R&S November 2013

www.bar.co.
uk
Removals & Storage
The Magazine of the British Association of Removers

Inside this Issue
Industry News BAR News
>> VOSA advice on brakes
>> Matt Purdie & Sons open
new Head Ofce
>> Nationwide Transport Breakdown
Services become BAR Afliate
>> Commercial Movers focus on
marketing and efciencies
>> What happened at IAM?
>> Progress on the Electronic
Inventory Standard

Features Breaking News
November 2013 // Issue 472 // 4
On the cover
Simpsons Removals Latin motto means strive to excel; it is still
relevant today as the family-owned company continues to develop
and expand its range of services to clients worldwide from its
headquarters near the Dartford crossing in Kent. See pages 30-31
>> Practical payment solutions
for running your business
>> New management keeps
kangaroo on the road
Excellere
Contende
2
Features
Removals & Storage November 2013
November 2013 Removals & Storage 3
Features
News from Watford
On the cover: Simpsons Removals new roadtrain.
3
04
Contents
Contents
Industry News
Just a snippet
Osborne pledges fuel duty freeze
Controversy over container rules
Agility GRMS prepares for the next post
Down Under award for Doree Bonner
Britannia Anchor moves footballer Nasri
05
BAR News
Nationwide Transport Breakdown Services have
formally joined the BAR community as BAR
National Afliates, and Chris Smallwood
questions whether the downturn is really over.
20
Simpsons Removals: Excellere Contende
How the Dutch Removers Association works
New management keeps kangaroo on
the road
Practical payment solutions for running
your business
Features 30
QSS Update 28
CMG meets at
Wychwood Park
This years event at Wychwood Park set the CMG
bar high with a great golf tournament, and a
thought-provoking seminar. Delegates took
advantage of the excellent blend of industry
information and debate, networking and, of
course, golf!
48
38
22
People News
European News
Membership 56
Diary Dates 54
Classied 62
Bishops Move support
Scottish Fun Run
Bishops Move ensured that its largest vehicle proved
an obstacle for the 550 competitors of the 2013
Road Block Run held in Holyrood Park recently.
To raise funds for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland,
competitors had to climb, slide and crawl through
carefully crafted spiders webs made of webbing and
luminous silly string in Bishops Moves vehicle.
14
Overseas Group News
Ian Palmer reports on the recent IAM annual
meeting.
26
Commercial Moving
Group News
22
Code supremo to
open BAR Conference
42
Baroness Crawley, President of the Trading
Standards Institute (TSI), will be the keynote
speaker at next years BAR Conference in Glasgow.
Find out what the TSI is expecting the removals
sector to have achieved by May 2014.
Training 36
BAR Services 34
4
BAR News
News
from Watford
Following the successful transition of the
BAR Code of Practice to the Trading
Standards Institute (TSI), BAR is about to
undergo its rst Code audit with TSI under
its Consumer Codes Approval Scheme
(CCAS). This will take place this month and
will be carried out by two Trading
Standards professionals who will complete
a thorough onsite survey to ensure that all
BAR Members comply with the Code of
Practice. It will concentrate on the
branding and use of the BAR/TSI logo,
customer feedback around the code.
BAR will also be required to demonstrate
membership compliance covering the
BAR membership application process
including the checks/inspections carried
out on prospective businesses.
Please remember the deadline of 31
December 2013 for the BAR TSI coded
logo implementation. This logo should be
used on websites only. The guidelines can
be downloaded from MyBAR, or
alternatively Members can contact the
Commercial Department.
We are delighted that Baroness Crawley,
the President of the Trading Standards
Institute, will be the Keynote Speaker at
the BAR Annual Conference in Glasgow
on 15 - 17 May 2014. For more information
on what the TSI is expecting from our
industry, see page 42. Please note the new
online booking system and dedicated
website are now live. For further
information visit www.bar.co.uk/
conference2014.aspx.
For all Young Movers out there, make sure
you secure your place for the European
Young Movers Conference London 2014,
which BAR is co-hosting with FEDEMAC, the
Federation of European Movers
Associations. To see the full programme
and to register, visit www.
youngmoverslondon2014.eu
There have been a number of important
meetings recently for the removals
industry. In particular, Council meetings
have taken place for the National and
European Group, Overseas Group and
the Commercial Moving Group. You can
access the minutes by logging in to
MyBAR. At International level, BAR Director
General Stephen Vickers was amongst a
handful of delegates who were specially
invited guests at the recent Annual
Meeting of the International Association of
Movers in Vancouver, Canada.
Representing BAR and the UK removals
and storage industry, Stephen and other
BAR Member companies present in
Vancouver networked and shared
information on UK developments and best
practice.
Finally, following the success of the recent
webinar on using the Trusted Mover
website, www.trustedmover.org, BAR has
arranged a further webinar this month
(28 November) to demonstrate how to
get started with this free customer
feedback website. For more information,
see page 20 of this issue or email
commercial@bar.co.uk
Follow BAR on:
Contact Details:
Editorial
Contributions on all aspects of the removals and
storage industry are welcome, together with
photographs if appropriate.
Please contact the Managing Editor, Louise Gale on:
Tel: 020 3235 1806
Email: rands-editorial@analyticamedia.com
Advertising
For all enquiries and bookings, please contact
Sandra Zealand on:
Tel: 0117 957 5400
Email: sandra@rubiconmarketing.net
Deadlines: The booking deadline for all display
advertisements for the December 2013 issue of
R&S is 11 November.
Subscriptions
Removals & Storage is subscribed to by members
of the British Association of Removers in the UK and
Overseas. Current annual subscription is 48.00 in
the UK and 72.00 overseas.
Additional subscriptions are available from BAR.
Registered as a magazine The British Association
of Removers 2013. ISSN 0034-4265
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be scanned,
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in part
or whole in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written
permission of the British Association of Removers.
Opinions expressed in Removals & Storage are not necessarily
those of the publisher, British Association of Removers.The
description of a product or service in this publication does not
constitute endorsement by the publisher.The publisher does
not accept any responsibility for any claims by advertisers.The
articles in this publication are for general information only and
are not intended to be advice to any specic person.Readers
are recommended to seek professional advice before taking or
refraining from taking any action on the basis of the contents of
any article in this publication.
The British Association of Removers
Tel: 01923 699 480
Fax: 01923 699 481
Email: info@bar.co.uk
Tangent House, 62 Exchange Road, Watford,
Hertfordshire WD18 OTG
President: Ian Studd
Director General: Stephen Vickers
Company Secretary: Paul Swindon
Removals & Storage is designed on behalf of
The British Association of Removers by:
Rubicon Marketing Ltd. Tel: 0117 957 5400
Email: steve@rubiconmarketing.net
Removals & Storage is written and edited for the
British Association of Removers by Analytica Media
Tel: 0203 235 1800 Email: andy@analyticamedia.com
Copy and advertising
deadlines 2013 for future
issues of R&S magazine
Article submission:
2nd of the month preceding publication
Booking of display Adverts:
10th of the month preceding publication
Booking of classied Adverts:
Booking of trade Adverts:
Artwork for Adverts:
5
Industry News
November 2013 Removals & Storage
VOSA advice
on brakes
Research from the Vehicle and Operator Services
Agency (VOSA) shows that braking defects are
the number one cause of HGV and trailer
prohibitions in the UK. They make up 10% of all
HGV and 20% of trailer prohibitions issued.
Brake disc fractures are the biggest problem for
HGVs, totalling 19% of brake prohibitions and
9% of trailer prohibitions. VOSA says it will issue
a prohibition if a brake disc fracture extends
through the disc surface to the ventilation cavity.
The agency advises operators to closely monitor
the condition of heat cracks on the surface of
brake discs, as they can quickly deteriorate. If
there are cracks running from the edge of the
brake disc to the centre, the disc must be
replaced. You should consult the manufacturers
guidance on brake disc wear tolerances, when
deciding whether a brake disc is serviceable.
Another common defect is excessive brake
actuator travel, which is normally associated
with poor maintenance of automatic slack
adjusters (ASAs) which are vulnerable to wear
and tear. All HGVs, trailers and PSVs over 3.5T
from 1995 are tted with ASAs that must work
correctly. If they need regular manual
adjustment, they are not working correctly,
the agency says.
Operators should ensure that drivers are
aware of defective brake symptoms, and that they
know how to identify and report problems,
VOSA cautions. If a warning light indicates a
potential fault, the driver should make sure the
vehicle is safe to drive, or risk a prohibition and
the Operator Compliance Risk Score points that
go with it.
Osborne pledges fuel
duty freeze
The Chancellor George Osborne has said he will freeze fuel duty for
the duration of this Parliament, scrapping the 2p rise in duty that was
planned for September 2014.
Speaking at the Conservative Party Conference in
October, Mr Osborne said provided we can nd the
savings to pay for it, I want to freeze fuel duty for the
rest of this Parliament.
While the road transport sector has welcomed the
announcement that duty will not be increased until
2015 at the earliest, many in the industry have
pointed out the sector remains heavily taxed and
more needs to be done to reduce the burden.
Howard Cox of FairFuelUK, of which BAR is a
member, said the Government still takes over 60%
in tax when we ll up at the pumps, we have the
highest fuel duty levels in the EU and the cost of fuel
directly impacts adversely on the cost of living,
investment, jobs and running businesses.
The main road transport bodies all call for the
Chancellor to go one step further and cut fuel tax.
We should remember that UK fuel duty is still by far
the highest anywhere in the EU, said the Road
Haulage Association. The Chancellor should take
the bold step to cut duty, which, as has been
demonstrated by independent research
commissioned by the RHA for the FairFuelUK
Campaign, would boost growth and create jobs.
The RAC Foundation said: transport is the single
biggest area of household expenditure bar none and
our own research shows that 800,000 of the poorest
households are in transport poverty, spending a
quarter or more of their income on running a car.
This proposal will be welcomed but lets not forget
that the Chancellor still takes 60% of the price of a
litre of fuel in the form of taxation.
Goodwill at the DfT
There is a new man in the Department for
Transport. Robert Goodwill, Conservative MP for
Scarborough and Whitby, has been promoted from
the Whips Ofce to replace Norman Baker as
Parliamentary Under Secretary. Mr Baker has gone
to the Home Ofce.
Mr Goodwill will take responsibility for the HS2
project. He has a long standing interest in
transport, especially in steam traction engines and
his Sentinel steam lorry can be seen at many local
steam and charity events. After spending 18
months as a member of the transport select
committee, he was appointed a whip by David
Cameron in 2006 and promoted to the post of
Shadow Roads Minister in the transport team in
2007.
He describes himself as a Eurosceptic. Closer to
home, he has long been an advocate of upgrading
the A64 that runs through his constituency.
Meanwhile, in the shadow cabinet, Maria Eagle
has been replaced as Shadow Transport Secretary
by Mary Creagh.
Robert Goodwill
Industry News
6 Removals & Storage November 2013
Best practice
guide for vans

The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency
(VOSA) has published Your van: best practice
guide, to give best practice principles to help
raise the standards of vans and light goods
vehicles (LGVs) throughout Great Britain.
According to VOSA, 50% of vans and LGVs fail
their MOT test year after year. The aim is to
encourage a culture of compliance leading to a
reduction in MOT failures and an improvement
in the prohibition rate.
This latest campaign by VOSA aims to
increase van owners awareness that a regularly
serviced and well-maintained vehicle will mean
their business is more efcient. The guide
includes an operator and driver checklist along
with a diagram of a van walk around check.It
can be downloaded at www.gov.uk/government/
publications/your-van-best-practice-guide
Using gravity to save fuel
This autumn, Scania is introducing its Eco-roll system which calculates
when a truck should use gravity to roll in neutral downhill.
Choosing which is the most fuel-efcient to cruise
down a hill in neutral or under engine braking is not
as obvious as it may sound. Scania Active Prediction
makes the calculation automatically. If the system
chooses Eco-roll in order to make use of the kinetic
energy, then the objective is to roll downhill in neutral
for at least ten seconds since shorter sessions would be
less useful. At the same time the speed should not be so
high that engine braking is engaged, since this
negatively affects the fuel energy already transferred to
the engine. Scania Active Prediction uses both GPS (for
positioning) and topographic maps to control speed.
Depending on which performance mode drivers select,
the truck utilises a number of strategies to either use as
little fuel as possible or to optimise a high average
speed. Where topographical map data is available,
Scania Eco-roll is standard on long-haulage trucks,
provided that the truck is equipped with Scania
Opticruise and Active Prediction, a two-pedal system
and a Euro 6 engine.
Do you have any
news to share with
R&S readers?
Send to: rands-editorial@analyticamedia.com
Contacting Gerson Relocation
As reported in the October issue of R&S, ICM
Gerson has rebranded and is now known as
Gerson Relocation.
All email addresses are now:
rstname@gersonrelocation.com
For more information, please visit:
www.icmgerson.com
7
Industry News
Controversy over container rules
Shippers have welcomed the decision of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to support compromise
proposals for the verication of container weights. However, transport workers have reacted angrily to the news.
Its a good day for maritime safety, the Global
Shippers Forum (GSF) said. An IMO Subcommittee has
agreed to amend rules of the SOLAS (Safety of Life at
Sea) Convention about how to ensure the accuracy of
container weight declarations. In recent years,
casualties have apparently been caused by overweight
containers. To respond to this, the IMO Subcommittee
has decided that shippers must verify the weight of the
container either by weighing the packed container, or
by weighing all packages and cargo items, including
the mass of pallets, dunnage and other securing
material to be packed in the container and then adding
the tare of the container to the sum of the single
masses. The shipper will have to declare this veried
gross mass to the shipping company, or the container
will not be loaded.
The GSF said that it believes the compromise
proposal, which includes these two methods for
verication, is the best possible outcome for shippers
and the maritime industry, as it provides a exible and
workable solution which can be adopted by industry
without signicant cost or delays in the supply chain.
However, the International Transport Workers
Federation (ITF) pledged to continue the struggle for
container weight safety after what it described as a
missed opportunity to reduce the risk of harm to
transport workers and members of the public. The ITF
is opposed to self-regulation by shippers and wants a
compulsory international system of container weighing
to be introduced in ports to ensure that containers are
weighed accurately.
If the proposals are approved by the IMO Maritime
Safety Committee, they could take effect in mid-2016.
HGV levy contract awarded
Introduction of the new time-based user charge for
HGVs using the UK road network, planned for April
2014, is a step closer following the appointment of
Northgate Public Services to develop and operate
the foreign operator payment system.
The foreign operator payment system will enable
foreign operators or drivers to purchase the levy
before they enter the UK through a number of sales
channels including online, telephone and at point
of sale terminals. The system will also create a
database to enable authorities to identify hauliers
who have not paid.
Transport Minister Stephen Hammond (pictured)
said getting the foreign operator payment system
right will be crucial to the success of the levy. The
system will be easy for foreign carriers and their
drivers to access and straightforward to use. Its
design also sends an important message to those
foreign operators who think about avoiding paying.
If you dont pay, or underpay, you will be caught
and face a 300 ne. By law, the scheme cannot
discriminate between UK-registered vehicles and
vehicles from elsewhere in the EU so this charge
will apply to all HGVs. For UK vehicles the levy will
be paid alongside Vehicle Excise Duty (VED)
which will be reduced in line with the levy to ensure
the majority of UK operators experience no rise in
the total amount they pay. It will also be collected
through existing agency channels so there will be
no additional administration cost.
The levy has been set in line with EU legislation
with the rate paid reecting vehicle weight and axle
conguration.
There are seven levy bands which align with
existing VED bands. For a 40- tonne ve axle artic,
the most common type of foreign vehicle coming to
the UK, operators will pay 10 per day or 1,000 per
year.
Northgate Public Services has provided IT
solutions to a number of central government
departments, including the Home Ofce, the
Department of Health and the Department for
Transport, and to local public services, most
recently in the delivery of the new Blue Badge
scheme for disabled parking.
Industry News
New motorway
plans for Wales
The Welsh Government has launched a
consultation on a draft Plan to improve the M4
Corridor around Newport.
The draft Plan, if implemented, will include a
new motorway being built to the south of
Newport. Minister for Economy, Science and
Transport, Edwina Hart said trafc congestion
and unreliable journey times, particularly during
rush hour, are common occurrences on the M4
around Newport. The Welsh Government is
committed to addressing capacity and resilience
problems on this key artery widely recognised as
essential to support the Welsh economy.
The main element of the draft Plan, if
implemented, is the provision of a section of three
lane motorway between Junction 23 Magor and
Junction 29 Castleton on the south side of
Newport (Black Route). This would also include
complementary measures to re-classify the
existing M4 between Magor and Castleton as a
non-motorway and create a new single
carriageway link between the M48 and B4245.
The consultation will close on 16 December 2013.
Hammersmith
Flyover surgery
continues
What is hoped to be the nal phase of
maintenance work to the Hammersmith Flyover
is underway, to extend the life of the structure
for years to come.
During the works, the remaining 11 of the
yovers 16 spans will be strengthened in a
similar fashion to the ve spans that were
strengthened last year. The bearings carrying
the structure will also be replaced, carriageway
drainage will be renewed and the entire yover
waterproofed and resurfaced to reduce the need
for further maintenance in the future.
Transport for London says that all activity
that affects closure of the carriageway both over
and under the yover has been programmed to
take place at night, between 10.30pm and
5.00am, in order to reduce disruption to road
users. During summer 2014, a limited number
of weekend closures in one direction will be
required in order for the yover to be
waterproofed and resurfaced.
A14 toll plans under
heavy re
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has launched a sticker campaign
to voice its opposition to the Department for Transports (DfT) proposal
to implement a toll on a stretch of the planned new A14, the Huntingdon
southern bypass.
Do you have any news to
share with R&S readers?
The Highways Agency estimates that the tolls could be
between 1.00 and 1.50 for cars and other light
vehicles, and double this amount for heavy goods
vehicles. Charges are expected to apply between the
hours of 6.00am and 10.00pm, seven days a week.
The proposal has drawn strong criticism from
hauliers in the region and the RHA said that it
amounted to an attack on the economy in East Anglia.
The RHA said that, if implemented, the scheme would
put hauliers in East Anglia and Suffolk at a
disadvantage against rms elsewhere. It would amount
to a tax on business as a whole in East Anglia and
Suffolk, as hauliers would seek to pass on the
additional costs and it could undermine the
competitiveness of the Port of Felixstowe and other
ports in the region by adding to the cost base of
haulage to and from the port. The RHA also signals
that the proposal could set a worrying precedent for the
development of a patchwork of local tolls on the
Highways Agency network.
The Highways Agency says it will make a preferred
route announcement for the 1.5bn scheme before the
end of the year. Construction should begin by the end of
2016 and take three to four years. Vehicles using the
tolled section of road during charging hours would be
identied using automatic number plate recognition
cameras, so there would be no need for toll plazas and
drivers would not need to queue in order to pay.
Jack Semple of the RHA said the proposal is, in
effect, to create something with much the same effect
as the Dartford, Severn or Humber crossings. To ensure
drivers have no practical alternative to the tolled road,
the DfT is even planning to demolish a bridge on the
current A14 so that through trafc has no practical
alternative to paying the toll - other than not to travel.
The Highways Agency says that heavy trafc would
have two non-tolled alternatives: either via the A1 and
the A428 from St Neots to Cambridge, or via the county
A-roads through St Ives and the northern outskirts of
Huntingdon.
9
Industry News
Commonwealth Games
cause concern
While the rush of road project announcements in the Spending
Round earlier this year is a welcome boost on this front, questions
remain about how feasible these plans are without greater clarity
on their funding, the report says. Concerns that the motorway
network has deteriorated over the last ve years came from
companies all over the country and were especially high in the
south, with 65% of respondents in the south west seeing the
situation worsening, followed closely by 64% in the south east.
Only 20% of all respondents said the motorway network has
improved in the period.
The picture is even worse for local roads: only 4% of rms
believe the local road network has improved in the last ve years.
For local roads, the south west has the largest proportion of
respondents who feel there has been deterioration over the past
ve years, with almost nine out of ten taking this view (88%).
Overall, the same proportion of respondents, 88%, expect either
no improvement or continued deterioration in the local road
network in the coming ve years. Nearly two-thirds (62%) of all
businesses and 85% of multinationals highlighted that domestic
transport was a key consideration in deciding where and when to
invest. Dissatisfaction with domestic transport in general has
jumped from 28% in 2011 to 49% in 2013.
Gloom mounts over UK roads
A new CBI/KPMG report has found that 76% of respondents are concerned about the future of the network,
especially local roads, and there is a widespread expectation that local roads and motorways will deteriorate.
The Freight Transport Association is calling on
the authorities responsible for organising the
2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and
operating the road network to provide vital
details regarding changes to routes as soon as
possible.
Following the positive experience from the
extensive planning in the run up to the London
2012 Olympic Games, it makes good sense to
provide information as early as possible, and to
establish a dedicated team to support the
transport and logistics industry.
The information doesnt need to be perfect,
the logistics industry can manage change
thats what we do but we cant plan if we dont
have anything. Eighty per cent of something
would be better than one hundred per cent of
nothing, FTA Scotland said.
The London Olympics was a smooth logistical
operation but that was not by chance, it was
down to meticulous planning by industry and
close partnership with the organisers and
transport authorities.
Industry News
New strategy for
Skills for Logistics
Chief Executive Mick Jackson is stepping down
from Skills for Logistics (SfL) as the organisation
looks to implement a new strategic plan that
creates a greater emphasis on commercial
activities over the next ve years. Mick will be
replaced by his deputy, Ross Moloney, whilst the
board review the appointment of a new Chief
Executive.
Paul Brooks, SfL Chairman said: Mick has led
our organisation through a period of substantive
change in UK skills funding and during his ve
years in the post has turned SfL into one of the top
funded SSCs (Sector Skills Councils) in the UK.
Mick Jackson said the last ve years in
particular has been an incredible journey as we
have transformed SfL from a poorly performing
SSC to one of the best-funded. However in
discussions with the board I felt that there was a
need for someone to be able to commit strongly to
the new strategy for the next ve years and I didnt
feel that was appropriate for me. We have put in
place a great team and I know in the short term
the organisation is in capable hands and I wish
my colleagues the very best for the future.
12 days a year on tax administration
New research from the Federation of Small
Businesses (FSB) shows the UKs small business
owners are losing around 12 days a year keeping
on top of their tax administration, costing them
half a billion pounds per year.
The FSBs ndings show that half of
respondents spend between two to eight hours per
month understanding, calculating and
completing tax forms. A further 11% spend
between two and six days per month, hindering
their efforts to grow their businesses.
More than three quarters (77%) say they spend
up to 5,000 in addition to their tax bill paying
professionals and for software so they can keep
up-to-date with their latest obligations. Further
analysis of the data shows that around two thirds
of the respondents estimate an annual cost of
3,651 spent on tax obligations accumulatively
this means a minimum of 490m per year is spent
in additional costs. Almost a third (30%) of rms
say that cash-ow problems have prevented them
from paying their taxes on time, while one in ve
(19%) say that difculty understanding what is
required or confusion over payment dates has
meant they have paid late.
The FSB is calling for the Government and the
Ofce for Tax Simplication to build on the cash-
based accounting system through creating an
enterprise tax system which would match the
lower corporation tax band of 300,000.
The report shows that small businesses face a set-up
fee of 8,900 to get ready for the new legislation. This
gure rises to 12,600 for small and medium
businesses of up to 100 employees and 15,600 for
companies employing up to 250 people, while at the
other end of the spectrum large companies with up to
500 staff are facing an average bill of 22,300 for the
one-off costs of implementing auto enrolment.
Regional labour costs across the country could see
these costs pushed even higher, with the predicted bill
for the largest rms in London hitting 28,300.
The report nds getting ready for auto enrolment
could take each business up to 103 man days, with the
recurring administration burden taking over three
days each month for some rms.
Even those businesses who choose to use the
Governments National Employment Savings Trust
(NEST) will face these costs and administrative
challenges as rst they need to complete all the
preparatory work, while the legislation will effectively
see small and medium sized business owners, who
may have little to no experience in the eld of
pensions, having to tackle the huge responsibility of
choosing an appropriate pension scheme for their
staff.
NEST itself has issued its top ve dos and donts
for employers, based on its insights into the challenges
faced by employers who have implemented automatic
enrolment so far.
Auto enrolment set-up
costs mount
UK businesses are facing 15.4bn in set-up costs if they are to meet
the requirements of new pensions auto enrolment legislation, according
to new research from the Centre for Economic Business Research.
Employer dos
1. Plan early dont underestimate
how long it will take, talk to your
payroll and other providers as
soon as possible.
2. Assess your workforce to
understand which of your workers
are affected.
3. Communicate with staff clearly
and early; engage and involve.
Have a communication plan and
involve all relevant departments in
your business.
4. Examine systems (particularly
payroll) to ensure they are ready
and capable.
5. You may want help you may
want guidance from experts/
external advisors.
Employer donts
Dont fall for these misconceptions:
1. Once weve chosen the pension
provider everything will be done for
us.
2. Therell be a lot of work leading up
to the deadline but then our work
is done.
3. We have to offer a pension to all
staff.
4. Its like the stakeholder pensions.
Most people will opt out.
5. Our payroll provider will tell us
what we need to do with regards
to payroll.
11
Industry News
Industry News
TUPE proposals
As agged up in the October issue of R&S, the
Department of Business, Innovation and Skills
has now published its response to the
consultation on TUPE, the Transfer of
Undertakings (Protection of Employment)
Regulations.
TUPE protections make sure that employees do
not unfairly lose out when a transfer takes place
by providing rules for the former and new
businesses to follow. The Government is now
proposing a number of business-friendly
changes, such as amending the rules so that
where the place of work changes after the
transfer, any redundancies due to that change
will not be automatically unfair. This means
that businesses will not face possible unfair
dismissal claims simply because of a change in
the location of the workplace.
Where employees have terms and conditions
provided for in collective agreements, only the
terms and conditions in the collective agreement
existing at the time of the transfer will apply to
the employment with the new employer. Later
changes to the collective agreement wont bind
the new employer.
Businesses will also be able to renegotiate
terms and conditions provided for in collective
agreements one year after the transfer provided
that overall the change is no less favourable. The
Government also plans to make the law on
collective redundancy consultations more
exible for employers.
However, the Government has decided against
repealing the most controversial part of TUPE;
the regulations will still apply to those employees
affected when work is outsourced, brought back
in-house or the service provider is changed. This
means that when an operator successfully
tenders for a new contract, they will likely inherit
employees who worked on that contract for the
old service provider.
The Government said that the changes will
reduce red tape and will make it easier for
companies to hire and manage staff, while
protecting basic workers rights.
The new regulations are due to be proposed to
Parliament next month. Transport law
specialists Backhouse Jones expect the changes
to come into effect in January 2014.
For more information, contact Backhouse
Jones: enquiries@backhouses.co.uk or call
01254 828 300.
Down Under award for Doree Bonner
The Doree Bonner International Group has been
awarded Best Removals Service in the recent
Down Under Awards.
The Down Under Awards are voted for by the
readers of leading emigration title Australia & New
Zealand Magazine as well as visitors to the Down
Under Live Expos and subscribers to their websites.
Over 7,000 votes were cast across seven different
categories ranging from Best Relocation Service,
Best Removal Service to Favourite Destination
Down Under, which this year was Wataroa in New
Zealand. James Dasey, International Director of
Doree Bonner International, said we are delighted
to be the recipients of such a prestigious award.
Doree Bonner takes great pride in the very high
standards of service we deliver and it is a great
accolade to have customers who we have moved
vote for us. We would also like to thank our down
under partners for over 50 years, Grace Removals
Group, for their assistance in us winning this
award.
For more information, see www.doreebonner.co.uk
PHS Teacrate launches
new Personal Crate
BAR Afliate, PHS Teacrate, is launching a new, improved personal crate,
which the company says is a staple piece of equipment in commercial
moving. The new crate offers compact portable storage and security for
an employees personal effects including desk contents and desktop
items such as stationery, mugs, brochures and magazines.
The new personal crate (product code: LC1) has been
launched by PHS Teacrate in response to market
feedback highlighting a demand for smaller and more
secure crates. The new LC1 personal crate has
several design features that translate
into a number of benets
for the end user
and also
for the
mover. It is
compact,
ergonomic,
robust and
secure, and offers
enhanced benets
over the previous
model. PHS
Teacrate says the
design of the LC1
makes for easy end-user
handling, as well as enhanced
security. The crate has robust
rounded and reinforced corners on the lid and rim,
while raised hinge towers and lid stops help safely
locate containers when stacking. With the same
compact capacity (25 litres) as the previous model, the
new LC1 has similar external dimensions at a reduced
weight of 1.74 kg (previously 1.87 kg).
PHS Teacrate said that its signicant investment
in product development and manufacturing
has allowed the supply of thousands
of new LC1 personal crates into
PHS Teacrates branch network
to be made immediately
available to customers
throughout the UK. As is the
case with all PHS Teacrates
rental products, a next-day
delivery service applies to the rental of
the new LC1 personal crate.
Customers interested in purchasing
the new LC1 crate can specify their
choice of colour and have the crates
branded with their company logo.
For more information, see www.phs.co.uk.
Patrick Sheehy of PHS Teacrate is interviewed in
this issue, see page 48.
13
Industry News
Industry News
Bishops Move
support Scottish
Fun Run
Bishops Move ensured that its largest vehicle
proved an obstacle for the 550 competitors of the
2013 Road Block Run held in Holyrood Park in
late September.
The competition brings together participants
of all abilities to take part in a 10k charity fun
run, featuring ten carefully planted obstacles
that had the competitors climbing, sliding and
crawling their way around the course, all in the
name of raising much needed funds for Chest
Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) who organise
the event.
For the second year running, Bishops Moves
largest vehicle was strategically placed and
inside there were carefully crafted spiders webs
made of webbing and luminous silly string. At
the end of the event CHSS announced that over
45,000 had been raised which will help support
those affected by chest, heart and stroke illness
in Scotland via research, advice, support services
and community groups.
Bishops Move has been supporting CHSS for
two years. Through its popular De-clutter
Service, Bishops Move removal men throughout
Scotland provide home movers with CHSS
Charity Donation Sacks prior to their move,
should they wish to donate any unwanted items
to the charity. On the day of the move the
Bishops Move vans collect and store the items,
which can range from clothes to electrical
equipment, that are then collected by CHSS
representatives.
David Mills, Bishops Move General Manager
Scotland, said we had absolutely no hesitation
in supporting this wonderful event for the second
year running. We are rmly in the business of
supporting our number one charity north of the
border and helping them fund its programme of
support for people suffering from chest, heart
and stroke illness. For more information, see
www.bishopsmove.com
Specialised
Movers go green
Specialised Movers, based in Shefeld, has chalked up another
environmental certication as part of its company-wide effort to respond
to the environmental concerns of its corporate clients. It has also taken
delivery of a state-of-the-art hybrid vehicle.
John Turner, Commercial Manager at Specialised
Movers, has now obtained the IEMA Certicate in
Environmental Management for Senior Executives,
cementing the companys position at the
cutting edge of environmental disposal.
Our major corporate clients are
constantly requesting an audit trail for
the ethical disposal of redundant
furniture, Director Nigel Shaw told
R&S. With the achievement of
ISO14001 we meet their criteria both
on and off site. Until you look at your
own systems you dont realise how
much improvement can be made,
not only to achieve the standard but
to constantly improve. The IEMA
Certicate shows just how we are
continuously improving.
Specialised Movers has also taken delivery of a new
Hybrid Transit Jumbo van. Nigel estimates that this
will result in a massive 38% saving on fuel, as well as
a 40% reduction in Co2 emissions. We evaluated the
capital expenditure against running costs and our
saving was far greater than the cost of buying this
environmentally friendly vehicle, he
explains.
Furthermore, the company has
implemented in its eet the Lightfoot
system, which monitors driver
performance and reports bad driving.
The system informs the driver of
uneconomical driving and issues two
warnings in the cab; on the third warning
this is reported back to the ofce by GPS.
Its another way of helping us reduce our
carbon footprint, Nigel says.
Finally, Nigel continues to lead by
example, investing in a new Lexus Hybrid
car to show staff and customers just how seriously
Specialised Movers takes the environment!
For more information, see www.specialisedmovers.com
Do you have any news to
share with R&S readers?
15
Industry News
Matt Purdie & Sons
open new Head Ofce
West Lothian based removers and storers, Matt Purdie & Sons, recently opened a newly extended and
refurbished headquarters ofce at East Main Street in Blackburn.
The project was designed by architect John Watson
from Mid Calder and completed by local builders,
R.B. Construction. The larger property now creates a
new reception area containing a packing materials
showroom. Managing Director Matt Purdie can also
now boast his own personal ofce, which is located
next to a purpose-built boardroom overlooking the
companys busy yard and storage warehouses.
Constructed on a sloping site, the building
extension has provided a spacious transport ofce in
the basement level, which is adjacent to the staff
canteen and training room. Just like his distinctive
eet of removals vans and trucks, Matt Purdie had the
new ofce building wrapped in the companys
recently revised livery by local vinyl graphic suppliers,
Scot Signs Ltd of Livingston.
Stephen Vickers, BAR Director General made the long
journey north to ofcially open Matt Purdie & Sons
new ofce at a lunchtime ceremony at the end of
September. In his speech, Stephen Vickers paid tribute
to Matt Purdie and his team for their dedication to
advancing industry standards through what has been
a challenging few years for removals contractors.
Winners of BARs Domestic Mover of the Year award
for 2010-2011, Matt Purdie & Sons have also been
nalists in the same competition every year since
2009. This Blackburn operation was also the rst UK
company to hold all ve of the industry-related
British and European quality standards for removals
and storage. Established in 1960, Matt Purdie & Sons
are Central Scotlands largest independently owned
removals and storage company, offering services to
domestic and commercial customers throughout
Edinburgh, Glasgow, Central Scotland, the UK and
worldwide. The company has also collected two
Transport News Scottish Rewards in recent years for
Scotlands Top Fleet Livery in 2009 and Scotlands Top
Training Operator in 2013.
Green cost savings
Matt Purdie & Sons impressive environmental
commitment sees it completely self-sufcient in
energy generation, thanks to a bank of south-facing
solar panels on the warehouse roofs at Blackburn.
These devices also feed excess into the national grid.
An all-encompassing zero waste policy at Matt Purdie
& Sons sees all removals packing bulk recycled, in
addition to ofce waste that is comprehensively sorted
into three separate streams.
Most of the rms distinctively liveried removal
trucks are now tted with streamlined bodywork from
Warrington-based Unique Van Bodies and a newly
installed vehicle charging point will cater for a duo of
electric vehicles currently on order. Matt Purdie &
Sons also have Scotlands rst Euro 6 removals van
on order and this landmark rigid will enter service
early next year.
For more information, see www.mattpurdie.co.uk
Stephen Vickers, BARs Director General (left)
congratulates Matt Purdie on the ofcial opening.
An electric vehicle charging point has been
installed in this depot.
Matt Purdie & Sons extended new ofce includes
a showroom for packaging materials.
Industry News
Preparing for the next post
Agility GRMS runs one of the largest and most prestigious contracts in global moving the worldwide
moves of all Ministry of Defence (MoD) personnel. Agility and its suppliers say they are committed to
providing their best levels of service yet as the current MoD contract enters its nal year and proposals for
a new contract take shape.
The original contract, awarded to Agility GRMS in
2010, was for services to be carried out from 2010 to
2012, with the possibility of two one-year options
following that. Testimony to the professionalism of
Agility and its suppliers, the MoD awarded Agility the
two one-year options.
There is now less than one year to go to the expiry
of the second option in October 2014, and Agility and
its suppliers are working hard to maintain the
excellent performance of the last three years ahead of
a new contract award.
BAR Membership criterion
A BAR Afliate, Agility has specied that, to ensure it
provides the highest level of service to the MoD, all of
its suppliers must be BAR Members.
Simon Kirby, Senior Project Manager at Agilitys
Global Removals Management Services division in
Reading, says that we are very proud of the service
that we and our BAR suppliers have been able to
deliver since 2010 and in 2014 we aim to provide our
best service yet.
For Agility GRMS, it has been very important to
monitor the moves that take place over the course of
the contract. Whenever we have found issues
anywhere in the world we have been able to solve them
and provide a more efcient service, Simon told R&S.
Every year we have further customised systems and
procedures as the contract continues to evolve and
bring new requirements into play. We are light years
away from where we were when the contract started
- our systems look nothing like they did in 2010.
The contract was a huge learning curve for us
initially, and I believe also for many of our suppliers,
who have invested signicantly for the contract,
Simon adds. I want to thank them for all their hard
work and for improving their Key Performance
Indicators over the last few years. We have developed
very strong relationships with all of our suppliers and
everyone at Agility GRMS is condent that these will
continue long into the future.
Anglo-Pacic team claims AFL victory
The culmination of Londons Australian Football
League (AFL) season was played out at the end of
the summer at Motspur Park. Fielding teams in
each of the division nals Premiership,
Conference and Social the Anglo Pacic-
sponsored club, West London Wildcats, took victory
in two out of three.
Club President, Luke Fenney, said of the success,
after a disappointing nish to the 2012 season, 12
months of rebuilding and hard work has paid-off
with a fantastic display of footy against very strong
opposition.
None of this would be possible without our Club
sponsors, and were very grateful for the on-going
support we receive from Anglo Pacic, nancially
and on the touchline.
Jason Diggs, Sales Director for Anglo Pacic said
with the majority of our business emanating from
Australasia, and plenty of our own staff hailing
from Down Under, it makes good sense for us to get
involved with expat sports teams in the local
London community.
Weve been sponsoring the West London Wildcats
endeavours for more than a decade now and
happily offer discounts to their returning players
when shipping their baggage back to Australasia.
Some of Anglo Pacics employees have played for
the Wildcats and plenty more are fans, so its a
great pleasure to offer the Club our on-going
support.
For more information, see www.anglopacic.co.uk
Britannia Anchor
in Premier
response
When Manchester City and French national
team member Samir Nasri forgot to book his
move, the Britannia Group were able to pool
their resources and ensure that the mideld
football star was relocated on time.
The telephone call enquiry was picked up by
Britannia Anchor Removals Managing Director,
Chris Smallwood, who reacted quickly to ensure
Samir was catered for in a professional manner
despite the short notice. Chris was of course
delighted to be of service he has been a
Manchester City season ticket holder and
supporter for nearly 40 years!
Nasri, who has been a regular in Manchester
Citys star studded team and has won a Premier
League winners medal for the Blues, was
grateful to Tony Howarth (pictured) and his
team who were given a case of champagne for
their excellent service!
For more information, see
www.anchorremovals.co.uk
Anne Bradley and Simon Kirby of Agility GRMS
One of Agilitys suppliers - Bishops Move
17
Industry News
Anne Bradley and Simon Kirby of Agility GRMS
Industry News
Housing market recovery continues
The UK housing market remains in rude health, supported by an improvement in economic conditions
and schemes such as Funding for Lending and Help to Buy. According to Rightmove, the average price
of new to the market property rose by 7.2% in the rst nine of months of 2013, despite falling back 1.5%
in September.
Rightmove expects the combination of steadily
improving buyer demand and a shortage of new property
stock to prime the pump for a price surge in some sectors
of the property market. Rightmove said that volumes of
buyer transactions have begun their recovery, with the
latest year-to-date transaction and mortgage approval
statistics up by 8% and 16% respectively on the same
period of 2012.

Meanwhile, gures from the Land Registry show that
during June 2013, the latest month for which gures are
available, the number of completed house sales in
England and Wales increased by 1.0% to 60,168
compared with 59,854 in June 2012. According to the
Land Registry, in August there was an annual house
price increase of 1.3% which takes the average property
value in England and Wales to 164,654. The monthly
change from July to August was an increase of 0.1%.

LSL Acadametrics said that in August house prices in
England and Wales rose by 0.4%, while the number of
sales exceeded 70,000 for two months in a row for the
rst time since the end of 2007. The rm estimates that
in the four month period May-August 2013, there was an
increase of 14% in the number of properties sold
compared to the same four months in 2012.

Nationwide said that UK house prices increased by
0.9% in September and were 5.0% higher than September
2012. Chief economist Robert Gardner warned that the
risk is that if demand continues to run ahead of supply,
affordability may become stretched. House price growth
has been outstripping average earnings growth. However,
affordability is being supported by the ultra-low level of
interest rates.

According to Halifax, house prices increased by 0.3% in
September. It said home sales during June to August were
8% higher than in the previous three months (March to
May) and 19% higher than in the same three months
last year. Housing economist Martin Ellis said there are
signs that supply is beginning to respond to the pick-up
in demand, which if continued should help to constrain
the upward pressure on prices.
Ofcial gures from the Ofce for National
Statistics showed that, in the 12 months to July 2013,
UK house prices increased by 3.3%. House price growth
remained stable across most of the UK, although prices
in London are increasing faster than the UK average.
The year-on-year increase reected growth of 3.7%
in England and 1.8% in Northern Ireland, offset by
falls of 2.0% in Scotland and 0.7% in Wales. Annual
house price increases in England were driven by
London (9.7%), the South East (2.6%) and the East
Midlands (2.4%). Excluding London and the South East,
UK house prices increased by 0.8% in the 12 months to
July 2013.
Do you have any news to share with R&S readers?
19
Industry News
20
BAR News
BAR is organising a second free webinar about
the new Trusted Mover customer feedback site.
On Thursday 28 November, Members will be
able to learn how to make the most of the service
and to ask any questions they may have about
the website and getting themselves set up.
All BAR Members are now automatically listed
on Trusted Mover (www.trustedmover.org), which
has been developed by BAR to enable Members to
collect feedback about the service they deliver.
The innovative site helps consumers make a
more informed choice when choosing a removal
company. The system is a free membership
benet for all BAR Members and is a simple way
for removal companies to greatly improve their
online exposure.
Trusted Mover allows consumers to nd a local
BAR Member using a postcode or a specic town
and compare real-time customer reviews,
comments and ratings. The more reviews a
company has, the greater its online credibility
and brand, so it is best to get started on Trusted
Mover as soon as possible.
Trusted Mover webinar this month
To sign up for the webinar, please email commercial@bar.co.uk by 22 November.
As always feel free to contribute on www.twitter.com/BARremovers or
www.facebook.com/britishassociationofremovers
I am treading a dangerous path this month for my
column piece, as it could get very political! Most of
us have been hanging on by our ngernails waiting
for the downturn to end. The recent statement from
Mark Carney, the new Governor of the Bank of
England, about interest rates staying low seems to
have been the rst step in a major change in the
mood music on the economy. I for one was
delighted to see somebody of his position providing
a bit of stability to counteract the otherwise negative
agenda peddled by government, opposition and
media. Mr Carney is a breath of fresh air for our
industry, with an agenda of stability and positivity,
as opposed to the negative rabbit caught in the
headlights approach of his predecessor.
His statement on interest rates gave the average
mortgage paying member of the public condence
to know that what they are paying now will be what
they pay next year, and that the banks can (or at
least should) offer xed-rate mortgages at more
competitive rates. Of course, it does not necessarily
mean that interest rates will stay where they are, but
as a mortgage holder I felt more condent about the
future and that is the key. Condence is everything
to an economy, a feeling that the ship is steadying
and that we are through the worst. Whether we are
or not, even our omni-shambles Chancellor has
come out with more positive statements lately as
opposed to cut-cut-cut. This has also been reected
in more positive news in the housing market, with
estate agents reporting an improvement in sales and
the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
announcing the biggest average housing value rise
for ve years.
But, and it is a big but, are we, the removals
industry, seeing this come through? Bear in mind
that we are all running at a substantially lower
capacity. Reports from around the country suggest
that business is unpredictable and that the industry
is experiencing major peaks and troughs, even
during traditionally busy periods. The South East
has been the exception it seems, reporting brisk
business with good revenues. So is there really a
recovery on? Are we through the worst? Or are our
London-centric media and Government focussed on
only one area?
The downturn, is the worst over?
A regular column from Chris Smallwood, Directly Elected Member of the
BAR Board of Directors.
BAR News
Roadside assistance provider NTBS joins BAR
After attending BARs Conference in May and opening several accounts in the removals industry, roadside
assistance company Nationwide Transport Breakdown Services (NTBS) has formally joined the BAR community
as a BAR National Afliate.
NTBS was established in 1987 by Spencer Brown and to
this day remains a family-run company. Current
Managing Director Stuart Brown says that at the
Newcastle Conference he was struck by the fact that the
company has much in common with the removals
industry, which is dominated by family-owned
businesses that are committed to the highest
professional and ethical standards.
Stuart says NTBS has enjoyed making contacts and
developing business with the removals trade, and is
looking forward to taking the relationship to the next
level by being a BAR National Afliate.
One Stop Shop when it comes to
breakdowns
NTBS was originally formed to offer a professional
service to the transport refrigeration industry and has
grown considerably over the years. The company
recently purchased and moved in to its own bespoke
control centre in Denton, Manchester. This centre is
manned 24 hours a day by helpful, professional and
knowledgeable staff who provide support to any type,
model or age of commercial vehicles, plus all special
and ancillary equipment.
Stuart believes that the companys success is based on
its consistent delivery of the service level you expect
when in need of professional roadside assistance. We
provide our customers with a complete One Stop Shop
service to respond to their entire breakdown needs, he
told R&S.
NTBS operates a true Pay On Use Service with coverage
anywhere in the UK and Europe. Credit card facilities
are available for non-account holders.
All services are accessed 24 hours a day by using one
phone number, 0161 336 8752. Staff are available 365
days of the year and will mobilise the nearest most
competent agent to attend to the customers situation.
The target is to be in attendance within 60 to 90 minutes
from receiving the call.
The services provided include roadside assistance and
repairs ranging from mechanical to auto electrics
through to trailers, tail-lifts, shutters, transport
refrigeration and hydraulics.
The rst and foremost consideration is to get the
vehicle mobile again safely, in the shortest possible
time, Stuart says. If the roadside repair exceeds a
previously agreed roadside cost limit, contact is made for
authorisation to continue. In recovery situations,
quotations can be obtained prior to commencement and
the operator makes the decision.
Knowledge of the transport industry is a key factor in
the success of NTBS, coupled with access to a huge
network of approved agents. For Finance Director Sue,
(Stuarts wife) who works as part of the team, this
hands on style of management plays a strong role in
ensuring the consistent delivery of quality responses to
operators in trouble, assisting them to protect their
reputations and commitments.

NTBS
For information please make contact
via the website www.ntbs.co.uk or
telephone 0161 336 8752.
This month: Dinner Dance on the North Cornish Coast
The South Western area would like to invite you to
join them at the Best Western Hotel Bristol in
Newquay for their annual dinner dance on Saturday
16 November 2013.
Set on the cliff top directly overlooking Tolcarne
Beach, the Hotel Bristol has a reputation for
exceptional service, glorious sea views, and a level of
hospitality to rival the very best hotels in the South
West. Based near the historic market town of
Truro, you can complete your weekend by visiting
Newquay Zoo, the Eden Project or one of the trio of
well-known National Trust sites in the area:
Trerice Manor, Lanhydrock or Carnewas and the
Bedruthan Steps.
To book, please contact: Emma Lane, South
Western Area Treasurer devon@britannialanes.co.uk
22
BAR News
Removals & Storage November 2013 22
CMG News
The Commercial Moving Group (CMG) is a dedicated group of companies
within the British Association of Removers that specialise in all aspects
of commercial relocations.
This years event at Wychwood Park (30 September to
1 October) set the CMG bar high with a great golf
tournament, and a thought-provoking seminar.
CMG Seminar Day, simply seminal
Richard Hill of Delivery Services and Elizabeth Harper
of Harrow Green explained the CMGs Marketing Sub-
Committee vision for strengthening the Groups
marketing plans in the future. This presentation was
previewed on page 26 of R&S October 2013.
CMG members meet at Wychwood Park
The CMG golf and seminar
event is fast becoming an
essential event in the calendar
of commercial movers, with an
excellent blend of industry
information and debate,
networking and, of course, golf.
Elizabeth Harper, Harrow Green & Richard Hill, Delivery Services
Heres a roundup of the other presentations:
Training specic to the
commercial moving sector
PHS Group commission
offer for BAR Members
Miranda Martin (pictured) of BAR Training Services (BARTS) kicked off
proceedings with a brief and punchy talk focussed on training specic to the
commercial moving sector. She underlined that time is running out for
Driver CPC training and urged CMG members to see the offers and dates
published in R&S and to take advantage of the 25% discount that has been
extended to bookings for November and December.
She added that BARTS is very much in the business of offering bespoke
training to those for whom this is the best option. BARTS can adapt or create
courses to suit individual requirements, using site / company materials and
equipment.
Finally, Miranda emphasised that she wanted to hear the views of BAR
members (theres been a poor response to requests to date) so she can
understand what their requirements are for future training.
Keith Hufton of PHS Group outlined a commission on sales initiative being
offered by PHS to BAR Members in return for qualied leads that lead to
contracts being signed. Provided the lead is to a client that is not already a
customer of PHS and leads to a deal being signed, PHS is offering a 5%
commission on the total annual contract level that is agreed.
Keith suggested that this would allow CMG members to add value to
existing customer relationships and to increase revenue, while offering a
comprehensive range of Facilities Management (FM) services through PHS.
Keith explained that PHS Group has an annual turnover of 420m and
comprises 17 operation service groups providing FM/cleaning/technical
support, with an extensive range of products and services that has something
to offer every corporate client, and includes washroom products, ooring,
waste disposal and re safety. Anyone wishing to participate in the initiative
should pass their lead to Mona George at PHS monageorge@phs.co.uk who
will get the ball rolling.
BAR News CMG News
Gordon Phillip, PHS Teacrate
John Mitchell, PlusCrates
How CMG Members can improve their service
John Mitchell (Pluscrates) and Gordon Philip
(PHS Teacrate) began their presentation with some
practical and interesting case studies that capture
how working together with CMG members and
their respective companies has delivered additional
services not in the book.
John recounted a situation where by working
together with a CMG member Pluscrates was
successful in resolving a dispute with crate losses.
Pluscrates assisted with a crate sweep of buildings
and site audits to establish what could not be
returned. A problem arose when it became clear
that the client did not want to pay for the losses,
even though they had no valid reason to avoid
paying for the replacement of missing crates.
Pluscrates advised their commercial moving client
to cooperate with the banks request for statements
and duplicate PODs, but to apply a charge for
duplicate statements in much the same way a bank
does to its clients.
Pluscrates also offered to host the bank auditors
at Pluscrates HQ in Wembley allocating a
Pluscrates member of staff to audit the data
relating to the crates. The tactic culminated in a
face to face meeting and an agreeable settlement
offer being made by the client, explained John.
The good relationship was left intact.
Gordon in turn recounted a situation where
expiring purchase orders were causing an on-
going problem with a client. PHS Teacrates
response was to work with the customer to produce
a series of automatic emails whenever a purchase
order was due to expire to allow the customer to
either get a renewed purchase order for the rental
or a write off purchase order for the outstanding
crates.
Improving crate rental efciencies
The second part of the presentation took the form
of an ideas forum for suggestions on what could be
done to improve the crate rental business. An
interesting idea about identifying the crates by
means of a bar code or Radio-Frequency
Identication tag was raised. This could offer the
CMG a unique selling point over non-CMG
members and would alleviate some of the issues of
identifying crates. Although this would not prevent
losses, it would certainly help in identifying where
crates that are collected were originally delivered
especially in the situation where more than one
CMG member is involved on the same site.
Participants including Elizabeth Harper of
Harrow Green welcomed the idea of bar coding
each crate so it could be individually tracked and
accounted for and Richard Hill of Delivery Services
agreed, saying that the use of advanced tracking
techniques could serve as a differentiator for CMG
members when pitching for work. Some speakers
saw the proposed system as enabling a host of
additional services such as tracking movements of
the crates during the move itself and using the
technology to tie to inventory lists or GPS systems.
Gordon kindly agreed to put together a proposal
on how this could work and forward it onto the
CMG board for their consideration.
Combined
money-saving audits
Peter Gawthorp spoke of the advantages of using one
company to help you do all your audits. Many
companies need multiple standards, Peter added, and
QSS are currently offering a 15% saving on two
standards, with one visit required rather than the two
needed if a company opts to use different companies for
their audits a considerable time saving.
Continued Overleaf
Peter Gawthorp, QSS Ltd
24
BAR News
CMG News
Stephen Kempton, DKV
What DKV can do for CMG members
Stephen gave a succinct overview of DKVs
background and services. DKV is number one in
Europe for the cash-free supply of on-the-road
products and services, with rst-class products and
services for truck and mixed eets. The company
provides a personal customer service and tailor-
made solutions at local level, and offers the
benets of almost 80 years of experience.
DKV has a turnover of !5.3bn and over 98,000
customers using !1.9 million DKV cards and on
board units. DKV Tolls Plus provides customers
with a billing service for all European tolls from
just one service provider, a fully compatible DKV
Box for instant use in both France, Spain, Belgium
(Liefkenshoek tunnel) and Germany (Warnow
tunnel).
DKV has brought out a new DKV Box for the
French national trunk roads (Ecotaxe) and the
conventional French toll motorways (TIS PL).
Using DKV gives customers discounts in many
countries, and a fast, cash-free settlement of
motorway tolls, tunnel, bridge and ferry charges,
along with a Customs Clearance Service that
includes cash-free payment of customs clearance
charges. DKVs services also include convenient,
trouble-free refunds through just one service
provider in 26 EU countries, giving customers
improved cash ow with foreign VAT offset against
DKV invoices. Other services highlighted by
Stephen were the DKV Truck Service which
includes breakdown assistance, repairs and
maintenance, and DKV Business Plus which offers
a range of online services including maps, support
for drivers and the DKV eReporting tool which
provides for example transaction data, lists of
journeys on which tolls were paid, vehicle
performance and fuel consumption gures.
For more information,
see www.dkv-euroservice.com
Report on the Commercial
Mover of the Year 2013
Conference 2014 Appetiser
David gave a report on the CMotY competition 2013 and shared valuable
insights with those who attended the seminar on how to prepare a
winning bid. To nd out more, said Kevin Mack, come to the next
CMG Seminar!
On behalf of the CMGs BAR Conference Sub-Committee, Brian Maidman gave a
brief and persuasive Conference 2014 Appetiser, homing in on three key points:
1. Seminar and conference is the only time that all CMG members can be in the
same room together. So be there and take advantage of it for the mutual
benet that can be gleaned from it.
2. Glasgow is a great conference venue.
3. Ed Katz is a great speaker. For more information about Ed and what he will
talk about see page 38, R&S October and www.bar.co.uk/Conference2014.aspx
BAR News CMG News
Free leads for CMG Members
Ofce Moves is the new brand for the company formerly known as Lead-In Research. To mark the companys re-launch, Ofce Moves are providing CMG Members
with free leads to test their service. Ofce Moves are specialist providers of company moves project data, which follows the progress of opportunities relevant to your
business. Ofce Moves supply contact information about upcoming moves in the UK, giving information about which companies are planning to extend, relocate,
refurbish or invest in new equipment and services. In the past year they have reported on thousands of companies across the UK which will shortly be relocating,
refurbishing or extending their ofces. This data is gathered from a variety of sources which means that they will not be available elsewhere in the marketplace.
Ofce Moves are currently offering CMG Members ten free leads per month, allowing Members to target the decision makers who require their products or services,
at the right time. To view and take advantage of these free leads, sign in to the Members area of the CMG website (www.barcmg.co.uk).
CMG Golf: winners at Wychwood Park
CMG 2013
1) Paul Flowers from BCL with a score of 30pts
2) Simon Darvell from BMG with a score of 29pts
3) Bill Tiernan from EDEs with a score of 25pts

Guest 2013
1) Peter Poncho Doman from Basil Fry with a score of 36pts
this has been referred to the English Golf Union!!
2) Greg Wildman OCB from Basil Fry with a score of 24pts
3) Barry Kempton OCB from Abrahams Cases with a score of 24pts
Longest drive Peter Poncho Doman of Basil Fry
Nearest the pin Dan Reynolds of Reason Global
Guest 2013 Winner, Peter Doman of Basil Fry
Kevin Dorn Dave Stanley Simon Darvell
Bill Tiernan Oliver Dawes Simon Compton
26
BAR News
CMG News
BAR Training News
Overseas Group News Overseas Group News
The Overseas Group (OG) is a dedicated group of companies within the
British Association of Removers that specialise in all aspects of overseas
relocations.
Membership of the Overseas Group currently consists of 55 Overseas Group Members and 149 International Associates. For more information about
the Overseas Group please visit www.baroverseas.co.uk
Chris Waymouth, Chief Executive of QSS, explained
to the Council that the new mini audits of FAIM and
BS 8564 compliance have been progressing well,
with ten audits completed as of the end of September.
In this process, auditors randomly select six or seven
key questions specic to the standard they are
auditing.
The Members area of the Overseas Group website
(www.baroverseas.co.uk) is now almost ready to go
live. Since the launch of the website, there have been
nearly 6,000 page views. Members are reminded that
adding a link from their companys website to the
OG website will help it appear higher in the rankings
and attract more trafc.
The Council has given its commitment to prepare
for the BAR Conference in Glasgow, which will follow
the successful format used in Newcastle this May.
The OG has agreed to run three workshops at the
Conference, on Marine Insurance Claim Handling
and on Less-than-Container Load shipments, as well
as an Open Forum session that will hopefully be
coordinated by two international gures.
Readers will also be pleased to know that as is now
traditional the Council unanimously agreed to
sponsor the Welcome Evening on Thursday 15 May,
which next year will have a suitably Scottish theme.
To read the full version of the minutes login to
MyBAR of www.bar.co.uk
Overseas Group Council Chairman, Ian Palmer of
White & Co plc, attended the recent Convention of
the International Association of Movers (IAM) in
Vancouver, Canada. Here is his personal report as
told to R&S:
A great event! There were some 2,000 plus
attendees from over 100 countries, representing the
cream of the world moving industry.
The Convention was located at the Vancouver
Convention Centre in Canada Place, which had
previously been the home for the worlds media in
the Winter Olympics. The giant Olympic cauldron
was still present outside the western part of the
Convention Centre.
Accommodation was spread over ve hotels close
to the main venue. Networking meetings took
place in the lobbies and bars of every hotel, and
every inch of available space was given over to the
main object of securing new business. The spread
between the hotels did slightly dilute the scale of
the event but when everybody was together for the
opening and closing receptions in the Convention
Centre, the site was bewildering.
A separate exhibition hall, easily the size of a
football (not Soccer) pitch, accommodated trade
stands of every description, with Canadian
companies focusing heavily on their national
heritage of Maple Syrup (Lo Cal) and Royal
Mounted Police.Separate meetings were held for
OMNI members and FIDI Associations so time was
very well spent. The networking opportunities in
the evenings, when social lubricants were evident,
were fantastic. The hosting skills of the Canadian
moving companies were excellent.
Although this was my 10th IAM convention, the
scale of the event still amazes me. It surely has to
be THE networking opportunity for movers
worldwide. Many of our Overseas Group members
were present, as well as many International BAR
Associates.
OG Council meets
An update at the OG Council meeting in September detailed that there are only 7 current OG
Members not yet compliant but they have all made an acceptable commitment to meet the Groups
criteria.
IAM Convention: a networking treat
L-R Terry Head (IAM), Linda Dauer Barr (AMSA), John Levi (CAM) and Stephen Vickers (BAR) participated on a
panel discussing the value of trade associations.
BAR News BAR Training News Overseas Group News
28
BAR News

QSS is a UKAS accredited certication body that offers professional
certication and auditing services to a broad range of Quality Standards
relevant to companies operating in the removals and storage industry.
QSS Update
The full title of this draft standard is Codication of
Contents for Inventories and Manifests for
Shipments of Household Goods and Personal Effects.
The objective is to agree a set of numeric codes
which could be used to describe the items in a
shipment, any damage exceptions, their location
(room) and the mode of shipment. This would be
compiled by the packing crew using a notebook,
tablet or smartphone and would take the place of the
traditional handwritten list. It could then be
transmitted to the destination agent as an electronic
le, accompanied by a covering message containing
similar data to todays waybills.
One particular driver is the concern that at some
future point US Customs and Homeland Security
may insist upon greater control over incoming
household goods shipments and the use of such a
standard may become a full mandatory
requirement.
This project was initiated by Terry Head, President
of the International Association of Movers (IAM),
some 10 years ago and was published in the US as
an ANSI standard (similar to a BS) in 2010. An
application was then submitted for upgrade to a full
ISO standard, with a view to worldwide usage within
our industry. At this stage in 2012 it came to the
attention of BAR and FEDEMAC and some concerns
were raised regarding its readiness for use.
Upon discussion at an ISO committee meeting in
Berlin last year it was agreed that a new Working
Group be established in order to review and rene
the standard and since that time there have been
three meetings of this Group and innumerable
exchanges of emails, together with conference calls.
The key participants are Brian Limperopulos of
IAM (Secretary), Ellen Troska of AMOE (German
Movers Association) as Convenor, Freddy Paxton
(FIDI), Boris Populoh (Willis), Max Kreynin
(Voxme), Christer Bosmyr (Alfa Moving),
Katsumasa Ishiyama (Nippon Express) and
Chris Waymouth (BAR).
Simplication
The main thrust has been the simplication of the
list of codes which in its original form contained a
number of duplications and too many similar but
differing descriptions of what was basically the same
item (e.g. 40 codes for tables, 20 codes for chairs)
along with other items that would never be included
within a household goods shipment (e.g. medical
and business equipment).
At the same time however, recognising the special
importance of certain items such as kimonos in
Japan, additional codes have been added to ensure
that the standard will be t for use in all countries.
Translation into a number of languages is also
planned.
Along with the streamlining of the item codes a
new two-tier numeric structure has been introduced
which will allow an adequate level of detail to be
recorded, without padding out the list of items.
At the most recent meeting (on 6 October 2013,
linked to the IAM convention in Vancouver) very
good progress was made and broad agreement was
reached on the main item list, together with the
further sets of codes which will be used to denote
damage exceptions and their locations, rooms of
origin, methods of packing, modes of transportation.
At a further stage, the Group will revisit the draft
XML messaging structure through which the
electronic inventories will be transmitted from agent
to agent, which will now be published as a separate
Technical Specication (no longer part of the ISO
standard itself).
IAM hopes that the standard may be published in
its nal form in approximately 12 months time, i.e.
late in 2014.
Progress on ISO 17451, the Electronic
Inventory Standard
Chris Waymouth, QSS Chief Executive, sets out the good progress now being made on this new standard.
Contact:
For further information please contact Chris Waymouth or Melissa Fowler at QSS on
01923 699480, or email chris.waymouth@bar.co.uk
Do you have any news to share with
R&S readers?
One particular driver is
the concern that at some
future point US Customs
and Homeland Security
may insist upon greater
control over incoming
household goods shipments
and the use of such a
standard may become a
full mandatory requirement.


BAR News
30
Features
Simpsons Removals: Excellere Contende
The Latin translation of the companys motto, strive
to excel, is still relevant today to Simpsons Removals
as the company continues to develop and expand its
range of services to its clients worldwide. Indeed, the
company is still owned and operated by the Simpson
family from its headquarters close to the Dartford
crossing in Kent.
The development of the business has seen Simpsons
recently acquire two new bespoke DAF road trains
which were delivered in Mid-October and were
immediately put into service on its European
operations, with one heading for Northern Germany
and the other for France and Benelux.
Steve Simpson tells R&S We are delighted to take
delivery of our two new trucks. Our business has
continued to grow at a steady pace and the addition to
our eet of the two new road trains will help us to
maintain that growth in the coming years.
For acionados the vehicles are both DAF FA
XF105.460 4x2 drawbar rigid trucks with super space
cabs and air suspension. All the metal ttings are in
polished stainless steel rather than aluminium and
the roof is constructed from aluminium sheet rather
than the usual breglass top. The unit has 5 doors/5
container capacity and the trailer 4 doors/4 container
capacity providing a total volume of 3,760cft. The
livery is light reective making them unmissable on
the road, especially at night. Total cost for the two
combos was just over 300,000, representing a
signicant investment for the company.
A second trailer has recently been added to the eet
too. Unlike the 40ft stepframe trailer used almost
exclusively on the companys European services, the
new trailer is a 30ft urban trailer that can be used
both domestically and in Europe, giving Simpsons
Removals much more versatility in towns and
villages, and in areas where access can be an issue for
a longer vehicle. Our growth in the UK trade sector
has allowed us to increase the frequency of departures
on our main trade routes this year and we very much
hope this trend continues in the future, Steve says.
Weve also had to add a further 10,000sqft storage
capacity to our warehouse facility to cope with the
increase in the use of our storage facilities in the past
12 months.
The companys motto is as relevant today as it was when it started over 30 years ago.
Features
Contact Simpsons Removals
& Storage Ltd
Blue Hawk House,
A1 Manor Way Business Park,
Manor Way, Swanscombe,
Kent DA10 0PP
Email: enquiries@simpsons-uk.com
Web: www.simpsons-uk.com
Tel: 01322 386969
Our business has
continued to grow at a
steady pace and the
addition to our eet of the
two new road trains will
help us to maintain that
growth in the coming
years.

BAR Training Services

Training from the Removals Experts
To book Call: 01923 699484 or email: training@bar.co.uk
Commercial Estimating
A specially designed course for the commercial estimator,
expanding the knowledge of Estimating in general. The course
focuses on calculating volume, methods for Estimating in the
Commercial environment, what to look out for and questions to
ask the customer. This course will make estimating large ofce
moves less daunting for the less experienced estimator and
includes a practical exercise, where delegates will experience
estimating in a real time situation.
Why is volume important How do we calculate volume
Things to be aware of when estimating furniture Estimating
the amount of packing crates, questions to be asked, method
of a site viewing What should be included in a commercial
quotation, practical exercise.
*promotional offer on new bookings
only and excludes open courses
Just 199 + VAT per person
!"#
$%& ()*+,
Course to be held at
BAR Headquarters,
Watford
32
Features
Features
34
BAR News
BAR Services BAR Services
The benets of branded cartons
Many removal companies spend time and money developing a strong brand for their company.
The benet of a strong corporate identity that is visible on your cartons is undeniable.
We only have look back at where the idea of
branding came from to see why having own-print
cartons can make you stand out from the crowd and
bring you business. Farmers adopted the idea of
branding their cattle to make their cows identiable
and to differentiate them from their competitors. In
business, the same practice applies building a
strong brand identity to entice new customers and
encourage repeat business is dependent on a good,
visual image and a memorable logo.
For over 30 years BAR Services have been a major
industry supplier of own-print
cartons and we are
great believers in
Members taking
every opportunity to
promote their brand
on their packaging.
There are many
reasons why
promoting your
brand in this way can
be successful. As
humans, we are a
simple bunch; we like
to have fewer
decisions and easy
ones, we are loyal and
we tend to be
inuenced by others.
Creating and
displaying your brand
can have a positive
impact on your business for the
following reasons:
Pride: Having a professional logo and a clear brand
identity shows that you believe in and have pride in
your company and are committed to being a major
contender in your market.
Credibility: A strong visual message that is
consistent throughout all of your marketing
communications whether via email, on a letter head
or on your cartons gives you credibility and will keep
you a step ahead of your competition.
Differentiation: Like the farmer with his cows,
alongside a strategic marketing programme, a well-
designed logo will put you in a stronger position than
your competition it makes you stand out and be
identiable.
Visibility: Prospective customers look for highly
visible, well-dened businesses if you are
displaying a clean image on high quality cartons this
suggests you take pride in your work and the look
and feel of your identity plays a major role in your
customers decision-making process.
Memorability: A strong brand in a memorable
colour is more likely to be remembered. We tend to
remember what we have seen better than what weve
heard so visual reminders, e.g. an own-print box,
reinforces the message and also the experience.
Loyalty and retention: When customers have
had a positive experience with a particular brand,
they are more likely to use that product again over
others. We tend to build relationships and
associations with certain brands which make us
likely to become repeat customers.
Familiarity: It is well known
that people like familiarity, it
breeds condence. The
familiarity of your logo on your
cartons will encourage old
customers to remember the
positive experience and return in
the future or recommend you to a
friend. It can also encourage new
customers to seek you out having
possibly had some interaction
with your logo. Dont forget,
customers love to hold on to those
boxes and they can often stay in
circulation for years, making the
logo feel familiar.
Free marketing: Setting up your
brand can be costly, but with products
displaying a visual reminder of who you
are in circulation, your brand will carry on
advertising for you for free of charge.
The question you will no doubt ask is it expensive
to have your cartons printed with your own logo?
BAR Services charge a nominal amount for the set
up charge and for a few pence more per carton, you
can market your business for nothing whilst building
a reputation at the same time.
There is a minimum order quantity of 1,000
cartons and delivery may take a little longer than the
two day turn around in stock cartons, but we hope
this article will convince you that switching to own-
print cartons can be benecial to your business. With
the ability to choose the board grade and colour of
your cartons, you can get the right quality and the
desired image for your company.
For prices and availability, please
contact BAR Services on 01342 870087
or email: sales@barservices.co.uk
BAR News BAR Services
Let November start w|th a bang!
Dont m|ss out on our November promonon
S kg packs - 2.7S per pack
10kg packs - S.20 per pack
12.Skg packs - 6.S0 per pack
(M|n|mum order - 1 tonne)
!" $%&'( &) "*+(*, -./$%0 '&%% 1- ") 01342 870087 "* -()+
&) (/&.% 2" sa|esQbarserv|ces.co.uk
* Cer sub[ecL Lo sLock and avallable unul 30Lh november 2013. 1he prlce ls ex vA1 and lncluslve
of dellvery Lo Lhe uk malnland (exLra charges may apply Lo dellverles ln ScoLland & norLhern
lreland-lease ask for a quoLe)
8A8 Servlces
Moorhall
Sandhawes Lane
3&-2 4*.)-2(&+
WesL Sussex
8P19 3n8
1el: 01342 870087
Lmall: sales[barservlces.co.uk
'Work|ng for you'
*SLCIAL CIILk CN WnI1L ALk*
36
BAR News
Training News
BAR Training Services carry out a range of training courses for
removals companies. For more information on all courses, please go to
www.removalstraining.co.uk
Driver CPC Dates for your diary
04.11.13 Hull Manual Handling Preventing Physical Risk
05.11.13 Hull Packing Vehicle Loading
07.11.13 Watford* Safe and Efcient Driving Emergency Situations
02.12.13 Southampton Safe and Efcient Driving Emergency Situations
03.12.13 Southampton Risk Assessment Company Image and Customer Care
07.01.14 Edinburgh Manual Handling Preventing Physical Risk
08.01.14 Edinburgh Safe and Efcient Driving Emergency Situations
09.01.14 Watford* Risk Assessment Manual Handling
15.01.14 Exeter Manual Handling Preventing Physical Risk
16.01.14 Exeter Safe and Efcient Driving Emergency Situations
21.01.14 Glasgow Packing Vehicle Loading
22.01.14 Glasgow Risk Assessment Company Image and Customer Care
06.02.14 Bristol Packing Vehicle Loading
07.02.14 Bristol Risk Assessment Company Image and Customer Care
13.02.14 Nottingham Manual Handling Preventing Physical Risk
14.02.14 Nottingham Safe and Efcient Driving Emergency Situations
10.03.14 Maidstone Packing Vehicle Loading
11.03.14 Maidstone Manual Handling Preventing Physical Risk
13.03.14 Watford* Safe and Efcient Driving Emergency Situations
14.03.14 Watford* Manual Handling Preventing Physical Risk
14.04.14 East Sussex Packing Vehicle Loading
15.04.14 East Sussex Manual Handling Preventing Physical Risk
Date Location Module 1 Module 2
For further information and to book call 01923 699 497 or email training@bar.co.uk
Prices
Training Services is an approved centre
for CPC driver training.

Professional LGV & PCV drivers must
complete 35hrs of periodic training every 5
years following their acquired rights or initial
CPC qualication and time is running out.
We know time is running out to get re-
qualied so have put on special open
courses just for you to get those last few
guys completed.
Day rates:
BAR Members 107
Non members 135
* Watford rates BAR members 87,
Non members 105
Please note all prices are + VAT
JAUPT APPROVED
CENTRE AC00191
Prices
Training Services is an approved centre
for CPC driver training.

Professional LGV & PCV drivers must
complete 35hrs of periodic training every 5
years following their acquired rights or initial
CPC qualication and time is running out.
We know time is running out to get re-
qualied so have put on special open
courses just for you to get those last few
guys completed.
Day rates:
BAR Members 107
Non members 135
* Watford rates BAR members 87,
Non members 105
Please note all prices are + VAT
JAUPT APPROVED
CENTRE AC00191
BAR News Training News
Commercial Estimating
A specially designed course for the commercial
estimator, expanding the knowledge of Estimating
in general. The course focuses on calculating
volume, methods for Estimating in the Commercial
environment, what to look out for and questions to
ask the customer. This course will make estimating
large ofce moves less daunting for the less
experienced estimator and includes a practical
exercise, where delegates will experience estimating
in a real time situation.
Why is volume important How do we calculate
volume Things to be aware of when estimating
furniture Estimating the amount of packing crates,
questions to be asked, method of a site viewing
What should be included in a commercial quotation,
practical exercise.
BTEC in Removals
Management
The course can now be completed in 5 days meaning
less time away from your place of work!
Upon completion of the later exam,
successful students will be presented
with a nationally recognised
BTEC qualication.
1,675 + VAT p/p (BAR Member) 199 + VAT p/p (BAR Member)
Library Packing & Removals
985 + VAT (BAR Member)
Brand new course designed, based on member
feedback aimed at training operative foremen,
packers and estimators in the methodologies
for packing and removing libraries
and extensive ling systems.
BARTS 2013 Training Dates All courses taking place at BAR Watford
Did you know that BARTS can deliver
all training onsite at your premises?
Please visit www.removalstraining.com and
see all of the different training sessions, workshops
and courses we provide, as well as the Removals
Apprenticeship Scheme and Online E-learning.
We can also tailor training programmes to t your
individual business needs.
Call BARTS on 01923 699484.
!"# $%& ()*+,
!"# $%& ()*+,
BTEC Award in Practical
Estimating
This 2 day course is practically based and is designed
to teach students the art of estimating as well as face
to face sales techniques, covering topics such as:
Quantity assessment made easy Instructor with 27
years experience in estimating Best practice - survey
to report to quote Condence in sales
& estimating Understanding the
importance of communication
545 + VAT p/p (BAR Member)
Course Dates 2013
31st October/1st November
*promotion valid on new bookings only and excludes open courses
Industry News
European News
A new voice in
Brussels
After some 25 years contributing to FEDEMAC,
the Federation of European Movers Associations,
Tony Richman will be retiring from the
association at the end of the year.
During his time at the organisation, Tony has
been Board Member, President and more
recently European Affairs Advisor and
Representative. We owe Tony a debt of
gratitude for his outstanding contribution to the
development and the increase in prole that
FEDEMAC has achieved during this period,
current President Aivars Usans said.
New Head of European Affairs
Tonys retirement also means that FEDEMAC
has a new representative in Brussels. Gabriela
Dimitrova (pictured), the new Head of
European Affairs, began the handover process at
the beginning of October.
Gabriela has
a wealth of
experience and
contacts within the
European Union.
Based in Brussels,
Gabriela has
worked for the
Confederation of
British Industry,
has been a Policy
Ofcer in London, and for the last six years has
been the Senior Political Adviser to Iliana
Iotova, a Member of the European Parliament
from her own country, Bulgaria. Before
beginning her career, she studied at the
University of Bath.
Gabriela will help us ensure that FEDEMAC
is properly represented and readily accessible
and reactive to the needs of the industry, the
politicians and civil servants, President Usans
said. Gabriela is multi-lingual. As well as being
uent in English, French and Bulgarian, she
has conversational skills in Spanish and also
speaks some Russian and German.
She has worked in sectors including the
transport sector in all European institutions,
and is used to dealing with senior ofcials from
the European Commission, Parliament and
Council and participating in negotiations with
politicians, civil servants and lobbyists.
Eight major road safety related offences are included
in the text of the EU Directive on the cross border
exchange of information on trafc offences: Speeding,
Not using a seatbelt, Not stopping at a red trafc light
or other mandatory stop signal, Drink driving, Driving
under the inuence of drugs, Not wearing a safety
helmet (for motorcyclists), Using a forbidden lane
(such as the forbidden use of an emergency lane, a
lane reserved for public transport, or a lane closed
down for road works), Illegally using a mobile phone,
or any other communications device, while driving.
As part of the Directive, EU countries and the
European Commission must inform road users of the
trafc rules in each country. The European
Commission has set up a dedicated page at:
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/going_
abroad/index_en.htm
New EU trafc laws
in force
As of November, drivers across the European Union will face
sanctions for breaking trafc laws even when driving in a foreign
country. However, to date the UK and Ireland have decided not to
opt-in to the legislation, meaning that their citizens will be exempt
when travelling abroad.
Swiss ght road tax increase
French exempt transport companies
from new tax
The French government has said that it plans to
raise !4bn a year by 2016 from a new carbon tax,
but it has exempted transport companies from
having to pay the new levy.
The tax will be applied to all fossil fuels used by
electricity plants and will depend on the amount of
emissions they produce. French President Franois
Hollande has targeted a 30% reduction in fossil fuel
use by 2030. The carbon tax will raise !2.5 bn in
2014, helping France to close its budget decit.
The Swiss road transport industry is coming out in
force to reject a proposed 150% rise in the
motorway vignette. A referendum on the proposal
will be held on 24 November.
The Swiss government says the increase is
necessary to maintain the Swiss motorways, to take
over responsibility for cantonal roads, and to
subsidise the countrys railways. It is the rst
increase in 17 years and will come into effect either
in 2014 or 2015. The government is proposing an
increase in the price of motorway vignettes from 40
francs to 100 francs.
The obligation to display a motorway tax sticker
generally applies to motor vehicles and trailers
with a total weight of up to 3.5 tonnes each. Motor
vehicles and trailers with a total weight exceeding
3.5 tonnes require a motorway tax sticker if they
are not subject to the heavy vehicle charge.
However, Swiss road transport association Astag
said that the increase would affect the vans and
trailers of Swiss transport companies. It said the
road transport sector already pays 9.5bn Swiss
francs to the treasury every year and the
shameless increase in price of the vignette
would add no value to the sector.
39
Industry News
European News
IRU backs new European truck weights
The International Road Transport Union (IRU) has given its backing to plans by the European Commission to
adopt new rules about the weights and dimensions of HGVs and other road vehicles.
The IRU, addressing the European Parliaments
Transport Committee, stressed the vital importance of
swiftly adopting the new rules in order to further improve
drivers working conditions, reduce fuel consumption
and CO2 emissions. The new rules could improve road
safety through smart designs that would, for example,
improve visibility for the driver, avoid running over
cyclists or pedestrians and mitigate effects of accidents
by introducing crumble zones.
Changing the way European lorry cabins are designed
is a small but essential step towards reducing the
environmental footprint of heavy goods vehicles. The
3-5% CO2 savings resulting from a slightly longer and
more aerodynamic lorry nose would directly translate
into much needed fuel savings for hauliers and transport
operators, the IRU said.
The rules were last revised in 1996 and the IRU said
they need to be updated to allow road transport
companies to transport more. The IRU said that the EC
needs to focus on greening road transport, which carries
75% of intra-EU freight, rather than trying to force
through a shift to railways, which have lost 3% of market
share in the last decade despite massive political and
nancial support.
The IRU also called on MEPs to support a decision by
Member States to allow the use of mega trucks and trials
with EMS (European Modular System) vehicle
combinations, whether national or cross-border.
FEDEMAC does not oppose the proposals and is
supporting the IRU lobbying campaign in its capacity as
an Associate Member of the organisation. However, it
believes that larger HGVs are of less interest to removals
companies than to general haulage companies, who
serve regular routes along dedicated motorways and then
break down large consignments at consolidation depots
outside cities for onward delivery via smaller vehicles.
New winter tyre requirements in Norway
Norway is introducing stricter requirements this
winter for tyres and snow chains for vehicles with a
maximum total weight of more than 3,500 kg.
For vehicles with a total permitted weight of more
than 3,500 kg, winter tyres are obligatory during
the period from 15 November to 31 March. This
requirement does not apply to lift axles.
Winter tyres can be either studded tyres or so-
called friction tyres (non-studded). As from last
month, the tyres are required to have at least 5 mm
tread design depth in Nordland, Troms and
Finnmark, and from 1 November in the rest of
Norway. This requirement is in force up to and
including 30 April in Nordland, Troms and
Finnmark and up to and including the rst
Monday after Easter Monday in the rest of Norway.
Outside this period, the requirement is a tread
design depth of at least 1.6 mm.
The vehicle must have winter tyres (studded or
unstudded), chains or the equivalent outside the
periods mentioned above if this is necessary in
order to ensure sufcient road grip when road
conditions are taken into account. If snow or sheets
of ice are expected on the roads, chains must be
brought, whatever the time of year.
The ne for driving with sub-minimum tread
depth is NOK 750 per tyre. A similar ne will also be
levied for driving without winter tyres. Vehicle use
restrictions and notice of intended prosecution may
be applied in cases of serious violations.
Studded tyres are permitted only during the
period when it is required to use tyres with a 5 mm
tread depth, unless road conditions require their
use.
If a vehicle with a total permitted weight of more
than 3,500 kg is equipped with studded tyres, it
must have studded tyres on all wheels mounted on
the same axle.
Snow chains
If you are driving a heavy vehicle in Norway, you
must have chains with you if you expect to be
driving on snowy or icy roads. During the period
when 5 mm tread depth is required, you must bring
along snow chains, whatever the road conditions.
The chains must be dimensioned to the wheels of
the vehicle and must maintain constant contact
with the road surface. They must be made of metal/
steel, be suitable under the current weather
conditions and must be stress-resistant.
40
Features
Practical payments solutions
for running your business
Amanda Easter and David Skipper of First Data Merchant Solutions address how to keep your business
costs down. First Data Merchant Solutions is a BAR Afliate offering BAR Members bespoke rates for
card services.
How to qualify for lower card fees
What your bank doesnt want you to
know about card services
Amanda Easter, Compliance Manager: To
reduce the risk of fraud, Visa and MasterCard have
rules to help ensure card payments go through
quickly with the highest level of validation
possible. Payments meeting the criteria are called
qualifying transactions and those that dont are
non-qualifying and have higher fees due to the
greater risk of fraud.
We like to help our customers keep costs down
and there are a few basic steps that can help
ensure transactions are qualied whenever
possible. If you accept payments exclusively in a
face-to-face environment, qualifying transactions
are those using chip and PIN technology and are
submitted for processing within two business days.
Make sure payments dont go through as Card
Not Present as this will increase the cost.
For e-commerce payments, enabling 3D Secure
and submitting the transaction within two
business days will help qualify it and ensure you
are charged at lower rates.
If you accept payments by telephone, make sure
to capture the cards CSC number and submit for
processing within two business days to avoid
higher fees. It may sound quite complicated, but
we make every effort to help customers
understand the costs associated with card
acceptance and focus our efforts on helping
reduce costs so card payments help to drive the
growth of their business.
David Skipper, Customer Service Excellence
Manager: Did you know that you dont have to use
the card acceptance services of the bank that
provides your business account services? Although
providing card services involves moving money
around, its not just the big banks that can offer
card acceptance services. The following explains
why switching to a specialist service provider could
benet your business by lowering costs and giving
you access to specialist knowledge and products.
Banks offer a range of products but the days
when business owners had personal relationships
with their bank managers are long gone. For
example, when Triodos Bank, which promotes its
ethical credentials, investigated why around nine
million Britons would not recommend their bank
to anyone, it found that 40% were disappointed
with the customer service they received. A specialist
acquirer that is dedicated to card payments is
likely to spend more time getting to know your
business, and nding new ways for card payments
to work harder for your business. Not being a bank
means specialist acquirers can do things differently,
offering alternatives to traditional banking services
and products. For example, many small businesses
have been struggling to source funding recently,
causing cash ow problems. We have been able to
develop an alternative to traditional loans. First
Data Merchant Cash Advance offers quick access to
funds but without xed monthly repayments. The
advance is repaid as a percentage of your card
sales, which means you pay back less in quieter
periods. The success of our business depends on
supporting the long-term protability of our
customers so we are pleased to be able to offer an
alternative to traditional loans.
First Data Merchant Solutions
Switching to First Data is quick and easy. For more information call 0800 652 5808 quoting IB6 British Association of Removers.
First Data Merchant Solutions is a trading name of First Data Europe Limited, a private limited company incorporated in England (company
number 02012925) with a registered address at Janus House, Endeavour Drive, Basildon, Essex, SS14 3WF. First Data Europe Limited is
authorised by the UK Financial Conduct Authority under the Payment Service Regulations 2009 for the provision of payment services
(FCA register No. 582703).
Features
We would like to
hear from you
Our companys sole purpose
since its inception in 1977 is to
serve the membership to
supply good quality, innovative
packaging products at low
prices. This is achieved by buying
jointly on your behalf and
passing on the discount achieved
from this bulk purchasing power!
As a Member, we should be your
preferred supplier but are we?
For many of you the answer will
be yes but for those of you that
say no then we would like to
know why and what we can do
to change that? Your feedback
is important so please ring us on
01342 870087 or you can
simply email
sales@barservices.co.uk
We look forward to
hearing from you.
!" $%& '()*
+,(-./&, (0
+12314.54 $(
$%& 6(-.54
+,(0&"".(517"8
9& 9(:7/ 7.3& $(
;& <(:, +,&0&,,&/
":++7.&, =
>0 9& 1,& 5($8
+7&1"& $&77 :"
9%<)
42
Features
Code supremo speaks
Baroness Crawley is President of the Trading Standards Institute (TSI). She assumed her role at the TSI in
2009, following stints in local politics, the European Parliament and serving as Government Whip in the
House of Lords. As the keynote speaker at next years BAR Conference in Glasgow, she will discuss the
experience of what, by then, will be one year since the transition and the establishment of the BAR TSI
Approved Consumer Code of Practice.
Since April this year, management of the Consumer
Codes Approval Scheme (CCAS) has been the
responsibility of the Trading Standards Institute (TSI),
via its Consumer Code Approval Board (CCAB), rather
than the Ofce of Fair Trading.
At the same time, the new BAR TSI Approved
Consumer Code of Practice Scheme came into effect.
The Code of Practice was one of the rst to be approved
by the TSI. Since then, BAR Members have been
required to remove the former OFT logo and branding
from any of their marketing material, packaging,
liveries, etc and follow the branding guidelines of the
new Code.
To ensure a successful transition from the OFT
regime to the TSI, Baroness Crawley, President of the
TSI, in welcoming BAR Members to the new scheme
says that the TSI carried out a full consultation
exercise to establish what current sponsors, current
and prospective sponsors and other stakeholders held
to be the vital codes. The challenge was to move from
a funded to self-funded model and engage with
current sponsors in a way that gained their trust and
condence that the new codes model would bring
added value to their business, she says.
Although the main changes that BAR Members and
the general public will have noticed since the
introduction of the BAR TSI Approved Consumer Code
of Practice have been on the branding side, BAR has
also had to adhere to a number of reporting changes
and other management and control changes. For
example, the establishment of Trusted Mover helps
BAR to meet with the TSIs requirement for responding
to customer feedback and complaints.
High industry standards envisaged
Codes will be approved only if they can robustly
demonstrate a potential reduction in consumer
detriment, Baroness Crawley explains. Codes
approval is intended to be a rigorous and intensive
process for code sponsors.
The TSI has a two-stage approval process for all
prospective Codes. Stage one approval is awarded if a
sponsor presents a code of practice capable of meeting
all of the relevant core criteria. Stage two approval is
awarded if a sponsor can demonstrate the code of
practice is working well in practice. Only at this stage
are code members permitted to display the TSI
approved code logo.
Baroness Crawley says that this process is designed to
ensure the code sponsor will adhere to set code criteria
including the provision of clear pre-contractual
information, protection of prepayments, dealing with
consumers in their own home, monitoring procedures
and nally independent dispute resolution schemes.
To meet with this last criterion, BAR is now using an
independent arbitration scheme that is operated by
IDRS Ltd, a subsidiary of the Centre for Effective
Dispute Resolution, one of only two TSI recommended
organisations.
As well as the removals trade, so far a further ten
industry associations have had their respective Codes
improved, ranging from the British Healthcare Trades
Association and the Carpet Foundation to the Property
Ombudsman and the Vehicle Builders Repairers
Association.
Baroness Crawley says that the scheme is designed
to strike a balance between the reduction of consumer
detriment and being inclusive, independent,
sustainable, visible, and well understood.
BAR is also playing a part in the governance of the
CCAS. BAR Director General Stephen Vickers is one of
ve code sponsors serving on the code sponsors panel.
The overall aim of the panel is to support the aims of
the scheme, help reduce consumer detriment and raise
consumer standards within their sectors. The panel
also considers changes to the criteria and to the fees
levied on code sponsors such as the BAR, and monitors
the expenditure of the CCAB.
The role of the panel, which we welcome, is to help
shape the strategic vision of the scheme, develop and
strengthen the core criteria, bring a trade perspective
to the scheme, engage with new code sponsors and
develop joint marketing strategies for code sponsors,
Baroness Crawley says. It is through the wide use of
the logo on individual businesses and vehicles that
code sponsors can contribute to building awareness
and condence. I am looking forward to speaking at
the BAR Annual Conference and meeting members of
the removals trade.
The scheme is designed to
strike a balance between
the reduction of consumer
detriment and being
inclusive, independent,
sustainable, visible, and
well understood.

For more information, see:

www.bar.co.uk/Conference2014.aspx
Features
44
Features
New management keeps
kangaroo on the road

As many readers will know, Aussie Man and Van has been under new ownership since Anthony Ward
Thomas and partners snapped up Londons largest man and van company back in February 2012.
The new company recently joined BAR and are currently the only Man and Van outt to have met BARs
Membership criteria.
Since they acquired the company, Anthony and his team,
including Marketing and Finance Director Charles
Rickards, have pulled off a spectacular turnaround,
returning the business to prot, restoring the brand to its
former glory and ensuring that the companys kangaroo
logo remains a familiar sight on London streets. They
have also steered Aussie Man and Van into a new
direction, buying larger vehicles to enter the full
household moves market.
Anthony and Charles are, of course, no strangers to the
trade; Ward Thomas Removals has been in business for
over 25 years and enjoys an excellent reputation in the
upscale end of the market. Adding Aussie Man and Van
provides the owners with instant access to the mass
market that they did not serve before. As Charles says,
we identied the changing demographics of more
people living on their own and or in smaller dwellings
and we recognised that this is an expanding market we
need to be in.
Brian Burgess founded Aussie Man and Van in 2002 as
a specialist mover in the small domestic moves market,
later adding a storage business. In many ways the
business became a victim of its own success, outgrowing
its slimmed down structure and nally entering
administration in December 2011.
Aussie Man and Van is now primarily owned and
controlled by Anthony Ward Thomas and Charles
Rickards, although other key members of staff have
become shareholders primarily through an Enterprise
Management Initiative share option scheme.
Anthony and I are rm believers in shared equity in
both Aussie and Ward Thomas which as a combined
business has grown from sales of 2.5m ten years ago to
over 20m in the current nancial year, Charles
explains. 10 members of staff are shareholders in either
Aussie or Ward Thomas.
Housekeeping rst, new horizons next
When they took over the business, Anthony put staff from
Ward Thomas Removals to work to sort out the mess at
the new company, including paying staff and suppliers
any amount due. The vast majority of the van workers
decided to stay with the new business. This quick
response helped to preserve the reputation of the
companys brand despite its nancial troubles.
Management has also decided that Aussie Man and
Van needs to diversify into new markets. Since we
bought the business we have added larger vehicles to the
eet (7.5 and 18 ton vehicles) and now more than 30%
of our removals are full house removals, Charles says.
We are also active in the ofce moving market
specialising in ofce moves which have less than 50
employees. Charles says that currently domestic
removals represent around 80% of removals, while ofce
moves and other B2B requirements are 20% of moves.
The storage business accounts for around 20% of total
sales.
Aussie Man and Van has also begun to expand in new
regions such as Bath and Bristol, although the London
business still dominates. However, management has no
plans to change the companys very strong brand or the
distinctive livery of the vehicles. Charles says the main
strength of the business is its strong brand presence in a
fast growing sector of the market.
And, despite the change of ownership, there has been
no change to the can-do culture of the organisation.
Many of the men come from Australia, New Zealand and
Poland as well as the UK and are chosen for their
commitment to doing a good days work and for their
pride in providing a good service. Aussie Man and Van
operates seven days a week and closes only on Christmas
Day.
Joining BAR will further solidify the companys
reputation, and will in particular give rst time users an
assurance that they will be dealing with an accredited
and professional mover.
The Man and Van market is full of small operators
who operate to their own standards, which are invariably
below the standards that we operate and are denitely
below the standards that BAR requires from its
Members, Charles says.
MAN AND VAN

A
l
l

p
h
o
t
o
g
r
a
p
h
s
:

L
e
s

W
i
l
s
o
n
Aussie moving the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, from Lambeth Palace
Features
Aussie Man & Van:
For more information please contact
Mark Prout and Terance Puna.
Tel: 0203 405 2000
Web: www.aussiemanandvan.com
Email: Terance@aussiemanandvan.com;
or Mark@aussiemanandvan.com
10 members of staff are
shareholders in either
Aussie or Ward Thomas.
MAN AND VAN

A
l
l

p
h
o
t
o
g
r
a
p
h
s
:

L
e
s

W
i
l
s
o
n
46
Features
Going Dutch
R&S spoke to Peter Overvliet (pictured), General Director at the forward-looking Dutch removers
association Organisatie voor Erkende Verhuizers (OEV), about the removals market in the at but always
fascinating Netherlands.
R&S: How did the removals industry begin in The
Netherlands?
Peter Overvliet: Many of our member companies are
over one hundred years old. A lot of them started out as
small carrier services with horses, often specialising in
transporting ice before the arrival of refrigeration.
Rather than coming back from these trips empty-
handed, they began to move furniture and household
goods. Thats where the industry began.
Most companies in the OEV are family businesses
with regional operations within 50-80 kilometres of
where they are based. A lot of their work comes from
word of mouth and recommendations. Of course, there
are larger companies that focus on commercial
removals and overseas moving, but the majority of our
members are focused on local domestic moves.
R&S: How has competition increased in the
market?
PO: If you look back at our reports and magazines
from the early 1900s, you will see companies
complaining about competitors charging lower prices.
Its a permanent feature of the market! In the last 15
years, because of the Internet and the increased
transparency in the market, its become easier for
companies to offer their services outside their local
area.
Customers have also become less loyal to their
suppliers they are just looking for the best offer,
comparing three to ve companies on average. The
internet may have made it is easier at rst sight for
customers to compare companies, but it does not help
them to judge a removals company by its service.
Customers using the internet dont anticipate that the
service might be worse because the price is lower.
We have recently tried to address this problem that
by offering our members the possibility to join an
Internet customer feedback system, so that customers
can rate removals companies for other customers to
see. We hope it will help companies to differentiate by
their level of service.
R&S: How has the Dutch removals market been
affected by the recession?
PO: In the Netherlands, the government used to
provide a lot of help to lower the mortgage burden on
households, and this has led to a real estate bubble.
Weve not only had a recession, but the housing
market bubble has burst. Since the start of the
recession in 2008, we estimate that the number of
private moves has dropped by 40%. No-one is moving,
although there has been a very small positive trend in
the last few months.
This is one of the main reasons why removal
companies are looking for other business. They cant
go on as they did before. They have to change. In some
respects you could say its one of the best things that
could happen to them.
Nowadays, many of our members now offer storage,
handyman, building and cleaning services theyre
trying to organise everything around the moment of
removal, even including small repairs to the house.
They cant carry out all these services themselves so
they have partners such as painters and builders in the
area who can help and who carry out high quality
work under the name of the removals company.
R&S: How does being a member of the OEV help a
removals company differentiate?
PO: Being a member represents a guarantee of quality
to customers. Members have to reach our quality
standards as well as have procedures for complaints,
and offer insurance to customers.
For domestic removals, we produce a special
certicate for customers to show that their household
goods are insured.
We also guarantee the return of the down payment if
the company goes bankrupt.
In the event of any disputes, a government-funded
organisation offers arbitration. If the customer is right
and the arbitration committee agrees, they will be
compensated. If the company doesnt pay, the
Association will pay, and then get the money back from
the company. Its one of the unique selling points that
members of the OEV can offer to customers.
R&S: How does your insurance scheme work?
PO: We buy insurance for all member companies, so
they can offer a low price to the customer. The
insurance we offer through the OEV covers all the
clients goods up to !100,000. Regardless of whether
the company is at fault or not, if an item is broken,
compensation will be paid. Each company sells
insurance as part of their package with their customer.
R&S: How high is VAT in the Netherlands?
PO: VAT is 21%. However at the bottom of the market
there are companies who offer a different tax rate! The
problem is that this is very much the entry level of the
market, so its hard to get this sector of the market to
become clients of professional removal companies.
Theres not a strong level of government control over
the industry in the Netherlands. As long as there are
customers who want to pay less, and companies who
offer services at extremely low prices, this problem will
continue.
R&S: How big is self-storage in the Netherlands?
PO: The removals companies were too late. A lot of
large investors got into the self-storage market. Its also
a different kind of service. While it may make sense for
the commercial sector, for consumers, self-storage is
too expensive. Instead our members now take a pro-
Features
active approach with customers, to assess the options
available for storage, including their own cheaper
storage service solutions. For example, one of our
member companies has begun offering a tyre hotel
where customers can store their summer or winter
tyres. It shows how removals companies are trying to
diversify and increase their range of services.
R&S: What is the OEV doing to support its
members training needs?
PO: In 2010, we started our own remover college with
specialist training its called the Verhuiscollege. This
is aimed mainly at our member companies. We train
participants in physical handling, lifting, loading, and
packing and installation of furniture. We also teach
them about their communications with others, their
contribution to the company and about customer
service. Thats a major recent development in the
industry; the employees need to feel part of the
company they are working for and understand how
important their relationship with the customer is.
We use professional, specialist trainers. One of the
reasons for the success of the college is that it brings
together people from different companies, so that they
can learn from each other. You cant get that online.
We also run a ve-day course, divided into two parts
over two weeks, for middle management to learn and
apply management techniques.
R&S: Can you tell us a little about how the OEV is
helping the industry go green?
PO: I think that were unique in providing our
members with possibility of compensating their
carbon dioxide emissions of removals. They can offer
this to the customer, who pays the price. We buy the
Gold Standard Carbon Credits, which are supported by
the World Wildlife Fund.
Theres been a lot of interest in this product, which
is selling well. People in The Netherlands are very
interested in sustainable solutions. For our companies
and for customers, its a very easy way to do something
for the future. Its also another distinctive element that
is only provided by the professional removals
companies.
R&S: What was the OEVs experience of hosting the
Young Movers Conference this year?
PO: We were fortunate in that we had a small group of
enthusiastic members who devoted much time to
preparing a healthy mixture of business and informal
sessions.
The business session theme was sustainable
management in your company, and I was impressed
to see that discussion of the topics from the formal
session spilled over to the informal session. Everyone
was ambitious and eager to learn so this was a positive
experience for us.
Contact Information:
Laan van Ypenburg 122 2497 GC
The Hague, Netherlands
Tel: +31 70 340 1788
Web: www.erkendeverhuizers.nl
Nowadays, many of our
members now offer
storage, handyman,
building and cleaning
services theyre trying to
organise everything around
the moment of removal,
even including small
repairs to the house.

Do you have any news to share
with R&S readers?
Industry News
European News
People News
PHS Teacrate appoints
Patrick Sheehy as Sales Director
Patrick Sheehy (pictured), new Sales Director at PHS Teacrate, talks about exciting product developments
at the crate rental specialist.
R&S: What does your new role involve?
Patrick Sheehy: I now oversee the entire sales force,
the telesales team and the eld sales team as well.
Since I took on the role in April, weve strengthened
both teams so we have greater sales support across the
country.
Im also more involved with the higher commercial
direction of the business and product development. I
want to grow the amount of removal rental work that
we do. Were consistently best in class in this market
sector because we have strong, dedicated teams of
people working at PHS Teacrate, with full national
coverage of our operations, including 36 vehicles on
the road. Were big because were good.
R&S: How long have you been at PHS Teacrate?
PS: For ve years. Initially I was closely involved with
growing our food retail arm as the company
diversied when the recession hit everyone. That
diversication meant we have been able to keep our
network of depots for the removal sector running, as
this is, after all, our core business. Before joining PHS
Teacrate, I worked with hotels and restaurants in
Australia, so Ive got a customer service background
and thats stayed with me. The hospitality trade is
pretty similar to removals: removals people have to
provide a very personal service and people are at the
heart of the business. Im always pleased to hear from
BAR Members that they know our drivers and depot
managers.
R&S: How is demand for crate rental changing?
PS: We need to be more reactive on service now.
Last minute orders and deliveries have become very
common. We have the structure to support that. We
have a wide product range, and that helps on the
commercial side, where people want different coloured
crates for different departments. Weve invested in
40,000 new LC3 crates just this year. We can guarantee
supply. Weve also invested in training customer
service to provide seamless service. There is more
demand for documentation for the crates. Technology
is key for PHS Teacrate; by the end of the year, all our
sales team will have tablets, so they can put orders in
remotely at the customers premises.
R&S: Can you give some examples of how you
work with BAR Members?
PS: Its always been good for us to support small
movers as they grow. Crate rentals are ideal for them
as they dont need to invest in crates, they can cost jobs
accurately, and they dont have to get involved in
return logistics for the empty crates.
As we are a one-stop-shop, we can provide other
services such as packaging, crate cleaning and crate
branding, which is especially popular with the larger
movers.
By attending as many BAR events as possible, weve
learnt a lot from our customers about how we can add
value. I really value the feedback I get at these events
from removal companies.
It helps us to develop new initiatives so that we can
support removal companies in winning new work and
growing their businesses. One such initiative, the new
LC1 Personal Crate, came about after discussions with
members of the Commercial Moving Group (CMG).
They said they wanted something more compact and
secure and thats why weve innovated.
Its probably the most secure crate available on the
rental market now. Its perfect for individuals in an
ofce, with an extra level of security for handheld
devices such as cameras and tablets. Its also much
lighter so it may actually be the ofce workers who
move this crate, rather than the removers! Weve made
it available nationwide from the beginning, which has
been a key to its success so far. It doesnt matter where
you are, you can rent the LC1 for an ofce move the
next day.
R&S: What initiatives are you currently working
on?
PS: Were working on a couple of bespoke projects for
the industry, including looking at the potential of
barcoding crates for members of the CMG, which
could really help win contracts. This year we provided
half-price delivery in August for BAR Members, as well
as discounted crate rentals in October and November
in the third and fourth weeks of rental. Were also
planning initiatives for the New Year, so watch this
space!
Contact Information:
Tel: 07590 000 610
Web: patricks@teacrate.com
Email: www.teacrate.com
49
Industry News
European News
The Removers Benevolent Association
is our charity, with the purpose to assist those staff, and their
dependants, of current BAR Members who, due to adverse
circumstances, are in need of nancial help and support.
The BAR trustees welcome all eligible applications for assistance,
which will receive prompt and sympathetic attention.
For further details please contact the BAR Secretary:
Telephone 01923 699 480 or Email: info@bar.co.uk
Olympics Monitor
BTEC Award in Practical
Estimating
This 2 day course is practically based and is designed
to teach students the art of estimating as well as face
to face sales techniques, covering topics such as:
Quantity assessment made easy Instructor with 27
years experience in estimating Best practice - survey
to report to quote Condence in sales & estimating
Understanding the importance of communication
545 + VAT p/p (BAR Member)
Course to be held at
BAR Headquarters,
Watford
!"#-.
/01234"5
$%& ()*+,
Industry News
European News
People News
Mark Stokes retires
Mark started the company at the age of just 19, with
only 200 from the sale of a motor bike. Over the
years, he made a point of running the business on
self-funded lines, avoiding bank charges for loans
and staying out of the debt trap that has forced other
competitors out of the industry. At its peak, Stokes
Removals was operating 10 vehicles and regularly
renewed its eet, keeping its vehicles shiny and new
and its maintenance expenses low.
Mark recommends that other removals companies
do whatever they can to avoid using banks and
running up too much debt. My advice is to buy only
what you can afford and dont put all your eggs in
one basket, he told R&S. Most importantly,
companies have to offer a quality service with
carefully chosen quality staff, and look after their
staff and their customers, as well as offering realistic
pricing. These are the keys to success in this
business.
In its heyday, Stokes Removals grew from strength
to strength by nding a niche in its local market and
providing a top quality bespoke removal with no
hidden extras. The company has come out of the
recession in good nick and still in prot.
Mark says: We have had a fantastic 30 years and I
have enjoyed nearly every day. During the lean times
of the recession, Mark built up a successful tness
company and now plans to concentrate on this
business, as well as bringing up his two young
children. I would like to take this opportunity to
thank BAR and its Members for all their help and
assistance over the years, and to wish everyone in the
Association all the best for the future, he says.
Long-standing BAR Member Mark Stokes of Stokes Removals in Leicester is retiring after thirty years in
the business.
Did you know that regular advertisers in R&S Magazine can qualify
for a free banner on the BAR website, PLUS your company logo on
The Industry Magazine page.
If you take 5 or more display spaces in any 12 issues, or regularly
advertise in the trade section, you could qualify.
Call Sandra on 0117 957 5400 to register your
interest in extra, free promotion
51
Industry News
European News People News
Industry News
European News
New partner at Shore Porters
Philip, 35, brings almost 14 years knowledge to the
role, having previously worked at national removal
rms White and Company and Pickfords in
managerial positions. With extensive experience in a
wide range of removal and storage services, Philip has
successfully managed a number of domestic,
international and business relocation departments.
He has moved to Aberdeen from Cambridge to take
up the position which will involve a three year
probationary period in which he will learn about all
aspects of the company, from the grass roots up.
Welcoming Philip to the company, Kevin Brown, an
existing partner at Shore Porters, said: His
appointment heralds an exciting time for the rm,
having recently opened our new 2m commercial
storage warehouse in the heart of Aberdeen, and
continues a signicant period of development in
2013. This has been further emphasised by the
addition of ten new staff members within the
companys Aberdeen base. The appointments, made
due to an increase in demand for services throughout
the summer months, bring the total number of staff
working from the north-east headquarters to over 100.
For more information, see www.shoreporters.com
Philip Marston has joined Shore Porter as a partner in its Aberdeen ofce, increasing the total number of
partners within the rms North East base to four.
Crown appoints Emery
Simon Emery has been appointed to the position of Director Retail
Operations EMEA at Crown.
In his new role, Simon Emery will be in charge of all the activities of
Crown subsidiaries and independent Crown dealerships in the EMEA region
(Europe, Middle East and Africa). He will also be responsible for the sales
organisation. After relocating to Crowns European head ofce in Munich,
he will report directly to Ken Dufford, Vice President Europe at Crown
Equipment Corporation.
His successor in the UK is Steve Stewart (51) who, like Emery, can draw
on many years of experience in the industry, most recently as Director of
Crowns branch operations in Australia.
People News
53
Industry News
54
BAR News
People News
Diary Dates
BOARD, COUNCIL AND
COMMITTEE MEETINGS 2013
QSS Board Meeting
November 28 2013
BAR Services Board Meeting
December 3 2013
Board of Directors Meeting
December 4 2013
BAR AREA MEETINGS 2013
East Anglia Area
Contact: Simon Long
01842 766477
simon@simonlongremovals.co.uk
November 12 2013 Flying Fortress,
Great Barton, Bury St Edmunds
East Met Area
Contact: Paul Freeman
0800 413335
nealesremovals@btconnect.com
East Midlands Area
Contact: Andy Wade
01476 579210
andy@fnworldwide.com
November 20 2013
Kent Area
Contact: Tom Bourne
01797 228000
tomb@bournesmoves.com
November 19 2013
Met Area
Contact: Julie Thompson
01932 410100
Julie@luxfords.co.uk
February 12 2014 Daytime Meeting,
Novotel, Heathrow
Northern Area
Contact: Alan Hoggin
0191 5491194
alan@harkersremovers.co.uk
Do you have any Diary Dates?
Email them to: rands-editorial@analyticamedia.com
Diary Dates
To view diary dates/events, please log into MyBAR and click on the Calendar/Events
and BAR Calendar tabs where you can view full details including time, date, location and
agendas (when available).
To view area minutes, please log into MyBAR and click on the BAR Areas tab and
then one of the 15 areas listed. Minutes from past area meetings can be viewed and
downloaded (where available).

North West Area
Contact: Annette Harris
0161 6534455
annette.harris@anglopacic.co.uk
November 28 2013 The Windmill,
Tabley, Cheshire
Northern Ireland Area
Contact: Dominic Murray
02890 748588
Dominicmurray@coastways
-storage.com
Scotland Area
Contact: Georgina Berry
01505 502220
georginaberry@btinternet.com
November 12 2013 - Whitburn Hotel
Southern Area
Contact: Peter Doman
01372 385985
peterd@basilfry.co.uk
November 12 2013 - Romsey Golf Club
South Western Area
Contact: Sue Christophers
01637 872529
sue@mjchristophers.co.uk
November 16 2013 - The Hotel Bristol,
Narrowcliffe, Newquay
Sussex Area
Contact: Jenny Thorncroft
01580 831235
jenny.thorncroft@jtsrelocations.com
Western Area
Contact: Ria Russell
01278 447099
Ria@britannialanes.co.uk
November 12 2013 Brent Knoll
East Brent
West Midlands Area
Contact: Judith Bennett
01684 892236
judith@britanniabennetts.com
Yorkshire Area
Contact: Graham Puddephatt
0845 6021775
GrahamPuddephatt@reason-insurance.
com
November 23 2013 Ambassador
Hotel, Scarborough
MET
BAR News
MET
56
BAR News
Registered:
The following Members have
registered:
Additional Trading Name
Bishops Move Newcastle an ATN of
Brown & Illingworth
Memb No: B111
Bishops Move Birmingham an ATN of
John Lomas Removals Ltd
Memb No: L057
International Associate
Unigroup Relocation
Units 2612 1616, Level 26
Metroplaza Tower 1
223 Hing Fong Road.
Kwai Chung
New Territories
Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2418 4333
Web: www.unigrouprelocation.com
Memb No: U306
Applications:
BAR has received the following
applications for:
National & European Group
Glasgow Removals Ltd
192 Swanston Street
Dalmarnock
Glasgow
G40 4HW
Tel: 0141 550 8333
Web: www.aglasgowremovals.co.uk
Moved 4u
1 Colville Court
Winwick Quay
Warrington
Cheshire
WA2 8QT
Tel: 01925 299 255
Web: www.moved4u.co.uk
Additional Trading Name
Vanpac Intl an ATN of Fox Group (Moving &
Storage) Ltd
Memb No: F002
Resignations:
BAR is sorry to lose the membership
of the following companies whilst
thanking them for their support:
Framptons
Memb No: F020
International Associate
Espaneura SL
Memb No: E306
Darwish Logistics
Memb No: N401
Grospiron International
Memb No: B305
Terminations:
BAR is sorry to lose the membership
of the following companies whilst
thanking them for their support:
Company Moves
Memb No: C080
H C Herbert and Sons (Maesteg) Ltd
Memb No: H028
Commercial Moving Group
Company Moves
Memb No: C080
Any Member wishing to make any
comment regarding an application
should do so in writing to BAR
Head Ofce within 21 days of
receipt of this notication. Details
of membership applications in
process may also be found on the
BAR website: www.bar.co.uk
Memberships
BAR Memberships November 2013
Do you have any
news to share with
R&S readers?
Send to:
rands-editorial@analyticamedia.com
Trade Services
Ireland Channel Islands
France
Scotland/Europe Isle of Man
This space is available
from just 33 a month
When booked as a mono unit
for a series of 12 issues.
For Sale
This space is
available from just
33 a month
58
Trade Services
Switzerland
Italy
Cyprus and Malta
Scandinavia
Trade Services
Greece
!"##$#
by Road
!%&'()
!"
#$%&!
7 day "#$%&'" "'()
Twice-monthIy #$%&'()'$*
British Crews ! ProfessionaI Service
HighIy recommended +, -'$$.$
00 44 1733 311 561 / enquiriesnomad.eu.com
www.nomad-internationaI.com
Europe Spain
UK Office: 01843 585055, sales@webbsremovals.com
Mallorca Office: 0034 971 693566, webbs@spain.cc
Trade website: www.william-worldwide-webb.com
Weekly Scheduled Service, Containerised Storage Depots
Holder of Spanish Transport Licence
for our Tranship vehicles
Unrivaled Infrastructure in Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza
Excellent Rates, Payment in Euros or GBP accepted
Purely The Balearics, No Bull!
WEEKLY
REGULAR
MA||OROA
MENOROA
MAlN|AND
SPAlN
FRANOE
lBlZA
PORTGA|
OYPRS
NORWAY
Memb No: W001
TL: 01202 576514
FAX: 01202 574011
spa|o@wh|teaodcompaoy.co.0k
www.wh|tesmov|ogaodstorage.com
France - 8pain - FertugaI - ItaIy
weekl] 8ervice for the Trade. Call now for oest rates
Depots in Preston, Chester, Alicante, Nalaga
F880 01772 651570
Email. info@moversint.co.uk weo. www.moversint.co.uk
For Sale
This space is
available from just
67 a month
When booked as a mono 2 unit
space for a series of 12 issues.
60
Trade Services
Caribbean
Dubai & Qatar
Gibraltar United Arab Emirates Israel
Korea Russia
For Sale
Worldwide
Trade Services
Africa Worldwide
Piano Specialists
Specialist Services
www.sp-in.co.uk info@sp-in.co.uk
Tel: 020 8561 4321
Specialist
Installations
www.pianologistics.com
info@pianologistics.com
Tel: 020 8561 4321
"#$%& '&(#)*#+) ,$-* &. */0 1)*&%2,#%3) (-&4,
When it comes to piano transport,
use the pianist's choice
5 6-$%7 ,#$%& 08,&-* ,$+3)
5 9-$%0 : ),0+#$;#)* )*$#- +-0<)
5 => ? 60-@$%A B003;A
5 '&%7&% ? 2+&*;$%7 B003;A
5 "#$%& *4%#%( : +$)0<&-3 -0,$#-)
Lifting solutions, from the unusual to the
down right awkward, we have the
equipment and expertise to deliver.
5 C0$DA 74*A ;&%( -0$+/ CE1F +-$%0G)
5 '&%7&% .4-%#*4-0 /&#)* : ($%*-A /#-0
5 H#%# ),#70- +-$%0) : 2*$#- +;#@I0-)
We regularly transport and install:
Heavy stone work, Sculpture's, Safe's,
Complex artwork, large furniture etc
Specialist Services
Specialist Services For Sale
For Sale
Advertising Deadlines
Warehouse Containers
Abrahams (since 1865)
1 Crown Close, Bow, London E3 2JH
Tel: 020 8980 1937 Fax: 020 8980 3762
Email: info@abrahamscases.co.uk
www.abrahamscases.co.uk
250 cu ft warehouse (archive) containers
192 cu ft liftvans
Bespoke cases & crates - plywood/triwall
Art cases: commercial and museum
62
Classieds
Business for Sale
Due to retirement, a long established
family Removals and Storage Company
based in West Central Scotland.
Well respected name
Storage, contents and vehicles for sale
In the rst instance please contact
Bill Taylor on 01505 843374 or email:
info@thomastaylorremovals.co.uk
Business for Sale
Deadlines
Are You Looking
To Sell?
We are looking to buy good quality
household moving and storage
companies in London and the
home counties.
Please call 07933 123 123 in full
condence for a quick decision.
Vehicle for Sale
2003 DAF 3 container van,
Sparshatt bodied with 3 man
sleeper and night heater.
12 tonne GVW with 1 tonne tail
lift and alloy ramps.1350 cu.ft.
Superb condition with long MOT.
10,000 + VAT.
Call Matt Purdie
on 07770 583 407
Opportunities For Sale
Training
Sell it, Fill it, R&S it!
See the deadlines for future issues
:
Call Sandra on
0117 957 5400 for details
Issue Booking Artwork
Deadline Deadline
Dec 15th Nov 21st Nov
Jan 10th Dec 19th Dec
Feb 10th Jan 23rd Jan
Mar 10th Feb 17th Feb
Apr 10th Mar 21st Mar
May 10th Apr 22nd Apr
Jun 9th May 2nd Jun
Jul 10th June 24th Jun
Aug 10th July 18th Jul
Sept 11th Aug 27th Aug
Oct 10th Sept 24th Sept
Nov 10th Oct 22nd Oct
Dec 10th Nov 19th Nov
Classied Rates
Sell it, Fill it, R&S it!
Your R&S is the perfect vehicle to

advertise your:
- Business
- Vehicles
- Vacancies
- And much more besides!
Classied Rates
Situations Vacant 2.15 per word (min 15 words)
Sales and Wants 2.15 per word (min 10 words)
Boxed Advert 30 (per single column centimetre)
(Picture 20 extra)
Box number 30
Loose inserts 280 (per 1,000 inserts supplied)
Half page mono 510
Half page colour 615
Quarter page mono 425
Quarter page colour 500
Vehicle sales box Price related to content and size
Call Sandra on
0117 957 5400 for details
Wanted
WANTED
250 Cu Ft Warehouse Containers
Any Quantity, Condition or
Location Considered
Call Edward Howard
07850 256886
Removal truck
wanted
15-18T 2/3 man sleeper
07 plate onwards
Tel: 01834 843429
E: webstersremovals@supanet.com
Transport
Manager / Operator
We are looking for a Transport manager
to schedule the day to day running of
20 + Vehicles and crews. The applicants
need to be able to multi load vehicles
and control staff. A CPC would be
desirable along with a working
knowledge of the removal industry.
Maximising protability
Multi loading and dropping
Scheduling of crews and vehicles
Control of road staff
Very attractive salary includes
company car. Position is based in
the south, south west.
Applicants please send CVs to
removalstransport@btinternet.com
Recruitment
Classieds
BAR News
!"#$ &'( )*+,
64
BAR News

R&S November 2013

Hochgeladen von

Dokumentinformationen

Copyright

Verfügbare Formate

Dieses Dokument teilen

Dokument teilen oder einbetten

Freigabeoptionen

Stufen Sie dieses Dokument als nützlich ein?

Sind diese Inhalte unangemessen?

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

R&S November 2013

Hochgeladen von

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

www.bar.co.

November 2013 Removals & Storage 29

BAR Training Services

For more information, see:

MAN AND VAN

Das könnte Ihnen auch gefallen

R&amp;S November 2013

Hochgeladen von

Dokumentinformationen

Copyright

Verfügbare Formate

Dieses Dokument teilen

Dokument teilen oder einbetten

Freigabeoptionen

Stufen Sie dieses Dokument als nützlich ein?

Sind diese Inhalte unangemessen?

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

R&amp;S November 2013

Hochgeladen von

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

www.bar.co.

November 2013 Removals & Storage 29

BAR Training Services

For more information, see:

MAN AND VAN

Das könnte Ihnen auch gefallen

R&S November 2013

R&S November 2013