RS October 2012

Removals & Storage
The Magazine of the British Association of Removers
Features
October 2012 // Issue 459 // 4 On the cover

How Hamiltons weekly service to Scandinavia has become a resounding success story since it started at the beginning of this year. Page 46
www.bar.co.uk
Hamiltons: Leading the way into Scandinavia

Hamiltons crossing the Oresund Bridge, one of the longest of its kind in the world, which connects Sweden and Denmark.
Inside this Issue Industry News

>> Patrick McLoughlin takes over at DfT >> OFT to review petrol and diesel prices
BAR News
>> BAR partnership deals with Move Me.com and Rightmove >> Tom Ryan on bringing together Young Movers
Features
>> Revamping the Removers Benevolent Association >> Employee medical reports
Breaking News
>> Are you ready for VAT on self storage? >> Preventing computer viruses, spyware and identity theft 1
September 2012 Removals & Storage
Features
Removals & Storage September 2012
Features
BAR News
Removals & Storage October 2012
Contents Industry News
Contents
06 News from Watford
Dispute resolution, raising BAR Members profiles via BAR partnerships and a new telephone feedback questionnaire.
Rogers Removals moves Arsenal star...almost

Rogers Removals sent a 5-man team, all Arsenal fans, and two 7.5 ton trucks to pack and load the move for the Arsenal and Ivory Coast star, Gervinho.
07 Industry News
Just a snippet... Is Patrick McLoughlin up to the job? New VOSA OCRS system goes live Skills for logistics to raise LGV training standards Pioneering truck design for Richard Healey Agility wins MoD extension
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Harrow Greens apprentices

Six apprentices at four locations. Harrow Greens Training and Quality Control Manager, David Thompson, talks about how the apprenticeship programme has been a learning curve for Harrow Green.
22 BAR News
Golf Challenge winners and two new partnerships in the residential property sector will see significant promotion of BAR Members with the public.
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26 Young Mover Prole

Anchor Man: Anthony Wynn
State of alert
As criminals increasingly prefer social networks and the mobile world to spread their viruses, R&S looks at how businesses can take some basic security precautions against computer viruses, spyware and identity theft.
28 BAR Services 30 QSS Update 34 Group Prole 46 Features

Hamiltons Scandinavian service Revamping the RBA In sickness and in health: Backhouse Jones on employee medical reports State of alert: preventing computer viruses, spyware and identity theft Affiliate profile: EOS / MoveMan Wellers gets you ready for VAT on self-storage On the cover: Hamiltons crossing the Oresund Bridge.
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36 Overseas Group Prole 38 Interest Group News 40 Training News 44 European News
Self Storage Special
Commercial Moving
51 People News 52 Diary Dates 54 Letters 56 Membership
October 2012 Removals & Storage
BAR News
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
News from Watford

Maintaining good communication with its Members is essential for any trade association. This may seem fairly obvious, and many companies are in regular communication with us here in Watford Group and Committee meetings, training days and seminars, seeking advice and offering (often quite trenchant) opinions, and so on. This is all very welcome, but there is also a fair sized silent minority of Members from who we hardly ever hear, or who do not feel inclined, or have the available time, to attend Area meetings. So, one of the key objectives for BAR is to speak directly to each Member company at least once in any one year, to get views and opinions, to learn about and discuss matters of concern, and to draw attention to ways to make the most of the benefits of membership. To this end, we are currently trialling a telephone Member feedback questionnaire which will be rolled out shortly. Great attention has been given recently to expanding the ways to raise the profile of BAR Members with the moving public, and a range of new initiatives to this end have been undertaken, in addition to those already well-established such as the NAEA and their Property Search website, and the Relocate website which only actively promotes BAR. Amongst the new initiatives are the implementation of a white label estimating system on the Money Advice Service, an independent organisation offering free financial advice, and representing a major promotion of the BAR brand. Next we have rightmove, a partnership agreement where after a trial period, they will exclusively endorse BAR Members on their removal panel. Not only that, but a new agreement with Moveme will mean that any member of the public using the Zoopla, Royal Mail or Connells website for a removals quotation will only see the BAR brand, and leads will only go to BAR Members. The Member still has to convert the lead, and close the deal to get the business of course, but these are practical and imaginative measures to reinforce the BAR brand and help Members in challenging times. More details on these projects are in the current R&S, and will continue to feature in forthcoming issues. The Annual Report to the OFT on the working of the Code of Practice has recently been completed. Unavoidably much of the content was fairly dry, but one particularly interesting statistic is that in the 12-month period to the end of March 2012, there were 18 formal Arbitration awards where our informal conciliation service had not been able to resolve a dispute between a Member and an aggrieved customer. Of those awards, nine (50%) found entirely in favour of our Member, and in only two cases did the claimant get all they sought. Members sometimes feel that the arbitration system is weighted against them, but these figures give the true, and quite different, picture.
Advertising
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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 (see contact details to the left). Registered as a magazine The British Association of Removers 2012. 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 specific 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: James Falkner
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 2012 for future issues of R&S magazine
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Industry News
Patrick McLoughlin takes over at DfT

Another year, another Secretary of State for Transport. The latest politician through the DfT revolving door and taking over the position is Patrick McLoughlin, Conservative MP of the Derbyshire Dales constituency.
Justine Greening left her job, apparently due to her opposition to any suggestion of building a third runway at Heathrow. Mr McLoughlin (pictured), formerly the Chief Whip, will have to steer through some troubled waters in the months to come. Not only has the third runway at Heathrow emerged as one of the Governments main political vulnerabilities, but controversy is still raging over the HS2 high speed rail project and the decision to strip Virgin of the West Coast main line franchise. Road transport seems less of an immediate priority for the DfT than airports and trains. However, immediate issues on the radar include the possibility of raising the motorway speed limit for cars and mounting pressure for a cut in fuel duty. Up to the job? Mr McLoughlin is a former farm worker and coal miner, and comes from a family of Staffordshire coal miners. He is probably the only Conservative MP who used to be a member of the National Union of Mineworkers. He does have some industry-specific experience. From 1989 to 1992 he was a Parliamentary UnderSecretary of State in the Department of Transport. His appointment has attracted mixed industry reaction. The Road Haulage Associations Chief Executive Geoff Dunning notes that Mr McLoughlins past voting record includes voting very strongly for increasing the rate of VAT. We sincerely hope that he will accept our arguments for reducing fuel duty, he
Diesel laundering plants dismantled in Northern Ireland

Two diesel laundering plants, capable of producing almost 5 million litres of illegal fuel a year, have been dismantled by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). Officers from HMRC uncovered an illegal fuel laundering plant hidden in a storage shed at domestic premises in the Dungannon area in Northern Ireland. A large steel tank, used to wash up to four million litres of diesel a year, was seized along with pumps and filtration tubes. A second laundering plant concealed in commercial premises in the Newry area was also dismantled. The illegal operation was capable of producing approximately 730,000 litres of laundered fuel a year. In an unconnected operation in East Belfast, officers from HMRC raided a filling station and seized the forecourt pumps along with 12,500 litres of diesel and 12,300 litres of petrol. The underground fuel storage tanks were also removed during the operation. Graeme Anderson, Assistant Director Criminal Investigation, HMRC said fuel fraud represents a significant threat to the economic, social and environmental welfare of Northern Ireland. Laundered fuel is being sold at a reduced price and motorists may think they are getting a good deal; but it is unregulated and dangerous and I would caution them to think again as the true cost is far from a bargain. The estimated duty loss to the public purse from these plants operations is 3m per annum.
said. This is a critical time for the UK logistics industry. The recovery of the economy, and its long term future is based, to a massive extent, on the long term success of a viable road haulage sector. Therefore we sincerely hope that Mr McLoughlin is both a good listener and a quick learner. Since Alistair Darling held the position from May 2002 to May 2006, there have now been seven transport secretaries. Edmund King of the AA said transport requires long-term planning and is a complex brief, so it was unfortunate that ministers in recent years have left the position just as they began to master the issues.
OFT to review petrol and diesel prices

As governments across Europe begin to wake up to the impact that high fuel prices are having on the economy, and especially on road transport businesses, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has opened a review of the UK petrol and diesel sector for evidence of competition problems in the market. The UK retail road fuels sector is estimated to be worth around 32bn. Petrol prices rose by 38% between June 2007 and June 2012, and diesel prices by 43% over the same period. The OFT said it wants to identify whether or not there are competition problems that it can tackle in the sector. Competition authorities in other countries have identified concerns about the operation of road fuels markets in their jurisdictions. A recent investigation of the German road fuels sector found a lack of intensive retail price competition, and raised concerns about the markets structure and potential price coordination. The Spanish competition authority investigated the fuel sector in 2009, 2011 and 2012 finding concerns about the markets structure, highlighting the degree of market concentration at the retail level. Australia has also commenced a formal investigation into price information sharing arrangements in the sector. The OFT will explore a number of claims about how the road fuels sector in the UK is functioning, including whether: reductions in the price of crude oil are being reflected in falling pump prices; supermarkets and major oil companies practices may be making it more difficult for independent retailers to compete with them; there is a lack of competition between fuel retailers in some remote communities in the UK, and concerns about price co-ordination and the structure of road fuels markets identified by other national competition authorities are relevant in the UK. According to the AAs Fuel Price Report, between June 2007 and June 2012 the pump price of petrol rose by 38% from 0.97 per litre to 1.34, and the pump price of diesel rose by 43% from 0.96 per litre to 1.39. The announcement of the inquiry has been welcomed by FairFuelUK, of which BAR is a member, which has been calling for an investigation into the road fuel market to ensure greater transparency. We want full disclosure to make sure pump prices in this country are fair, reasonable and, most importantly, go down quickly when the price of crude falls, the organisation said. The OFT plans to publish its findings in January 2013.
Industry News
Reminder: Minimum Wage changes

As from October 2012, National minimum wage rates are now: for 21 and over 6.19 per hour up by 11p 18-20 year olds: 4.98 per hour no change 16-17 year olds: 3.68 per hour no change apprentices: 2.65 per hour up by 5p.
New VOSA OCRS system goes live

Earlier this year, R&S reported on delays to important changes that the Vehicle & Operator Services Agency (VOSA) is making to its Operator Compliance System (OCRS).
OCRS is a mechanism used to calculate the likelihood of an operator being non-compliant. It is used by VOSA examiners to identify which vehicles should be inspected. It aims to be more targeted in identifying non-compliant operators as well as reducing the number of compliant vehicles that are stopped. The introduction of improvements to OCRS this year was delayed due to some technical issues discovered during a systems test. VOSA now says that these issues have been resolved and a full round of rigorous system testing has now been completed. As of 1 October 2012, OCRS has been updated with the improvements. How it works The OCRS system works on the basis that operators with higher risk scores are more likely to be inspected than those with lower risk scores. OCRS is based on actual data from events or tests that VOSA holds on an operator. Points are attributed when a vehicle test or an enforcement encounter results in a defect or infringement being identified or when VOSA prosecutes an operator or a driver. The more serious the defect or infringement, the greater the point allocation. The scoring mechanism calculates the average number of points per event and this score is termed the Base Score. The Base Score will then determine which OCRS band the operator goes into based on thresholds for each band that are set by VOSA. The bands are Green for operators considered low risk, Amber for operators considered medium risk and Red for operators considered high risk. Guidance notes to OCRS can be downloaded from www.vosa.gov.uk/OCRS-guidance-notes
VOSA pass rates improve

Since 2007, VOSA says that it has seen a yearon-year improvement to large vehicle test pass rates across the board and that more vehicles are passing their annual test on first presentation. From April to June 2012, VOSA tested 162,077 HGVs, with a pass rate of 79.6%, and 19,868 PSVs, with a pass rate of 81.3%. For GB vehicles, it carried out 29,857 roadside encounters, resulting in 7,427 roadworthiness prohibitions, with 2,449 breaches of drivers hours and 819 cases of overloading. There were 26,196 roadside encounters with foreign vehicles, resulting in 6,567 roadworthiness prohibitions, with 2,050 breaches of drivers hours and 442 cases of overloading.
Driver jailed for driving hours offences FTA calls for safe parking action
The Freight Transport Association has called once again for safer places for drivers to take their legally required breaks. The plea has been made following reports of increased theft of fuel in the Kent area from lorries which have been parked overnight in lay-bys. Natalie Chapman of the FTA said that the situation had escalated in line with the price of diesel, adding that this issue really highlighted the need for more safe and secure lorry parking. A lorry driver from Feltham has been jailed for eight months for breaking regulations on drivers hours. After an investigation by VOSA, Jasvinder Arora pleaded guilty to 79 offences of creating false driving hours records at Ipswich Crown Court. Arora created false records to try to show that he was taking his legally required rest periods, using a false name and removing the tacograph. He worked in haulage at Felixstowe, trading as Ocean Xpress Logistics. The Road Haulage Association welcomed the custodial sentence. RHA Chief Executive Geoff Dunning said: We cannot stress strongly enough that the falsification of driving records is premeditated and is one of the most serious offences in road haulage. As far as this particular case is concerned, a few extra hours on the road has cost this driver eight months in prison. The hours a driver can legally drive are governed by EU Regulation 561/2006, which specifies the maximum daily, weekly and fortnightly driving time allowed. Time spent driving is recorded on a device called a tachograph. The RHA is concerned about so-called magnet cheats who use various methods, including the use of a magnet, to interrupt the signal to digital tachographs so as to stop it temporarily from recording.
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Industry News
GB road traffic down

All motor vehicle traffic in Great Britain was 1.0% lower in the second quarter of 2012 than in the second quarter of 2011, at 74.7 billion vehicle miles, according to the DfT.
Heavy goods vehicle traffic decreased by 4.4%, to 3.8 billion vehicle miles in April to June 2012 compared with the same period in 2011. Light goods vehicle traffic was the only vehicle type to experience growth in traffic volumes in Q2 2012 compared with the same period in 2011, increasing by 1.5%. Light goods vehicle traffic has grown by 23% in the last 10 years much more than other vehicle types. Traffic fell on all road types in Q2 2012 compared with Q2 2011, with the exception of rural A roads, which increased by 0.5%. The DfT said that economic activity is a key determinate of transport demand, including road transport. Holding everything else equal, during a period of economic contraction such as the second quarter, the volume of traffic would also be expected to contract. It also mentioned heavy rainfall (affecting car traffic reduction) and the dispute between fuel distributors and the trade unions representing fuel tanker drivers as possible factors. In addition, the DfT noted that the price of fuel increased to over 140 pence per litre for the first time, a price that was maintained throughout April. Concerns about the supply of fuel and increases in the pump price may have resulted in people reducing the number and distance of trips they made by road, the DfT said.
Skills for Logistics to raise LGV training standards

Skills for Logistics, the Sector Skills Council for the freight logistics and wholesale sectors, is starting work to develop a set of National Occupational Standards (NOS) which will set out the knowledge and skills needed by LGV Driver Trainers. The NOS will cover training for the LGV driving tests and on-going training during a drivers career. This project is linked to work by the Driving Standards Agency to define the occupational standards that need to be reached by anyone working as a driver/rider trainer whether in-company or in a driver/rider training company. Skills for Logistics is encouraging practitioners involved in LGV driver training to participate in this effort, such as taking part in a consultation survey and engaging in interviews with the organisation to provide input and ideas. The project will run to January 2013.
Unifeeder buys Feederlink Drivers are slowing down

The number of drivers breaking the 30 mph speed limit has dropped by a third in twelve years. Latest figures published in a report by the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) and the RAC Foundation record that in 1998, 69% of cars on 30 mph roads were above the limit. By 2010 the figure had fallen to 46%. And, that the reduction in the proportion of cars exceeding 35 mph has fallen even more sharply, by a half in nine years, with 16% of cars on 30 mph roads travelling at more than 35 mph in 2010 compared to 32% in 2001. The report also shows that speeds on motorways have reduced. The percentage of cars exceeding 70 mph fell from 57% in 2003 to 49% in 2010. Dr. Kit Mitchell, who prepared the report, notes that speed limit offences (fixed penalty notices, convictions in court and written warnings) in England and Wales have declined rapidly in the past few years after a large rise in the 1990s. Professor Stephen Glaister of the RAC Foundation, points out that the fall in speeds pre-date the economic downturn and the recent high fuel costs. He also highlights the link between falling speeds in urban areas and falling fatality rates, particularly in the case of pedestrians. The conclusion is clear, he states. Whatever the cause of an accident, the speed at which it happens will determine its severity. For the RAC the report highlights another interesting element. Even as ministers discuss raising the motorway speed limit to 80 mph, drivers are actually cutting their speeds on this part of the road network. While this report only includes data up to 2010, recently released figures for 2011 underline the findings. Danish shipping company Unifeeder will acquire Rotterdam-based Feederlink. The combined entity will be able to provide very attractive feeder and short-sea networks between the major ports in Northern Europe through efficient operations, high frequency, competitive rates and a further strengthening of the service levels of the two companies. Unifeeder is one of Northern Europes leading feeder operators transporting containers from the large European container hubs in Belgium, England, Germany and the Netherlands to more than 35 regional ports across the UK, the Nordic Region, the Baltic States and Russia. Feederlink is a commercial feeder operator which transports containers between the hubs of Felixstowe and Rotterdam and the UK ports of Grangemouth, South Shields, Teesport and Immingham. Unifeeder said it will focus on providing a more attractive product and service offering with efficient operations, high frequency, competitive rates, and superior port coverage. Jesper Kristensen, CEO of Unifeeder, said the combination of our two companies will enable us to improve the product offering for our customers, who in the future will experience an improved Northern European feeder and shortsea network with better transit times, frequency and port coverage.
M4 weight restrictions
Road users are reminded that a 7.5 tonne weight restriction remains in place on the M4 in West London in both directions between junctions 1 and 3. The Highways Agency says that the restriction, which has been in force since the end of March, is the result of ongoing repair work on the Boston Manor Viaduct which is just west of junction 2. Clearly signed diversion routes remain in place via the A4 and A312.
Industry News
US launches Freight Policy Council

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced the launch of the Freight Policy Council which will focus on improving the condition and performance of the national freight network to better ensure the ability of the United States to compete in todays global economy. The Council will develop a national, intermodal plan for improving the efficiency of freight movement and will work with states to encourage development of a forward looking state freight strategy. Our freight system is the lifeblood of the American economy, moving goods quickly and efficiently to benefit both businesses and consumers across the country, said Secretary LaHood. With the launch of the Freight Policy Council, we have an opportunity to make not only our freight system, but all modes of transportation, stronger and better connected. The recent transportation bill, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), signed by President Obama, established a national freight policy and called for the creation of a National Freight Strategic Plan. The Freight Policy Council will implement the key freight provisions of the legislation. A strong freight transportation system is essential for helping meet President Obamas goal of doubling U.S. exports by 2015. The Council will be chaired by Deputy Transportation Secretary John Porcari, and will include the department of transports leadership on highways, rail, ports and airports and economic as well as policy experts from across the Administration. The freight and logistics industries, consumers and other stakeholders will also play an advisory role, and states will be asked to offer proposals for improving the freight system in their region.
Manchester freight hub planned

Manchester Airports Group has submitted an outline planning application for the development of a World Logistics Hub in the southern part of Greater Manchesters Enterprise Zone at Manchester Airport.
The North West of England currently produces approximately 60% of the UKs industrial output, a significant proportion of which is exported. The World Logistics Hub will seek to capitalise upon this output, combining with the Airports existing cargo facilities at the adjacent World Freight Terminal, to create a world-class logistics district. Creating between 1.2- to 1.4-million square feet (sq ft) of new logistics space, the proposed development programme is for a mix of medium- and small-sized logistics units ranging from approximately 7,500 to 200,000 square feet across a 36.9-hectare (91.2-acre) site next to Junction 6 of the M56 motorway, and close to the existing airport freight area. Arranged around a simple road system with two primary landscaped boulevards, World Logistics Hub will provide a full range of air-to-road transfer, assembly and processing activities for freight forwarders and other logistics business with easy access to the Airports apron, train station and the UK motorway network. Primary access to the Hub will be via the A538 Wilmslow Road, with junction upgrades made at Sunbank Lane. It will also benefit from the existing plans to improve Runger Lane and increase the capacity of Junction 6 of the M56 to accommodate airport traffic.
Shipping lines alter rates in case of US strike action

As R&S goes to press, contract negotiations are still underway in the US to reach an agreement between the US Maritime Alliance and the International Longshoremens Association which represents workers at 14 U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast ports over wages and benefits. If an agreement cannot be reached, the unions are threatening to strike and this will have an impact on operational costs for international removals, as a result of additional fuel and working time due to prolonged sailing and idling time. As a precaution to address the potential risk of significantly increased port congestion as result of any labour-related issues on or after September 30, shipping lines have filed a Port Congestion Surcharge (PCS) on all shipments to and from ports in the US and Canada. These will only apply if strikes, lockouts, slowdowns or other labour disputes take place. The rates vary slightly according to the carrier so check directly. They are in the region of USD 800 per 20 Container and USD 1,000 per 40 Standard/ High cube. The negotiations between the unions and the ports management will affect more than 14,500 jobs at ports that handled 95% of container shipments during 2011 in an area running from Maine to Texas. Key issues on the negotiating table include new technology and union jurisdiction over work on chassis used for intermodal cargo containers that can move by sea, rail or truck. Such containers are often used to transport consumer goods.

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Industry News
School leavers unprepared for work
Business leaders downbeat on economy

New opinion polling of 1,277 members of the Institute of Directors (IoD) reveals the damaging impact of low confidence in the prospects for growth in the British economy, and concern over the effectiveness of the Governments reform agenda.
The Policy Voice panel expressed serious concerns that the recession will continue for the rest of the year. Asked whether overall GDP growth in 2012 would be higher or lower than in 2011, the panel overwhelmingly expected growth to be lower by a margin of 52% to 19%. 28% expect growth to be the same. Similarly, a strong majority (65%) of the panel believe there is a low or zero probability of the UK emerging from recession in 2012, compared with only 7% who think there is a high or very high probability of the recession ending this year. IoD members do believe that the second half of 2012 will show some improvement, with 52% expecting growth to be higher than in the first half of the year, compared with 22% who expect growth to become even worse.
Eight in ten businesses do not believe school leavers are ready for work and say more should be done to help prepare them for employment, according to new findings from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). Nearly 2,800 representatives of small companies responded to the FSBs survey. More than half (59%) of survey respondents who already employ 16 to 17 year olds reported that their young employees had poor literacy skills. Numeracy was also judged to be poor by 55%, and 56% said communication skills fell short. Unsurprisingly, two thirds of FSB members said that improving basic literacy and numeracy skills would better prepare young people for work in a small business. And, with figures showing there are still a million young people without work, the FSB is concerned that young people not equipped with these skills will find it tough to compete in todays job market. Of the survey respondents that employ 16 to 17-year-olds, 77% also found that school leavers general business awareness was poor. The FSB is calling on schools to provide early careers guidance and to equip young people with skills such as CV writing, time-keeping, problem solving and team working. This would not only help employers, but would give young people a better understanding of potential jobs and career paths. John Walker, FSB National Chairman, said businesses are more than ready to invest time and money training staff in job-related skills, but expect them to come with at least the basics.
Uncertainty breeds postponement Clearly, this lack of confidence in short term economic performance may have knock-on effects on how business behaves. 44% of the business leaders polled reported that they had postponed at least one investment or employment decision in 2012 on account of uncertainties in the business or economic environment. Of those who had postponed decisions, 76% had delayed decisions on business investment
and 65% had held off deciding on matters of employment. 40% of the postponed business investment decisions have now either been taken or will be by the end of 2012, while 58% will be delayed until at least 2013. Similarly, 46% of the delayed employment decisions are either now underway or will be resolved by the end of the year, while 51% will not be dealt with until 2013 at the soonest. Business leaders in this poll said they felt the Governments reform measures, including on taxation, regulation, education and infrastructure, had been ineffective in every area. Reforms to the planning system were deemed to be the least ineffective, whilst the Government had struggled most at reducing tax complexity.
Agility wins MoD extension

For the last two years, Agility have been managing one of the most prestigious and demanding moving contracts in the UK. Supported by its select band of suppliers of moving services, all of whom are BAR Members, Agility is in charge of the worldwide moves of all Ministry of Defence personnel. The original contract, awarded to Agility 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 and high service of Agility and its suppliers, the MoD has now awarded Agility the two one-year options. Simon Kirby, Senior Project Manager at Agilitys Global Removals Management Services division in Reading, says that the MoD, after reviewing the numbers and our high service levels, plus how we have worked with them to provide better service not only for MoD personnel but everyone involved, have awarded us not one but two extension years, taking the contract through until October 2014. For Simon: The last two years have passed in a flash but we have day-by-day found issues and solved
them, improved service, communication and every aspect in every corner of the world, he told R&S. Agility staff have travelled the world to visit with agents and, most importantly, local MoD staff. We found some issues that were repeated for several years, but by applying our solutions we solved problems before even leaving the country in question, according to Simon. The MoD appreciate the changes and how much more simple we have made moving around the globe. Better value for money, efficiency, savings, sterling service and transparency have been major factors, he says. All involved, including independent insurance brokers, are amazed at the low amount of claims over the last 2-year period.
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County Removals completes archive move

This summer we reported on a move by Harrow Green of some of Durham University Librarys most important and valuable special collections. In addition, we are pleased to report that local firm, County Removals of Carlisle, was entrusted with the specific move of The Howard Archive to its new home at the Carlisle Archive Centre as part of the overall Durham University Library move. According to Peter Keen of County Removals, this sensitive move was completed on a glorious summers day at the end of what was a very busy August for us!
Rogers Removals moves Arsenal star...almost

As any Spurs fan will tell you, Arsenal may promise a lot but dont always finish as expected. Thats definitely the experience of Dennis Rogers and some of the team at Rogers Removals, who must be used to it as they are, after all, Arsenal fans!
Dennis says that the company recently attempted a move for the Arsenal and Ivory Coast star, Gervinho, from his home in Cockfosters to a nearby address. We sent a 5 man team, all Arsenal fans, and two 7.5 ton trucks to pack and load the move. On the first day we had packed everything except for the essential overnight items and loaded around 1,100 cubic feet. The next morning we completed the last of the packing and loaded the remaining 1,100 cubic feet or so on to the second truck. We thought the move was going to plan and we waited (as usual) for the keys to come through for the new property. However, at 3pm we learned that the deal had fallen through and we were asked to return everything to where we had found it in the original property. Excellence shared By 7pm we had unloaded and unpacked all of the essentials and left Gervinho and his family comfortable, if a little fed up. At the time, Gervinho had told the crew that he didnt intend to attempt to move again and that he was happy where he was in any case!However, Dennis has since learned that they may soon be instructed again to have another go at successfully moving him. Despite his unpleasant day, Gervinho did rate our overall level of service as Excellent on our feedback form, Dennis says.
Celebration for Dowse of Richmond

Its been quite some year for Louis Dowse of Dowse of Richmond. In the last few months, Louis celebrated his 65th birthday with the help of his family, and his wife Pauline bought him a miniature version of one of his fleet (sign-written by Jeff at Classic Signs), with a matching cake from the rest of his family! Louis was also the main sponsor this year for the Richmond Meet, a local fundraising event for the town, and sponsored all the polo shirts. He also sponsored his grandson Zaks Richmond Town football kits! And for himself... he bought a brand new Mercedes Actros which he displayed in the towns parade this June, complete with the football team, resulting in him winning first prize for decoration. With business being just as busy, its fair to say that its been a memorable 2012 for Louis, his family and his company.
(left to right): Peter, Mark, Alan, Gervinho, Clive, Terry and Keith
Harrow Green completes major campus move

Harrow Green has completed a large scale move and recycling project on time, enabling the new 40m learning campus at Nantgarw to open its doors in September. Harrow Green relocated furniture, files and equipment from 90 teaching areas in the old building, and managed the recycling and reuse of redundant furniture. The wide range of courses and facilities offered through the college meant handling an unusual mix of material, from standard office furniture through to lab and kitchen equipment, restaurant and beauty salon fittings, teaching materials and even hazardous chemicals, for which Harrow Green provides specialist subcontracted services.As well as the move itself, involving several campus sites, says Stephen Noake, project manager for Harrow Green, we are undertaking a major recycling programme to relocate, reuse or recycle redundant furniture and equipment. The aim is avoid as far as possible any landfill disposal, breaking down furniture into recyclable wood, metal and other component materials. Unusually, Harrow Green has also been asked to arrange an onsite auction for some of the kitchen equipment.
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Industry News
Bishops Move expands European department

At the end of 2011, it became clear that there was an opportunity for the Bishops Move Group and its franchises to improve its operational and service levels by placing all European relocations through one office.
Geoff Cummins was given the position to monitor and develop the Bishops Move Groups European vehicle movements, with a brief to increase profits and utilisation of the available space on the trucks. We felt that if we could have as much notice as possible of bookings going into Europe or coming out of Europe, we would be able to maximise the space available on the vehicles and to give an opportunity for our Trade colleagues within Europe to use the service of Bishops Move as an agent for back loading, Geoff says. Over the last six months this has now been developed and the locations of the Bishops Move trucks are available for all UK and European companies. Our European Department utilises our strengths, we have a strong and experienced link of European branches which, together with our established franchise network, and our own European partners, give us the opportunity to offer a service at a financially acceptable rate, Geoff says. Its these European partners that enable us to offer part-load and direct-load services to the trade. The service includes moves into Europe from the UK and vice versa. This arrangement also places Bishops Move in a position to offer relocation services for moves within Europe. By growing this part of the business, it enables us to maintain the highest level of service expected by customers who use us to move in and out of the UK, Geoff explains. The foundation on which Bishops Move Group is built enables us to maintain strong and firm connections with our European partners, the majority of whom are members of the Fdration Internationale des Dmnageurs Internationaux (FIDI). We pride ourselves in preserving the highest possible standards for all relocations across Europe. Gibraltar and Spanish hubs The Bishops Move Group operate from two whollyowned depots in Gibraltar and the Costa del Sol, with a valued agent servicing requirements in Alicante. Bishops Move Gibraltar is the only removal company in Gibraltar with specialised warehousing and staff to offer all relocation facilities on the Rock. Bishops Move Costa del Sol is based at La Linea, approximately 10 minutes drive from Gibraltar. This depot also has specialised storage and relocation facilities. Our success and reputation across the continent also led us to expand Bishops Darvall, the dedicated trade division for the Bishops Move Group for Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar, Geoff says. With our existing set-up already serving these areas of Europe and with our status in the region continuing to grow, we saw an opportunity to expand further into other European markets. Hence, the European Department has gone through something of a transformation to better support our foreignbased clients and those moving from the UK. As we continue to grow the department and witness an increase in relocations across the continent, we have also seen a significant rise in the number of part-loads being added by our partners and other UK removal companies to our own major moves within Europe.
Bournes supports bike ride for services charity
Once again, Bournes Removals has supported STUBS, the charity that provides practical support for UK armed services personnel who have been severely injured whilst on duty. Bournes supported STUBS in their annual London to Paris bike ride to help raise funds to provide support for UK armed services personnel and their families. Over three days, starting 23 August, a team of ten cyclists travelled from St Pauls Cathedral in London to the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The route took them from London to Newhaven, stopping on the way at DMRC Headley Court, the main tri-service rehabilitation centre, giving riders the opportunity to meet some of the severely injured servicemen and women for whom they were raising funds. After a quick ferry ride from Newhaven to Dieppe, they travelled via the Avenue Verte, a converted former railway line, through delightful Normandy scenery towards the second night stop at Gournay en Bray. From there the team completed the final 100k, riding on to the Arc De Triomphe before finishing at the Eiffel Tower. The ten riders have raised just under 10,000 for STUBS to date, and are expecting the final figure to top 12,000 a fantastic achievement. Bournes provide support and assistance to the team in transporting the riders bikes on completion of the challenge, which leaves them free to enjoy a much deserved rest and easy trip home!
Do you have any news Do you have any news toto share with R&S readers? share with R&S readers?
Send to: Send to: rands-editorial@analyticamedia.com rands-editorial@analyticamedia.com
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Industry News
Global Moving Systems invest in video marketing

New BAR Member Global Moving Systems are continuing to invest in marketing, helping them to raise their profile in the marketplace, enhance their brand and win new business. The companys latest initiative is a highproduction film and DVD that is now available on the corporate website. The film, which can be viewed in high definition at www.globalmoving.co.uk/hdvideo-yt.html, aims to transmit the values of exceptional service and high technology that Global Moving Systems is committed to.
Pioneering truck design for Richard Healey

Richard Healey Removals Ltd of Beith, a family-run business since 1965, has been experiencing booming business, leading to demand for a new, fuel efficient vehicle. The result? A state-of-the-art body that meets all the requirements of its removals business.
DKV donates beech & fir trees

As part of the ECO Performance Awards scheme, BAR Affiliate DKV Euro Service is donating 10,000 Euros to Stiftung Unternehmen Wald. The ECO Performance Awards are one of the leading awards schemes for the commercial goods transport sector in Europe. The awards presented by the University of St. Gallen and DKV Euro Service reward responsible companies that combine financial success, commitment to society and commitment to the environment. In 2011, Richard Healey, Director, approached the companys long-standing supplier (Tekbo) with a proposal to build a five-pallet furniture body on a new DAF CF65 with the aim to maximise payload and fuel efficiency by minimising aerodynamic resistance through shaping bodywork and lightweight construction. The typical manufacturing process of a furniture box body involves attaching internal upright spines to a GRP flat sheet or GRP plywood panel. Richard Healey says that this process has a payload weight disadvantage, and inherent problems with cracking and spines loosening over the vehicles life were all too common, so he required a new approach to developing a combi-panel design. The design was taken to one of Europes leading panel manufacturers and the teams developed a completely new process which resulted in a New Super Strength lightweight panel, with shaped stiffeners coated on both sides with glass fibre reinforced polyester resin. The finished vehicle was built and has achieved a payload of 10,800kg which is a 15-20% improvement on previous designs. Trophy truck The vehicle has some unique features and benefits, including the bespoke New Super Strength panels, a curved roof line at the rear of the bodywork designed to angle air flow, radius cant rails, side container doors with internal seals, and a multi-attachment ramp for positioning at any point on side entry. All of this contributed to a successful truck build which produced a completely new concept in body building, Richard Healey tells R&S. The truck has appeared at two of the Truckfest venues so far, and has come home with new trophies for the company cabinet. The truck won 3rd Place Best Kept Rigid and 3rd Place Best Working Rigid Truck at Truckfest Scotland, and 2nd Place Best Kept New Truck at Truckfest Ireland in August. Richard Healey is so pleased with the new truck and design that he has now placed an order for yet another new truck.
Rdiger Kruse (left), Chief Executive of Stiftung Unternehmen Wald with Ulrich Wolter (right), Head of Marketing at DKV Euro Service
As announced at this years awards ceremony, DKV has donated 10,000 Euros to Stiftung Unternehmen Wald for the planting of trees. The cheque was handed over recently at DKVs headquarters in Ratingen. Due to the overwhelmingly positive response we received in 2011, we have again donated 10,000 Euros for the planting of 2,000 beech and fir trees in 2012. This will facilitate the absorption of 70,000 tonnes of CO2 a year, said Ulrich Wolter, at DKV Euro Service.
The youngest mover

Its always good to see young blood coming into the industry but have H. Appleyard & Sons taken this too far? The picture shows new trainee James Appleyard getting to grips with the business, at the tender age of three months. David Appleyard, partly responsible for bringing James into the company, says he plans to get him on European moves as soon as possible. Keep an eye out for a special Young Mover profile of James in R&S... some time after 2030!
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Industry News
Globalink excellence recognised again

BAR International Associate Globalink was presented TheMIGroups EMEA Transportation Partner of the Year Award at the recent EuRA International Relocation Congress in Stockholm.
For Dinara Davlembaeva, Globalinks Marketing Manager, this award recognises the outstanding service delivery excellence of Globalink as a preferred partner of TheMIGroup in the CIS region. This award confirms Globalinks commitment to providing seamless removals, relocation and logistics solutions for its partners, she said.
Interdean standard ISO certified
Interdeans Perfect Relocation standard for human resources has been awarded the ISO 9001:2008 quality certification. Interdean said Perfect Relocation was based on its years of experience in delivering a high level of customer experience. Perfect Relocation is designed to reduce administration and increase one-to-one communication with the relocating employee and to ensure global continuity, efficiencies in service coordination and ultimately consistently high levels of assignee satisfaction. Perfect Relocation training is available for all Interdeans customer service staff via The Academy, the companys in-house training programme.
The proud Globalink team receiving their award
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Industry News
TV role for Cliffes Removals

Cliffes Removals have recently experienced working in front of television cameras when they collected and moved a customers furniture to storage while the property was being renovated for the new TV programme Double your House for Half the Money, hosted by Sarah Beeny on Channel 4 on Tuesdays. Cliffes Removals are based in Bourne, and provide a local, national and international moving service as well as full storage facilities. In business since 1995, this is the first time Cliffes Removals have been on television. The television exposure came about because they were asked to quote for this job by the owner of the house. As they were interested in the opportunities for some free advertising and local media coverage, they submitted a competitive quote for this job. Company owner David Cliffe and his colleagues Malc Lambe and John Eason were there the moving day and say the job ran smoothly on the day with nothing different to a normal days work.
Globe Moving & Storage celebrates long service

The recent Company Annual Day of Globe Moving & Storage in India turned into a day of celebration and recognition for employees, many of who have been with the company for over 35 years and have played a crucial role in establishing this BAR International Associate as one of the leading relocation and moving solution providers in India.
From Left to Right Mr. Rasheed, Mr. Biju, Mrs. Roopa, Mr. Ajit, Mr. Sujeendran, Mr. Nagendra
Sarah Beeny, host of Double your House for Half the Money
Mr Ajit Venkatesh, Director, addressed the gathering, thanking the Globe Moving & Storage family for the achievements and contributions in the past year. He outlined the recent success of the company, such as the prestigious contracts it has secured with clients including IBM, Schneider, Bosch and Cisco to name a few. In the coming year we see greater volumes of business, larger contracts and bigger partnerships, he said. These are sure to pose many challenges. But working as a team we can easily overcome them. As they rightly say, individually we are one drop but together we are an ocean. The future holds great promise and we have big plans for the company and its staff. We want each and every employee to grow
along with organization. The day was very special for two hearing and speech impaired members of staff. A special award was given to Mr Ravi and Mr Chandramani for their excellent service and hard work. Mr. S. Ramachandran, Managing Director, said we all have many a lesson to learn from them. We will always know them for their abilities not for their disabilities. That is their love and commitment to work. The evening began with the traditional lighting of the lamp, followed by a number of icebreaker games. As the company discovered, besides their daytime job as relocation professionals, employees also had many dance and musical talents in their midst!
Voerman charity mountain climb

BAR International Associate, the Voerman Group, took on the heights of Mont Ventoux in Southern France last month by bike! Cyclists from the Dutch international removal company whose Moscow branch is an International Associate Member of BAR trained hard for the event. Mont Ventoux is one of the worlds most challenging climbs. Although its top sits at a mere 1,911m above sea level, it presented a formidable challenge as the cyclists had to overcome a height difference of 1,600m over a stretch of just 20 km. That works out to an excruciating average 7% climb rate, sometimes exceeding 11%!
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Dennis van Diemen, Voermans Moscow branch officer, cycled with colleagues from different parts of the Voerman Group to raise funds in the Ven24Cancer challenge, an initiative of non-profit international charity Inspire2Live which organises worldwide events to help collect funds to treat cancer. Voerman has a special program for companies and individuals who sponsor this cause: they will receive a years promotion on one of Voermans moving trucks by adding the sponsor companys logo to specially designed removal trucks. For more information, see www.ven2-4cancer.nl or www.voerman.com
Industry News
Lucy Fishers African mission

Readers of R&S will remember that BAR Members from the BAR Yorkshire Area have pulled out the stops to support Lucy Fisher, a nurse who has just started working as a volunteer in Malawi.
Lucy has just finished her nursing degree, and is required to have a placement in a hospital, as she had already trained extensively within a UK hospital; she felt going to an overseas hospital would be both rewarding and great experience. Lucy has chosen Zomba in Malawi as a destination for her elective placement, to consolidate skills, gain experience and volunteer in a hospital within a developing country, gaining an understanding of the challenges faced by staff working with minimal resources (i.e. staff, equipment) in order to cater to the demands of the local district. Nigel and Carole Shaw at Specialised Movers were touched by Lucys ambitious plans, and knowing of the pitfalls of exports to Africa, offered to finance and forward the sea freight of hospital supplies, equipment and personal effects for Lucy to Blantyre (the inland port in Malawi). Lucy delivered her goods to the Specialised Movers depot in Sheffield where the goods were packed in two telescopic lift vans. With the consignment ready to go we called on a good friend and a partner in our EuroMovers network, Roger Aitkin of Stephen Morris Shipping, for advice on preferred freight forwarders, Nigel Shaw recalls. He advised us to contact a company in Manchester called Cardinal Maritime. We were given a dedicated point of contact (Gerard Lyons) who understood the total system of shipments to Africa and assisted all the way. Removers network to the rescue Graham Puddephatt of Reason Global insurance, who is the Yorkshire area Chairman, contacted Rolf Ossmann of Worldwide Movers who offered to handle the customs clearance for Lucy. He also got in touch with Eddie Kaluwa of CombineCargo in Malawi, who collected Lucy from the airport and took her to the hospital. Unfortunately when she arrived, she found that no accommodation had been organised for her by the hospital and Eddie kindly took her to his home where she stayed until accommodation could be found. During this time, Eddie arranged for Lucy to be chauffeured to the hospital.
Two-way traffic with France
The British dream of living in France shows no sign of cooling, according to Michael Sawyer, Managing Director of Hamiltons Removals, who has seen the companys business with France increase annually for the past five years. Hamiltons exhibited at the recent French Property Exhibitions at Londons Olympia, and Wetherby Racecourse in Yorkshire. Staff advised on everything from customs regulations to insurance requirements, setting up a business or schooling. For many people their life-long ambition is to start a new life in France, retire there or have a second home, says Michael. Hamiltons provide a weekly service to France, and they have been able to turn this into twoway traffic. We are increasingly providing a removal service to individuals or businesses relocating back to the UK, or French nationals moving here. This means that our removals vehicles are coming back fully loaded, and we can pass on these economies to our customers. We can and do move anything, says Michael. We even moved an entire farm from England to the Dordogne including the livestock.
Eddie Kaluwa collected the volunteer nurses (Lucy Fisher is to his right) from the airport

Specialised Movers exported the hospital equipment and Lucy Fishers belongings to Malawi in Africa to assist her in her voluntary work as a nurse
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Industry News
House prices atline

House prices are continuing to hover around the same level, with sharp falls in one month often offset by a surprise recovery in the following month. While the UK economy remains mired in a double dip recession, housing affordability has improved dramatically, and the labour market remains, for now, relatively solid.
Information from the Land Registry records an increase of 2% in the number of completed house price sales in England and Wales. The most up-todate figures available relate to May 2012 where 50,083 homes were sold compared with 48,974 in May 2011. Land Registry figures for July show an annual price increase of 0.3% which takes the average property value in England and Wales to 162,900. The monthly change from June to July is an increase of 0.8%. London continued to be the region in England and Wales which experienced the highest increase in its average property value over the last 12 months, with a movement of 6.5%. London also saw the greatest monthly rise with an increase of 2.7%. The North West experienced the greatest annual price fall with a decrease of 3.9%. The North East recorded the most significant monthly price fall with a decrease of 2.1%. Nationwide, which covers the whole of the UK and is based on a sample of loans issued in any given month, reported that house prices rose by 1.3% in August. This was the largest monthly increase since January 2010. Halifax, which also covers the entire UK, but bases its index on a sample of each lenders own loans each month, said that house prices declined by 0.4 % in August. This was the second successive monthly fall, with these two decreases largely cancelling out the rises recorded in May and June. The average UK house price in August 2012 was 0.2% higher than in December 2011. House prices nationally are at a very similar level to three years ago, at 160,256. Housing economist Martin Ellis anticipates a gradual upward trend in spending power, aided by lower inflation, which should help to support housing demand in the coming months. Nonetheless, he said, house prices are likely to remain flat over the remainder of 2012 and into next year. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that in the 12 months to June 2012 UK house prices increased by 2.3%, unchanged from the 12 months to May. House prices continued to remain relatively stable across most of the UK. The year-on-year increase reflected growth of 2.8% in England, which was offset by declines in Scotland and Northern Ireland of 1.0 and 11.9% respectively. House prices remained unchanged in Wales. Annual house price increases in England were driven by a 6.5% rise in London, and increases in the South West and South East of 2.3 and 2.2% respectively. The only decrease in England was of 1.3% in the North East. On a seasonally adjusted basis, UK house prices increased by 0.5% between May and June.
Martin Ellis, Halifax
Price Change by Region
source: Land Registry
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House prices are likely to remain at over the remainder of 2012 and into next year.
BAR News
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BAR News
The right move for BAR

BARs new exclusive partnership with Rightmove, the UKs number one property website, will provide BAR Members with a new source of high quality leads. Its a partnership for the long term between two organisations who are both committed to providing home movers with the highest levels of service.
The BAR first began discussing a partnership with Rightmove in late 2011, as part of the associations efforts to raise public awareness of what BAR membership means, and to attract new business channels for its Members. The result of those discussions is an exciting exclusive agreement that will be of interest to all BAR Members. As a result of the agreement, from 1 January 2013, Rightmoves removals quotes service will be exclusively available only to BAR Members. As Rightmove is the UKs largest property website, its the ideal place to promote BAR Members, Caroline Suard, BARs Director of Marketing tells R&S. This agreement means that Rightmoves users will receive the highest possible quality of service when they are moving, while BAR Members will have exclusive access to a large number of high quality leads. Currently, Rightmove is generating quote requests from 1,500 movers per month nationwide. 74% of the jobs are for houses, 58% are for accommodation of 3 bedrooms and over, and 50% have a house value over 200,000. The Rightmove Removal quotes service is promoted site-wide, on the homepage, search results and property details pages as well as in email newsletters to users. Consumers enter details of their move, which are then matched against a maximum of four removers. The consumer receives a summary about each remover selected including Referenceline reviews where available and links to a profile page. The remover receives detailed information about the job, including estimated sizes, journey times, photographs and maps, alongside which other firms have been selected to quote. The selection engine operates by matching the from address against postcode profiles provided by removers and, optionally, additional filters for things like job size, house value, time to move and distance to travel. These help movers manage volume and suitability. Its a simple, easy to administer pay-per-lead model, and reporting systems are in place to flag non-genuine leads which wont be charged for, says Rightmoves Rob Wilson. Rob explains that there are no contracts, terms or minimum spends so the set-up offers a lot of control to removers. Our consumer research showed that most users only wanted 3 or 4 quotes. More than that is hard to keep track of from their perspective, and from the removers perspective it makes it hard to stand out from the crowd particularly if some of the crowd are willing to cut corners and havent invested in quality equipment, facilities and staff and operate outside regulatory requirements. Each lead will cost 4 + VAT, with no charge for verified non-genuine leads. Rightmove is also offering a targeted email campaign worth 400 to feature in its own email updates to house hunters, as well as a free filter on leads (such as a minimum house price or size) until the end of the year, which could save movers up to a third of the price paid per lead.
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Exclusive to BAR Members The potential upside to BAR Members from the partnership is significant. In total, the website has 15.7 million visitors spending 15 minutes on site, viewing 835 million page impressions a month. In addition to the websites scale and reach, Rightmove also shares the BARs commitment to high quality in the moving industry. Rightmove will promote the benefits of choosing a BAR Member for movers on site and highlight the risks of going outside the BAR, Rob stresses. Exclusivity to BAR Members will also mean we can deliver a level playing field and healthy market for quality firms rather than the race to the bottom on prices which weve heard happens on other sites and which risks exposing consumers to the bad apples in the removal industry. He continues: We also import and present reviews from Referenceline.com to help members promote their hard-won good reputations, which further reinforces the consumer message to only trust their goods to a professional.
The exclusivity will last for at least 12 months, subject to 200 BAR Member websites using the service by 30 November 2013. For Rob, Both Rightmove and BAR are strong consumer brands that focus on providing quality services for consumers so we think the fit is natural. We hope that through the massive consumer traffic our site receives we can really help promote the benefits of using a quality remover and the benefits to consumers of insisting on BAR membership. The New Year is the peak traffic period for Rightmove, boosted by their annual TV advertising campaign, so Rob suggests that BAR members get up and running well before the end of the year to learn how to use Rightmoves systems to maximise business. Unlike other services whose only revenue stream relies on re-selling leads as many times as possible, wed rather develop something long lasting that supports removers and the industry, Rob says. Were prepared to use Rightmoves considerable resources to make that happen.
BAR News
Managing the Young Movers

Tom Ryan at Ryans Removals is joint Project Manager for BAR Young Movers. He spoke to R&S about what his job involves and how Young Mover membership has helped his own business grow.
My role as a joint Project Manager for BAR Young Movers is really all about encouraging the younger element of the industry to get together. By networking with each other, Young Movers can build relationships that look to the future of the businesses they work in, and which contribute to the success of the industry as a whole. Before every Young Movers event, Loren Webster (BAR Training Services Training Manager) and I always try very hard to brainstorm ideas that will appeal to everyone that attends, and more importantly benefit those who attend and the businesses they work for. My role has evolved rapidly, as it has become very clear to everyone in the industry that the Young Movers is an important group for the future of the business. All the group members take the trouble to keep up to date with the development of the industry as a whole, tackling topics from how to deal with the implications of the London 2012 Olympics to the packing skills needed on removals. I was first asked to project manage the group together with Loren as the demand grew. Because I attended all of the events, my experience has helped Loren and I plan subsequent events for the Young Movers. We are currently discussing the upcoming event in November, which will be really important for all the Young Movers Group. It will be a networking event where there will be speakers from all types of business in the industry. As at other events, Young Movers will be able to meet fellow attendees from all over the country, make important new contacts in the industry, as well as learn a lot from the speakers presentations and from the question and answer sessions. Ryans Removals Ltd has clearly benefited from the Young Movers Group. If I had not been to the events I would not have made the contacts I have contacts whom I am still working with two years later. Being a member of the Young Movers group has also really served as an introduction to the work of BAR itself. Perhaps if I had not attended the first Young Movers event at Star City, Ryans Removals may not have attended the conference, become CMG members and achieved three British Quality Standards! All of
which has benefited Ryans Removals Ltd to the present day. So my message to readers of R&S would be that if you run a business in the industry and have a young member of staff whom you think could benefit from the group, send them to the Young Movers events! It is of real benefit not only to the staff member but also to your business.
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BAR News
Exclusive partnership with moveme

As part of BARs pursuit of strategic marketing partnerships, the association has reached an agreement with Twentyci, the owners of moveme.com. Thanks to this agreement, BAR Members will enjoy discounted pricing for real time leads from moveme a leading home moving services website which will be exclusively available to BAR Members.
soon as they need your services. Following negotiations with BAR, under offer and sold direct mail leads are available at a 20% discount on standard pricing. Leads are available for as little as 40p (+VAT) per record. Generating additional income The company has also put together an package of products available only to BAR members, which gives them the opportunity to feature a Home Move Planner or Quote Widget on their own website and generate additional income from users requesting quotes for other services required during the moving process e.g. conveyancing, home insurance, etc. Revenue from these types of leads, which will be serviced by other moveme partners, will be shared 50/50 between moveme and the BAR Member, and can be offset against the cost of the real time and direct mail leads. BAR Members who sign up for a six month contract for all available real time and direct mail leads receive, free of charge, a BAR branded Home Move Planner and/or Quote Widget for their website. By ensuring that only BAR Members are used to service the real time leads from the site, we are protecting both the users of our site plus our own brand and the brands of our white label partners from being associated with disreputable removers, Katy says. We are looking forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship.
Since it bought moveme.com in 2010, Twentyci has completely re-designed the site, bringing in an entirely new management team. To grow the business, moveme have forged partnerships with a number of high profile brands including, among others, Confused.com, Royal Mail, Barratt Homes, Zoopla, Smart New Homes, Countrywide Estate Agents and now BAR. We have been very conscious of the need to ensure that the Removals Quote Request service we are offering to users of the site comes from companies which are reliable, professional and regulated, explains Katy Moore, Account Manager at Twentyci. While we have always prioritised BAR Members when promoting our leads, we are pleased to have now agreed a formal relationship which gives us the ability to actively promote the BAR on the moveme site and also offer BAR Members discounted rates on our products as negotiated by BAR on their behalf. Main elements of the agreement As part of the landmark agreement between BAR and Twentyci, all Removals Quote real time leads will be available exclusively to BAR Members. This will be the case for leads generated not only from the moveme site itself, but also from all of Twentycis white label partners, such as those mentioned above, who use the Home Move Planner developed by the company. That means that BAR Members who sign up to receive the leads will benefit from exposure on high
traffic sites such as Zoopla, not only on moveme.com itself. In addition, a unique package of products available only to BAR Members will provide the opportunity to feature a Home Move Planner on their own website and generate additional income from users requesting quotes for other services required during the moving process e.g. conveyancing, income protection etc. Real time leads The real time leads come directly from any individuals who have requested a removals quote through either the moveme site or any of the companys white label partners. Each lead is sent to a maximum of four BAR Members and will contain direct contact details to enable members to get in touch to provide an accurate quote. For BAR Members, real time leads are priced at a discounted rate of 3.00 per lead, reduced from 4.00, in all areas of the UK (including Greater London).For Caroline Suard, BAR Director of Marketing, BARs negotiations to achieve exclusivity in this deal means that BAR Members have the advantage of only competing with up to three other BAR Members for business, and it excludes the possibility of being undercut by less reputable removers. Under offer and sold direct mail leads In addition to real time leads, there is also the option of signing up to receive under offer and sold direct mail leads. These help removal companies to identify properties in their area which have been listed as either under offer or sold within the last week. They can then post out a marketing pack to introduce themselves at the very point at which the vendor will be looking for a removal company. These leads are available around 4 to 8 weeks prior to a move taking place. These leads are supplied to a maximum of three removal companies in each area and existing customers have seen unprecedented response rates of over 10 per cent, Katy says. They are an effective means of getting your brand in front of movers as
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BAR Members who sign up to receive the leads will benefit from exposure on high traffic sites such as moveme.com Zoopla, Barratt Homes, Smart New Homes and Countrywide Estate Agents.
BAR News
The Basil Fry Trophy and the BAR-UKWA Challenge By Chris Fry of Basil Fry & Co.
The annual golf event combining the Basil Fry Trophy and the BAR-UKWA Challenge took place on 6 September at Portal in the heart of rural Cheshire. The Basil Fry Trophy is a long-standing competition competed for by BAR Members. The BAR-UKWA Challenge is a younger event, a team competition between BAR and UKWA, this being the fifth year of the Challenge.
The MacDonald Portal Golf Resort is an excellent location for an event like this. The course itself was long and challenging, and tested every part of your game. The greens were firm and fast, and a few of them had slopes that were positively wicked. The rough was often brutally thick, most players struggling to get out of the primary rough. Even the secondary rough was surprisingly chunky and made delicate shots around the green difficult to judge. The overall course condition was superb, and was well worth the lengthy journeys that most people travelled. Aside from the course, the hotel was very comfortable, and although service occasionally left a lot to be desired, the quality of the food made up for this. And the winners were The BAR-UKWA Challenge was a close run thing. UKWA traditionally have more golfers than BAR, but the scoring system adopted cleverly dealt with this imbalance. The stableford points of all players on each side were totalled, and the result then divided by the number of players in each team. The team with the higher average points were the winners, and BAR narrowly won by a single point. The Challenge score is now 3-2 in favour of BAR. The Basil Fry Trophy was a straightforward stableford competition off full handicap. The Trophy and first prize was won by Gary Beattie of Clark & Rose, who scored a very creditable 35 points off a 14 handicap. Peter Doman of sponsors Basil Fry & Co was runner-up with 30 points. Most of the other BAR scores were in the 20s, which helped the BAR team to win the UKWA Challenge. The BAR team prize, based on the best 2 scores on each hole, was won by Greg Wildman, Peter Doman, Tony Dawes and Oliver Dawes of Simpson Packaging with 81 points. The golf day was rounded off by an enjoyable dinner at which both BAR and UKWA presented their respective prizes.
BAR Team Winners
Gary Beattie - Winner Basil Fry Cup
Gary Beattie receives Challenge Shield
Very many thanks to Basil Fry & Co for their continued support of BAR golf!
Peter Doman - Runner-up
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The Challenge score is now 3-2 in favour of BAR.
Young Mover Profile BAR News
Anchor Man: Anthony Wynn

Anthony started working for Anchor Removals straight after school. Little did he know that the job would lead to TV stardom on Channel 4!
Many readers will have seen Anthony Wynn (pictured) earlier this year on the Channel 4 makeover programme You Deserve this House. Presented by Amanda Lamb, the show gave the homes of community heroes a secret makeover, with a starring role for Anthony and co-worker Gary Cox of Anchor Removals. And Anthonys involvement in the programme wasnt limited to his sterling efforts in front of the camera. It was Anthony who took the original telephone call from the production company asking for Anchor Removals to participate. Still, hes not sure that hes cut out for more television work. Working on the show was certainly different from your average household move, he tells R&S. There was a lot of stop-starting while the film crew got different shots of the property during the process, so what should have been a three hour job took six hours. But with free food on tap you cant complain! After leaving school Anthony started working for Anchor Removals in 1998 as a porter on a casual basis. Anchor funded Anthony through college, and he continued to work at the company until becoming a full-time employee. I hated my other jobs and always found myself coming back to Anchor, he remembers. When I was a youngster I had a real problem with authority (teachers, coaches etc.), so its a bit ironic that I have found myself in a management position! Fourteen years after his first job for the company, hes now responsible for a wide range of functions, including operations management and warehouse
management. Life has changed a lot for Anthony since he joined Anchor Removals. He used to DJ and was on the verge of getting a residency in Ibiza before the news came that a child was on the way. Now with a family of four to look after, he spends most of his free time go-karting or watching football with his sons. He says that his playing days are long behind him! During quieter periods at work, hes a keen participant in Young Mover events and also enjoys catching up with other Young Movers on the Facebook
page. The Young Movers scheme is invaluable to the industry as we are the future of the industry, he says. Networking between the Young Movers can only help the businesses we all work for now and in the future. I especially enjoyed the Bristol BAR Conference Young Movers Event what I can remember of it! This industry changes like the wind, he says. Its important to always try to be one step ahead of the game. Its the only way we will be able to face up to all the challenges that will be thrown at the industry in the coming years.
Are we your preferred supplier - if not, why not?

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? 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.
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BAR News
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BAR Services BAR News
Protect yourself, your customer and the environment with quilted covers
Quilted covers have always been one of BAR Services best sellers and they are currently noticing a further increase in sales, particularly via the BAR Services website. So what is the benefit of using quilted covers over other protective products?
Firstly, water damage, tears, knocks and scratches to precious furniture can all result in costly insurance claims and unhappy customers. BAR Services supplies an inclusive range of covers that can help avoid such unnecessary situations. Each cover has three layers with a durable 4oz nylon outer that will protect the furniture from damage during removals when in storage. The three layers are diamond quilted therefore providing the ultimate in impact protection. Secondly, the quilted cover can be reused. It not only provides maximum protection but it is also a great low cost alternative to polythene or paper. The BAR Services quilted cover range has been designed for ease of use so items can be packed more quickly and simply, saving you money on vital man hours. The covers also look professional thus providing your customer with the satisfaction that their precious possessions are being well looked after and your company ends up with a first-class reputation. Available in royal blue, navy blue, red, green and black, your company logo can also be added to the cover. Finally, with continuing environmental pressure on the removal industry, the quilted cover offers the ideal solution. As mentioned the quilted cover is a completely re-usable product, therefore negating the need for excess paper, polythene and plastics that all need to be disposed of after use. All of this helps reduce your companys carbon footprint which in turn is a great plus point for your marketing campaign. Quite simply, the quilted covers tick all the boxes. It provides optimum protection at an affordable price with the peace of mind that you are helping the environment. For further details of this product call BAR Services on 01342 870087 or email sales@barservices.co.uk. Alternatively to order online, simply log on to www.barservices.co.uk
The BAR Services sales team: Working together to provide the perfect service
BAR Services not only prides itself on the quality of its products but also on the quality of the service it provides its customers. Its all well and good having a successful, competitively priced product but if the service is poor then customers are just as likely to leave and go to a competitor. Over the last year, BAR Services have introduced you to both its new Sales Manager, Tim Oliver and its Customer Services/Sales Coordinator Suzy Barrack. Tim and Suzy are a good combination of faceto-face contact with the Members backed up by strong customer services and after sales support in the office. Together these allow BAR Services to provide the high level of service that it prides itself on; it feels that a face in the field plus a dedicated office based team helps foster strong relationships. Having Tim on the road means the company can react more quickly to any problems and its sales team can then work to provide a solution. Suzy also sees Tims presence as a valuable tool that allows her and the team in the office to assess the members needs and monitor the market. What does BAR Services see as the main role of its Sales team? Firstly to supply ongoing, close contact with new and existing BAR members keeping them informed of beneficial new products and promotions as well as any developments that are in the pipeline. Secondly, the team work together to ensure all of its customers receive the best possible service from the taking of an order right through to the delivery. This also means providing product information, finding the best possible prices, keeping an eye on scheduled delivery dates and keeping the customer informed throughout the process. Tim feels this is an important continuation of his role of making the initial contact with the members. The Sales team have undoubtedly seen a change in buying behaviour throughout the recession. According to Suzy, it has been a tough summer again and many Members are still struggling. Often Members will buy just exactly what they need at the time, unless there is a promotion on offer. Suzy comments Members are finding it hard, we are trying to accommodate this by offering promotions on popular products. Our new BARS flute carton has been very popular by saving them money first and foremost but giving them a top quality product they can rely on. Tim has yet to visit some areas of the country but hopes to have seen all the members by early 2013. This is an important part of the whole process of the sales relationship that BAR Services like to build and maintain. BAR Services feel that not only should its sales team work together to provide a good and reliable service but that this is also achievable by listening to and working together with the Members.
Tim Oliver, Sales Manager
Suzy Barrack, Customer Services/Sales Coordinator
If you havent had a recent visit from Tim and would like him to come and see you or if you have any other questions regarding your account or the BAR Services products, please contact Suzy in the sales office on 01342 870087 or email sales@barservices.co.uk
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BAR News
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QSS Update BAR News
QSS re-aligns its certificate dates

Historically, QSS has issued its quality standard certificates based on the date of audit each year.
Our regulatory body UKAS requires us to carry out our annual audits prior to the expiry of the current certificate. In some cases this has led to certificate dates creeping forward over the years and some companies have expressed concern that they have lost part of the 12 months certification for which they have paid. To counter this, the certification date will now remain fixed regardless of when the annual audit takes place. Audits will be carried out several weeks ahead of the expiry date, in order to comply with UKAS requirements, but this will NOT affect the certificate renewal date which from now onwards will remain the same each year. For example if a certification date is 14 November the audit will be arranged at mutual convenience sometime in October, but the certificate date will remain as 14 November.
Quality Service Standards Ltd (QSS) is a wholly owned subsidiary of BAR. QSS is an independent audit body. It helps BAR Members achieve and maintain certification for the specialist industry standards BS EN 12522 (Domestic), BS EN 14873 (Storage), BS EN 15696 (Self storage), BS 8522 (Commercial) and BS 8564 (Overseas) as well as ISO 9001 (Quality Management Systems), ISO 14001 (Environmental) and the standards for shredding and document storage.
Chris Waymouth, Chief Executive, QSS
If any company wishes to adjust its audit and certification date to a more convenient time of the year, before it becomes fixed, this is the opportunity to do so please contact Chris Waymouth at QSS on 01923 699480 or at chris.waymouth@bar.co.uk
BAR Training Services

Training from the Removals Experts
Removals Essentials
Brand new course Removals Essentials to be priced 985.00+ VAT, this course will be delivered onsite as practical skills training where we will demonstrate the correct methods for manual handling, vehicle loading, wrapping and packing with delegates taking part in all practiacal excersises, there will be no classroom element. Course content:- Manual Handling, Health & Safety, Vehicle Loading, Packing (fragile and non fragile), Wrapping, Tail Lifts, Risk Assessment.
BRAND NEW
for 2012!
This is a practical course, with no classroom element

Course can be delivered onsite for your convenience, Please contact BAR Training
Services for full details at training@bar.co.uk or 01923 699 484
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Olympics BAR News Monitor
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Features
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Features
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CMG Profile CMG News BAR
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.
New BAR and CMG Member: Merit Office Installations

Merit Office Installations has built up an enviable portfolio of blue chip customers over the years, providing commercial relocation and storage services to all segments of the economy.
For over 25 years, Merit has been offering office furniture installation services as well as commercial moves and relocations to an increasingly demanding marketplace. The company has now joined the BAR and the BAR Commercial Moving Group to strengthen the marketing of its business in todays competitive environment. Our main activities are commercial moving and new furniture installations all over the country, Senior Project Manager, Jamie Ashford says. BAR membership will be a big plus on the promotion side and is already raising our profile in the market. With current economic conditions, we have seen more and more companies enter the commercial moving business. Customers today want to work with wellestablished businesses who work to the highest standards and BAR membership shows that we are part of that select group. Merit has steadily developed its portfolio of services over the years. In addition to office furniture installation, commercial moving and storage services, the company provides crate hire, furniture refurbishment, bespoke furniture, and even a recycling and reuse system. The company has provided services to a vast range of companies, ranging from financial institutions, media organisations and law firms, to retailers and various clients in the public sector. Merit has recently been certified for the Commercial Moving Standard BS 8522, and has the resources and the know-how to complete moves of any size, internal or external and small or large-scale. Broad portfolio of professional services Merit is a family-owned company, and most of the management team have been with the company from day one, including company founder and Managing Director Roy Ashford, as well as senior Project Managers Rick and Jamie Ashford. At the operational level, all of Merits on-site teams are professional and uniformed for easy identification. Training is of the highest importance, Jamie says, and all employees are trained in manual handling, packing and unloading. All on-site operatives and warehouse staff are issued with the correct PPE to meet British Standards. In addition, senior and midlevel staff complete first aid training. All employees are also CSCS trained. We take training very seriously and training in first aid and manual handling is part of our standard
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operating procedure at the company, Jamie says. In this line of work, you are only as good as your people. Our reputation is on the line, so the professionalism of our workers is paramount to us. At the same time, Merit is also continuing to invest in technology, updating its fleet of vehicles regularly to make sure that its assets are of the highest quality. Its sign-written fleet includes 18 and 7.5 ton trucks, Lutons, Sprinters and Transporter-sized vans, courier vans and estates. With environmental concerns now uppermost in many companies minds, Jamie says that Merits recycling and reuse services have proved very popular in the market. As well as recycling our general, day-to-day waste such as packaging materials, we also offer a service to remove all unwanted furniture and IT equipment for reuse or recycling, he says. We have set up a scheme whereby local schools and charities receive notice from us when a project is completed and furniture is available. They have first refusal on any furniture. And after a limited period of time, any unwanted furniture items will be forwarded for recycling. In its fast-growing storage business, the company has a warehouse of about 70,000 sq ft of storage space split between palletised storage, 250 cubic ft and 1120 cubic ft containers. These facilities are set within a secure compound with fully weather proof steel containers measuring 20ft x 8ft (160sq ft) and 10ft x 8ft (80sq ft). Merit offer an online inventory tool to assist customers with their storage on site. As all your readers will know, the market right now
is tough, but the demand is growing for companies who invest in providing a professional service, Jamie says. Being a BAR Member shows the market that we are a well-respected company. We are specialists in what we do and we believe that our customers appreciate that and value the contribution we make to their business.
We have set up a scheme whereby local schools and charities receive notice from us when a project is completed and furniture is available. They have first refusal on any furniture. And after a limited period of time, any unwanted furniture items will be forwarded for recycling.
CMG News Industry News
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Overseas GroupNewsle BAR Profi
The Overseas Group (OG) is a dedicated group of companies within the British Association of Removers that specialise in all aspects of overseas relocations.
Overseas Group Deputy Chairman: Tony Tickner

Tony Tickner, Managing Director of EuroGroup International Movers, is also Deputy Chairman of the Overseas Group of the BAR. He took time out from a busy period at work to talk to R&S about how the OG plans to implement its priorities, as he prepares to take over the Chair from Ian Palmer next year.
BAR enjoys much higher levels of recognition with the public than FIDI or other organisations, Tony explains. We joined BAR and the OG because we wanted to show that we specialise in overseas moves and meet the toughest criteria. It still works very well for us. Theres a lot of prestige attached to being an OG member, and the financial guarantees involved also give some comfort to our customers. Over the years, Tony has become an increasingly active member of the OG and the OG Council. He says that the industry as a whole has given a lot to EuroGroup and he is very keen to give something back by participating in a body that is helping to lead the development of the overseas moving sector. Currently Deputy Chair of the OG Council, Tony will take over from Ian Palmer as Chair in May 2013. To date, he has played a role on the OG working committee that helped develop the OG Standard, as well as representing the OG on the BAR working group that each year prepares the annual conference. Tony says that Ian will be a hard act to follow. Its always easier to take over something that is not going well than to take over something that is running very smoothly, he says. My main priority is to continue Ians good work and increase awareness of the OG internationally and locally. I want to congratulate Ian for what he has already achieved in terms of raising awareness. We really need to encourage all movers who work with overseas moves to think seriously about the benefits of becoming an OG member. Latest on marketing the OG One initiative that Tony is considering is to set up a special working committee of the OG exclusively dedicated to marketing. Its crucial that the public are more aware of the differences between standard membership of the BAR and membership of the OG, he says. Its also important that OG members promote each others companies more in the trade services market, so that other movers are fully aware of which companies specialise in which areas. Of course, in todays digital world, an OG website will play a major part in this marketing drive. So its very encouraging that thanks to the hard work of the OG Council and working committee, who are working closely with Caroline Suard, BARs Director of Marketing, the first OG website is now being developed. Its currently under construction and is not far away from being launched, Tony says. Its going to make a big difference to the marketing of the OG. 2013 will also be a milestone year for OG members, as the BS8564 overseas moving standard will from 1 July next year be a requirement for all companies who do not already hold a FIDI-FAIM or an equivalent standard. The OG Council will be helping any companies who need guidance with the standard and any prospective new members, Tony says. I personally feel that its been long overdue and I think having our own standard will also be a real help for our marketing. Finally, Tony says that the OG will play an ever growing role at the BAR Conference. In addition to its traditional and much appreciated opening buffet, the OG is working on a number of initiatives aimed at attracting more overseas visitors to the event. Next year, members should look out for special working sessions devoted specifically to the issues of overseas moving. We are organising three sessions of 45 minutes each, over a day, with subjects of special interest to OG members, Tony says. Its important for all of us on the OG Council to help existing members get the most out of membership and to attract new members to the OG. Its going to be a very busy year and one I am really looking forward to!
The Overseas Group membership currently consists of 54 Members. There are 153 BAR International Associates.

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Its important that OG members promote each others companies more in the trade services market, so that other movers are fully aware of which companies specialise in which areas.
Tony Tickner, OG Deputy Chairman
BAR News

Library Packing and Removals
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 filing systems. Course content:- Library Classifications, Sequential order, Labelling and packing the crate, Methods for packing a library, Using existing shelving, Mobile shelving, Crew organisation, Special collections and Integrating collections.
Course Dates 2012

16 October 2012 27 November 2012 Course to be held at BAR, Watford
BRAND NEW
for 2012!
Just 199 + VAT p/p (BAR Member)
Course can be delivered onsite for your convenience, Please contact BAR Training
Services for full details at training@bar.co.uk or 01923 699 484
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Self Storage Group BAR News
The Self Storage Special Interest Group was established in response to the needs of many Members who now include self storage as an important element in their service offerings. The Group offers a forum for companies to promote and develop their self-storage operations and is designed to encourage best practice in the self-storage industry.
Are you prepared for the upcoming VAT changes?

Kathleen Parker of Wellers Accountants explains how VAT will apply to self storage suppliers.
As from 1 October 2012, the supply of facilities for self-storage will no longer be exempt from VAT. The change is as a result of the Finance Act 2012 and could have important implications for some Members of the BAR. If your company supplies self storage facilities then you could be obliged to register for VAT (if you havent already done so) and apply the standard rate of 20% to the sale price of your self storage facilities. Members who sell this service need to act promptly and consider the following: 1. If you qualify and should register for VAT. 2. Contacting your accountant for professional advice. (Wellers would be happy to help answer any queries and advise you where necessary.) 3. Contacting your local tax office to register. VAT is a complex area so we have devised the following questions and answers as a guide to provide further clarification on registration and help you understand when and how VAT is applicable to your business. Do you qualify for VAT registration? Just because you sell self storage facilities doesnt mean you have to register for VAT. Companies whose annual turnover is less than 77,000 are exempt. Anything above this level and you must register for VAT. Importantly the supply of self storage facilities before 1 October 2012 is exempt for VAT. If you are trading under or close to the 77,000 turnover level then you need to do two things regularly: Look back and review: At the end of each month review your turnover for the last 12 months. Where total turnover in this time period exceeds the 77,000 threshold then you need to register for VAT. You have to apply to be registered for VAT within 30 days of the end of the month that you review in. You registration will then take effect from the end of the 30 days. So, if you review on 31 May 2012 and find your turnover has exceeded 77,000 then you must apply to register for VAT by 30 June 2013. The VAT will then take effect from 30 June 2013. Look forward and forecast: On an on-going basis, look at your projected turnover for the next 30 days. If you are going to exceed 77,000 in that time then you will have to apply to be registered within a 30 day time period. You will then be registered with effect from the beginning of the 30 days. What if you should register for VAT but dont? Are there penalties? This will result in your company being penalised. If you fail to register for VAT at the correct time then the penalties depend on the amount of VAT due and how late you are in informing the VAT office that you should have registered. The penalty is worked out as a percentage of the VAT due from the date when you should have registered to the date when you notify the VAT office. Note that the minimum penalty is 50. Can you register for VAT now? You can apply and register for VAT on a voluntary basis, whether you are required to do so or not. You will receive a VAT number and the process can take between 6-8 weeks to completion. When should you start informing customers? The Finance Act has already been passed into law which means the VAT change came into effect as of 1 October 2012. There is no legal set time notice for billing changes which means if VAT is applicable to your organisation, then it is probably wise to inform your customers of the changes now. What if a customer pre-pays for self storage in a time period that starts before and then crosses the 1 October threshold? If the invoice was raised or the payment was made prior to 21 March 2012 then VAT is not applicable even if the invoice covers a period post 1 October 2012. However, if the invoice was raised after 21 March then their payment will be VAT exempt for the time period up to and including 30 September 2012 and from 1 October 2012 onwards 20% VAT must be accounted for.
Kathleen Parker, Wellers Accountants
What about overseas customers, do you charge VAT to them? The nationality of the purchaser is not relevant. The supply of storage facilities is in the UK which means VAT applies subject to the criteria mentioned prior to this question. What is the Capital Goods Scheme (CGS) for self storage buildings? The CGS is relevant for all capital expenditure incurred on land and buildings. CGS would normally only apply to capital expenditure exceeding 250,000 (excluding VAT), but for a limited period, special rules have been implemented for self storage buildings meaning that CGS can apply to capital expenditure exceeding just 1. In order to enjoy the benefit of this new mini-CGS regime, you must make a decision before 31 March 2013 to use the mini-CGS for your expenditure, and to record the decision in writing.
For more information contact Wellers Accountants: 1 Vincent Square, London SW1P 2PN Tel: +44 (0)20 7630 6665 www.wellersaccountants.co.uk
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BAR News
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Training News BAR
Harrow Greens apprentices

By David Thompson, Training and Quality Control Manager, Harrow Green Harrow Green began the apprenticeship programme in May this year, taking on six apprentices at four locations within the Harrow Green network.
Unfortunately two of our apprentices became ill very soon after joining Harrow Green. One of the Birmingham apprentices caught meningitis and was hospitalised for some time; another at Manchester has had serious problems with his back and will need to attend hospital for corrective treatment at some time in the near future. It is Harrow Greens intention to pick up again and restart an appropriate training programme with both of these apprentices as and when this is possible. The apprentice programme has definitely been a learning curve for Harrow Green; consideration has to be given to much of the day-to-day working practices which we just take for granted. Regular research on our part and assistance from BARTS has made this new path easier for Harrow Green. What Harrow Green has found very positive is the way these apprentices soak up the training and information that is delivered to them. This enthusiasm from the apprentices has ensured training delivery for the all Harrow Green trainers has not been hard work, it has been positively rewarding. Of course this process is not for everyone, all the potential apprentices have bundles of enthusiasm for the job before they start and nearly all carry on with the same amount of enthusiasm but we have had one who did fall by the wayside so it is very important the selection process used to decide on the chosen apprentices is as challenging and as objective as possible. Although the apprentices for the majority of the time work with senior crews, they are very enthusiastic about getting together and learning as a group. We have taken this on board and will be arranging collective training and workshop sessions when this is possible; as all Harrow Green locations are slightly different we intend to hold these get togethers at as many different Harrow Green locations as we can. Training Although a separate apprentices training programme has been put in place in general this programme follows the Harrow Green commercial relocation foundation training course for all new starters. In line with the training for all new starters this begins with an Induction and security vetting process followed by the apprentices attending a course in Basic Commercial Removal Skills delivered by local branch trainers following a standardised delivery to ensure continuity. This course provides basic instruction in manual handling, health and safety at work and an
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understanding of the Harrow Green standards of work and behaviour. With these skills on board the apprentices can then attend live working situations although they will be buddied and/or mentored until they are observed to be conversant with commercial relocation working practices. Collective training, as a group, for all apprentices then continues at a central location with a two day foundation course where the apprentices receive more specific training directed at the needs for commercial relocation skills and competencies. The future Further training will not be restricted to operational issues. Through the year apprentices will receive training and take on an understanding of the very varied skills used in the commercial relocation industry. This training will be followed by time spent with sales, customer service and the operations departments to provide them with a very rounded experience of what it takes to successfully run a commercial removal undertaking. Throughout the whole training process apprentices are monitored by senior operational staff, including Harrow Green Quality Control auditing staff, when at work and on an on-going basis including one-to-ones with their line manager and the branch manager. This is another
very important part of the process to ensure all apprentices are gaining from the Harrow Green experience. As we go through the year and the apprentices become more conversant with their roles and responsibilities in the commercial relocation industry and they also develop individually we will provide more specialised training appropriate to their individual talents. This has been a very rewarding process for Harrow Green and we intend to initiate a second apprentice programme at the end of this year providing apprentice placements at all our locations.
Silvertown (London) Birmingham Leeds Manchester 2 apprentices 2 apprentices 1 apprentice 1 apprentice
For more information contact Harrow Green: 2 Oriental Road, London E16 2BZ Tel:0845 603 8774 www.harrowgreen.com

Training News BAR News

BARTS 2012 Training Dates All courses taking place at BAR Watford*
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 qualification.
Introduction to Estimating
Ideal for staff who are new to the role. This 1 day course focuses on teaching students the unit system, methods of estimating, risk assessment, the role of the Estimator and selling services to the customer Quantity Assessment The Role of the Estimator Health & Safety Contract Conditions Communication Techniques Removals Insurance
Course Dates 2012

29 October - 2 November
Course Dates 2012

5 November
NEWLY IMPROVED for 2012!
BRAND NEW
for 2012!
1,675 + VAT p/p (BAR Member)

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 The Role of the Estimator Health & Safety Contract Conditions Communication Techniques Removals Insurance

Selling Skills/Promoting the BAR OFT Code of Practice
This 1 day course is designed to enhance sales skills and to demonstrate the most effective way of promoting the BAR OFT Code of Practice to win business, covering topics such as: The Role of the Salesperson Marketing Prospecting & Negotiating Promoting the OFT Code Communication & Presentation Identifying Customer Needs Closing the Sale
Course Dates 2012

6 & 7 November
Course Dates 2012

21 November
NEWLY IMPROVED for 2012!
545 + VAT p/p (BAR Member)

*BAR Training Services train you at BAR in Watford, in the BAR areas or at your premises. 4 October
1 Day (7 hours) Driver CPC Course Dates 2012
JAUPT APPROVED CENTRE AC00191
prices start from as little as 49.25 + VAT per driver, delivered on site at your premises
129 + VAT per driver (BAR Member)
To book Call: 01923 699484 or email: training@bar.co.uk
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Training News BAR
BAR Training Services carry out a range of training courses for removals companies. Peter Walters, BARTS Field Trainer, provides a roundup of the courses recently delivered. For full feedback from delegates and for more information on all courses, please go to www.removalstraining.co.uk
Recent training course with University of Southampton

BARTS delivered a 2-day training course in August in Customer Care and Vehicle Loading to the Post and Portering department at the University of Southampton. Due to the departments operational schedule, the delegates were divided into 2 groups of 6 so that they could remain operational. The course was therefore run as a half-day customer care and halfday vehicle loading for each group. The trainees clearly had a good level of customer care and the course reiterated what they already knew and aimed to give them a few new ideas on how to improve their care to the people that they serve. The two groups seemed eager to learn the techniques on securing loads and tying in on the vehicle. They were currently using ropes to secure the loads and after explaining that ropes are not ideal for securing furniture as this could cause damage, I demonstrated with the webbing and the web knots, and after mastering how to tie in using the webbing, they all agreed that this was much easier and more effective than using rope.
Feedback includes:
Chris Channell: I found this very interesting, valuable and useful information which will come in very handy in the work environment, but also if I had to move at any time I would be able to do it more safely and securely. Matt Ford: I enjoyed the majority of this course and I specifically enjoyed the practical parts where I felt I was introduced to good working techniques and methods that I was unaware of before. Overall it was a beneficial experience where I gained some new knowledge to help me do my job better and safer. Mark Westbrook: I felt that the majority of the course was more relevant to the commercial world and not the public sector. However, the second part was very useful; Peter Walters was very good at using his experience as a removal man in providing instruction on tying and securing things in a vehicle, knowledge that we needed. Mathew Manaton: I enjoyed the course and found it very interesting. I found the instructor knowledgeable and affable; he is very good at communicating his knowledge and is very approachable. Its good to hear stories from his vast previous experience and the light-hearted anecdotes really made the time fly.
Barts Field Trainer, Peter Walters
October handy tip

Rather than throw away or send your used office paper for recycling, shred it and use as cushioning or protective packaging.

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BAR News
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European News Industry
France takes the lead on fuel price action

The French government has reached an agreement with the energy industry to cut the price of fuel by up to 6 Euro cents per litre for three months, relieving the pressure on French drivers and transport businesses.
Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici (pictured) said that thanks to the agreement it will cost 1.50 Euro less to put 25 litres in the fuel tank. Its a substantial amount, especially for people with low revenues or who have to drive a lot. The decision will cost the state at least 300 million Euros in lost tax revenues. President Francois Hollande said before his election in May that he would freeze retail fuel prices for three months. In the wake of the news, the Road Haulage Association in the UK called for an immediate cut in fuel duty as a sure-fire method of boosting the economy. Although we recognise that this is a temporary cut, it will be of great benefit to the French economy pending more permanent measures to curb fuel prices, said RHA Chief Executive Geoff Dunning. If our own Treasury officials were to follow the example set by France, it would be a tremendous shot
Dutch MEP targets French fines

Dutch MEP Corien Wortmann has said she is shocked by the high fines imposed on foreign lorry and coach drivers for non-compliance with administrative rules in France, and is appealing for the European Commission to take action. Ms Wortmann said that in France minor infringements that do not endanger road safety can be punished with fines of more than 10,000 Euros. She has heard of two drivers of a Flemish coach undertaking who recently received a fine of 39,000 Euro imposed because they could not submit to the French a holiday declaration certificate... a document in which a driver explains what he has done on the days that he was not sitting behind the wheel. Controls are a tool to ensure that rules are respected and to improve road safety, but should not become an end in itself to bring in money. This case shows that Europe must hurry with the harmonising of the enforcement of road transport. We need a lot more action to improve the enforcement of legislation in the road transport sector. What exactly are the offences and what penalties apply? she said. The transportation and logistics association of the Netherlands and the employers organisation are supporting the action of Ms Wortmann and her colleague Peter van Dalen.
in the arm for the UK economy in general and UK hauliers in particular. In France, fuel duty represents 54% of the price of a litre of fuel. Here in the UK it represents 60% the highest rate in the EU. We are facing another fuel duty hike in January. To have a duty reduction in the final quarter of 2012 would certainly buy our industry time and put extra money in peoples pockets. This will give a much needed pre-Christmas boost to the economy.
EU consults on road charging

On 10 August 2012 the European Commission launched a consultation on charging for use of road infrastructure. The consultation is open until 4 November 2012. The consultation is intended to assist the European Commission in considering new initiatives on road charging. The starting premise is that all users should pay at least the marginal costs of the wear and tear of infrastructure and the main external costs (such as noise, pollution and congestion). Essentially this is moving more closely towards the user/polluter pays principle. Whereas limited road charging of heavy goods vehicles is regulated by the Eurovignette Directive, road charging of cars, light goods vehicles and motorbikes is generally not regulated across the EU. The Commission says this may lead to inconsistency across Europe, lack of transparent price signals supporting fair and efficient use of infrastructure and importantly a deficit between the cost of financing road infrastructure and the available funding. The Commission is considering whether distance based charging should be based according to the axle load of the vehicle, toll rates aligned to journey time, differing day and season charges and whether road charges might be aligned with environmental performance to incentivise the use of cleaner vehicles. The Commission has estimated that 1.5 trillion Euro over 20 years is the minimum investment needed in infrastructure to reflect rising transport demand. With public spending on transport infrastructure generally decreasing, road charging schemes are seen as an opportunity to secure revenue flow in a fair way. The ability to recover some construction costs is also being considered to encourage private investment in Public Private Partnerships. Without these investments, Europe will progressively lose the asset of efficient transport infrastructure capable of supporting long-term, sustainable economic growth, the Commission says. Spending on the maintenance of the existing network is not sufficient to keep it in a good condition. The Commission says that road charging schemes are fairer than financing the infrastructure from taxes, since it allows the infrastructure to be financed by its true beneficiaries rather than the general public. It says that the consultation should be of interest to not only road users (both direct and indirect commercial users and private users) but also to vehicle manufacturers, those involved in the leasing of vehicles and in emissions abatement and transport data technology, public and private procurement professionals, investors, financiers and contractors in transport infrastructure.
Daytime lights in Bulgaria

It is now compulsory for all vehicles to use Daytime Running Lights or dipped headlights during the day at all times throughout the year in Bulgaria. This new regulation entered into force on 7 August 2012.

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European News Industry News
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Features
Sweden is not just about Abba, Ikea and Volvo anymore!
Hamiltons weekly service to Scandinavia, incorporated in January 2012, has been a resounding success story. In excess of 30,000 cubic feet has been delivered to Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland during the first quarter of the financial year. With the support and cooperation of Hamiltons Scandinavian partners and agents, return consignments continue to rise steadily.
A further 100 cubic metre modern road train is now being added to this dedicated service. There is certainly no shortage of drivers and porters willing to make the journeys to and from these beautiful countries. The drivers accounts and colourful descriptions of the sights and breathtaking scenery encountered on the two week return trips prompted Jean Sawyer and Caroline Bowden, Hamiltons Overseas Coordinators, to take a cruise to the Norwegian fjords to see for themselves. Two-way traffic The population of Sweden has recently passed the 9.5 million mark and is expected to reach 10 million as early as 2018, taking just 14 years for the population to increase by one million. According to Paul Walsh, European Director, Hamiltons, this unusual rapid population growth in recent years is as a result of migration into Sweden, further fuelling the movements being experienced by Hamiltons groupage and dedicated services. Norway has also proved to be a busy part of Hamiltons Scandinavian route. Paul explains that the Norwegian economy is a prosperous mixed economy with a vibrant private sector. The country
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Removals & Storage September 2012 October 2012
Paul Walsh, Director
For more information contact Hamiltons: Hamilton House, 6 Speedwell Way Harleston Industrial Estate, Harleston Norfolk IP20 9EH Tel: 01379 855203 www.hamiltonsremovals.co.uk
is richly endowed with natural resources of petroleum, hydropower, fish, forests and minerals. Hamiltons has responded to a strong demand for high quality corporate moves with executive employees moving both out of and back to the UK. Since Norway opted to stay out of the EU in a referendum in November 2004, customs formalities remain a requirement before entering or leaving the country with consignments. Hamiltons has experienced staff to handle such requirements. For Paul, the whole new Scandinavian service has dovetailed neatly into Hamiltons existing European routes and destinations. Our vehicles, depending on schedules and loads, either travel by ferry direct to Scandinavia or via North West Germany, which has also seen a dramatic increase in traffic over the last two years.
The whole new Scandinavian service has dovetailed neatly into Hamiltons existing European routes and destinations.
Features
State of alert: computer viruses, spyware and identity theft

The more we are on the Internet, the more exposed we are to the risks of computer viruses, spyware and identity theft. With so much of our personal and commercial business being carried out online, its a threat we cannot afford to ignore. Vigilance is the key to minimising these risks.
Weve never used the Internet more, with social media, e-mail and mobile browsing taking up more and more time of our lives. There are even some people who use it for work! However, every time we are online we are increasingly vulnerable to an ever expanding range of threats that not only compromise our security as individuals, but have the potential to cripple a business. Being online is absolutely critical to a moving company, not only for getting leads but for communicating with customers, suppliers and employees, says Paul Digby of DIGBY Computers, an IT consultancy which has worked for more than 15 years with the British Association of Removers (BAR) and BAR Training Services, deploying technologies to protect the organisations from unwanted email, viruses and threats from the Web (malware, phishing etc). However, its essential that companies take some basic security precautions against fraud and theft, of your own identity or of a customers identity, Paul tells R&S. One wrong move can lead to a whole world of pain. Paul advises: It should be common practice for all businesses to install and maintain updated antimalware and anti-virus packages, as well as firewalls and web proxy software. But vigilance and education are the key, not just software. Nobody can afford to be complacent. Employees should be trained to ignore spam and not to open any links that come in spam, which often result in malicious programs such as spyware being downloaded. In addition, no-one should open attachments from unknown senders without verification first. Spyware secretly records user names and passwords for banking sites, email accounts, social networking sites. Paul says the best protection is to ensure that staff stay away from suspect Internet sites, as well as using a reputable security package and keeping it updated at all times. It is also important not to disclose your password and details on fake banking websites, so-called phishing, which is a very popular way for criminals to steal your online identity and hence access your bank account. Never reveal your passwords to anyone, and always contact the bank if in doubt, Paul says. Its also a good idea to use a different password and PIN for each website. Goodbye to spam? The nature of malicious attacks is also changing as Internet usage habits evolve. Spam levels are actually falling, as criminals increasingly prefer social networks to spread their viruses, rather than e-mails. The very nature of social networks makes users feel
Mind the app Another major concern currently is that viruses and other forms of malware are now migrating to the mobile world. Many removers rely on round-the-clock mobile Internet access, but these smartphones and tablets are increasingly being targeted by cybercriminals. The most popular way in which criminals access a mobile phone is when the user downloads applications. So companies need to maintain vigilance about exactly what apps employees are downloading, especially on smartphones that use the Android system. The iPhone is less vulnerable, Wally Swain, Senior VP of Research at the Yankee Group
For more information contact DIGBY Computers: www.digby.co.uk or email paul@digby.co.uk
September 2012 Removals & Storage October 2012 Removals & Storage
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that they are amongst friends and perhaps not at risk, online security firm Symantec says in its annual Internet Security Report. Unfortunately, its exactly the opposite and attackers are turning to these sites to target new victims. Also, due to social engineering techniques and the viral nature of social networks, its much easier for threats to spread from one person to the next. Meanwhile, the costs to business of an Internet security lapse are rising all the time. Symantec said in March that the average cost of a data breach has risen for the fifth consecutive year. It said that the average cost per capita of a data breach rose to 79 per record, up from 71 in 2010 and 68% higher than 47 in 2007. Notably, negligent employees or contractors pose the biggest risk to organisations, responsible for over a third (36%) of all data breaches. Mike Jones, Senior Product Marketing Manager at Symantec says a large proportion of data breaches are actually caused by individual negligence and warns businesses not to become complacent. Businesses need to show that they are aware of this and be seen to react in an appropriate way. They need to take protective measures to proactively monitor the level of control and the access to company data that they give to individual employees and prevent accidental or purposeful misuse.
consultancy says, because of the greater investment that Apple makes in vetting apps and its constant efforts to purge the App Store of dubious content. But there is no question that app security issues are here now and will increase, Wally says. Hackers get their thrills from affecting the maximum number of people. Thats the real reason the Windows platform is riddled with viruses to the point there is a whole industry protecting it, but the Apple/Mac platform has been virus-free until very recently. In the post-PC world as usage shifts to mobile devices, targeting Windows or Mac just wont be fun anymore. We have been reporting for over a year on piracy and malware problems with the Android platform: it is already the target.
Many removers rely on round-the-clock mobile Internet access, but these smartphones and tablets are increasingly being targeted by cybercriminals.
Features
Revamping the RBA

Major changes are afoot at the Removers Benevolent Association (RBA), the removal and storage industrys very own charity. R&S spoke to Matt Purdie, Chairman of Trustees of the RBA, about the important role that the charity plays in providing financial support to current and former removers and their families.
The removals community is well known for its sense of social responsibility, and supporting a charity can be a great way of raising a companys profile and motivating employees. Indeed, in every issue R&S reports on the wide range of contributions that BAR Members make to the charities of their choice, in the UK and beyond. However, many Members may not be aware that the moving industry itself has its very own charity in the UK, the Removers Benevolent Association. The RBA is dedicated to providing financial support to people in need who are, or have been, employed for a minimum of two years by a Member or former Member of the BAR, and their dependants. The RBA is the industrys very own charity, explains Matt Purdie, the Chairman of the Trustees of the RBA. It was established in 1900, so it is even older than the BAR itself. It is run by removers for removers. We should be your first choice when making a contribution to charity. Anyone who has worked for a removal company for two years at any time in their career is entitled to benefit. So bear us in mind you or your employees might need us one day! The RBA Committee comprises three other trustees: former BAR President Derek Payne and former BAR Treasurer John Court, and new trustee, Jonathan Hood, a past President of BAR. The RBAs management committee includes Emma Lane from Britannia Lanes, Thomas Firbank of Thomas Firbank Removals, Graham Puddephatt of Reason Global and Bob Tree of Basil Fry & Co. The President of BAR is also the President of the RBA which is how Matt originally became involved with the RBA (he was BAR President from 2008-2010) and which means that current BAR President Ian Studd now participates at RBA meetings. How the RBA operates The RBA Trustee body and its Management Committee are currently looking at ways of raising the profile of the RBA within the industry and making sure that the people who really need its support are aware of the organisation. We always try to direct money to the most deserving people, Matt says. Within 48 hours of a claim being received, we can make cash payouts to people who are in really urgent need. When a claim is received, Derek Payne analyses the claim and makes a recommendation to the Committee, which then decides what action to take. In the past months, the RBA has been able to provide vital support to former employees in the removals industry and their dependants who have run into very difficult circumstances. When a young mover died tragically on an overseas
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holiday just before his wedding, his distraught fiance could not recover the cancellation fees for the abandoned wedding costs which had taken all of their savings. The RBA stepped in immediately to provide financial assistance towards the funeral costs which helped both her and their young son through a particularly tragic period. The RBA paid out a fourfigure sum in this case, Matt says. Funeral expenses are the most common claim received, but the RBAs actions extend well beyond that, and the impact of the RBAs support can be as much psychological as financial. When a landlord refused to replace a broken gas fire in the freezing home of a retired removals worker who was 75 years old, his son contacted the RBA, who helped buy him a new gas fire. Although he had retired ten years previously, we were able to help him out, Matt says. He was over the moon that he had been remembered by the removers. We are a very close-knit community and I think its important that we stay that way, and that removal companies support the RBA more. If we can verify that a person worked for a current or former BAR Member, we will be able to help that person when they most need it. Maximising the funds value Last year, although the RBA raised 3,500, it paid out double that amount to former removers and their dependants in need. Matt explains that because it is a registered charity, the money raised cannot be paid out directly and must be invested. It is the return on this investment that is paid out rather than the capital itself, which must be preserved at all times under the Reserves Policy that the Trustees are required to have in place.The donations and contributions the RBA receives are invested, he says. We meet frequently with our stockbrokers (who are a well-respected firm of city stockbrokers) to review the balance and we are investigating options to invest the cash available for investment with a view to growth rather than income. We also go over the bequests we have received and look at future fund-raising initiatives. Matt hopes that BAR Members become more involved with what is, after all, their very own charity. The RBA has been quite successful in the last couple of years in raising funds from removals companies, but there is a lot more that can be done, he told R&S. The thank-you letters that we regularly receive from people we have helped show just how important our work can be. The RBA has recently redesigned its application form to make the process of lodging a claim more straightforward, and Matt says that the organisation aims to consolidate its position as the removal industrys charity of choice.
Matt Purdie, Chairman of Trustees of the RBA
Its great that BAR Members contribute so much to charities, whether its part of their own companys initiative or through BAR local area meetings, he says. At the same time, its also important for all of us to remember the one organisation that looks after our own. After all, charity begins at home.
Matt Purdie, Chairman of RBA Trustees
For more details please contact The BAR company secretary: Tel: 01923 699480 or email: info@bar.co.uk
The RBA is the industrys very own charity. It is run by removers for removers. We should be your first choice when making a contribution to charity.
Features
Affiliate Profile: Enhanced OS, the home of MoveMan

With more than 16 years of providing services to the removal industry, Enhanced Operating Systems Ltd has become an essential information technology partner to BAR Members of all shapes and sizes. The creators of MoveMan, EOS now provides systems and support for moving companies across the world and is continuously integrating new services into its software.
As many BAR Members will know, EOS is recognised in the removals industry for one flagship offering above all others: the MoveMan Pro series of software products. MoveMan helps movers automate and improve the efficiency of nearly all their administrative and survey requirements. Our MoveMan products are standard in design but they are fully flexible to be tailored in terms of output, explains Chris Elson, Systems Consultant at EOS. As part of any install process we look at what is currently done and how to replicate this in MoveMan. The removal company then has the ability to control their own data and output, ensuring it is always kept fresh and up to date. One of the latest BAR Members to install EOS systems is Watford-based Eagle Relocations. The companys sales department now uses MoveManLive to react immediately to incoming sales leads without having to waste time duplicating information. In addition, Eagle have also installed MoveMan Mobile to provide accurate property surveys synchronised to the office immediately. Operationally all their shipments are processed through MoveMan and the use of our tracking portal allows them to reduce the time they are spending servicing basic requests from client for information, Chris tells R&S. All in all, MoveMan provides them with a more focused staff, who can quickly and efficiently react to whatever comes their way. New tech trends for removal companies All but one of the EOS staff team has worked in removal companies, meaning that the company has a unique perspective on the IT needs of the industry. Company founder Simon Maystre worked at his familys removal company whilst studying computer science, so knows from the ground up exactly what is required as a porter, packer, surveyor and office administrator! In recent years, EOS has been adapting MoveMan and its other services to cloud computing technology, in which MoveMan is delivered over the Internet rather than being installed only onto a removal companys own hardware. The appetite for cloud computing-based services such as our MoveMan.NET service has been increasing, Chris explains. Cloud computing provides a risk free and capital friendly option for removal companies to take on a new software system. Our long experience with such cloud computing services means that we have been able to grow at an average of 30 per cent per year. It is in non-UK markets that EOS is seeing the highest rates of growth, driven above all by the cloud
computing trend. Australia, mainland Europe and the Middle East are showing especially strong demand for MoveMan. EOS is continually enhancing the MoveMan range, and has been adding to its web-based MoveMan Live services, improving the options available for on-line survey forms with a fully customisable multilanguage and image-based online inventory form. Additionally, the company has seen a lot of growth in data import services, in which websites and thirdparty companies can post data directly into MoveMan reducing administration time and inaccuracies. Industry-specific solutions There is more to EOS than just MoveMan, however. The company also offers bespoke development services for any client-specific requirements, ranging from web portals to storage inventories with photographic inventories and order requests. Being a BAR Affiliate has given us recognition within the industry and as a result helps us forge relationships with other suppliers to the industry, Chris says. This is going to become more important as we see integration of services from other suppliers into our software as key to driving efficiency savings in the future for our clients. For example, EOS has also recently completed the integration of its insurance system with Basil Fry & Co, enabling MoveMan users to automatically generate their shipping insurance certificates from within MoveMan.
EOS is already integrating services from other suppliers such as lead generators and other web service providers into MoveMan systems to provide a greater level functionality. Because EOS uses Microsoft architecture, the integration is relatively straight forward and is helping the company grow its market and provide a wider range of services to removal companies. With some of our bespoke offerings we have enabled BAR Members to win large contracts based on their unique service offering enhanced by our technology systems and experience, Chris says. When large contracts are being tendered for, we often see our software being cited and demonstrated in the operational efficiency of the removal company. It is the ultimate accolade for us, as it confirms that what we do really is helping our clients compete at the highest levels and win new business.
For more information contact MoveMan: PO Box 140, Saffron Walden Essex CB10 2ZZ Tel: +44(0)845 543 8451 www.movemanpro.com
September 2012 Removals & Storage October 2012 Removals & Storage
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Features
In sickness and in health

Managing sickness absence and assessing an employees fitness to return to work are key elements to running a successful and efficient business. In this article, Steven Meyerhoff (pictured) of Backhouse Jones solicitors explains how management should use medical reports to help maintain a healthy workforce.
Medical reports are a tool that is underused by employers and often misunderstood in terms of when and how they should be used, although they are a critical way of managing the health of employees. Unfortunately, all too often employers are coming to us for advice when an employee has already been on long-term sick leave or they have dismissed the employee without obtaining the correct advice from a medical professional. An employer can ask for a medical report on a prospective employee prior to employing them, where health or physical ability is a relevant factor for the job, or more commonly, a report can be requested during employment for the following reasons: To consider whether any short-term illnesses are caused by an underlying problem; To obtain a prognosis of when an employee is likely to return to work; To see if the employee could be classed as Disabled under the Equality Act; For reasonable adjustments to be made. Requesting a medical report There are two main ways in which a medical report can be requested. The first way is under the Access to Medical Reports Act 1988 (AMRA). Employers are entitled to apply for a medical report covered by AMRA only where they have notified the employee in writing that they intend to make the application and the employee has given their consent in writing to the application being made. Employees need to be provided with a statement of their rights under AMRA when the consent is requested by the employer. The employee has the right to request that a copy of the report be sent to him as well as the employer. If AMRA is being relied upon as a tool to obtain medical evidence, employers must be wary of their responsibilities under the act and should seek professional advice before making such a request from an employee. The second way to request a report is under contractual right. Under some contracts of employment there may be an obligation for the employee to submit to medical examinations at the employers request and for any report to be sent to the employer. If the employee refuses to attend the medical examination, they will then be in breach of contract and such refusal may amount to misconduct and the employee could be subject to disciplinary proceedings. AMRA provides limited access to such medical reports (due to the employees consent being needed)
and, as such, Backhouse Jones always recommends that all employment contracts contain a clause that gives the ability to the employer to require an employee to attend a GP or Occupational Health practitioner for a report to be produced. Acting on the report After the report has been received, it should be reviewed only by the management concerned and the employer should ensure that the report is retained in line with their obligations under the Data Protection Act (as it contains sensitive personal data). Usually the report will suggest measures or timescales that the employer can consider and we advise that upon receipt of the report the employee is brought into a Counselling Meeting to discuss its contents. Employers should seek to obtain professional advice before acting on the medical report, especially if dismissal is an option that is under consideration.
For more information, see www.backhouses.co.uk. To contact Backhouse Jones solicitors, telephone 01254 828 300 or email info@backhouses.co.uk.
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Backhouse Jones always recommends that all employment contracts contain a clause that gives the ability to the employer to require an employee to attend a GP or Occupational Health practitioner for a report to be produced.
European News People FeaturesNews IndustryNews
Two new appointments for Interdean
Andrew Scott rejoins Santa Fe

Andrew Scott (pictured) has been appointed Regional Manager, Records Management for Santa Fe, Asia. Well known within the Santa Fe Group, Andrew served as Country Manager, China from 1997-2007. In that role Andrew was active in the development of the Records Management business in China. Since leaving China, Andrew has been living in his native New Zealand. Andrew said I am thrilled to have the opportunity to rejoin Santa Fe. The records management business for Santa Fe has grown substantially in recent years and I am looking forward to working with the team and our customers to further grow the business.Andrew will be located in Singapore and will start his new role on 1 November, 2012.
Chris Richardson (pictured above) has been appointed as Interdeans Business Development Manager for Switzerland. He will be responsible for developing and managing clients global mobility programmes throughout Switzerland. Chris has in-depth knowledge of the international relocation industry. He joins Interdean Geneva from the Pasha Group where he held the position of Director of Global Business Development. Earlier in his career, Chris worked in Los Angeles and Toronto for Crown Relocations, managing their relocation accounts. Chris has lived in Zurich for the past few years and is excited to be beginning a new chapter of his career in Switzerlands other commercial hub, Geneva. Africa As a result of its growth in the African continent, Mathieu Dunod (pictured below) will be joining Interdean in the role of Director Africa Region. He will support both Interdeans clients and partners in order to maintain the highest levels of service available across Africa. Reporting directly to Interdeans CEO, Dale Collins, Mathieu will be working closely with the Interdean Management Team to manage service capabilities and expanded partner network in support of the entire Santa Fe Group.
Simon Mason joins family business

Simon Mason has relocated from Chicago to the UK to join his family business, John Mason International. After completing his degree in International Management (BSc) from Manchester Business School, Simon spent three years in the USA working in the moving industry. He now joins John Mason International as Group Sales Manager. Currently in its 128th year of business, the company based in Liverpool and London will be welcoming yet another fifth generation family member: Simon will work alongside Caroline Mason who joined the business in 2009.
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 financial help and support. The RBA Trustees welcome all eligible applications for assistance, which will receive prompt and sympathetic attention.
September 2012 Removals & Storage October 2012 Removals & Storage October 2012 Removals & Storage October
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Diary Dates BAR News Features
Diary Dates
BOARD, COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS 2012 Board of Directors December 5 2012 National Council October 9 2012 Overseas Group Council October 3 2012 CMG Council October 11 2012
Do you have any Diary Dates?

E-mail them to: rands-editorial@analyticamedia.com 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 16 areas listed. Minutes from past 2012 area meetings can be viewed and downloaded (where available). North West Area Contact: Annette Harris 0161 6534455 annette.harris@anglopacific.co.uk Northern Ireland Area Contact: Dominic Murray 02890 748588 Dominicmurray@coastways -storage.com Scotland Area Contact: Georgina Berry 0151 502220 georginaberry@btinternet.com Southern Area Contact: Peter Doman 01372 385985 peterd@basilfry.co.uk South Wales Area Contact: Andrew Robbins 01792 584229 amr@britanniarobbins.co.uk South Western Area Contact: Sue Christophers 01637 872529 sue@mjchristophers.co.uk Sussex Area Contact: Miranda Hyder 01342 870087 Miranda@barservices.co.uk Western Area Contact: Ria Russell 01278 447099 ria@britannialanesofsomerset.co.uk November 13 2012 - Brent Knoll Somerset, TA9 4HL West Midlands Area Contact: Sarah Pargeter 01384 377786 spargeter@fox-moving.com Yorkshire Area Contact: Graham Puddephatt 0845 6021775 GrahamPuddephatt@reasoninsurance.com
BAR AREA MEETINGS 2012 East Anglia Area Contact: Gary Beattie 01767 312869 gary@clarkandrose.co.uk East Met Area Contact: Paul Freeman 0800 413335 nealesremovals@btconnect.com East Midlands Area Contact: Andy Wade 01476 579210 andy@fnworldwide.com Kent Area Contact: Tom Bourne 01797 228000 tomb@uts-bournes.co.uk New Met Area Contact: Julie Thompson 01932 410100 Julie@luxfords.co.uk March 12 2013 - AGM Novotel Hotel, Heathrow Northern Area Contact: Alan Hoggin 0191 5491194 alan@harkersremovers.co.uk
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Features
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BAR News Letters
Safety footwear
In recent issues of R&S, including on a cover page, operative staff are shown working in trainers. This is not an image that most professional companies would like to see on the flagship publication of our industry. Health and safety is a major concern in our industry and, after back problems, damage to feet is the most common injury. Lifting and dropping, heavy objects, walking backwards, carrying up staircases etc. involve a real danger of toes being crushed and ankles twisted through lack of support. Any reputable company should know and appreciate this and insist that proper safety footwear is issued and worn. In the construction industry, operatives are not allowed on a site in any professional capacity without safety shoes. The danger to feet is widely recognised, yet a significant number of BAR Member companies either have not recognised this in their Company Risk Assessment or choose to ignore it despite the fact that we lift much heavier items over greater distances. Any BAR Member or employee making a claim to the RBA for foot injuries incurred in the workplace and not wearing safety shoes would be dismissed immediately, leaving the employers liability insurance to pick up the expense, not to mention the time off work and loss of a valued employee during a busy period. What is a cost of 20-30 in relation to long term sick pay and replacement staff? There is no argument which is the most cost effective, not to mention the public image and professionalism in relation to how our customers perceive us. The new membership criteria insists on proper uniforms for all operatives but safety footwear was not picked up on by anyone during the consultation period. It surely must be considered by the Board as an addendum at the earliest possible opportunity. Matt Purdie BAR President 2008-2010.
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Industry News
The Professional Advisers Panel is a brand new initiative specifically designed to offer members extended support across every aspect of their business. This is a development of our highly successful Insurance Broker Panel scheme whereby BAR members receive unlimited support, guidance and advice from qualified specialist companies within the UK. We are constantly
looking at ways to support our members businesses; therefore, if this initiative proves to be a success, we will develop the Professional Advisers Panel even further into other relevant areas such as Health & Safety and Environmental services.
For any FREE* independent insurance, financial or legal advice, please contact a BAR Professional Adviser partner.
Insurance
Basil Fry & Co Ltd Reason Global Insurance
Tel: 01372 385 985 Email: broking@basilfry.co.uk Website: www.basilfry.co.uk
Tel: 01273 739961 Email: info@reason-global.com Website: www.reason-global.com
Financial
Wellers
Legal
Backhouse Jones Solicitors
Tel: 0207 630 6665 Email: BAR@wellersaccountants.co.uk Website: www.wellersaccountants.co.uk
Tel: 01254 828 300 Email: enquiries@backhouses.co.uk Website: www.backhousejones.co.uk
in association with
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Memberships BAR News
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BAR Memberships October 2012

Registered: The following Members have registered: National & European Group Marshall & Macintosh Removals Memb No: M102 23A Martlands Industrial Estate Smarts Heath Lane Woking Surrey GU22 0RQ Tel: 01483 725 251 Web: www.marshallandmacintosh.co.uk International Associate Starline Overseas Moving Memb No: S327 15305 128 Avenue Edmonton, AB Canada T5V 1A5 Tel: 00 1 780 447 4242 Web: www.starlineoverseas.com National Afliate First Data Merchant Solutions Memb No: F922 Janus House JH/I/D Endeavour Drive Basildon Essex SS14 3WF Tel: 07984 833 383 Web: www.firstdata.com/en_gb/home.html Applications: BAR has received the following applications for: National & European Group Surrey Hills Removals Ltd and ATN Manns Removals 97 Dunsford Park Cranleigh Surrey GU6 8TB Tel: 01483 273 041 Web: www.surreyhillsremovals.co.uk
Competition
Submit a seasonal story for R&S Magazine and get your picture FREE on the front cover!
Do you have a special story for Christmas or New Year to share with our readers?
Submit your story and pictures to us and the best will win the front cover of the December issue and story.
Isle of Man
Any Member wishing to make any comment regarding an application should do so in writing to BAR Head Office within 21 days of receipt of this notification. Details of membership applications in process may also be found on the BAR website: www.bar.co.uk
Email entries to sandra@rubiconmarketing.net by 30th October

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Weekly Service between Ireland Part Load Specilaists with Competitive rates and fastest times available Tel:00353 9066 23457 or Freephone UK on 0800 3284984 or Ireland on 1850 35 75 75 Email:info@easymoves.net
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Units 5&6, Lower Blackhill Ind. Estate, Lerwick, ZE1 ODG
Regular nationwide service

Tel: 01595 696268 Fax: 01595 693515
Email: mail@ianreidremovals.com

57
Trade Services
Switzerland
This space is available from just 33 a month

When booked as a mono unit for a series of 12 issues.
Germany and Austria
Austria
Europe
WH HUMPHREY & SON LTD
Weekly Groupage Service

Full origin and destination services available. German speaking staff Contact Darrel or Justin Tel: 0208 144 0734 Fax: 0844 770 7111 Email: Darrelb@humphreys-moving.com
Italy Greece
GREECEd by Roa
&ITALY EN ROUTE
7 day transit time Twice-monthly departures British Crews & Professional Service Highly recommended in Greece
00 44 1733 311 561 | enquiries@nomad.eu.com
www.nomad-international.com
TRADE ROUTES TO
-AND OF COURSE
ROUTE FRANCE EN 01732 358900 WHEN SERVICE MATTERS
ITALY
paul@bearsbyremovals.co.uk
Regular runs to all areas Full or part loads Receiving depot 10mins from M25 J5 ...or we collect All deliveries and collections carried out by our own crews Phone Paul for advice and genuine delivery/collection times
58
Trade Services
Europe Cyprus and Malta
Spain
Purely The Balearics, No Bull!
WEEKLY
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 UK Office: 01843 585055, sales@webbsremovals.com Mallorca Office: 0034 971 693566, webbs@spain.cc Trade website: www.william-worldwide-webb.com
MALLORCA MENORCA MAINLAND SPAIN FRANCE

REGULAR
Scandinavia
Weekly Service for the Trade. Call now for best rates Depots in Preston, Chester, Alicante, Malaga Email: info@moversint.co.uk Web: www.moversint.co.uk
France - Spain - Portugal - Italy PRESTON 01772 651570
IBIZA PORTUGAL CYPRUS NORWAY
Cyprus
TEL: 01202 576514 FAX: 01202 574011
Memb No: W001
spain@whiteandcompany.co.uk www.whitesmovingandstorage.com
59
Trade Services
Germany India
South Africa
For Sale
China

Singapore
United Arab Emirates
Israel Qatar
Caribbean
Web Banner Offer for Display Advertising

Advertise in Display for 5 or more issues of Removals & Storage magazine and get a free static banner on the BAR website with a direct link to your own website.
Call Sandra on 0117 957 5400 for details

60
Trade Services
Worldwide
Trade Storage
Training
G&R Advert 60x60mm:Layout 1 Piano Specialists
20/10/08
16
NO NEED TO GO ANYWHERE ELSE FOR YOUR TRAINING

OPERATIVE TRAINING THAT COMES TO YOUR FRONT DOOR REMOVAL SPECIFIC HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING ON SITE
PACKING MANUAL HANDLING EXPORT WRAPPING VEHICLE LOADING CONTAINER LOADING
We offer Trade storage at competitive rates. Undercover Loading & Unloading Flexible hours 6.00 p/w no handling charge
sales@trekremovals.com
THE PIANO SPECIALISTS

A family run business, Est. in 1968.
www.trekremovals.com
Tel: 0800 1389242 or 01708 552981
LOCAL MOVING WORLDWIDE SHIPPING WEEKLY EUROPEAN SERVICE

Recommended by the worlds finest piano manufacturers, auctioneers, music colleges & academies.
Specialist Services Space to Hire
HEALTH & SAFETY POLICIES HEALTH & SAFETY ASSESSMENT ACCIDENT CONTROL FIRST AID RISK ASSESSMENT HSE COMPLIANCE
Mem. No G005
Call BARTS on 01923 699484 or email training@bar.co.uk

Warehouse Containers
100 BOLLO LANE, CHISWICK, LONDON W4 5LX Tel: +44 (0) 20 8994 9733 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8995 0855
Email: info@gandrremovals.co.uk www.gandrremovals.co.uk
Trailer Hire

61
Classifieds
Situations Vacant For Sale Removals, Storage & Shipping Business for Sale (West London based) Fantastic opportunity to acquire a well established business.Specializes in Domestic, Overseas & car shipping world wide Excellent staff, 6 vehicles, good storage revenue, turnover in excess of 850k/pa Sale due to moving abroad. Contact: 079 0934 8328
Management Opportunities Australia

Removals and Relocation Visa and relocation support Industry Leader Do you love working with people and being an active part of the organisation? Do you want a management career in a market leading organisation? We are growing and so now seek to appoint Branch Managers (Metro and Regional) and Sales Managers (Metro) in several locations around Australia. Grace Group is recognised as the largest removal and records management company in Australasia with operations in 40 locations throughout Australia and New Zealand. We are one of the largest independent moving businesses in the Asia Pacific region. At Grace, we offer a people centric approach to business, a strong growth orientation together with career development opportunities.
GEDA Removal Hoist for sale.

Load capacity 200kg Max Height 18.3M. Please contact Eamonn on 00353-86-2552292 for further details Opportunities
Are You Looking To Sell?

We are looking to buy good quality household moving and storage companies in London and the home counties. Please call 07933 123 123 in full confidence for a quick decision.
Branch Manager
Reporting to the Regional Manager, this challenging and exciting role will see you responsible for the achievement of budgeted revenue and profit, quality of service and development of the business in Melbourne. You will manage the activities of the sales, customer service and operations departments and lead these teams to success. To be successful in this role you will possess the following essential criteria: xperience at branch management level to lead and manage the sales, e administration and operations efforts broad commercial skills and financial management capability ability to set direction and implement the organisations strategic plan sales experience preferably in a premium product/service environment outstanding interpersonal and communication skills ability to motivate, lead and manage people excellent administrative skills
Sales Manager
Reporting to the Branch Manager, you are responsible for the achievement of budgeted revenue and profit, coaching and mentoring sales staff while working with the corporate team to develop the business. You will manage the activities of the sales and customer service team, working closely with the Branch Manager to deliver agreed company targets and outcomes. To be successful in this role you will possess the following essential criteria: Motivated and thrives in the competitive world of sales xperience at sales management level to lead and manage the sales and E sales support efforts in a removal and relocation environment Ability to give direction and implement the companys sales plan Strong interpersonal, motivational and leadership skills Ability to manage and develop people Good communication skills and great presentation At Grace we offer: A supportive & engaging work environment Great benefits Excellent remuneration package Generous incentive scheme Visa assistance Relocation support
FOR SALE
W Reg(2000) Mercedes 7.5 tonne Furniture Removal Wagon, Mot July 2012, 54,000 miles, New Tacho Fitted July 2012. Marsden Vanplan body in very good condition. Full Service history; very reliable and ready to work!
4,500 ONO
Includes all removal equipment, boxes, blankets, trollies etc.
If you are a hands on manager, committed to providing clients with first class service and ready to join a well known and established company in either of these roles please email your covering letter and rsum to hr@grace.com.au
Call Tom 0161 790 5105 / 07887 518058
62
Classifieds BAR News

For Sale
Removals & Storage Business for Sale (East Midlands based)

Well established removals and storage business for sale in ideal location. Large, secure premises. Excellent storage business with ample room for expansion. Removals business throughout UK and overseas. Sale due to retirement. Call 01461 758223 or 07845111243
For Sale: Cheshire Business

A. Houghton Removals began in 1926 and has been in the family ever since. Due to retirement the current owner is no longer able to maintain the business. Call 0161 480 3434, email: info@ahoughtonremovals.co.uk www.houghtonremovals.co.uk
Sell it, Fill it, R&S it!

Your R&S is the perfect vehicle to advertise your: Business Vehicles Vacancies And much more besides!
Call Sandra on 0117 957 5400 for details
63
Features
64

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Removals & Storage

The Magazine of the British Association of Removers

October 2012 // Issue 459 // 4 On the cover

Hamiltons: Leading the way into Scandinavia

Inside this Issue Industry News

September 2012 Removals & Storage

Removals & Storage September 2012

September 2012 Removals & Storage

Removals & Storage October 2012

Contents Industry News

Rogers Removals moves Arsenal star...almost

Harrow Greens apprentices

26 Young Mover Prole

28 BAR Services 30 QSS Update 34 Group Prole 46 Features

51 People News 52 Diary Dates 54 Letters 56 Membership

October 2012 Removals & Storage

Contact Details: Editorial

News from Watford

Follow BAR on:

Removals & Storage October 2012

Patrick McLoughlin takes over at DfT

Diesel laundering plants dismantled in Northern Ireland

OFT to review petrol and diesel prices

Reminder: Minimum Wage changes

New VOSA OCRS system goes live

VOSA pass rates improve

Do you have any news to share with R&S readers?

Removals & Storage October 2012

GB road traffic down

Skills for Logistics to raise LGV training standards

Unifeeder buys Feederlink Drivers are slowing down

October 2012 Removals & Storage

US launches Freight Policy Council

Manchester freight hub planned

Shipping lines alter rates in case of US strike action

Do you have any news to share with R&S readers?

Removals & Storage October 2012

October 2012 Removals & Storage

School leavers unprepared for work

Business leaders downbeat on economy

Agility wins MoD extension

Removals & Storage October 2012

October 2012 Removals & Storage

County Removals completes archive move

Rogers Removals moves Arsenal star...almost

Celebration for Dowse of Richmond

Harrow Green completes major campus move

Removals & Storage October 2012

Bishops Move expands European department

Bournes supports bike ride for services charity

Send to: Send to: rands-editorial@analyticamedia.com rands-editorial@analyticamedia.com

October 2012 Removals & Storage

Global Moving Systems invest in video marketing

Pioneering truck design for Richard Healey

DKV donates beech & fir trees

The youngest mover

Removals & Storage October 2012

Globalink excellence recognised again

Interdean standard ISO certified

October 2012 Removals & Storage

TV role for Cliffes Removals

Globe Moving & Storage celebrates long service

Voerman charity mountain climb