provides a whole
44 Removals & Storage January 2009
range of workplace services. We would like
removals businesses that we supply to
recommend any of the PHS Group services to
their customers: matting, drinking water
dispensers, washroom services, confidential
document disposal, business consumables and
plant rental. Every time one of their referrals
signs up to a contract, the removers will receive
5% of the first year’s revenue. On a single
sanitary bin, that could be £8, for example or
£12 on a point-of-use drinking water machine.
“ We made a lot of
improvements,
upped our capacity
and streamlined our
scheduling just in
time for this
wretched credit
crunch!”
David Wicks
This scheme has worked quite well with other
divisions within the PHS Group and it should
be popular with PHS Teacrate customers, too.”
Customers will be made aware of the new
offers through adverts, by email and in the
post. “Our new website, www.teacrate.com
will also be updated with the details of our
rebate and referral schemes. It’s full of other
features such as our online packaging shop,
Cratelink, our online crate management
system and my blog – ‘Wicks’ Words’.”
Asked why customers would want to move
all their business to PHS Teacrate David
commented: “We’ve been improving services
to our customers, allowing them more control
and traceability of their orders and have also
provided increased capacity with a state-of-
the-art washer. With developments in the
packaging arm of our business, we’re now
able to offer a ‘one-stop-shop’ to our removals
customers, providing crate sales and rentals,
packaging and handling equipment in one
place and with a 24-hour delivery time. One
call does it all!”
The company has also improved its service
through the introduction of more technology.
“We’ve added real-time tracking to Cratelink
and invested in GPS on all our vehicles,” said
David. “This means that that we can notify
customers as and when deliveries and
collections occur as well as appropriately direct
vans to customers with ad-hoc requests
without having to recall them to depot.” He
also said that the new washer at the Midlands
depot has improved capacity allowing
PHS Teacrate to service more customers. “There
is a real possibility of introducing a 3rd shift,
making the plant a 24-hour operation.”
Despite all these developments David denied
that PHS Teacrate was now only interested in
big companies or that prices would rise. “While
Teacrate has secured some excellent contracts,
we haven’t forgotten our smaller customers.
We still don’t have a minimum order quantity
and all customers, whatever their size, will
benefit from the new schemes and promotions
that we have running. Though our team has
expanded, we still have the same friendly faces
on board who will support all our customers
throughout this difficult period.”
Despite the recession PHS Teacrate is hoping
that 2009 will be even better for the company
than 2008. “Last year we concentrated on the
business infrastructure and this year we’re
going to continue with our customer focus,
utilising the developments to provide an even
better service. And with the Bank on Teacrate
scheme in place, our clients will get more out
of Teacrate too.”
David Wicks Interview

PHS Teacrate’s
Managing Director
David Wicks

January 2009 Removals & Storage 45

 Simple online insurance
Really simple online insurance
from Reason Global
The words ‘simple’ and ‘insurance’ are not often used in the same sentence
but the new Ocean-Sure product from Reason Global is just that – simple.
I
t’s also very efficient, giving international
moving companies a way of processing
all their transit insurances, online, with
hardly a piece of paper to be seen.
Simply by going to the Ocean-Sure website
– www.ocean-sure.com – users can complete
the documentation for every shipping job,
obtain a quotation and produce an insurance
certificate. Reason Global believe Ocean-Sure
to be the first such Internet-based system
available from a UK insurer.
The system is very straightforward.
Registered users can log onto the website where
they see a home page personalised with their
own company logo. This part of the Ocean-Sure
site will have already been populated with all
the parameters unique to that company – rates,
exceptions, extensions, etc – so all that’s
necessary is to type in the customer and
shipment details and click the ‘Go’ button.
Entries can be backdated by up to 5 days to
the date the proposal form was completed.
The system then automatically does the rest
by calculating the premium payable and
issuing an insurance certificate as a pdf file.
The user can choose to print the certificate or
store it electronically. Of course the certificate
can be emailed to the customer if required.
46 Removals & Storage December 2008
A paper insurance proposal form is still used.
John Luker from Reason Global explained that
the company had made a conscious decision
to stick with these ‘old fashioned’ proposal
forms for a very good reason. “If moving
companies ask a customer to go to a website
to complete a proposal form they probably
won’t do it. It’s much easier just to give them
“ Once people
have tried it out
we don’t think
they will want to
go back to the old
paper system.”
John Luker
a paper form and ask them to fill it in. The
moving company can then easily transpose
the essential information to the website. The
whole thing only takes five minutes.”
The system is fast, simple to operate, FSA
compliant and largely removes any opportunity
for human error. It can be operated from
anywhere in the world where Internet access
is available, can be viewed in a number of
languages, and allows premiums to be paid
online in any currency. Companies using the
system can search for individual details using
a certificate number or their own reference.
There is also an on-line claims service which
speeds up the claims process whilst allowing
users the flexibility to negotiate claims in line
with their company policy.
Perhaps the most compelling part of the new
system is that it’s very easy for companies to
try it out without having to make a major
decision to switch. Reason Global say that it’s
quite possible for their existing customers to
test the system with a handful of proposal
forms to make sure they are happy to continue.
“Once people have tried it out we don’t think
they will want to go back to the old paper
system.” said John. However, if the Internet
access is interrupted it’s easy to revert to the
paper system temporarily.
Reason Global launched Ocean-Sure at the
2008 HHGFAA meeting in Hawaii where it
was received enthusiastically. More information
is available from John Luker on john@reason-
golbal.com.
 Photo of the month

Title:
Road Safety
Taken by:
Pickfords

All in a good cause

I have said this before in this section,
but a good point always bears
repeating. A good photograph is one
that gives the viewer a real sense of
what it was like to have been at the
event pictured. This picture of the road
safety training event at Honilands
Primary School in Enfield, held by
Pickfords, clearly illustrates not only
what sort of activity took place, but
also how much the pupils enjoyed
the experience, and how much
they learned.

December 2008 Removals & Storage 47

 Britannia plc
Britannia plc – friend or foe?
So what do you think of Britannia? A trusted partner? The moving company on
the corner? A tough competitor? A friend? Whatever Britannia means to you,
it’s likely to be only part of the story. Steve Jordan interviews Britannia’s
Managing Director, David Tracey and Corporate Sales Manager, Gavin McCarthy,
to find out the rest.
B
ritannia has come a long way since the
1980s when it was just a handful of
domestic movers huddling together for
comfort whilst taking their first tentative steps
in the big world of shipping. Today it’s seen
the world over to be one of the leading
household goods shipping organisations.
The corporate headquarters is in Croydon.
It’s a modern building with hectic loading bays
to the rear. Even during the relatively austere
days of November 2008 the yard had at least
half a dozen trucks with uniformed crews
busily loading or unloading.
David’s office is as you would expect for the
MD of the UK’s largest moving network:
spacious, high tech and with just enough
clutter to assure the visitor that there’s plenty
going on.
The company is very conscious of its image.
The familiar red, white and blue vans proudly
displaying Lady Britannia on the side, have
become ubiquitous around Britain’s roads
especially now that it’s compulsory for all
Britannia members to have at least 75% of
their vehicles painted in company colours.
Some members are sufficiently confident of
the Britannia brand to go 100%. But David and
Gavin are also concerned about the company’s
image within the moving industry. “We are
not the introspective network people think we
are,” said Gavin. “We consider ourselves to be
a family but are quite willing to work outside
the group. It’s important for us to build trade
relationships throughout the industry.”
David added that Britannia has been seen
by some as an elitist group. “The problem is
we are in everyone’s back yard,” he
explained. “We are not elitist, it’s just that
members are proud to be part of our group.”
As a way of diminishing this unwanted image,
and as a diversification during these times of
hardship throughout the industry, Britannia
whilst offering trade services to some non-
members has decided to launch a trade
groupage service that’s open to all companies.
Asked why a non-Britannia company should
consider giving its groupage to the network,
Gavin explained that there was one positive
advantage. “We have over 40 receiving depots
around the country,” he said. “The company
will be offering regular services to all the
major groupage destinations as well as some
minor ones.”
Britannia plc is, essentially, a not-for-profit
organisation. It does make profits of course, but
only those sufficient for its own administration
48 Removals & Storage December 2008
and normal business prudence. Its funds come
from its members in the form of a modest
monthly administration fee and a trading
margin on its shipping and corporate
operations. As Britannia members, the
companies have the advantage of group
marketing for corporate work, benefit from
corporate advertising, take advantage of the
group shipping rates, training and plenty more.
Most importantly perhaps they are members
of a group that co-operates with one another.
Companies wishing to join Britannia can do
so if they fit the criteria. Criteria No 1 requires
applicants to be at least members of BAR.
“It’s an initial vetting procedure,” explained
David. “I also believe that the BAR membership
now incorporating the OFT Code of Practice is
a very important sales benefit.” Britannia
divides the country by 102 Yellow Page regions.
Currently there are 42 members so that
suggests 60 vacancies. Not so. All Britannia
members are allocated a ‘primary’ area - the
Yellow Page area in which they are based –
and some have a ‘secondary’ adjacent area.
They must have at least one trained export
packing team, BS EN 12522, be ready to accept
corporate work, be prepared to put 75% of
their vehicle fleet in Britannia livery, and not
be a member of any other group.
Finally, Britannia wishes all its members to
have a catchment area of at least 300,000
residences, this drops the available areas
significantly. “I would say we could have a
maximum of around 60 members on this basis,”
said David, “so we are about 70% full.”
Britannia welcomes applications from any
company that fits the profile.
There is no doubt that Britannia membership
has been a great success for its members. The
current downturn has accentuated the benefits
by providing members with a fast-track to
diversification, helping with central services
and allowing economies of scale to achieve
greater efficiency. But it’s not all good news.
Although Britannia membership has helped
companies grow their businesses much faster
than they would have been able to achieve as
independents, it does sometimes become a
problem when they come to sell. In this current
climate it’s likely that some members will find
out just how much of a problem. When selling
a family business most owners would turn to
larger group companies as likely purchasers,
but that route may be closed for Britannia
members. Potential buyers understand that if
Britannia could have been instrumental in a
company’s success, that it may have to stay in
membership for that success to continue. If
the purchaser does not fit the criteria it will
have to drop the company out of membership
and the purchase price could suffer. The ideal
purchaser will come from within the company
or be an independent investor – a greatly
narrowed field.
“We always point out such problems to
potential members before they sign up.
However we believe that the benefits of
Britannia membership, allowing companies
to grow much faster than would otherwise be
possible, far outweigh any potential problem
when they come to sell.”
One of Britannia’s undoubted successes in
recent years is its expansion into the corporate
market. Although there were variations in
the standard of workmanship between the
membership Gavin pointed out that the company
has worked hard to achieve the consistency
across the network that corporate accounts
demand. “Our competitors often use that against
us,” he admitted, “but it really isn’t true any
more. I liken Britannia to a rowing eight: all
pulling together, wearing the same vests and
with the shared goal of crossing the line first.”
BAR is important to Britannia. Some would
say that Britannia is sufficiently large not to
need BAR but that’s not the way David and
Gavin look at it. “We need to be part of BAR
because corporate accounts and private clients
expect it. If we were not BAR members we
would have to explain why not. All naturally
assume that we are members of the most
important national Association.”
Whilst Britannia plc is also a member of
the Overseas Group of BAR and provides the
IMMI bond for shipments performed by the
centre, most of the work for overseas is handled
by its members, who may or may not be in the
Overseas Group and therefore IMMI bonded.
To plug the gap Britannia plc provides its
Britbond which, just like the IMMI guarantee
is there to protect the pre-payments made to
its members by their clients. “If a member who
was not IMMI bonded went out of business we
would step in with the Britbond guarantee.”
Speak to any Britannia member, anywhere
in the country and they are always enthusiastic
about the service, support and business that
the head office provides. Nothing is ever
perfect, but as Britannia’s success continues,
even during the current difficulties, it’s clear
that for a very long time now, they must have
got most things right.
 Britannia plc

David Tracey Gavin McCarthy

“ We are not the

introspective
network people think
we are. We consider
ourselves to be a
family but are quite
willing to work
outside the group.”
Gavin McCarthy

December 2008 Removals & Storage 49

 Cold calling
10 E
ffective cold calling is a very strong tool
to attract new clients. However all too
often it is badly executed by low paid,
de-motivated staff. Most successful companies,
especially working in the commercial
marketplace, have a strong internal or out
cold calling sourced telemarketing presence. To help you
get the most from your cold calling, we have
hints and tips produced the following cold calling tips.
1. Plan your cold calling strategy
By Red Training What are your objectives with this call? Often
a 2-step process can be effective. First call to
get the correct name and some background
information. Second to talk to the decision
maker.
2. Write a script
When you start phoning people, they are not
going to answer as you expect. It is for this
reason you need a script. If they say yes, say
this, if they say no, say this. A script is not an
excuse to sound parrot like, it’s a vocal map,
telling you what to say when your brain isn’t
sure.
3. Practice your delivery
Speak slowly and clearly, breathe and leave
gaps. Speak with authority and sound like you
expect to get through. Do not deliver a parrot-
like script at 100 mph. Your call should be a
conversation with a stranger, not a race to the
end of your pitch.
4. Get your database ready
Is your database ready to ring? Make sure
you are aware of the likely position of the
decision maker within the target industry.
Asking for the proprietor or the manager of a
school isn’t going to impress anyone.
50 Removals & Storage December 2008
5. Set call times
It is easy to think of other things to do rather
then calling. Set rigid times during the day
for calling.
6. Plan your target
How many calls will you be making? How
high a response rate? Set targets for these.
7. Don’t get distracted
Leave administration until after the session.
If not you will lose valuable call time updating
your database etc and not calling.
8. Be polite
Never, ever get upset with people on the
phone. Remember that you are ringing them.
9. Relax
Yes, it is embarrassing talking on the phone
to a complete stranger. However, the person
answering the phone isn’t embarrassed to
talk to you - and they are doing the same.
Relax, smile, and talk.
10. Don’t excuse yourself out of a sale
One day is much like another, so why do all
the people seem to be harder to contact on
certain days? This is a myth. A Monday
morning is as good a day to phone as a
Thursday afternoon. You just have more
confidence on a Thursday afternoon.
These tips are just scratching the surface.
Telesales is a very underrated form of selling
ruined by industries like double-glazing sales
and the Indian call centre culture. A small
business can use the telephone to become
very successful - however, like everything
that’s worth doing, its hard work.

What not W hen I was four years old, I watched
an older friend fix his bike. He
to do on
had it upside-down, the seat and
handlebars forming a makeshift tripod.
Having reattached the chain, he turned the
the Web
pedals by hand, causing the back wheel to
spin rapidly. It looked like fun, so I had a go,
but somehow the middle finger of my right
By Iain Row of hand got caught in the chain, and the sprockets
on the back wheel tore the end of the finger
Prominent Media clean off.
Some things you learn the hard way.
As a web developer with nearly ten years
experience – quite a lot in such an immature
industry – I have made a number of mistakes,
and learnt from other people’s. I’d like to share
the most common of those mistakes with you
now, because if your site still makes them,
you are handicapping yourself unnecessarily.
Splash screens
These are those screens, often animated, which
you see before you get to the main website.
Somewhere between 10 and 60 seconds of
wiggly lines; words like ‘experience’, ‘confidence’
and ‘specialist’ fading in and out; quite possibly
a drum n’ bass soundtrack.
If you are not a student nightclub promoter,
you have no excuse for annoying your visitors
with this unnecessary garbage. Tesco don’t
force their customers to sit through a 20 second
video about how they are ‘established market
leaders’ when all they popped in for was a
pint of milk and a flat screen telly, so neither
should you. Plus, it plays havoc with your
search engine ranking.
Drop-down navigation
Sites which have many pages often resort to
drop-down navigation, which is where you
hover your pointer over the buttons, and more
Getting your website right
options appear below. If your fine motor
control is not brilliant, you may find this sort
of navigation frustrating or even impossible
to use, even is if it is implemented perfectly.
Most of the time the coding is far from perfect,
so even users with perfect hand-eye
coordination can struggle.
Add in the fact that other page elements
(like Flash or video) can cover the dropped-
down navigation, making it impossible to click
on, and you would need a very good reason
indeed to insist on drop-down navigation.
Internal scrolling
Fortunately this is less common now, but in
the past people often had the idea that they
wanted their site to fit inside a single screen,
with no scrolling. This meant that the pages
couldn’t be too tall, which was a serious
restriction on the amount that could be
displayed. When the text was too big to fit on
the page they added scrollbars to the block of
text alone, not the page as a whole.
This is unpleasant for many reasons. First
of all it is counterproductive; if people don’t
like scrolling down the main page, they will
really hate scrolling through individual page
elements. Second, if you try to print a page
with these internal scrollbars you will probably
find that the text gets cut off. Third, the usual
keyboard shortcuts, which are a godsend for
people with less-than-perfect fine motor skills,
don’t work properly, and finally: web pages
are documents. They are designed to scroll.
If your site still makes use of any of these
techniques, it might be worth talking to your
web developer to discuss alternative ways to
achieve the same thing. It needn’t be expensive
or time-consuming, but your visitors will love
you for it.
December 2008 Removals & Storage 51
 Pre-Budget Report

The Pre-Budget Report –

help or hindrance?
By Paula Tallon

T
his year’s Pre-Budget Report was awaited
more eagerly than in past years, with
businesses and families looking to see
how the government was going to help them
through the recession. The Chancellor began
his speech by stating that his aim was to
“provide support and protection for families
and businesses when they need it most”. Will
his proposals achieve that aim, or do they fall
short? We look at the main tax measures and
consider whether they will be a help or a
hindrance to business.

VAT
The headline measure was the temporary cut
in the standard rate of VAT from 17.5% to 15%
that will take effect on 1 December 2008 and
last until 31 December 2009. The Chancellor
stated that this, ‘by encouraging spending, will
help stimulate growth’. However, the general
reaction from both businesses and consumers
is that this is a relatively small price cut
compared with the 20% discounts that some
retailers are offering to attract customers in the
traditionally busy pre-Christmas period. It has
also been suggested that any noticeable effect
is more likely to occur in a year’s time, if people
make some larger purchases just before the
VAT rate returns to 17.5%.
So businesses may have to wait some time
to see any positive effect, but in the meantime
they will incur real and immediate costs in
implementing the change to the VAT rate. They
will have quite a long ‘to do’ list, including:
• Repricing items;
• Reprinting stationery such as invoices, price
lists, menus, brochures and catalogues;
• Adjusting tills, other equipment and
accounting systems; and
• Amending online information, ordering and
payment systems.
All at a time when cash is tight!
Even small businesses that use the Flat Rate
Scheme to simplify their VAT accounting will
be affected, as the special flat rates for all
categories of business will also change with
effect from 1 December 2008.
All in all, the costs and administrative burden
will be quite significant. Many businesses will
not be able to pass on the full VAT reduction,
and some have said that it’s just too much
trouble for the small amount involved. And…
they will have to repeat the whole process in
13 months!
Although the main thrust of the rate cut is
to encourage consumers to spend, businesses
that are wholly or partly exempt from VAT will
benefit by receiving lower VAT-inclusive bills.

52 Removals & Storage December 2008


Enhanced loss relief for businesses
For a period of 12 months, companies and
unincorporated businesses will be able to
carry back trading losses for up to three years
rather than just one year as at present.
The proposal will apply to companies that
suffer a loss in an accounting period ending
in the period 24 November 2008 to 23 November
2009. In the case of sole traders and
partnerships, the relevant loss is a loss for the
2008/09 tax year. So, for example, if a sole
trader or partnership has a 30 April year end,
and they made a profit in the year ended
30 April 2008 but a loss thereafter, it appears
that they would be unable to take advantage
of this relief unless they changed their next
accounting date to, say, 31 March 2009 – which
could have adverse cash flow implications in
the longer term! So once again, this measure
may not clearly benefit all those businesses
that it is intended to help.
The idea of extending the carry back period
is good in principle, but its effectiveness is
limited by:
• Restricting the amount that can be carried
back more than a year to just £50,000;
• Not allowing a loss to be carried back more
than a year against other income; and
• Limiting the duration of this extra relief to
a 12-month period.
Income shifting shelved
Perhaps the best piece of news for family
businesses was the announcement that the
‘income shifting’ proposals have been
shelved indefinitely. These proposals, drafted
in 2007 after HMRC lost the Arctic Systems
case, would have interfered with the way in
which family businesses allocate profits,
salaries and dividends. The draft legislation
appeared unworkable and would certainly
have required businesses and their advisers
to spend a considerable amount of time each
year in trying to decide whether income had
been shifted. Hopefully we can all now spend
that time more profitably in looking after our
businesses during this recession.
Delaying a corporation tax increase
The small companies’ rate of corporation tax
that was due to have been increased from 21%
to 22% from 1 April 2009 will not now be
changed until 1 April 2010. This will certainly
be a welcome brief respite for companies.
Disappointingly, there will be no reduction
in the main rate of corporation tax from 28%
and the hopes of house buyers and house
builders for an extension to the scope or
duration of the Stamp Duty Land Tax holiday
were similarly dashed.
Transport costs
Transport costs are set to increase again. For
both unleaded petrol and diesel, there will be
increases of 2p per litre from 1 December 2008.
From 1 April 2009 and 1 April 2010, there will
be increases of 1.84p per litre and 0.5p per litre
respectively above indexation.
The planned car vehicle excise duty changes
based on CO2 emission levels will also go
ahead, albeit at reduced levels. In 2009/10 the
maximum increase for any car will be £5.
New first year rates will be introduced in
2010, when there will be no charge at all for
cars with CO2 emission levels under 130k/gm,
but the charge for the highest-emitting cars
with CO2 emission levels over 255g/km will
be £950.
Help in paying tax bills
The proposal to allow businesses more time
to pay their income tax, corporation tax, PAYE
& NIC and VAT liabilities is a very good idea.
However, instead of HMRC simply extending
payment deadlines (or not chasing unpaid
amounts) for a set period, businesses that are
experiencing difficulties will need to contact
a new Business Payment Support Service to
discuss and agree an ‘affordable payment
timetable’. Interest will still be payable on
amounts paid late. (A reduction in the main
rate of interest on overdue income tax and
corporation tax payments from 6.5 per cent to
5.5 per cent has already been announced,
and will take effect from 6 December 2008.)
HMRC says that it would hope to give a
decision in about 10 minutes in most cases.
This suggests that the process will be little
more than a formality, although there is plenty
of scope for inconsistency depending on the
HMRC adviser to whom a caller happens to
speak, and a general temporary relaxation
might have been more helpful.
The Support Service telephone number is
0845 302 1435.
Employees’ and employers’ liabilities
The small benefit that some taxpayers will
receive from the increases to their personal
allowance in April 2009 will be outweighed
by the increases in income tax and national
insurance rates in April 2011. From that date
a new 45% tax rate will apply to individuals
with income of over £150,000, and there will
be a 0.5% increase in national insurance
contributions for most employees. These
Pre-Budget Report
increases may provide a fresh incentive for
employers and employees to consider
tax-efficient salary sacrifice arrangements.
The most popular benefits to be offered in
salary sacrifice schemes include additional
pension contributions, child care vouchers
and bikes.
Employers’ national insurance contributions
will also be subject to a 0.5% increase in
April 2011, and in the meantime (in addition
to the extra VAT administrative work) they
will have to change payroll procedures to
implement other tax and national insurance
changes in April 2009 and April 2010.
Finally, it has been announced that no further
action will be taken at present to restrict tax
relief for travelling expenses incurred by
workers engaged by umbrella organisations.
Pension schemes
The annual contribution limit to a registered
pension scheme will be frozen at £255,000
from 2010/11 to 2015/16, and the lifetime
allowance for each individual will similarly
be frozen at £1.8 million from 2010/11 to
2015/16. This will not affect the majority of
employees or business owners, but it could
restrict pension funding opportunities for a
high earner or business owner planning to
retire before April 2016.
Conclusion
Not all businesses will benefit from the tax
‘helps’ offered in this Pre-Budget Report – the
VAT reduction is unlikely to have a significant
effect, and other measures will only apply to
some businesses and sectors. However, the
‘hindrances’ in the form of increased
administrative burdens and compliance costs
will apply to all VAT-registered businesses
and any businesses with employees – clearly,
the vast majority! It is certainly to be hoped
that other measures, such as lower interest
rates and encouragement to banks to start
lending to businesses again, will contribute
more to supporting businesses and
stimulating the economy.
Paula Tallon is a partner with
BDO Stoy Hayward LLP,
chartered accountants.
December 2008 Removals & Storage 53
 Park Royal
Where have all the
flowers gone?
Replaced by factories
– every one.
By Lynne Thomas
P
ark Royal is currently the largest
industrial and business park in London.
Situated in West London it occupies over
650 hectares. Approximately 50% of the estate
is in the borough of Ealing, 40% is in Brent
and the remaining 10% is in Hammersmith
and Fulham. There are over 1,200 businesses
employing an estimated 35,000 workers.
Amongst those businesses are a number of
removal companies. Nowhere else in the country
are so many congregated together in one
area. To understand why that should be we
must go back in history.
During the mid-1600s the Parish Vestry of
Willesden was responsible for administering
the Poor Law. All complaints were referred to
the Lord of the Manor who administered justice.
Servants were employed on a one year contract
so life was very tenuous. Land management
was certainly forceful: in the 1660s the then
Lord of the Manor waited until everybody had
died of the plague in the surrounding area
and then promptly fenced in all the land and
added it to his estate.
During the 18th and 19th centuries although
the site developed and grew not a great deal
happened. In 1801 the Grand Junction Canal
(now known as the Grand Union Canal) was
opened and on 10 July a public inauguration
took place. Over the following twenty years
the canal enjoyed great popularity both as a
commercial and a leisure facility.
In 1866 Willesden Junction station was built.
The West Coast Main Line station was opened
by the London & North Western Railway to
replace the London and Birmingham Railway’s
Willesden line of 1841 which was a kilometre
to the northwest.
During the 20th century things began to move
a little more quickly. In 1902 the McVitie & Price
biscuit factory was founded and in 1903 a
Power station. The name Park Royal also came
into being in 1903. A large area of open land
54 Removals & Storage January 2009
was bought as a permanent home for the Royal
Agricultural Show. However it was short-lived.
The show-grounds were opened by the Royal
Agricultural Society as a permanent exhibition
site for the society’s annual show. After only
three years the Society sold the site and returned
to a touring format for its shows.
Perhaps the demise of the Society’s show-
ground was the fact that there were few farms
in the area but in 1907 the district became a
centre for mushroom farming and mushrooms
played a part in the local economy until the
late 1920s, with new farms appearing after
the First World War.
...in the 1660s the then
Lord of the Manor waited
until everybody had died
of the plague in the
surrounding area and
then promptly fenced in
all the land and added it
to his estate.
During the First World War an area of Park
Royal became a horse compound for the Royal
Army Service Corps. Other war-time activities
which took place at Park Royal were the
incarceration of prisoners-of-war and munitions
factories also appeared on the site. When
the war ended much of the Park Royal site
became derelict
Mainly during the 1930s various transport
links were introduced. Coronation Road was
built as a main access road. These were
gradually developed and today on the northern
side is the Network-Rail depot at Stonebridge
Park, which also has London Underground
Bakerloo Line tracks running through it –
and Harlesden station is nearby. On the eastern
side, Park Royal is bound by Acton Lane and
Park Royal Road (B4492). The Central Middlesex
Hospital is located here. On the southern side
is the arterial Western Avenue (A40), which
leads to the Hanger Lane Gyratory System.
Park Royal Underground station on the
Piccadilly Line is located just off the Western
Avenue. To the west of Park Royal is the North
Circular Road (A406).
Most of the land was sold off for development
during the 1930s. By 1932 there were 73 factories
manufacturing foodstuffs, electrical equipment,
paper and machinery. These factories provided
employment for 13,400 people.
For those who love football it is interesting
that Queens Park Rangers F.C. played on two
grounds within Park Royal. The first was the
Horse Ring, later the site of the Guinness
brewery, which had a capacity of 40,000.
When the Royal Agricultural Society sold the
grounds in 1907, QPR moved to the Park Royal
Ground, 400 yards south, an almost exact
replica of Ayresome Park with a capacity of
60,000. The club were forced to move out in
February 1915 as the ground was taken over
by the Army. The Guinness Brewery was built
between 1933 and 1936 and at its peak was
apparently the largest and most productive
brewery in the world. For many years, until it
closed in 2005, Guinness was renowned for
its potent aroma.
The factories at North Acton began to connect
with those at Park Royal and the estate began
to become probably the largest industrial zone
in southern England. By 1939, despite the
Depression, there were at least 256 firms in
Park Royal some making consumer goods like
fountain pens and radio sets, others making
capital goods like lorries or electric motors.
During World War ll (1939-1945) the factories
again shifted to the production of war related

items. The area suffered frequent air raids. It
was after this war that the railway lines were
developed into those we know today.
During the 1960s the Park Royal area was
at its peak and the firms employed 45,430
people. A decade or so later the British economy
was in decline and the effects were felt just as
much in northwest London as anywhere else
and Park Royal was particularly vulnerable.
Currently as well as many small industrial
firms and a great many removal companies,
Park Royal is home to some large company
buildings. The old Guinness brewery and sports
ground site at the south-western extremity of
...the main reason for
the removal industry to
congregate on the Park
Royal estate... is that it is
close enough to central
London to make it feasible
for trucks and crews to
travel to and from...
the district has now been totally demolished.
The first building erected adjacent to the new
roundabout and bridge link to Western Avenue
is occupied by international drinks company
Diago, owners of the Guinness brand and the
redevelopment site. Others include McVities
and Heinz and A Female Health Company has
its worldwide manufacturing plant there too.
As you can see it would seem that the main
reason for the removal industry to congregate
on the Park Royal estate and close proximity
is that it is close enough to central London to
make it feasible for trucks and crews to travel
to and from each day of the week. Heathrow
airport is within easy reach and at the end of
the last century the London ports were still in
operation. Now the motorway network is such
that long distance haulage is no problem.
Obviously too the railway support system
means that staff can easily access the area.
Again at the end of the 1900s prices and
rents were not too excessive which made the
warehousing and vehicle parking space
necessary for moving companies affordable.
It will be interesting to see how the Park
Royal area develops over the next decade. This
draft Opportunity Area Planning Framework
was published in February 2008 for public
consultation and comments:
Park Royal is the workshop of London, a vital
economic engine for a world city. It is the
closest industrial area to Central London, the
West End and Heathrow Airport. It houses
nearly 2,000 businesses providing 40,000
jobs. Through continued investment, Park
Royal is home to the growing economic
clusters of food/drink, transport/logistics and
television/film. The framework does not
preclude use of parts of the site for housing.
The draft framework aims to make Park Royal
more attractive as the location of choice for
industry, business and logistics. Mixed-use
development will be appropriate at the four
Gateways to Park Royal and will assist in
creating a vibrant heart with good amenities
to support businesses and employees.
Whatever happens to Park Royal in the
future, it’s likely to be the home to most of
London’s international moving industry for
some time yet.
Thanks to Jonathan Hood of
Cadogan Tate for his help in
preparing this story
Park Royal
Park Royal Life
What’s life like for companies
based in London’s largest
industrial and business park?
Cadogan Tate
Cadogan Tate finally
consolidated all its different
component companies which
had been located in Surrey,
Berkshire, Hertfordshire and
Abbey Road, Park Royal at its
current location in Acton Lane,
Park Royal in 1999.
W
hen Cadogan Tate originally
moved to Park Royal in 1992 it
was a finally balanced decision.
At this time the area was very depressed
and many factories were coming to the end
of their lives. There were 35,000 unemployed
people in the area but local advertising
produced very few applicants. There was
no link to the north Circular Road and
access for trucks was limited to Gypsy
Corner. There were very few facilities: two
pubs, few restaurants and only a few
small shops.
“On the plus side it was close enough in
terms of both miles and travel time to make
it economically feasible to send vehicles
out every day of the week staff and vehicles
to work in and harvest the money orchard
that lies at the centre of London,” said
Jonathan Hood, MD. “At the same time it
was superbly situated for access to Heathrow
for international shipping and the motorway
network for long distance road travel.”
The current large site was purpose built
and runs very smoothly. Today, thanks
largely to the Park Royal Partnership (PRP)
there is better access with much improved
public transport links and road
improvements. “This is probably the main
reason that the removal industry has
congregated on the Park Royal Estate.
Although London itself is a problem in the
mornings – particularly the bridges,”
Jonathan qualified.
“Statistics show that 25% of all car traffic
in Park Royal is going somewhere else –
our area has become a major ‘rat run’. The
majority of our employees are not local
and therefore commute. Most transport
employees commute by car and always will
because their hours are very early, late or
irregular so public transport doesn’t work
for them. Now roads are for the most part
too narrow for trucks as they are often
choked with cars both parked and jammed
up. Local authority parking restrictions
are in force but not necessarily enforced.”
January 2009 Removals & Storage 55
 Park Royal

Park Royal Life

What’s life like for companies
based in London’s largest
industrial and business park?
continued...

AGS Four Winds UK

AGS Four Winds UK is
part of the AGS group of
companies which owns and
operates some 117 facilities
around the world. Its primary
activity is international
removals and storage with
over 90% of trade coming from
multinational corporations and Edwards Removals & Storage
foreign governments. It’s been Edwards Removals & Storage did not start life out in Park Royal
in business for 35 years and but moving there has been one of the best moves the company
has its headquarters in ever made.
Paris, France.

B
ased on a prime site by the Grand Union relocation requirements as they have moved

T
he UK company moved to its 2,500m2
warehouse office facility on Minerva
Road, Park Royal some eight years
ago. At the time it needed more space than
the previous facility at reasonable rates.
The company also has a similarly sized
facility in Northampton.
There’s no doubt that Park Royal is very
convenient not only for its employees because
of its access to rail and bus services, but it’s
also very effective in enabling equipment
and crews to reach customers. It is about
five minutes from Western Avenue which
leads either to central London or west
towards the M25 and M40. It also provides
relatively easy access to Heathrow airport.
The company is intending to move out of
the Park Royal area towards the end of next
year and is finding it a challenge to find
larger facilities with similar location benefits.
canal, Edwards have always prided within the area. We look forward to continuing
themselves on their ability to provide our long association with Park Royal as the
a quality service to their select client base area continues to grow and develop.”
in London and across the Home Counties. Edwards Trade Storage also operates from
Harry Taylor, Managing Director of the same site in Park Royal. Malcolm Pearson,
Edwards, explains, “Edwards has always head of the company is also full of praise for
taken pride in providing that extra level of the location. “We couldn’t be located in a
service to our clients that they seek. Being better area for our clients. Although our level
based so close to London as well as the best of service is the major factor in keeping our
transport links to Oxford and surrounding trade business, we also recognise that Park
areas means we are ideally placed to get to Royal is a fantastic place for us to operate from,
our clients whenever they need us, with the proven by the fact that clients come from as
minimum of fuss.” far as South West and East London to use us.
“The constant regeneration work in Park We are lucky to have a large site with great
Royal has also benefited us hugely and we road links, meaning clients not only get a
have enjoyed working with local businesses, great service but our crews are back out on the
assisting them with their commercial road quickly to wherever they need to be next!”
Hedley’s Humpers
Hedley’s Humpers was established in London in 1973. Owned and
run by Steve Hedley. Today Hedley’s has four offices in London,
Paris, Avignon & New York, and employees just over 100 staff.

H
edley’s Humpers has established a
reputation for moving fine art and
antiques around the world as well as
the more traditional household goods
removals. The London operation is the
biggest of the four offices based in London’s
Park Royal. The Park Royal location gives
the staff and drivers easy access to the city
and to the Home Counties where over 80%
of the clients are based.
Hedley’s are currently in the process of
expanding the London operation by taking
on a second warehouse in Park Royal. The
brand new facility will be home to the rapidly
expanding fine art storage unit and offers a
temperature-controlled environment
with individual storage rooms and private
viewing area.

56 Removals & Storage January 2009

 Word Puzzle

Feature Schedule 2009

Every 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.
Interdean
Here’s what’s coming up later this year year.
Interdean is a global
move management and February 2009
Obesity is hot news. What does your firm do to help your drivers and packers to stay trim? Do your
relocation company, with office staff work long hours sitting at the computer all day? What does your company canteen
its headquarters located supply in terms of healthy food? What would you like to see roadside cafes supply? We at R&S
would like to hear from your crews.
in the Park Royal estate
in London. Interdean provides March 2009
VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) provides a range of licensing, testing and enforcement
services to support businesses services with the aim of improving the roadworthiness standards of vehicles, ensuring the compliance
which need to relocate their of operators and drivers with road traffic legislation, and supporting the independent Traffic
Commissioners. What is your company’s experience of the roadside checks on your vehicles. Do you
employees around the find that the officials carrying out the examinations are courteous, over-zealous or happy to guide
world on long- or short-term your drivers and the company in the right direction? Let us know your views.

work assignments. Email: rands@thewordsworkshop.co.uk or phone Lynne Thomas on 01494 562266

T
he business is owned by influential
local businessman Paul Evans, who is
supported by a key management team
recruited from locations worldwide.
Dale Collins, CEO of Interdean, comments
“London is the second busiest relocation
centre in the world and Interdean is one of
the largest international relocation and
moving companies in the UK. As such we
operate a diverse and highly skilled
workforce, including IT specialists, relocation
industry experts, financial, HR and
marketing professionals. With Park Royal’s
access to the London market it makes an
ideal location and gives us exposure to a
huge global market. Furthermore it provides
excellent transport access to the London
and surrounding areas.”
Interdean’s premises at Park Royal are
close to large employers such as Carphone
Warehouse, Diageo and McVities. The latter
is very much a favourite with the packing
crews and warehousemen at Interdean who
enjoy the smell of freshly baked biscuits as
it fills the air when they come to work early
in the morning. Park Royal also has a
number of other benefits such as good
access to public transport, cycle lanes, green
areas and places for staff to go for lunch.
Interdean is active in the local area, working
with the governing body to develop the
local area further.
Park Royal is strategically important to
Interdean who chose this location for its
proximity to London, transport links,
international recognition and ties with its
client base.

January 2009 Removals & Storage 57

INTERNATIONAL & EUROPEAN
TRADE SPECIALISTS
Instant online Trade quotes
Visit the Trade Services page
Choose either International or European rates
then just enter the User ID & Password
User ID: simpsons Password: trade

www.simpsons-uk.com

01322 386969
HEAD OFFICE: Blue Hawk House, A1 Manor Way
Business Park, Manor Way, Dartford, Kent DA10 0PP

Memb No: S092

 Diary Dates

Diary Dates
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL Board of Directors continued from previous column
CONFERENCES 2009 March 25
July 15 Norfolk meeting, venue TBA
BAR Annual Conference December 3 November 10 7.30pm
Hotel Conrad, Brussels, Belgium December 7.30pm
May 1-3 2009 BAR AGM (Brussels) Christmas Dinner, date and venue TBA
May 2
European Young Movers Conference East Midlands Area
Bucharest, Romania National Council Meetings will be held at:
May 21-24 2009 February 10 Lady Anne’s Hotel, Stamford
June 16 January 15 7.00pm AGM/Meeting
FEDEMAC Annual General Assembly October 13 March 18 7.00pm
Barcelona, Spain May 20 7.00pm
Attendance limited to FEDEMAC Board Overseas Group September 16 7.00pm
Members and General Secretaries/ FEDEMAC February 11 November 18 7.00pm
Representatives from each of the 22 National June 17
Association/Member Countries October 14 Kent Area
November 21 – 23 Meetings to be held at:
Commercial Moving Group The George Inn, The Street,
OMNI Annual Conference February 12 Molash near Canterbury,
Arts Hotel, Barcelona, Spain June 18 Kent, CT4 8HE
April 21-24 2009 October 15 (01227 740323)
December tbc 7.30 – 8.00pm
FIDI Congress BAR AREA MEETINGS 2009
Rome, Italy BAR SCOTTISH AREA
April 26-30 2009 East Anglia Area MEETINGS 2009
Unless otherwise stated,
PROPOSED BOARD, COUNCIL AND meetings will be held at: Meetings will be held at:
COMMITTEE MEETINGS 2009 The Flying Fortress, Mount Rd, Gt Barton, Hilcroft Hotel
Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk IP31 2QU Whitburn
Executive Committee Tel: 01284 787655 January 13 –
January 21 January 13 7.30pm March 10–
March 18 February 10 7.30pm May 12 –
May 20 March 10 7.30pm September 8 –
July 8 Essex meeting, venue TBA November 11 –
September 16 April 14 7.30pm
November 25 May 12 7.30pm
June 9 7.30pm
Past Presidents’ Lunch September 8 7.30pm
May 19 October 13 7.30pm

Do you have any diary dates?

Email them to rands@the wordsworkshop.co.uk

A S D F G H J K Z C A R D S
D S L I P P E R S B I B S D
D O E F E F A I W S D A S H
U M M I N H E R I T A N C E
P E O Y D S N E A S D N G B
Find eight hidden words to fit the following clues:
1. Footwear – difficult to stand up in? A T N D F H N H Z X O D T Y
2. A bit of a squeeze! D I O U E E A F C I E D M N
3. It’s simply not right! F M T Y S F Y S T D F G H J
4. Get in touch with lens maker
G E Y D T T E C N Y U I O M
5. Not always
6. Not very well done (and not often) H S F B E Y E C O N T A C T
7. Where there’s a will? N P D E C L U R T O P A S F
8. Worth viewing and worth receiving E A R T L I I D W E R E N T
The answers can be found on page 61. A A A O I G L Z A S I F S Y
R B C D P U N A T C W A G A

January 2009 Removals & Storage 59

EUROUSA
International Movers

Weekly Groupage Service

to and from the States
EUROUSA Services EUROUSA Rate Mate

Weekly Groupage Services

EuroUSA has developed into a recognised trade
Trade shipping services
Destination services shipping group. A support service that is now
Origin service being utilised by many large & small companies
Airfreight services
seeking a reliable partner to assist and guide them
Auto Shipping
Customs Bonded warehouses in the development of their own international
Storage service

EUROUSA Offices
EUROUSA Rate Mate
EUROUSA Shipping Ltd. ( UK ).
Just go the web address below for all your trade
74 - 75 Fred Dannatt Road,
Mildenhall, Suffolk, IP28 7RD , UK shipping rates
+44 (0) 1638 515335
Email: tony@eurousa.co.uk From the UK: www.eurorates.info
www.the-eurogroup.com

EUROUSA ( France ). From the USA: www.euro-america.net

BP16523, Aerogare les agents de Fret,
Zone Fret 3, 95709, Roissy CDG, CEDEX
France. From France: www.eurousafrance.com
Email: paris@eurousafrance.com
www.eurousafrance.com

EUROUSA Shipping Inc. ( USA ).

1629 Folly Road, Charleston, SC
29412 USA
+001 843-225-7217
Email: mark@eurousa.us
FMC Lic # 020099NF
www.euro-america.net Memb No: E034
 BAR Memberships

BAR Memberships January 2009

New Members Change of Details Andrew Moran & Son Ltd
BAR is pleased to welcome the following Unless shown the contact details Memb No: M056
remain the same. Andmor House
National Group
1 River Park
Scott’s Removals & Transport
Sowerbys Removals & Storage Ltd Bridge Street
Memb No: S042
Memb No: S112 Linwood PA3 3DW
Unit 15 & 16
11 - 12 Denney Road
Highams Park Industrial Estate Fleet Removals & Storage
Hardwick Industrial Estate
Hickman Avenue Memb No: F011
Kings Lynn
Highams Park Units 9-11
Norfolk PE30 4HG
London E4 9JG Nexus Building
Tel: 01553 777773
Tel: 0208 527 1633 Randles Road
Web: www.sowerbysremovals.com
Fax: 0208 531 1085 Knowsley Business Park
Applications Email: enquiries@scottsremovals.co.uk Knowsley
BAR has received the following applications tonyscott@scottsremovals.co.uk Liverpool L34 9EZ
for membership of:
Pickfords (London) Atlas Removal Services Ltd
Commercial Moving Group Memb No: P019 Memb No: A077
Unit D 01524 833503
Crown Promotions & Removals Ltd Prologis Business Park
Memb No: C061 Resignations
Twelve Trees Crescent
Derby Road BAR is sorry to lose the membership of the
Bromley by Bow
Hackney following companies whilst thanking them
London E3 3JM
London E9 7JP for their past support.
Tel: 020 8533 1200 Leslie & Leslie
J Upton Removals & Storage Ltd,
Web: www.crownpromotions.co.uk Memb No: L017
Shropshire and ATN of
22 High Street
ATN (Alternative Trading Name) Direct Removals & Transport, Shropshire
Haddington
The following Alternative Trading Name has Scotland EH41 3ES John Gower & Sons Ltd, Berkhamsted
been applied for:
Steele & Co Moving Services Ltd Fox Group (Moving & Storage), Newtown
Rapid Man & Van an ATN of: Memb No: S102
Excess International Movers Ltd The Office Alternative Trading Name
Chilcomb Manor Farm 1st Contact Shipping
Chilcomb
Winchester SO21 1HR Commercial Moving Group
& Overseas Group
Maidmans Removal & Storage
Memb No: M018 S. Dell & Sons Limited, Berkhamsted
Any member wishing to make any comment and ATN of
Building 103c
regarding an application should do so in Roberts Removals, Berkhamsted
writing to BAR Head Office within 21 days Aviation Way
of receipt of this notification. Aviation Business Park International Associate
Christchurch BH23 6NW
Details of membership applications in process Morgan & Brother Manhattan Storage Inc, USA
may also be found on the BAR website:
www.bar.co.uk

A S D F G H J K Z C A R D S
D S L I P P E R S B I B S D
D O E F E F A I W S D A S H
U M M I N H E R I T A N C E
SOLUTION: P E O Y D S N E A S D N G B
Here are the answers to the January Word Puzzle A T N D F H N H Z X O D T Y
D I O U E E A F C I E D M N
1. Footwear – difficult to stand up in? SLIPPERS
2. A bit of a squeeze! LEMON
F M T Y S F Y S T D F G H J
3. It’s simply not right! DEFECT G E Y D T T E C N Y U I O M
4. Get in touch with lens maker CONTACT H S F B E Y E C O N T A C T
5. Not always SOMETIMES N P D E C L U R T O P A S F
6. Not very well done (and not often) RARE
7. Where there’s a will? INHERITANCE E A R T L I I D W E R E N T
8. Worth viewing and worth receiving COLLECTION A A A O I G L Z A S I F S Y
R B C D P U N A T C W A G A

January 2009 Removals & Storage 61

 TRADE SERVICES

Channel Islands Ireland North West

Scotland/Europe Isle of Man

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Scotland and Islands

Sweden and Scandinavia

Established 1990

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62 Removals & Storage January 2009

 TRADE SERVICES

Austria Germany and Austria Eastern Europe

WH HUMPHREY & SON LTD

Weekly Groupage Service

Full origin and destination
services available.
German speaking staff
Contact Darrel or Justin
Tel: 01923 210669 • Fax: 01923 250355
Email: Darrelb@humphreys-moving.com

France Cyprus and Malta

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

Contact Darrel or Justin

Tel: 01923 210669 • Fax: 01923 250608
Email: Darrelb@humphreys-moving.com

Greece United Arab Emirates

Regular Trade
Services to
UNITED ARAB
EMIRATES
Dubai, Sharjah
and Abu Dhabi
OVERSEAS
REMOVER

Advance
Payment
Guaranteed

Full & part loads Memb No: GO13

Call Stuart, Sami or Jeremy on

01432 377477
fax: 01432 279894
email: shipping@gbliners.com

January 2009 Removals & Storage 63

 TRADE SERVICES
Spain
CONTAINERISED STORAGE IN SPAIN
• WEBBS INTERNATIONAL REMOVALS S.L.
• WEEKLY SCHEDULED SERVICE
• RATES FROM £1.95pGBP PER CUBIC FOOT
• NO VAT ! • PRICE GUARANTEE
• INFORMATIVE WEBSITE
www.william-worldwide-webb.com
UK Office: Tel: 01843 585055
Email: sales@webbsremovals.com
Mallorca Office Tel: 0034 971 693566
Email: webbs@spain.cc
Worldwide
64 Removals & Storage January 2009
REMOVALS & STORAGE
TRADE SERVICES IN SPAIN
UK TO SPAIN – WEEKLY SERVICE
(rates from £1.55 per Cu ft)
PORTER/TRANSHIP VEHICLES
DESTINATION & ORIGIN SERVICES
FULLY TRAINED
PROFESSIONAL STAFF
For more information contact
MAT FORD-DUNN
0034 968 654 757
matfd@telefonica.net
Instant online trade rates
www.puriasimpact.com
France - Spain - Portugal - Italy
Weekly Service for the Trade
Call now for best rates
PRESTON 01772 651570
Trade Rates
to Europe
Regular Services to all Major
Destinations Worldwide
Receiving in Windsor & Stourbridge
Contact Mike, Chris or Steve on
01633 488 100
trade@fox-moving.com
 TRADE SERVICES

Switzerland

Italy

ITALY
• Regular runs to all areas • Full or part loads
TRADE • Receiving depot 10mins from M25 J5 ...or we collect
ROUTES • All deliveries and collections carried out by our own crews
TO
Phone Paul for advice and genuine delivery/collection times
paul@bearsbyremovals.co.uk
-AND OF
COURSE FRANCE EN
ROUTE 01732 358900 ‘WHEN SERVICE MATTERS’
Caribbean Health and Safety Training

Computers and Internet

Warehouse Containers

January 2009 Removals & Storage 65

 CLASSIFIEDS

Trade Storage

Premier Storage
in London @ £5.75 per week
• A modern brand new storage facility with easy
access to the M25, M1 & Central London
• 250 cu ft storage containers
• Palletised and archive storage
• Opening and retrieval 0700-1700
• Weekends on request
• 24hr security, CCTV, Red Care
monitoring System

Contact Gary Mills 0208 976 2116

Email: storage@premiermoves.co.uk

Trade Groupage

G&R Advert
Piano 60x60mm:Layout 1
Specialists 20/10/08 16

THE PIANO
SPECIALISTS
A family run business, Est. in 1968.

LOCAL MOVING • WORLDWIDE SHIPPING

WEEKLY EUROPEAN SERVICE
Recommended by the worlds finest piano manufacturers,
auctioneers, music colleges & academies.

Mem. No G005

100 BOLLO LANE, CHISWICK, LONDON W4 5LX

Tel: +44 (0) 20 8994 9733 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8995 0855
Email: info@gandrremovals.co.uk www.gandrremovals.co.uk

External Elevators

66 Removals & Storage January 2009

 CLASSIFIEDS

January 2009 Removals & Storage 67

 CLASSIFIEDS

For Sale Situations Vacant

Mercedes 1823 ATEGO 2004 Need assistance in the midlands?

6 con Vancraft twin sleeper body, Drivers, porters, packers (that can
one owner, low miles, full Mercedes do the job) daily/weekly hire
history, superb condition offers. (8 hour minimum hire)
Mercedes R registration 12 tonne www.professionalassistance.co.uk
4 cont body, full service history, full or 07852 923 946 Dave Middleton
M.O.T sleeper cab £6, 000. the removals man, removal man.
LDV Luton 3.5 tail lift 51 registration
Mercedes Sprinter L.W.B Hi top 52
Business Development Manager
registration. Derby 01332 369721.
required for a multi facility storage
Webbe Removals.
company based within the M25.
Please contact Chris Lee on
70 250 cu. Ft. wooden removal 0208 451 9150 for more details
crates, in very good condition and
approx 20 new ones, transport can
be arranged, £70 each + VAT.
Telephone 01407 832777
or 07900 431686

FOR SALE
WAREHOUSE & OFFICES
(21,184FT2)
PLUS APPROX 25,000FT2
OF GROUNDS/CAR FOR SALE
PARKING & LORRY SPACE. 2003: Mercedes Atego
OFFERS IN REGION OF 7.5 tonne chassis
£2,050,000 c/w Marsden Vanplan
Located in Surrey, 3 miles from the three container (and space) body
A3 and Junction 10 of the M25. plus 2 man sleeper pod.
Next to BR main line service to LEZ compliant and in
London (Waterloo). good condition throughout,
Telephone: 01932 344777 or 66,000 miles,
07785 793975 £19,500 plus VAT
Email: Contact Alan Davidson
debbie@chappellsremovals.co.uk 020 8876 1000

SELL IT OR FIND IT WITH

A LINEAGE AD FOR
FIND THE £2.10 PER WORD
RIGHT PERSON
FOR THE JOB

Advertise your job vacancies in
Removals & Storage magazine
Call Marianne Lee on:
Free Situation
Wanted advertising
To help companies and their employees during the recession R&S is
offering individuals who have been made redundant from BAR companies
the opportunity of advertising their services free. This is intended to help
people find new employment in the professional moving industry and help
BAR members to fulfill their obligations to do all they can to help their
employees during this difficult time.
All entries will be confidential and replies will be to a unique box number
address supplied by BAR. To take part please provide brief details (no
names or company details will appear in the advertisement) including roles,
experience and location to Marianne@thewordsworkshop.co.uk. This

01908 695500 service is available only to BAR members’ staff who have been or are about
to be made redundant.
or email: marianne@thewordsworkshop.co.uk

68 Removals & Storage January 2009

 CLASSIFIEDS

January 2009 Removals & Storage 69

 CLASSIFIEDS

70 Removals & Storage January 2009

 You’ll always win
with Wridgways

Relocations to or from Australia?

The choice is clear... Wridgways!

When you partner with Wridgways you
know your customers are in safe, reliable
hands. Since 1892, Wridgways has been
refining the specialised art of international
Your Customers, Your Choices:
■ Reliable, caring service since 1892
■ Branches and storage facilities Australia-wide
Comprehensive Relocation Services
■

Dedicated, professional staff

relocations and our dedication and
■

Prompt, efficient responses

professionalism is demonstrated in each
■

and every move we carefully manage. Don’t play games when it comes to your customers
belongings, trust the Australian Experts...Wridgways.

Visit www.wridgways.com.au or
email international@wridgways.com.au

CLICK
www.wridgways.com.au
For information on Quarantine, Customs,
Arrival/Departure Services and much more.