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Keeping hold of your assets 54 Vehicle bodies 56 Twitter 60
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 News
No: 428 March 2010 www.bar.co.uk
FROM WATFORD

This month:
Editor’s Column 6
Industry News 6-15
Simpler speed limits for HGVs
Anger over UK tax
Pay and display warning
Transport by water trialled
UK housing market update
BAR News 16-23

S
Industry statistics pring, they say, is just around the corner, to CMG members.
Around the Areas and the recession is reported to be at an Entries for the Commercial Mover of the Year
Western Area AGM end. Let us hope so, and that the reported Award and the Domestic Mover of the Year
upturn in the economy and the housing market Award were received at a brisk rate. The
BAR Services and Twitter
continues to strengthen and gather pace. CMOTY finalists have been announced, the
Product of the Month BAR Training Services reports a very busy names can be found on the members’ area of
CMG News 24-26 time during the first part of the year, with many the BAR website. DMOTY finalists are known
CMG member profile: Nigel Shaw courses being fully booked, and this trend and inspections are underway. The winners will
seems set to continue as training assumes an be announced and the prizes given, at the
Fahey’s children’s hospital relocation
ever higher profile in business. Particularly prestigious Gala Dinner held at the BAR
New CMG Membership
popular have been the nine Driver CPC courses Annual Conference at the Bristol Marriott Hotel,
Training News 28-35 which have been specifically tailored for the 13-15 May. Applications to attend the
Out and about with David Hookins removals industry, on such subjects as packing, Conference are also coming in, and a full
What is Driver CPC? handling, and loading. Do remember also, that programme has now been finalised with an
government funding through ‘Train to Gain’ is impressive line-up of speakers, and something
Fire safety risk
available for certain courses aimed at team to interest everyone. The first round of the
European News 36-43 leaders and those looking to progress to popular BAR Annual Golf Challenge will also
Consumers’ 14-day right to withdraw supervisory roles. New membership initiatives commence on Thursday 13 May, and booking
News Roundup include the Legal Expenses Scheme which was details will be found on page 27.
announced and featured in February’s R&S. The ‘soft’ launch of the new BAR Website
New form of attestation
The service offers a low-cost solution in this on 11 January went well, with only a few
Letters 44 critical area, through the services of DAS Legal teething troubles reported. Members are
People News 47 Expenses in conjunction with Basil Fry & encouraged to keep their own details updated,
And another thing... 49 Company and Reason Global Insurance. including a description of their business and
The new Young Movers Group gathers uploading their company’s logo. The online
Competition 49
strength, and members will attend a business estimating system for customers is fast proving
Articles 50-61
seminar event here in Watford on 17 March. to be a success, and members are encouraged
A Distant Sale: Part Three This has attracted a lot of attention, with a full to take part and enjoy the benefits that this
Profile: The Private Health Partnership morning programme of seminars aimed at new initiative brings. The Broadcast and Notice
Keeping hold of your assets delivering practical benefits, followed by Board systems on the website are also valuable
Vehicle bodies networking over lunch and a fun Murder tools which allow members to exchange
Protect your IT systems Mystery session in the early afternoon. The information, ask for or offer assistance with
next Young Movers social event will be held at such things as back-loads and overnight
Your business and Twitter
the Annual Conference. The Commercial parking. Both the NAEA property search
Diary Dates 63 Moving Group have teamed up with Marsh Ltd website and the FMA website will have direct
Memberships 64 to co-host a business seminar and networking access to the BAR sales lead generator very
Feature Schedule 65 event at the offices of the Facilities Management soon. Feedback from members on how they
Photo of the Month 65 Association at Tower Place West, with find that the new website works in practice is
spectacular views over the Tower of London very important, so, please let BAR have your
and Tower Bridge. The event will be held on opinions by e-mailing commercial@ bar.co.uk,
the evening of 29 April, and is free of charge or calling 01923-699483.
On the cover:
BAR and BAR Services exhibit at The Movers and Storers Show.

The British Association of Removers

Contact Details: Editorial
Contribution on all aspects of the Removals & Storage industry
are welcomed, together with photographs if appropriate.
Please contact The Editor, Steve Jordan:
Tel: 01908 695500 Fax: 01908 690099
Email: rands@thewordsworkshop.co.uk
By post: Removals & Storage, The Words Workshop Ltd
26 Swanwick Lane, Broughton, Milton Keynes MK10 9LD
Contact Details: Advertising
For all enquiries and bookings, please contact Marianne Lee:
Tel: 01908 695500 Fax: 01908 690099
Email: marianne@thewordsworkshop.co.uk
Deadline: The booking deadline for all display advertisements is
the 10th of the month preceding publication.
Removals & Storage is subscribed to by members of the British Tel: 01923 699 480
Fax: 01923 699 481
Association of Removers in the UK and Overseas.
E-mail: info@bar.co.uk
Subscriptions: Additional subscriptions are available from BAR
at: Tangent House, 62 Exchange Road, Watford, Hertfordshire President: Matt Purdie
WD18 0TG. Tel: 01923 699 480 Fax: 01923 699 481 Director General: Stephen Vickers
E-mail: info@bar.co.uk. Current annual subscription is £36.00 in Company Secretary: James Falkner
the UK and £60.00 overseas. Editor: Steve Jordan
Assistant Editor: David Jordan
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in Removals & Storage are not
necessarily those of the British Association of Removers, or of News Editor: Nikki Gee
Features Editor: Charlotte Freestone
its publisher.
Removals & Storage is designed on behalf of
All rights reserved: No part of Removals & Storage may be The British Association of Removers by:
scanned, reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form without I Like. Tel: 01908 675854, Email: talk2ilike@btopenworld.com
the prior written permission of the publisher. (To contact R&S, see details opposite.)

March 2010 Removals & Storage 5

 Industry News

Pickfords’ Lincoln
THE
Editor’s Depot help with local
COLUMN road safety scheme
Pickfords’ Lincoln Depot recently helped out with

I the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership and

s it March already? The year’s almost over and I haven’t put the
Christmas decorations away yet.
I thought I would take this opportunity for a brief grumble. It’s meant Lincs FM’s Road Safety Scheme.
in a positive way to help members make better use of their promotional
efforts. Here goes.
The expression ‘A picture paints a thousand words’, is based, apparently,
on an old Chinese proverb. Clever chaps those Chinese. But some of the
pictures I get offered for the R&S don’t say a thousand words: they
either say nothing or shout something unmentionable.
Almost every picture I receive is: too small to print, irrelevant, out of
focus or some combination of all three. I even had one the other day that
had been taken in the rain and had water spots all over the lens. Then
there are the ones that are too dark, infected with red eye or featuring
people who look as though they would rather be elsewhere. Sometimes
I wonder if there is a cunning plan to give me photos that are unusable
in as many different ways as possible.
With modern digital cameras it’s hard to get it wildly wrong. I don’t
expect perfection or even much in the way of creativity. But something
that’s in focus and big enough to print would be nice once in a while.
This is not the place for a photographic lesson (and I’m not the one to
give it if it were) but, perhaps I could ask just one favour. Before you
send me a photo just have a look at it, full size on your screen. If it’s not
more than 300kb don’t send it to me – I won’t be able to use it. If it
looks fuzzy, someone has their eyes shut, William at the back is making
an inappropriate hand gesture, or the desk in the front is littered with
festering coffee mugs – have another go.
Of course, I‘ll always try to use whatever you send to me: after all, it’s
Charles Checkley with local children learning about road safety
your magazine not mine. But it always worries me that you might also
be sending those same dodgy shots to other publications as part of your

T
PR programme. If you are, it should come as no great shock to you that his involved members of
your stories don’t get published very often. Other editors don’t have the staff going to five different
same loyalty (or obligation) to BAR and its members as you should expect schools across the county to
from me. Rather than enter into a dialogue with you to coax a better teach children about safety and
picture from you, or spend hours wrestling with Photoshop to make a the dangers of a lorry.
silk purse out of something less attractive, they’ll take an easier option. Charles Checkley, Branch
It’s called the ‘delete’ key. Manager, is quite adept at getting
the Lincoln depot in the local press.
Happy shooting, One of the local papers was
Steve Jordan running an article on how the
recession was affecting companies
on the industrial estate where
Pickfords is situated and as they’d
had previous dealings with Charles
the paper rang and asked for his
opinion on the matter. Yet more
free publicity for Charles’ branch
without him having to do a thing
- proof that putting a little effort
into PR does pay dividends.

Reloc8 sign with Teacrate

for new Relocrate service

R
eloc8 have signed an
exclusive four-year deal
with Teacrate worth over
£250,000. This is a strategic move
for both parties with Teacrate
exclusively supplying Reloc8
with branded crates for its new
‘Relocrate’ service. Relocrate
forms part of Reloc8’s fully
integrated move and moves
management services.
Reloc8 chose Teacrate as its
preferred supplier primarily due
to its ability to supply on a
nationwide basis. With its
network of nine strategically
located and fully stocked depots,
Teacrate can respond to local
requirements on a next day
delivery basis. Teacrate’s
range of industry specific
crates, branded to customer
specifications was important
to Reloc8 as was ‘Cratelink’,
Teacrate’s online crate
management system and ‘Bank
on Teacrate’, its customer Teacrate Sales Director, Simon Johns with Reloc8 Director, Justin Palmer
loyalty reward programme.

6 Removals & Storage March 2010


Simpler speed limits
for heavy goods vehicles
Proposals to simplify motorway speed limits for buses, coaches
and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) were published on 2 February,
2010 by the Department for Transport (DfT).
T
he DfT state that the changes are needed
because of differences that have arisen
between new vehicles which are fitted
with speed limiters, and older vehicles which
are not. This means that while newer HGVs
are limited to 56mph older vehicles are able
to drive at up to 70mph on the motorway.
Similarly, new passenger vehicles with over
eight seats are limited to 62.5mph on the
motorway but older vehicles are able to drive
at 70mph. This can cause confusion for other
drivers and creates a disincentive for companies
to invest in safer and more fuel efficient
vehicles. In addition, vehicles with speed
limiters are not allowed to use the right hand
lane of three-lane motorways but those without
speed limiters currently are.
The proposals put forward in the consultation
include:
• Setting a 65mph limit for all buses, minibuses
and coaches with more than eight passenger
seats regardless of whether or not they are
SMMT chief calls for budget support
P
aul Everitt, Chief Executive of The
Society of Motor Manufacturers and
Traders (SMMT) has called on the
government to use the March budget to
encourage new investment in capital goods
and help rebuild business confidence.
“New van and truck registrations continue
to reflect a weak economic recovery and
businesses are reluctant to commit to new
The DfT say changes
are needed to provide
clarity and a level
playing field around
speed limits
fitted with a speed limiting device;
• Setting the motorway speed limit at 60mph
for all HGVs over 3.5 tonnes regardless of
whether or not they are fitted with a speed
limiting device;
• Prohibiting all HGVs between 3.5 and 7.5
tonnes and all buses, minibuses and coaches
with more than eight passenger seats from
using the right hand lane of motorways with
three or more lanes.
Road Safety Minister Paul Clark said: “We
want to provide clarity for everybody - drivers,
operators, other motorists and the police - as
well as making sure that there is a level playing
field for those operating in the bus, coach and
road haulage industry. These proposals simplify
motorway speed limits for buses, coaches and
lorries so that everyone has to abide by the
same rules regardless of the age of their vehicle.”
The consultation can be found at www.dft.
gov.uk/consultations/open and will close on
27 April, 2010.
investment. January’s truck registrations
are the lowest monthly figures since July
1991, leaving most truck makers very
disappointed at the slow start to the year,”
said Mr Everitt.
Year-to-date (YTD) registrations for
medium and heavy trucks dropped nearly
54% from January 2009, with MAN taking the
biggest hit – almost 75%. DAF continues to
Industry News
Celebrity
move for
Nightingales
A
mong several celebrities who booked
Nightingale Removals & Storage for
their removals, the company is
extremely privileged to count Ms Wendy
Craig, star of stage and screen, among its
valued customers. Ms Craig is well known
for her leading roles in television sitcoms
such as Not in front of the Children,
Butterflies, and Nanny; and in dramas such
as The Forsythe Saga and more recently
The Royal, a much-loved television series.
She was kind enough to write to
Nightingales following her removal and
praised the high quality of the company’s
removal services. Richard Nightingale,
Managing Director said: “Over the years
we have been very privileged to move many
people in the public eye. I have always been
an avid fan of Ms Craig’s and found her to
be as kind and gracious in real life as her
many screen roles demonstrate. It was a
pleasure and an honour to be of service to
her and we wish her happiness in her new
home and every success for the future.”
lead the market, despite a sharp fall in its
registrations compared to the previous year’s
monthly figures, and Mercedes has had a
strong month.
In the light truck market YTD registrations
fell by 21.78% to 352. Van registrations fared
better in January, with a drop of 1.69% to
11,546. However, the figures reveal that
Ford’s market share has slipped 4% to 22.81%.
March 2010 Removals & Storage 7
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 Industry News

FPB spokesman
Phil McCabe
Insurance Premium
Tax update
Prepared by the BAR Professional Advisers Panel

I
mportant changes in relation to the
treatment of Insurance Premium Tax (IPT)
which apply to the customers’ goods
insurance arrangements of removals and
storage companies and Self Storage Operators
were announced at the end of last year.
In the 2009 Pre-budget Report PBRN15
dated 9 December, 2009 under the heading
Insurance Premium Tax: Premium Splitting,
HM Revenue & Customs announced that any
fee (other than a VATable fee) charged in
connection with insurance contracts with a
private individual (an individual buying
insurance in a personal capacity) will now be

Anger over UK tax system

subject to IPT. The measure is designed to
eliminate IPT avoidance created by the
Homeserve judgment.
Small firms believe Britain’s tax system is deeply unfair and The implication of the draft legislation is
therefore that any fees charged for services
urgently needs to be simplified, new research has revealed. provided in connection with insurance contracts
with businesses are excluded from this change.

A
poll carried out by the Forum of Private Commenting on the findings, FPB spokesman The measure is effective on fees charged on
Business (FPB) found that more than two Phil McCabe said: “Our members believe that or after 9 December, 2009.
thirds of SME owners believe the tax they are bearing an unfair tax burden because The draft legislation can be inspected at
burden placed on them is unfair - and over of the moderate sizes of their businesses. www.hmrc.gov.uk/pbr2009/ins-premium-tax -
half think the tax system favours big companies. The complexity of the British tax system is 0360.pdf.
The research was released just ahead of the not only time-consuming and frustrating but HM Revenue & Customs has also confirmed
January 31 deadline submission of self- it also puts small firms at an instant that fees connected to the arrangement of
assessment forms on the HM Revenue and disadvantage. Big companies have the expertise insurance with private individuals are subject
Customs website. It was compiled by canvassing and resources to understand the system and to IPT irrespective of whether these are related
SME owners through the FPB’s Tax and Budget minimise their tax burden. For most of our to contracts regulated by the FSA or fall under
Member Panel which serves as a dedicated, members, hiring an outside tax consultant the deregulated insurance arrangements.
subject-specific opinion-taker. represents a significant cost few can afford, It will now be necessary for companies to keep
An overwhelming 43% of respondents to especially in the midst of a recession.” a record of the fees charged to their customers
the panel said ‘fairness’ should be the main The Tax and Budget Member Panel also asked (private individuals only) so that the IPT due
priority for the tax system. The next popular SME owners about the recent Pre-Budget can be calculated. This should be included with
priority was ‘simplicity’, which was supported Report (PBR). Respondents to the panel were your annual declaration at expiry of the period
by one in five smaller businesses, echoing distinctly underwhelmed by the measures of insurance and the amount due will be
widespread anger with a system which is announced by the Chancellor, with more than invoiced to you as part of your year end premium
among the most complex in the world. half saying that the PBR undermined both adjustment and passed to insurers who will
Additionally, 13% said they want to see the business confidence and future employment. account for the tax to HM Revenue & Customs.
tax system reformed to make Britain more The increase in National Insurance The British Insurance Brokers Association
competitive internationally. In more general Contributions proved deeply unpopular, with (BIBA) is currently in consultation with HMRC
terms, 45% of respondents said their tax burden many FPB members expressing anger at to discuss the issues and implications;
was a ‘very serious’ issue for their firms. further costs being added to employment. members will be updated accordingly.
Backhouse BAR ad quater:Backhouse advert 10/2/10 11:10 Page 1

www.backhousejones.co.uk
specialists in transport law

the girls are

Jennifer Bell and Wendy Newbury
have joined the corporate team at
tel: + 44 (0) 1254 828 300 email: Jennifer@backhouses.co.uk Backhouse Jones Solicitors

March 2010 Removals & Storage 9

 Industry News

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

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

T
he country has recently been affected by
the worst winter in approximately 15
years and even though the snow has
disappeared, we may still experience a further
cold snap.
The weather affected the haulage industry
across the country with many vehicles not
being able to undertake particular routes due
to the hazardous road conditions. Effective
management of staff is therefore crucial to
ensure that business operates smoothly during
such periods.
The overriding duty
Employers have an overriding duty to safeguard
the health and safety of employees. This should
be the primary consideration for employers
when asking their employees to attend work
with the safety of employees weighted against
the benefit to the business.
Part of this process must include assessing
risk as employers could be liable for any
accidents and may be required to pay for any
subsequent claims. Such claims may extend
to accidents on the road where employees
have been sent out when it was unsafe.
In addition, an employee might be stranded
having been sent out on a journey and have to
stay with the vehicle until it is safe to return.
Depending on company policy, employers may
be liable to reimburse for any expenses
suffered by an employee whilst stranded.
The duty to protect other road users
There is also an additional duty on operators
to protect other road users and warnings
suggesting that journeys ‘should only be
undertaken when it is absolutely necessary’
should weigh heavily on employers’ minds. If
your vehicles are involved in a collision which
is caused by your employees’ negligence then
you will be liable for any resulting personal
injury claims and accident damage.
Sending employees home
The snow and ice may give cause to send
employees home from work due to cancellation
of work or unsafe road conditions. Whilst
employers may be aggrieved at having to pay
employees full wages, if the employees have
attended work they should be paid in full.
Employees failing to attend work
The situation is somewhat different in
Usually, unless an employee’s contract of
employment contains a provision obliging an
employer to pay for time off due to bad weather,
then there is probably no legal obligation to
pay staff who do not attend work.
Employers should however consider the
impact of refusing to pay, or alternatively
forcing staff to take paid leave, due to adverse
weather conditions. It may be that employees
become demoralised which could cause
further losses in terms of productivity later in
the year.
Conclusion
Whilst there is no generic legal obligation
(unless the contact of employment states
otherwise) to pay employees who do not attend
work due to adverse weather, employers
should consider and balance the impact on
morale of the staff and the long-term profits
of the company as opposed to the short-term
losses suffered from the absences.
Proper communication with employees should
be able to obtain a balance between keeping
customers happy and staff morale high.
Information courtesy of Backhouse Jones Solicitors

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10 Removals & Storage March 2010


Pay and
display
warning
D
rivers who ‘pay and display’ to park
their cars are being fined if they leave
earlier tickets showing on their
windscreen, as council traffic wardens are
exploiting a legal loophole to penalise motorists
who have paid but simply forgot to remove a
previous stub from their dashboard or window,
according to a recent newspaper article.
If wardens or parking attendants can see
more than one ticket they can fine the motorist.
Critics have accused greedy council chiefs of
seizing on ‘pernicious’ technicalities to punish
drivers unfairly, in spite of pledges from
ministers that town halls should not use their
parking powers as a money-making scheme.
At present, 265 councils have powers to
enforce parking and keep the proceeds under
a system known as ‘decriminalisation’ which
handed over control from the police to local
authorities.
The clause imposing a fine on drivers
showing multiple pay and display tickets is
contravention number nine in a list of parking
offences. For example, the City of London
Corporation’s website says: ‘It is a requirement
that only a single ticket is displayed. If more
than one ticket is visible, the civil enforcement
officer will issue a penalty charge notice and
it is unlikely that we will withdraw it.’
The fines can range from £120 in the heart
of London to £70 outside the capital with a
50% discount if paid within 14 days. Parking
expert Barrie Segal, who runs the AppealNow
website, condemned the latest example of
councils using their powers to fleece motorists.
He said: “This type of enforcement is
pernicious. No traffic has been blocked or
delayed and no pedestrian has been endangered
and yet the council will issue a parking ticket.
It is this type of enforcement which convinces
motorists that it is not about traffic congestion,
traffic flow or safety but just old-fashioned
greed to line the council’s coffers. Most
motorists simply forget to remove old pay and
display tickets.”
Last year councils raised £328 million in
Industry News
parking fines, three times the amount
collected by speed camera partnerships.
Complaints from motorists over fines for
petty infringements, such as displaying a
disabled badge upside down, have soared in
recent months. Motorists have also been fined
when their pay and display ticket has fallen
off the windscreen or dashboard. Such fines
are routinely upheld by appeal adjudicators,
even if the driver produces the voucher
afterwards. Motorists can also be fined for
parking more than 19.6 inches (50 cm) from
the kerb.
The AA criticised the councils’ interpretation
of the rules. A spokesman said: “It is one thing
if somebody is being clever and plastering
their windscreen with old pay and display
tickets, it is rather different when somebody
was in a hurry and forgot to remove an old
voucher. There has to be some sense of
proportion.”
The Department for Transport said the rule
was intended to make sure all motorists were
treated fairly. A spokesman said: “Where
parking spaces are in short supply, ‘no return’
restrictions may be in place to stop people
from monopolising a parking space for a long
period of time. It is specifically in these cases
that rules apply to prevent people from adding
a second ticket to extend the amount of time
they can park beyond the maximum allowed.”
March 2010 Removals & Storage 11
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Trial by water - the Torrent is loaded on the River Ouse
Trials start on transport
by waterways
Trials are underway of a system for delivering ash from
power stations by ship which could take up to 40 lorries
off the road for each journey.
T
he Torrent was recently loaded with
nearly 1,200 tonnes of pulverised fuel
ash (PFA) at the Drax power station on
the River Ouse, some 60 miles inland from
the sea for delivery to Waterford. An alternative
was to use 40 HGVs on the M62 across the
Pennines to reach a western port before being
loaded onto a ship for Ireland.
Specialist bulk handling company T W
Logistics worked in partnership with ash sales
agent Hargreaves Coal Combustion Products
to organise the water route. The ash, a by-
product from power stations, is used in the
manufacture of concrete and concrete products
and building blocks, as well as for structural
fill. Peter Emery, Production Director of Drax,
said: “Drax produces about 1.4 million tonnes
of PFA per year and has traditionally used
road transport to take it away. Using the
Haulage fleets targeted
in new wave of thefts
H
auliers have been hit by a nationwide
crime wave of thieves stealing
batteries, warns the Road Haulage
Association (RHA).
“Everyone working in the transport
industry should be extra vigilant,” said RHA
Security Manager Chrys Rampley, and she
urges operators across the industry to
report any theft or attempted theft.
waterways to transport our PFA means that
we use a lower carbon form of transport and
reduce our movements by road.”
Transporting freight by water has the potential
to cut fuel and labour costs with two men
crewing one single 600 tonne barge which is
able to move the equivalent of twenty-four 25
tonne lorry loads. Further trials are planned
for later this year.
John Dodwell, chairman of the Commercial
Boat Operators Association said: “With more
than 100 ports around the UK which can
handle vessels like the Torrent, using ships
from inland wharves provides additional
scope for further shipments both from Drax
and from other power stations in Yorkshire
and the Trent Valley. They have a choice of as
many as nine inland wharves and docks in
the area at which ships can load PFA.”
“Thieves are cutting through the security
fences at transport depots to steal
batteries, which I am told have a current
market value of around £350 a tonne and
there have been reports of thefts from
around the country. We are working with
the police – both individual forces and the
national co-ordinating body, Truckpol - to
combat the problem.”
Industry News
Wentworth International
Movers assists with the relief
effort in the Philippines
W
entworth International Movers
offered its help and assistance
in the relief effort in the
Philippines after it was hit by Tropical Storm
Ketsana towards the end of last year. The
storm saw Manila, the country’s capital,
hit with its heaviest rainfall in more than
40 years.
When Wentworth’s Managing Director,
Daniel Bagguley heard about the disaster
the company, with the assistance of the
Philippine Embassy in London, immediately
made arrangements for a number of drop
off points to be set up throughout the UK.
Members of the public and the Philippine
Society donated what they could at these
points while Wentworth arranged
collections.
“Before long we were able to load a 40ft
container,” said Tim Standing, Export
Manager at Wentworth International
Movers. “Our agent swiftly cleared the
consignment and delivered to the anticipating
Department of Social Welfare in Manila.
The donations were then divided up and
distributed to the most appropriate areas.”
At one point, more than 80% of the capital
was under water, the deluge engulfing whole
houses and buses. Manila, which is on the
island of Luzon, and the nearby province
of Rizal bore the brunt of the storm.
Tim said that it was important to
Wentworth International Movers to do all
that they could in the wake of the disaster.
“We have a very good social and business
relationship with our friends and colleagues
in the Philippines. We therefore decided to
offer our help and support in the best way
we knew how. It may not be a lot considering
the grand scale of the disaster but we were
pleased to offer our assistance and hope
that our gesture made someone’s life
more bearable.”
A letter from the Embassy of the Philipines’
Ambassador, Antonio M. Lagdameo read,
“On behalf of the Philippine government
and the Filipino people, I express deepest
and most profound appreciation for your
help and support following the recent
typhoons in the Philippines. Your
substantial assistance will go a long and
meaningful way towards helping those
adversely affected recover and return to
their normal lives.”
Members of Wentworth’s donation team
Left to right: Adam Gaywood, Steve Bassnett
and Chris Burns
March 2010 Removals & Storage 13
 Industry News

UK HOUSING ‘O’ Licence

MARKET UPDATE
To keep BAR members informed of the changing
conditions in the housing market the R&S will be
compiling a monthly update of the most important facts
and figures taken from the Halifax House Price Index.
January 2010
financial
standing
Instructions to sell increased for the
seventh successive month
Low supply of properties for sale pushed up house prices.
increases
There are, however, some signs that the improvement
in market conditions since last spring is leading more

Average House Price for December:
£169,777 - up 0.6% from the previous month rising for
the seventh consecutive month - up 3.6% on last year.
Mortgage Approvals for the
last three months of 2009:
Approvals in the final 3 months of 2009 were 176,517,
significantly up on the number in the same period a
year earlier (91,221). This was despite a marginal
monthly fall (-1.7%) in December; the first decline since
November 2008.
Prices have risen by 9.9% since
reaching a low in April 2009
There has been an increase in the average price of
£15,287 over this period. This follows a decline of 23%
between August 2007 and April 2009.
lux new ad 1009.qxd 16/10/2009 16:02
homeowners to try to sell their property. Instructions to
sell increased for the seventh successive month in
December, helping to increase the stock of properties
available for sale. (Source: RICS monthly survey,
December 2009.)
‘Noughties’ were a significant period
for the UK housing market
Despite a fall of more than one-fifth between mid 2007
and mid 2009, house prices increased by more in real
(i.e. inflation adjusted) terms than in any other decade
over the last 50 years. House prices increased by 105%
during the 2000s, taking the UK average house price
from £81,596 in 1999 quarter 4 to £167,020 in 2009
quarter 4.
(Statistics taken from the Halifax House Price Index January 2010)
Page 1
F
rom the beginning of this year the
financial standing requirement for
hauliers has been increased by 30%
as a result of the devaluation of the pound
against the euro. This means that haulage
companies must show a minimum
financial level for the first vehicle of £8,100
and £4,500 for each vehicle thereafter.
All countries that are not in the euro
zone are required to revalue every five
years. The Department for Transport has
stressed that these increases are mandatory
and have followed a fi xed formula.
Representations are being made to
government to challenge the increases
which many haulage companies feel are
excessive particularly as the pound/euro
exchange rate is showing signs of recovery.

TRADE STORAGE . LABOUR ASSISTANCE

LUXFORDS.CO.UK
01932 410100
14 Removals & Storage March 2010

Call for default
retirement age to stay
A small business support group has called for plans to
scrap the default retirement age to be shelved.
T
he government has proposed removing
an employer’s option to retire workers
when they reach 65, claiming the change
will prevent an anticipated skills shortage.
However, the Forum of Private Business
(FPB) believes that if the move goes ahead, it
could prove highly damaging to thousands of
small firms.
Currently, there is nothing to stop an employee
working on past 65, providing his or her
employer agrees. Many businesses are well
aware of the skills and experience older
workers provide and are happy to maintain
their employment. However, if the default
retirement age is scrapped, business owners
will be forced to keep on over-65s, whether
they want to or not. This, the FPB believes,
will prove a huge problem for thousands of
small firms, hampering their abilities to plan
for the future. The move could also open the
door to costly and painful employment
tribunals, as an employer’s only means of
ending employment will be through a
AGS FW London BAR_135x188_eng Hires.pdf 1 2010/01/08 04:58:36 PM
C world-class facilities to accommodate the growth of its
M
Y We specialise in short- and long-term storage, and offer this
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
AGS, you deserve the best
Industry News
‘capability dismissal’ based on the declining during times of economic uncertainty. The
competence of the worker. FPB also pointed out that just last year, the
FPB Chief Executive Phil Orford said: “I don’t government defended the default retirement
think anyone would dispute the valuable age in the High Court, arguing that it brings
contribution older workers make to the numerous social benefits.
economy. With people living longer and
healthier lives, the skills and experience older
people can bring to the workplace are widely
recognised. However, at the moment, there is
nothing to stop anyone from working beyond
65, providing it suits both parties. The current
law works perfectly well, so why tamper with
it? By scrapping the default retirement age,
all the government will do is take yet more
control away from business owners, add even
more complexity to workplace law, and open
a door to costly and painful employment
tribunal cases.”
The FPB has set out its views on the issue in
response to a government consultation, which
Many businesses are happy to keep skilled
closed on 1 February. In its response to the and experienced employees on after they
consultation, the FPB emphasised the need for reach official retirement age
small firms to be able to plan ahead, especially
AGS Four Winds,
for moving with peace of mind
� International and Domestic Removals
� 36 years of experience � 125 branches in 75 countries
� Secure storage ��High quality packing material
� Customs clearance and Transit Insurance
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business in international removals and storage.
service at highly competitive rates to the private and
corporate sectors. We are also available for trade storage with
the benefit of being conveniently located within the M25 with
reduced transit times.
In view of this expansion, AGS Four Winds London is currently
recruiting people with experience in Business Development
and International Move Coordination.
Memb. No: A015
AGS FOUR WINDS LONDON
Unit 1, Trade City Business Park, Cowley Mill Road,
Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 2DB
Tel: +44 189 520 1595 - Fax: +44 189 520 1581
Email: mario.amato@agsfourwinds.com
www.agsfourwinds.com
March 2010 Removals & Storage 15
 BAR News

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

D
uring 2009, BAR has gathered • The National Association of Estate Agents compared to 2008 (Figure 3). These results
industry statistics from a sample of (NAEA) has also reported similar encouraging suggest that the recession has clearly affected
member companies to compile findings; ‘The number of people searching for the number of people earning a living within
industry statistics for the professional removals property soared by more than 25% in the 12 the industry however recovery is evident as
industry. The statistics compare like-for-like months to December (2009).’ The NAEA also Q4 findings are more positive with a 5%
months from 2008 and 2009. Members of the reported 251 house-hunters on its books in increase of employees in 2009. (Figure 3)
removal industry should overall feel optimistic December (2009), compared to 200 in • Number of vehicles in use has fallen by 9%
for the future as results show various positive December 2008. (Figure 1) during 2009 compared to 2008 (Figure 4)
indicators. The findings from the year to end • The Land Registry reported a severe dip in mirroring the trend of staff employed. Again
report are as follows: the housing market during the back end of Q4 findings are encouraging with a slight
• Domestic moves within the UK for 2009 2008 and the first few months of 2009, indicated increase when compared to October, November
decreased by just 3% when compared to 2008. by low average house prices and low sales and December 2008. (Figure 4)
Figure 1 shows that the professional removals volumes. January and February proved to be • Overseas moves to European countries have
industry in the UK was hit hard for the first the worst months of 2009, but encouraging fallen by a total of 12% in 2009 compared to
six months however the summer months figures released since have shown a marked 2008 (Figure 5). March, September and
were more positive and this continued through increase for both sales volume and average December 2009 in comparison to 2008 fared
to December. December 2009 in fact showed house price. (Figure 2; Source: Land Registry) better with more moves to overseas
a 32% increase in moves against December • Number of staff employed has decreased by destinations. Conversely, eight months in
2008. a total of 14% during the 12 months of 2009 2009 showed a decrease.

Figure 1: Number of moves within the UK Figure 4: Number of moves to European countries

40.00% 5.00%
Dec Nov Dec
32.42% 0% 2.88%
30.00% Oct
24.34% 0.00% Oct
-1.60%
20.00% Jul
12.56% Nov
-5.00% May
10.00% Sep 18.65% -8.30%
12.77% Aug Sep
-9.66% -6.18%
Feb Mar Jun
0.00% -7.27% Aug -10.00% Feb -12.63% YTD
Mar YTD -7.52% -9.31%
4.94% -13.31%
-11.05% -2.95% Jul
-10.00% Jun -10.23%
-8.95% -15.00% Jan
Jan May -14.14%
-20.00% -15.68% Apr
Apr -14.01%
-20.94% -15.49%
-30.00% -20.00%

Figure 2: Number of staff employed Figure 5: Number of moves to non-European countries

£190,000 - 80000 40.00%

£185,000 Sep
- 70000 30.00% 32.35%
AVERAGE PRICE (£)

£180,000 - 60000 20.00%

SALES VOLUME

£175,000 Mar Dec

- 50000 10.00% Feb -4.48% Jul 4.65%
£170,000 -2.10% -3.28%
- 40000 0.00%
£165,000
- 30000 -10.00% Oct
£160,000 0% Nov
Jan May Aug -6.25%
- 20000 -20.00% -10.16% -8.67% YTD
£155,000 -30.69% 12.46%
£150,000 - 10000 -30.00%
£145,000 -0 -40.00% Apr
-36.24% Jun
Jan 08 May 08 Sep 08 Jan 09 May 09 Sep 09 -50.00% -7.52%
AVERAGE PRICE (£) SALES VOLUME -60.00%

Figure 3: Number of vehicles in use Figure 6: House prices and sales volume - all England & Wales

5.00% 30.00%
Oct Dec Jul Dec
2.43% 3.08% 20.00% 18.60% 5.56%
Jan
0.00% 12.05% Oct
10.00% 3.08%
Nov
-0.41%
-5.00% Aug 0.00%
-7.95% Aug
-10.00% -6.92%
May Sep May
-10.00% Feb -12.03% -8.81% -21.40%
-13.43% -20.00% Jun Sep YTD
Jul -7.82% -12.00% -18.79%
Mar Jun -11.46% Feb
-17.86% YTD -30.00% Nov
-15.00% -12.11% -26.56%
-14.02% -23.53%
Jan Apr -40.00%
-18.54% Mar Apr
-18.06% -40.58% -42.59%
-20.00% -50.00%

16 Removals & Storage March 2010


• The top European removal destination for
2008 was France followed by Spain and then
Germany.
• The top European removal destination for
2009 was Germany followed by France and
then Spain. (Figure 5)
• Overseas moves to non-European countries
have dropped by 19% in 2009 compared to
2008 (Figure 6). The figures throughout the
year are erratic with a significant 43% decrease
in April 2009 but a 19% increase in July. Q4
months continue this irregular pattern.
• The top non-European removal destination
for 2008 was Australia followed by the USA
and then New Zealand.
• The top non-European removals destination
for 2009 was New Zealand followed by the
USA/Canada and then Australia. (Figure 6)
To summarise, the industry statistics imply
that the recession has clearly affected the UK
economy over several months and in particular
during the latter end of 2008 and the first few
months of 2009. The UK housing market has
been hit hard with significant falls in both
price and property sales as revealed by Land
Registry. Their findings reflect the fortunes of
the domestic removals industry as they are
inextricably linked. The results of Q3 and Q4
of 2009 however are encouraging and suggest
that the industry is tentatively recovering.
This growth has continued after the renowned
busy period of the summer, confirming the
positive feeling. The overseas removals
industry (to both European and non-European
destinations) has clearly been adversely
affected by the recession. Results are erratic
and unpredictable and it will be interesting
to see if future months reveal a more uniform
upturn.
BAR would like to thank those members
who have participated in the industry
surveys – without whom these valuable
statistics could not have been compiled.
To help conduct future meaningful
surveys, BAR would like YOUR
future support and participation!
For more information, please
contact the Commercial Department:
commercial@bar.co.uk
or call 01923 699 483.
All information will be treated in
the strictest of confidence and will
not be distributed to third parties
other than in the form of aggregated
membership statistics.
Quality standards
and the ‘Kitemark’
D
espite the extremely tough trading
conditions of the last year or so,
Chris Waymouth of QSS reports that
interest in the various removals quality
standards has remained high and in fact,
surprisingly so with a healthy level of
enquiries and only a handful of companies
withdrawing from certification – no more
than in any other year.
“We really did expect to lose quite a few
companies who would either be seeking to
cut cost or might be going under,” said
Chris, “but in fact the reverse appears to
be true. People seem to have realised that
in these very competitive times anything
that gives you an advantage can be really
valuable, so they are turning to the quality
standards to help them stand apart from
the others.”
QSS was established by BAR in 1998 to
provide assessment and certification service
for BS EN 12522, the original domestic
removals standard. Over the years, further
standards have come into play and QSS now
offers its services against the following:
• BS EN 12522: domestic removals
• BS 8522 (was PAS 126): commercial
moving
• BS EN 14873: storage
• BS EN 15696: self-storage
• BS ISO 15489: records management
• ISO 9001: quality management systems
• ISO 14001: environmental management
Additionally, a new international moving
standard is now to be developed and a
working committee has just been formed
to do this, with the aim of getting it up and
running within a year or so. This will
provide a relevant, meaningful measurement
of an international moving company’s
services, but at a cost far below that of
FIDI-FAIM.
In recent times QSS has developed a close
working relationship with BSI (British
A message from the RBA
T
he Removers Benevolent
Association, like all charities,
depends upon donations so that
the good work it does can continue with
needy people in our industry. It was very
welcome, therefore, for the Trustees to
receive two recent donations from the
residue funds of the old London & Home
Counties branch of the Movers Institute,
BAR News
Standards Institution) and this has led to
BSI granting licences to removal firms for
its famous ‘Kitemark’, surely the world’s
most widely respected symbol of quality.
If a firm holds one of the removals
standards, it can apply to BSI for a
Kitemark licence and no other inspection
or ongoing administration is involved.
Once the application has been accepted
and the fee paid, the firm is entitled to
display the Kitemark logo and to utilise
the support services of BSI (a ‘pack’ is
provided) and take advantage of the huge
recognition and respectability that come
with it. The annual audit for the relevant
removals standard is carried out in the
usual way, with no additional requirements
or administration, and QSS then provides
a copy of its report to BSI enabling them to
renew the Kitemark licence for another
year. It is as simple as that!
If you want to give your company “the
edge” over its competitors, contact QSS
and find out all about the standards and
the Kitemark: how to go about achieving
them, what is involved, what it costs …
anything you might need to know.
Contact Chris Waymouth:
E: cwco@btinternet.com
T: 01494 875357
M: 07831 309379
totalling a very generous £1015.07.
Our heart-felt thanks are offered to
the Committee of the L&HC, and all
concerned.
Donations to the Removers Benevolent
Association may be made through the
BAR Company Secretary, who also acts
as Secretary to the Trustees, at BAR
Head Office.
March 2010 Removals & Storage 17
 BAR News

ROUN BAR. Apprenticeships in removals were also members are unhappy with this. It was advocated

A discussed and in the future BARTS hope to that the requirements could be included in the

D
design a qualification for domestic removals to
be part of the apprenticeship. It was felt that it
will be difficult to convince BAR members to
participate and feel that there needs to be a
strategy in place to convince members to get
involved in the apprenticeship scheme.
TH
criteria administered by the BAR rather than the
additional cost of an outside audit.
The BS EN 14873 requirement has focused
attention on quality standards but the question
was asked as to who is enforcing the current BAR
membership criteria now that Peter Gawthrop is

E A S no longer with BAR. It was questioned as to

ARE
A summary of what
members talk about
at Area meetings
Since the last R&S, Bristol, Sussex,
East Anglia and Kent have all seen
area meetings take place. Here’s what
was discussed.
Sussex
In Sussex they discussed promoting BAR and the
OFT. The chairman explained that the Steering
Committee are looking into ways of helping
members understand the benefits of the
Consumer Code of Practice and membership of
Bristol
Standards-based membership was also discussed
in Bristol. One member asked why another badge
was needed when the public don’t understand
what BAR is all about. Reg Hackworthy explained
that BAR want every member to have a standard
whatever that may be, and that at present
achieving membership simply means members
have reached a criteria but not necessarily a
standard. He explained that BS 8522 is a
recognised standard within the commercial
sector and universities and the NHS are now
requesting this standard on their tenders. It was
suggested to invite a representative from QSS to
attend a meeting to explain the standards in
more detail.
East Anglia
In East Anglia too there was a debate about
standards: this time the future requirement to
obtain BS EN 14873 (storage standard). Many
whether the requirement for BS EN 14873 is a
reason to employ QSS (partly owned by BAR) to
carry out the inspections at additional cost.
Many members felt the charges for the website
were too much and some questioned where this
money was going. Questions were asked of the
quantity and remuneration of BAR staff and if
cut backs had been made due to the recession.
Kent
The Kent Area meeting discussed the problem of
ex-members continuing to use the BAR badge.
The members that attended the meeting were
very angry that BAR did not seem to back up
their continued request for action to be taken.
Members also discussed the implementation of
the BS EN 12522 standard as a condition of
membership. The majority believe it will be a good
move but will only comply with the standard
once it’s enforced. The members felt that it
would improve quality within the organisation.

18 Removals & Storage March 2010

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 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 Tel: 0845 602 1775

Email: broking@basilfry.co.uk Email: info@reason-global.com
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Financial Legal

Wellers Backhouse Jones Solicitors

Tel: 0207 630 6665 Tel: 01254 828300

Email: BAR@wellersaccountants.co.uk Email: enquiries@backhouses.co.uk
Website: www.wellersaccountants.co.uk Website: www.backhousejones.co.uk

MEMBERSHIP
INITIATIVE

in association with
 BAR News

Western Area AGM

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

T
he formalities of the general meeting of Stephen Vickers, Open SEO on search International and made possible by the
and the AGM were dealt with and after engine optimisation and Toby Pinn on Committee sponsors: Basil Fry & Co Insurance,
much persuasion Ria Russell from auctioneers. The annual event was a New Reason Global, BAR Services and Red Recruit.
Britannia Lanes of Somerset & Bristol agreed Year party on 15th of January targeted to After this there was a raffle, open to all
to stand for another two years as Area encourage attendees who would otherwise be attendees on the night, of a further 21 prizes
Secretary and Steve Noake from Fox Group busy with the multitude of pre-Christmas that members had brought from them and
agreed to stand as Treasurer. Other events there normally are. their suppliers for the meeting.
committee members elected were: Another large draw for members is the Attendees are always welcome at the
• Mark Chudley, Chudley International: attendance raffle made possible by the Western Area and the following meetings are
National Councillor; ‘Committee Position’ sponsors that the planned for 2010:
• Robert Poyner, Reloc8: CMG rep; area has. • 16 March: Presentation by Steve Jordan
• Tom Firbank, Firbank Removals: RBA rep; This allows the Area to provide a raffle that from R&S;
• Kathy Lugg, Herbert Davies Removals: is unique to the Association. If any person • 11 May: General meeting and quiz;
Assistant Secretary; attends four or more meetings in a year then • 14 September: Presentation from Bob Tree
• Angus Russell, Britannia Lanes: Assistant they are entered into a draw and their company of Basil Fry;
National Councillor. receives what was this year a £400 cheque • 9 November: Skittles and fireworks
made out to BAR on their behalf for their BAR evening, The George Inn, Middlezoy,
Additional committee members were also subscription. Somerset;
elected being: This year the cheque was gratefully received • Jan: AGM, Brent Knoll.
• Nigel Hobden, Hobdens Removals; by Adam Chudley on behalf of Chudley You are all welcome to come along.
• Tony Holland, Pickfords.
Top: Adam
The speaker for the evening was Sarah Chudley of Chudleys
International wins
Rowlands from QSS who had offered to come
the £400 credit note
to explain to everyone who QSS were, the against a BAR
advantage of a quality standard and the ins subscription
and outs of how to achieve one of the three for Sponsors
Attendance Draw
standards currently pertinent to BAR members. Bottom: Some of the
Sarah then fielded a number of varied Committee - Mark
questions from the group on matters arising Chudley: National
Councillor; Steve
from the presentation. Although the general Noake, Treasurer;
consensus from the meeting was positive Ria Russell, Area
towards a standards-based Association there Secretary; Angus
Russell, Chairman
was feeling amongst some that there needed
to be more information from BAR HQ on
guidance, what BAR were seeking to achieve
and when.
With 39 people attending from 20
companies this was the best attendance for a
meeting so far.
How do they manage to get this kind of
attendance? The answer is simple, by
involving and keeping the interest of the
members and by giving back what they can to
the membership the area encourages people
to attend.
The Western Area chairman Angus Russell
from Britannia Lanes of Somerset & Bristol
said “The area as a whole tend to speak their
mind about what is really happening in the
market. This means that we can share ideas
and market information.”
The committee is at the heart of coming up
with ideas for speakers and events but draw
their inspiration from their attendees to give
a wide range of speaker, topics and events.
This is demonstrated in the events and
speakers that the area put on. In 2009 the
Area had speakers from BAR HQ in the form

20 Removals & Storage March 2010

 Addressing the Needs of our Members...

Free Legal & Financial

Advice Lines for
BAR Members
MEM BERSHIP
INITIATIVE

The “Credit Crunch”, rising fuel prices, rising inflation, and more specifically the down turn in the
housing market and reductions in new mortgages and re-mortgages, are impacting us all.
As an Association we aim to support member companies in every way possible. To that end we have set up two free
advice lines using partners with whom BAR have long established business relationships. One is an expansion of an
existing service, the other being a brand new service.

The advice lines will be available to Directors/Partners/Owners of member companies and will work
as follows:
� Please give your BAR membership number, company name and your contact details.
� Briefly describe your issue/question to the advice line operator.
� Your call will be logged and checked by a partner to ensure proper follow up has taken place.
� The call will be passed through to the most suitable contact person.
� If you use the email facility, please provide the same information as above so that the email
can be correctly dealt with.
� If it is possible to resolve the matter over the phone within a reasonable time then the
advice will be free.
� If the specialist thinks that the matter needs a ‘face-to-face’ meeting then this will be
suggested. This meeting can be at your premises, the adviser’s offices or a neutral convenient
location. This meeting will also be free.
� Should the matter be complex requiring significant time, resource or research then the adviser
will provide a full written proposal and quotation. This proposal will be at a discounted rate.
No charges will be made until such proposal is received and agreed.

You should note that this service is an additional and exclusive free service to members who, in the current
economic climate, may need immediate independent financial or legal advice.
More complex matters may be chargeable by our partners in this venture, but no charges will be made until all costs
and services have been clarified and agreed by all parties.
To help us to monitor these services please send any comments, queries, suggestions to:
membersupport@bar.co.uk

Please tear off and keep this card

MEM BERSHIP
INITIATIVE

MEM BERSHIP

Financial Support Advice Line

INITIATIVE

in & Tel: 0207 630 6665

association email: BAR@wellersaccountants.co.uk
with www.wellersaccountants.co.uk
For legal advice see reverse
 Advice Lines
Advice lines will be available from
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
MEMBERSHIP
INITIATIVE Monday – Friday (excluding public holidays)

Financial Support Advice Line

0207 630 6665 email: BAR@wellersaccountants.co.uk
Main contacts will be:

Kathleen Parker – Partner: Michael Webb – Manager:

With Wellers for eighteen years and specialises in Michael knows the value of long lasting client
providing strategic advice to her SME clients. relationships; has the technical ability and expertise
Her work includes business reviews, tax planning to respond rapidly to changes in legislation and
and delivering advice for sustainable growth. provide relevant and timely advice to his clients.

Norma Stewart – Partner: Timir Palit – Tax Manager:

Has a broad range of commercial experience and With more than thirty years experience covering a
works with her clients as an integral part of their wide range of corporate and personal tax issues,
business, helping them handle compliance issues as he has the skills to provide practical expertise and
well as identifying fresh opportunities for growth. tailored solutions for his clients.

Legal Support Advice Line

01254 828300 email: linda@backhouses.co.uk
Main contacts will be:

James Backhouse - Director: Stephen Meyerhoff – Solicitor:

Regulatory and compliance matters and advice on Provides employment law advice as well as
O licence issues. commercial advice on contractual disputes
including advising on terms of trading.

Jonathan Backhouse – Director: Barry Prior – Consultant:

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

Please tear off and keep this card

MEMBERSHIP
INITIATIVE

Legal Support Advice Line MEMBERSHIP

INITIATIVE

Tel: 01254 828300 in &

email: linda@backhouses.co.uk association
www.backhousejones.co.uk with
For financial advice see reverse
 BAR News

Become a Tweeter with BAR Services

I
n various recent articles BAR Services has
talked about being a cooperative, i.e. a
not-for-profit company that has been set
up solely to serve the purpose of its members.
Whilst conducting research can help to find
out what products and services are required,
BAR Services also relies on feedback and
information directly from the membership. In
the same way, members should also be party
to information about BAR Services, its special
offers, new products and any other helpful
information.
For this reason BAR Services is pleased to
announce its new adventure onto Facebook
and Twitter. Many of you will already be aware
of the phenomenon of Facebook and Twitter -
even if your awareness is only gained from
the amount of time it takes up in the lives of
your teenagers. For those of you who don’t,
what exactly is all the excitement about?
Facebook is a free social networking website
that allows people to communicate and update
each other with information more efficiently.
Twitter also provides a social networking and
micro-blogging service that allows its users
to send and read each others ‘tweets’. In simple
terms, it acts just like birdsong in passing on
invaluable information quickly and easily.
The purpose of the BAR Services Facebook The BAR Services home page on Twitter
and Twitter pages is to enable members to
interact directly with the sales team (and
each other) thus providing the company with issues and any conferences and exhibitions the So if you are already a tweeter please add
an invaluable insight in to their needs and sales team will be attending over the coming us to your friends (BARServicesLtd) and
opinions. Although at present information year, 2010. follow us on Twitter. If you’re not, then why
regarding BAR Services’ special offers and For BAR Services, one of the most important not give it a try – we are sure you will become
product information is communicated via the aspects of these social websites is the ability hooked. On the other hand, if the idea of
R&S and e-mail, this allows a further point of for its customers to be able to provide feedback interacting over the Internet fills you with
communication. to the company. Whether feedback is good or dread then do not fear, you can still talk in
Not only will these pages provide details of bad, the team want to know what customers the traditional way to anyone on the sales
the product of the month, any current think. In this way it can carry on doing the team by calling 01342 870087, e-mailing
promotions and industry news, it will also things it does well but can also learn about sales@barservices.co.uk or reading about
provide relevant details about environmental and address any issues customers have. them in the monthly R&S.

Product of the Month

Foam Corner Protection
Meeting the needs of the members is of the
utmost importance to BAR Services. Of late,
BAR Services has noticed an increase in requests
for foam corner protectors and never wanting
to disappoint, it has carefully sourced and now
supplies such a product.
The good news is that, whereas before corner
protectors could only be bought in large quantities,
this product can be bought in handy packs of For further details and prices on the corner
250. Even better, for environmentalists, the foam protectors, please contact our sales team
is naturally produced from environmentally on 01342 870087 or alternatively e-mail
sustainable materials, without CFCs and HCFCs. sales@barservices.co.uk.
Available in several sizes, the protectors are
manufactured in a specially designed horse-
shoe shape that allows maximum grip and
protection to the relevant corners and edges.

BAR Services Ltd, Moor Hall, Sandhawes Hill, East Grinstead, Sussex RH19 3HQ Tel: 01342 870087 Fax: 01342 870072 Email: sales@barservices.co.uk

March 2010 Removals & Storage 23

 CMG News

CMG Member Profile: Nigel Shaw. As the Managing Director of Specialised

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

K
nowing Nigel as a long-time server of
the removals industry, it might come
as a surprise to many that his move
into the industry was not a planned one: far
from it. Being unemployed Nigel was trying to
find new ways of earning a living when he
decided to give felt roofing a try with close
friend, Paul Simpson.
Whilst on their first job, fixing a flat roof
for a Dr Patterson, the pair were asked to
recommend a good removals company to
move the family to Oxford. “Off the top of my
head I said, ‘We could do that’,” said Nigel.
“That evening Paul and I went away wondering
what we had got ourselves into. We had no
van, no experience, and no money.” All major
obstacles when trying to start a new business.
With the promise of this one job, Nigel and
Paul bought an old furniture van. “It was a
Bedford TK with a 300 diesel engine. I know
some of you old-timers will be saying, ‘300?
It’s a 330’ but it really was a 300 running
on one piston. We went to find the owner,
Chris Griffin who owns Griffins Removals of
Sheffield and bought the van for the scrap
value of £300.” Keeping on truckin’ - Nigel Shaw
Nigel and Paul set to work re-building the
van’s engine only to find that it also needed
re-boring meaning cutting into the middle of Nigel formed Specialised Movers in the early are in good hands and, if all else fails, you can
the cab to access the top of the engine. “It was 1990s, “We travelled the country undertaking call on another member to assist, knowing
winter, it was freezing cold and raining, but major commercial moves from move planning they will provide a high standard of service.”
determination saw the van running two to execution. I see Pickfords as being paramount Nigel is the man in charge of the CMG’s
weeks later.” in the building of Specialised Movers.” purse strings and also one of the 12 elected
Just as things were beginning to come Business continued to thrive and in 1995 councillors with a casting vote. Nigel describes
together, Dr Patterson was taken ill and Nigel met his wife and business partner Carole one of the most debated agenda items of late
decided against the move to Oxford. “The who Nigel says was the driving force behind as making the PAS 126 (later to become BS
reality was now very clear,” said Nigel. “We renting their first warehouse. “This was a 8522) mandatory for membership to the CMG.
needed to find some work. So we touted for massive step. At this stage we could take on “No decision is ever taken lightly. The intention
business delivering three piece suites for an the world - me and Carole! However the one was that all CMG members should be working
old fellow called Bill Rodger. He was your goal I thought I could never achieve was BAR to this standard in their everyday business.
typical gangster type. He had just been released membership.” Personally, I would say the quality standard
from prison for printing £5 notes and paying Nigel describes his view of the BAR works very well for Specialised Movers, with
the staff wages with them, but work was work membership at this time as seemingly for the more clients requesting it in tender documents.”
and we worked for Rodgers Upholstery for bigger companies. However, Specialised Movers So, with 25 years in the business under his
two years until it went bust.” applied for both BAR and CMG membership belt, is it time for Nigel to start slowing down?
At around this same time Nigel and Paul, at the same time, and the company became “The removals industry has provided me with
whilst also doing the odd domestic move and members of both groups with Nigel elected to great friends, great experiences and a good life.
deliveries, found that they had built up enough the Council the following year. Now going into my 50s I feel it’s time to now
of a business to buy another Bedford TK, but “Immediately we began to see the benefits start enjoying what I have achieved.” And with
this time with a reliable 330 engine. “Things of BAR and CMG membership,” said Nigel. a lovely apartment in the Algarve, a large house
were going well,” Nigel recalled. “Business “We achieved the overall winner of the Yellow on the outskirts of Barnsley and a beautiful
was so good we even rented a small lock up Pages’ First Impressions award twice. We have Irish Border Collie named Harnie there is
for conventional storage.” won the CMOTY Award of Merit every year surely plenty for Nigel to enjoy. However, it
However, when Paul left the partnership since we joined, and in 2009 we achieved the doesn’t look as though Nigel will be staying
Nigel was left with the prospect of running CMOTY category winner for a Commercial put for very long. “Last year I bought a top of
the business alone, something which he admits Relocation of Over 50 Staff.” the range motor-home and, looking nothing
he found very difficult. “I decided to approach So, other than achieving award winning like Max and Paddy on their Road to Nowhere,
Pickfords Removals to see whether they needed status, how has being a CMG member helped Carole and I will enjoy the next few years
any external labour or vehicles. Within two Specialised Movers? “When you approach the touring.”
years I was the largest supplier of staff in the client for the first time you have the confidence All together now: “Don’t know where we’re
country providing drivers and porters to all to sell your company at the highest level,” said going, Got no way of knowing, Driving on the
the Yorkshire depots and beyond.” Nigel. “This reassures nervous clients that they road to nowhere.”

24 Removals & Storage March 2010

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 CMG News

Making child’s play of

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

T
he company was invited to tender against
Top: Moving
a number of other relocation companies out of the old
and won the major proportion of the hospital buildings
contract, sharing the remainder with another Bottom: Moving
into the new ‘state
local removal contractor. of the art’ buildings
P. Fahey & Sons Ltd has been contracted to
move Booth Hall Children’s Hospital, St Mary’s
Women’s Hospital, The Royal Eye Hospital and
Manchester Royal Infirmary Adults Hospital.
Also included in the project was the movement
of the Clinical Sciences Building, including
laboratory areas on the Royal Manchester
Children’s Hospital site. The move included all
laboratories, libraries, nurseries, wards,
offices, pharmacies and chemical moves
including biohazards, radioactive materials,
art/artefacts, drugs, medical records and
specimen slides from all hospitals to the new
£500 million buildings on the Manchester
Royal Infirmary site.
The whole project required detailed co-
ordination and planning, from the initial five-
day walk round to assess the requirements to
presenting the tender. Simon Fahey, the
Removal Service Project Manager, attended
preparatory and project planning meetings
and liaised with the commissioning group,
agreeing move methodologies and the labelling
strategy to be used, then Fahey’s site foreman
and crews - working to the overall move plan premises, carried out by David Hookins of Europe has been a privilege.”
– started executing the relocations, working BAR Training Services. Although my staff have The Head of Capital Procurement for The
to strict time schedules, shift working patterns years of experience, we felt it refreshed the Central Manchester Foundation Trust said, “I
and seven days a week for over a three month demands and attitude required when carrying would like to add my thanks to this as I feel
period. out commercial moves, this has paid dividends the conduct and service offered from Fahey’s
The contract is still to be completed and so when completing moves of this stature.” has been exemplary throughout the move.”
far has utilised approximately 20,500 packing Simon continued, “I have been very proud The Directors of P. Fahey & Sons were so
crates, supplied by Northern Crates, 300 rolls to be involved in such a prestigious move, it impressed with the new hospital facility that
of bubble wrap, 50,000 low adhesive labels and has been a great challenge to which my team they made a donation of £1000 to the Harvey
5,000 security tabs, all supplied by P. Fahey & have risen to and passed with flying colours, Slack Appeal, in aid of a young boy who lost
Sons Ltd. completing every task asked of them, to carry both his arms and legs through meningitis.
Simon Fahey, Director said, “Earlier this out the relocation of the biggest children’s The young boy was transferred from the old
year all our staff attended a ‘Team Leader in hospital in the UK and one of the largest eye hospital to the new hospital and has since
Commercial Moving’ course, held on our teaching hospitals and women’s hospitals in been allowed to return home.

The New CMG Membership The Standard requires a demonstrable and measurable level of compliance and
BAR would like to extend its congratulations to the following companies achievement against all aspects of the commercial moving operation. Well
who have also achieved BS 8522 certification: done to all for their hard work and effort in achieving the standard.

Business Moves Group Ltd McCarthy’s of Leeds

Delivery Services MJF Business Services Ltd
Greens Removals Sargents Ltd
Luxfords of Weybridge Stephens Removals

26 Removals & Storage March 2010

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 Training News
David Hookins with the BARTS Mobile
Training Unit and, above the trailer
28 Removals & Storage March 2010
Above: some of the
many companies David
has visited and helped
over the past year
Out and about
with David Hookins
David Hookins, BARTS’ Field Trainer, tours the country
constantly providing operational training services on
site to help companies manage the cost of first-class
training. These are some of the projects he’s been
working on during his travels:
David Dale Removals David Hookins delivered courses in fragile
The second week in January saw David packing and export wrapping as well as a
training with David Dale Removals at their course in vehicle loading which was tailored
Boroughbridge depot. to concentrate on the requirements of
David Dale Removals offer UK, European European moving taking into account the
and Worldwide removals and had brought large distances involved and different
their staff who are based in Spain back to the standards of road surfaces.
UK for the training. David Dale also invited The training took place over two days. The
staff from local BAR members to attend which staff from Spain were not impressed by the
is an excellent idea as it spreads the cost of amount of snow around, and were loading their
the training and ensures a full course. vehicle for the return journey as David left.

DRS Moving Group Ltd.
David visited DRS Moving Group Ltd, Dundee,
to provide training on site to their staff.
Scot Brown, of DRS Moving Group Ltd, wanted
to use the training to reinforce company
standards, refresh existing skills and introduce
new skills into the company and saw the
training as complimentary to their own ‘in
house’ training programme.
After discussions it was agreed that David
would deliver training in fragile packing,
packing of paintings, pictures and mirrors,
loading and unloading of vehicles and export
wrapping, and would focus on a standard
throughout the company which was easily
recognisable and professional.
The training was well received by the staff
with excellent feedback. David is looking
forward to returning to DRS Group Ltd in the
future to continue assisting them with their
training requirements.
Flemings Removals
The first week in January, after the Christmas
and New Year break, saw David in Scotland
with Flemings Removals of Inverkeithing,
Rosyth.
Flemings Removals have taken advantage
of BARTS’ five-year plan for Driver CPC training
which guarantees training on a specified date
at a fixed rate for the next five years.
The first course, which was delivered at
Flemings’ premises, was LGV Driver Essentials
which was attended by ten of Flemings’ drivers
including four family members, truly a family
run company.
With overnight temperatures well below
freezing and almost two feet of snow on the
ground David appreciated Flemings’ hospitality
by providing lunch and hot drinks throughout
the day and is looking forward to returning
next year when he will be able to deliver
further Driver CPC training.
R&S MacQueen Brothers
MacQueen Brothers, of Oban, arranged
Driver CPC training, on site, with BARTS.
Graham MacQueen had booked a local hotel
for the training and invited local hauliers to
attend the training to share the cost which
led to a full course of 15 drivers.
David Hookins explained to those present
that the LGV Drivers Essentials course was a
’generic’ course which is of interest to all
drivers. BARTS were designing further courses
some of which would be of a ‘generic’ nature
and others more specific to the removals
industry.
The training was well received, including
the lunch arranged by Graham, with positive
feedback and suggestions for future courses.
David thanked Graham for his work in
arranging the training and confirmed his
willingness to return in the future despite the
snow and icy conditions.
Martells Driver CPC Training
Sussex Area members joined together for
Driver CPC training at Martells International
Movers’ premises in East Grinstead.
The training was arranged for a Saturday
by Ed Kessell, of Martells, which suited all
the members involved because it did not
interfere with their Monday to Friday removals
diary. The training will take place on the same
date for the next five years, as per BARTS’
incentive plan, which guarantees the date
and the cost.
With 15 drivers, from the three member
companies attending the training, the cost
per driver was kept to a minimum.
David thanked Ed for the use of his premises
and complimented all three members on
their willingness to work together in booking
the training.
Driver CPC Training Western Area
David delivered Driver CPC training to three
Western Area members at GH Yeates and
Sons Ltd’s premises in Clevedon, Bristol.
James Griffin, of GH Yeates and Sons Ltd,
arranged the training on behalf of the other
members who agreed to share the cost of the
training. This ensured that there was a full
course and the cost per driver was kept to a
minimum.
All three members managed to carry out
removals on the day of the training using
drivers who will attend another course which
will be arranged later in the year. This is an
ideal arrangement for the smaller BAR members
who cannot afford to have all their drivers off
the road, to attend training, at the same time.
David thanked James for the use of his
premises and congratulated him, and the
other BAR members, for taking a positive
Training News
approach to Driver CPC training by agreeing
a training plan which suited all three of them.
R&S MJF Group Ltd
MJF Group Ltd, of Uxbridge, contacted BARTS
with regard to training for their team leaders.
MJF Group Ltd carry out commercial moves
on behalf of clients along with numerous other
services including complete office fit outs, office
design, supply of office furnishings, removal
and recycling of unwanted office furniture,
and a secure document shredding service.
Stephen Palmer, of MJF Group Ltd,
explained that they wanted to formalise the
positions of their existing team leaders and
provide training for future team leaders.
David opened the course by explaining the
various titles for their role as team leaders:
foreman, supervisor, driver in charge, porter
in charge, etc, and also explaining that the
role was one of somebody who is in charge of
other people whether a team of two or 20, it
was the same role.
BARTS’ team leader course covers the role
and responsibility of a team leader, the
responsibilities of a team leader with regard
to the company, team and customer,
leadership styles, problem solving and
gaining respect of the company, team and
customer.
The training also offers an ideal forum for
existing team leaders to discuss problems,
ideas and solutions, which can be a valuable
learning experience leading to improved
understanding of their roles and improved
performance.
The course was well received by those
attending and many expressed their gratitude
to the company for providing the course and
the opportunity for discussion.
R&S Webbs International Removals Ltd
Gareth Webb, of Webbs International
Removals Ltd, Ramsgate, contacted BARTS to
update their health and safety training.
David visited Webbs premises in Ramsgate
to deliver the training. The training included
manual handling and health and safety
awareness. The training ensured that Webbs
International are fully compliant with
training as per the current health and safety
regulations.
The health and safety awareness course
covers current legislation, roles and
responsibilities for health and safety within
the business, hazard reporting, fire safety
training and first aid awareness.
The health and safety awareness course not
only confirms the procedures within the
member company but also stresses the need
to comply with other companies’ health and
safety policies when working on their premises
including risk awareness, security, and fire
safety and emergency procedures.
The training was also attended by staff
from Fox’s Removals and Storage, Margate:
another example of BAR members working
together to reduce the cost of training.
March 2010 Removals & Storage 29
 Training News

What is benefit from training throughout their whole

career. This Directive became effective on 10
passport and ‘old style’ paper driving licence,
or photocard and counterpart driving licence.

Driver CPC? September, 2008 for the PCV sector and 10

September, 2009 for the LGV sector.
How is the training delivered?
Courses and training centres must be approved
If a driver fails to provide the required
identification their training will not be
registered and they will not be allowed to
attend the course.
Information taken from JAUPT

T
he EU passed the Driver CPC EU Directive by JAUPT on behalf of the Competent Authority Guide to Periodic Training

in 2003. This will affect all professional
LGV and PCV drivers. For new drivers it
introduces a new initial qualification, the
Driver CPC, which increases the amount of
knowledge that drivers need before they can
drive. When combined with licence acquisition
tests, the initial qualification includes a four-
hour theory test and a two-hour driving and
practical test. All drivers, new and existing,
will then have to undertake 35 hours of training
every five years to ensure that their Driver CPC
is current. This is known as Periodic Training.
Only courses that have been approved - and
are being delivered by a training centre that
has been approved by the Joint Approvals
Unit for Periodic Training (JAUPT) - will count
towards the Periodic Training requirement.
Periodic Training is designed to confirm, and
expand on, the existing knowledge and skills
of each driver to ensure that they continue to
be safe, courteous and fuel-efficient drivers.
This will also enable drivers to keep up-to-
date with ever-changing regulations and to
for the delivery of Periodic Training. The
content, title and method of delivery of each
training course are looked at during the
approval process. A course is a coherent
programme of learning of at least seven hours.
The seven hours excludes any breaks; only
direct training and contact time (time with a
trainer) count towards the Periodic Training
requirement. Periodic Training is designed to
improve the knowledge of the driver and it
could include courses in subjects such as
Disability Awareness, Tachograph Regulations
and Safe and Fuel-Efficient Driving. There are
no tests or exams involved but training centres
will be required to evaluate each course to
ensure that those attending have benefited
from the training that they have received.
For further information on
Identity checking Driver CPC training contact
Training centres must carry out identity checks BARTS on 01923 699484 or
in order to verify the identity of each participant e-mail training@bar.co.uk
on a course. This requires a visual check of
an official form of identification: either a

BAR Training Services

Training Available on your premises
The following courses can be delivered on site by our Field Trainer using
our mobile training vehicle:
• Health & Safety awareness • Removals Documentation
MAKING • Manual Handling • Fire Warden Training
TRAINING • Fire Safety Training • Risk Assessment
AFFORDABLE • Induction Training • Fragile Packing - Beginner/Refresher
• Basic/Advanced Packing Skills • Specialist Packing/Piano’s
• Vehicle & Container - Loading • Writing a Winning Tender - NEW!
• Warehousing • Selling Skills
������� • Export Wrapping • Removals Apprenticeship
������ • Commercial & Overseas Training • BTEC in Practical Estimating
��
��������
• Team Leader Training • BTEC in Removals Management
���������
•� Driver CPC •� Train the Trainer
�������� Please visit the BAR Training Services section at www.bar.co.uk
to download a booking form or call us on 01923 699 484
*All courses are subject to change.

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

�������������������������������������� ������������������
30 Removals & Storage March 2010
 Training News

Young Movers – ideas to enhance their skills and progress

their personal career objectives, to
you’ve met and established a relationship
with for assistance and advice. The more we
get involved! network, to learn from others and to forge
personal and business relationships within
widen our network of contacts the greater the
possibilities. Loren Webster, BARTS’ Training
Young Movers are already the Association in a relaxed and informal Manager is set to attend the European Young
seeing the tangible business atmosphere.
Each BAR Young Movers event has a focus
Movers Conference in May to bring further
networking benefits to our UK BAR Young
benefits that come from on providing tangible business benefits to Movers group.
being a part of this exciting all involved and there is no joining or
membership fee to become part of the
Annmarie Pearson,
APAK Removals & Storage.
new group. group.
The next BAR Young Movers event is to be The group has been of direct benefit to me,

B
AR Young Movers got together at
their launch event held in
Birmingham at the end of last year
and the day was a complete success. The
BAR Young Movers special interest group is
endorsed by and part of the Association and
will be aimed at employees of BAR
members aged in their 20s and 30s.
The project is managed by Loren Webster,
BARTS’ Training Manager and Darren
House of Farrer & Fenwick, the group is
sponsored by Basil Fry & Company,
Alchemy and Reason Global Insurance and
recognised by FEDEMAC.
The Young Movers group is a forum for
young people who may be new to the
industry, young people on a career path, or
young people entering or part of a family
business. The aim of the group is to share
held on 17 March to include business seminars
on risk management, career path choices
and the BAR OFT Code of Practice.
Young Movers quotes and testimonials:
‘The BAR UK Young Movers Group should be
really excited to get involved with the European
Young Movers. Our events are inexpensive and
very focused on providing business benefits
to the group and excellent networking
opportunities. As a young mover myself I see
so many opportunities in getting involved
with the UK and European Young Movers.
There is no better way to learn about European
legislation and regulations than by speaking
directly with your peers from various European
countries. Imagine the scenario: a truck with
access problems in Germany. What do you
do? Call your fellow young mover whom
having met another company, Lanes of
Cornwall, I was able to contact them when I
had a removal in their area and they were
able to advise me of the access for the size of
the vehicle I was sending, and if needed, they
could have provided porter assistance and
provided me with useful contact numbers if I
needed to tranship. Clearly this would have
saved me any unwanted costs if any problems
had arisen. I will certainly be keeping in touch
with members of the BAR Young Movers group
as I can see this providing real benefit in the
future. I will also be attending the BAR Young
Movers business seminar and the various
other business and networking events together
with the Young Movers event at this year’s
BAR Conference.
Tom Ryan,
Ryans Removals Ltd.

Training Exclusive
to BAR

Payment Initiative Members

BAR Training Services offer members a payment initiative on all of our training
MAKING
courses. Training may be carried out at head office, on-site or using our mobile
TRAINING training unit.
AFFORDABLE Payment for training with a value of over £1,200 can be spread over four monthly
payments for your convenience.
To take advantage of this offer, a non refundable deposit of 30% must be paid with
your booking confirmation. Please see the example below:

Cost of course - £1,200

Date: Deposit Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 TOTAL
Payment: £360 £280 £280 £280 £1,200
(all figures quoted are subject to VAT)

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

March 2010 Removals & Storage 31

 Training News

Writing a
Winning
Tender
Workshop
New course
Breaches in fire safety can now lead to large fines
from BARTS
The expensive risk for
This course is designed to provide BAR
members with advice and support to enable
them to win new business when tendering
breaches in fire safety for local government contracts – only £99
from 11:30am until 3pm.
By Martyn Minker, Training Co-ordinator Course includes:
• Constructing a winning strategy

F
ire brigades are now responsible for a fire risk assessment was in place but it had • Risk management
enforcing all fire safety breaches in any not been updated in three and a half years. • What to write
organisation. Failure to comply with fire To avoid large fines such as these all • Identifying your USP
regulations could result in a huge fine. organisations should ensure that fire safety • Where you can stand out
Following a recent fire in one of their stores, training is regularly refreshed and a fire risk • Common mistakes
a large, well known retailer was fined assessment is carried out by a competent • Opportunities to score
£400,000 for serious breaches in fire safety person and is reviewed on a regular basis. • Presentations
and ordered to pay £136,000 in court costs. • Feedback
The breakdown of the fine was as follows: • Pricing
To discuss fire training and
£250,000 for failing to produce a suitable and • Tips & techniques
fire risk assessment for your
efficient fire risk assessment and £150,000 for • Useful information
business please call BARTS
inadequate fire safety training. on 01923 699484 or Dates:
Elsewhere in 2009 one of the world’s leading e-mail training@bar.co.uk Wed 7 April, Wed 5 May, Tues 8 June,
oil companies was fined £300,000 and ordered Tues 20 July.
to pay £45,000 in court costs. It was found that

BARTS Selling Skills Course

Don’t miss out, Selling skills testimonials
it’s only £99! Really good course, it gave me lots of help in

Price frozen from 2009 my selling skills.

Stephen Parnell, Maidmans.

P
resented by Loren Webster, BARTS’
Training Manager, the BARTS Selling Skills
course takes place between 11:00am –
3:30pm (10:30 for refreshments, course starts at
11:00) allowing all members to attend and benefit
from this not-to-be-missed, great value course
wherever you are located.
Learn how to convert enquiries into sales and
how best to promote the BAR OFT Code of
Practice to your customers.
BARTS Selling Skills course will also be taking
place at BAR Watford on the following dates
throughout the year: 16 March, 14 April, 19 May,
9 June, 7 July, 11 August, 8 September, 6 October,
17 November and 8 December.
I think the BARTS Selling Skills course is a good
course, as a driver/porter; it gives an eye
opening to what’s involved and an excellent
guide to moving up the company chain.
Craig Edser
The BAR Training Services course is a fantastic
way of giving people in the removals industry
an easier way of understanding the OFT Code
of Practice and all its content. I have definitely
come away with a better understanding – first
class, cheers!
Philip Faulkner, Oldhams Removals
Well done – good day.
Brian Maidman, Maidmans

32 Removals & Storage March 2010

 BARTS Practical Estimating
& Selling Skills Courses 2010

BTEC Award in Practical Estimating Watford Course Dates 2010

£545 + VAT (BAR MEMBER) March - 18 & 19 August - 17 & 18

April - 15 & 16 September - 22 & 23

This 2 day course is practically based and is designed May - 17 & 18 October - 20 & 21
to teach students the art of estimating as well as face
to face sales techniques. June - 3 & 4 November - 18 & 19

The course covers topics such as : July - 15 & 16 December - 09 & 10

- Practical Estimating at 2 local properties

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

Selling Skills/Promoting the BAR OFT Watford Course Dates 2010

Code of Practice
March - 17 August - 11
£99 + VAT (BAR MEMBER)
April - 14 September - 08

May - 19 October - 06
This 1 day course is designed to enhance sales skills
and to demonstrate the most effective way of June - 09 November - 17
promoting the BAR OFT Code of Practice to win
business. July - 07 December - 08

The course covers topics such as:

- The Role of the Salesperson

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

Book your places today

Call 01923 699484 or email training@bar.co.uk

BARTS
Because your people are your biggest asset THE INDUSTRY
SPECIALISTS
 �����������������������
������������������������
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Brand New
������������������� Workshop
����������������������������������
�����������������
����������������� ������������������������ �����������������������
�������������������������������� ��������������� ���������������������
��������������� ���������� ��������������������
���������������������� ��������� ��������������������
������������������������� ������������������� �������������������������
����������������� �������������������� ����������������������

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�����������
 JAUPT APPROVED CENTRE AC00191

INDUSTRY SPECIFIC DRIVER CPC

TRAINING FROM BAR TRAINING SERVICES

BAR Training Services train you at the

following locations at specially
discounted member rates:

At your premises
In the BAR areas
BAR in Watford

Flexible training the way you want it!

Book your places NOW

or for further information
contact BARTS on 01923 699484
BARTS
THE INDUSTRY
Because your people are your biggest asset SPECIALISTS

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

 European News
Consumer rights:
14-day right to withdraw
F
EDEMAC has advised BAR that the
European Commission has issued a new
draft of its directive in Consumer Rights.
Unlike the previous draft it appears that the new
version does not exempt the moving industry.
The Directive will obligate movers to provide
their customers with particular information
about the company and the service being
offered. Numerous details will have to be given.
In general movers will have to: give the customer
the right to withdraw from the contract within
a period of 14 days after signing the contract;
inform the customer on how to withdraw from
the contract; and inform the customer on how
to withdraw from the contract by providing
and using a standard withdrawal form. The
moving company will not be allowed to charge
any costs to the consumer if the withdrawal
is made within the 14-day period.
Removal services and customer expectations
are becoming more and more difficult. The
time between first contact of service provider
and customer, contracting and carrying out
the removal service is getting shorter and
shorter. The moving industry could therefore
be possibly affected in a considerable way
CBI lobbies
on agency
employment
36 Removals & Storage March 2010
R&S is grateful to FEDEMAC for its contribution to this section
Thinking time -
The latest draft of
the EC’s Consumer
Rights directive
means customers
will have 14 days
to withdraw from
a contract with
a remover
unless it is exempted from the element which
allows the consumer right to withdraw from
the contract in the 14-day period.
The EU Member States can currently agree
or give comments on the existing draft on the
new Directive on Consumer Rights. This means
that the draft is currently in discussion in the
administration of the EU Member States.
FEDEMAC says that it would be very helpful in
every case for national Member Associations
and Direct Affiliates to act urgently at national
level to obtain clarification as to whether
removal services are exempt or not.
FEDEMAC asks all member companies to
contact their responsible administration body
in the national government to clarify the
terminology and to try to ensure the moving
industry is exempted from the clause relating
to the consumer rights to withdraw from a
signed contract with 14 days after signature
or for exemption from the Directive in general
as had been the situation in the first draft of
the Directive.
(Note: BAR is actively lobbying
government on this issue.)
The CBI recently lobbied Business Minister
Pat McFadden on agency work. The action
was in response to trade union pressure
for additional rights to be included in the
Agency Work Regulations being introduced
this year. CBI Deputy Director-General
John Cridland argued that government
needs to adopt an approach that will
preserve competitiveness and employment
by sticking to only what the European
World’s vehicle
manufacturers
look for unity
T
he world’s leading heavy-duty vehicle
and engine manufacturing companies
are urging for close co-operation between
policy makers in Europe, the United States
and Japan to develop practical and effective
standards for fuel-efficiency and regulations
that would then be used all around the globe.
Over a dozen chief executives of the global
commercial vehicle industry – including
Caterpillar, Cummins, Daimler, Hino, Isuzu,
Iveco, Mack, MAN, Mitsubishi Fuso, Navistar,
Nissan Diesel, Scania, Volvo and Volkswagen
– met in Brussels in December 2009 to discuss
the various opportunities and needs their
industry is facing. The discussions focused
primarily on the issues of climate change and
global energy security, but also covered global
air quality related emissions standards,
improved fuel quality and specifications for
renewable fuels.
The manufacturers agreed to actively
encourage global policy co-operation and to
provide their expertise to ensure that regulatory
developments enhance the industry’s
technological progress within realistic time
and economic constraints. “A co-ordinated
global approach for our industry is the most
effective way to contribute to achieving global
fuel efficiency improvements from the road
freight sector,” said Leif Östling, Chief Executive
Officer of Scania and Chairman of the ACEA
Commercial Vehicle Board, who hosted the
meeting in Brussels. “We serve a global
market place, and want to avoid conflicting
regulations from different regions. That is
simply too costly, and impedes technological
progress. Global co-operation in developing
specific requirements, as well as methods of
evaluating fuel efficiency, provides needed
elements to further improve the environmental
performance of our vehicles and increases the
efficiency of goods transport. That will serve
both our customers and the environment.”
Directive requires. His argument was that
agency work offers important flexibility
that benefits business and provides
working opportunities for 5% of the
workforce. Union pressure is focussed on
providing inappropriate employment
rights to agency workers, and the CBI has
argued that such an approach would lead
to a large-scale flight from the agency
model and lower total employment levels.
 BAR Conference 2010
13 - 15 May 2010, Bristol Marriott Hotel City Centre
‘Partnership for Profit - Preparing for the Future’

Welc
ome
t o the
BAR
Con
fe r e n
ce

For the latest information and to book, please visit

www.bar.co.uk/conference2010.aspx
 Don’t miss out on the event of the year ...
Come and share the most highly anticipated event
in the professional removals calendar
Following on from last year’s highly successful ����������������������� theme, this year’s
conference aims to build and enhance on that theme by ��������������������������.

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

Conference 2010 Highlights

�� The BAR Annual Golf Challenge 2010 kicks off on Thursday 13 May at the prestigious St. Pierre Country Club,
��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
The day will also include conference attendees competing for an additional competition prize. For more
information, please contact commercial@bar.co.uk.
�� We are delighted to welcome to the conference our keynote speaker Rachel Elnaugh of ‘Dragons’ Den’ fame.
This former ‘Businesswoman of the Year’ and highly experienced entrepreneur will present a personal account of
her professional success through the years. Don’t miss Rachel’s highly motivational and entertaining speech.
�� Top class presentations from our Corporate Alliance Partners - who will offer relevant expert industry advice and
guidance on making the most of business partnerships and preparing for the future.
�� Find out what new and innovative products and services exist in the removals and storage industry by visiting our
annual Trade Exhibition.
�� The Young Movers event will take place at ‘Jungle Rumble’ - a superb venue for our Young Movers to meet up
and have fun playing crazy golf.
�� Who will be the 2010 Domestic Mover of the Year and Commercial Mover of the Year? The Gala Night Dinner
will include the presentation ceremony unfolding the richly deserved DMOTY and CMOTY winners.
�� Top class social events NOT to be missed - beginning with a Drinks Reception followed by a Welcome Buffet
and Party Night at the stunning Explore @Bristol & Planetarium, one of the South West’s most prestigious
and unique venues. Enjoy and socialise with fellow members at this iconic location. The Black Tie Gala Evening
Dinner held at the Bristol Marriott promises to be a���������������������������������

C A R!
WI NA

‘Crack the Safe’ during the conference

to win a brand new MINI ...

To register for the conference, please visit:

www.bar.co.uk/conference2010.aspx
 Conference Programme
Thursday 13 May 2010 Saturday15 May 2010
Morning Morning
�� ������������������ - St. Pierre Country Club �� ���������������- Those not attending the business
Championship Old Course sessions have the opportunity explor the Roman
city of Bath. The visit will include transport, a city
Evening tour and lunch. The Overseas Group will be
�� ����������������� - sponsored by: joining the Partner’s Tour as their Conference event.
drinks and buffet dinner included CMG Business Sessions
�� ������������������ at ‘Jungle Rumble’ CMG Annual Meeting
Corporate Alliance Partner - Presentations by:
Friday 14 May 2010
�� BT - to include the launch of an exciting
Morning new product which will support your
����������������������������������������������� business in the removals market place
������������� �� Facilities Management Association
�� Greenworks
������������������������ �� PFM ‘Moving Trends Survey’
�� BAR AGM Afternoon
�� RBA AGM
�� President’s Inauguration �� �������������within the exhibition area and
a chance to eat and drink with our exhibitors
Conference Business Sessions - Presentations by:
CMG Business Sessions - Presentations by:
�� UK Border Agency
�� BARTS �� Corporate Alliance Partner - British Institute
�� Furniture Re-use Network of Facilities Management
�� BAR ‘Standards’ �� ����������������������������������
�� ��������������������� �� Keynote speaker and former BBC ‘Dragon’
�� HM Revenue & Customs Rachel Elnaugh
�� Trailer for the 2011 conference
Afternoon
Evening
�� ����������������������������
�� ������������������ at the Bristol Foyer
Conference Business Sessions - Presentations by:
�� ������������������������������������������
�� Corporate Alliance Partner - NAEA dancing, as well as honours and awards
�� BIP Solutions presentations, including ������and
�� BAR Self Storage ������ winners. Music by������������� WINNER WINNER

�� ������������������������������ a show band that has earned the

COMMERCIAL
MOVER OF
THE YEAR
DOMESTIC
MOVER OF
THE YEAR
2010 2010

�� ����������������������������������� reputation for offering the ‘very best in

live entertainment’.
Evening
�� ��������������������������������������������� - A
�����������������������������������������������������
historic cathedral and Millennium Square. Enjoy the
Planetarium and exhibitions in the @Bristol Venue.
Buffet dinner will be served in the Rosalind Franklin
Banqueting Hall where you will have the chance to
relax, socialise and catch up on the day’s events.
Proudly sponsored by: Rachel Elnaugh Vice Versa
 CONFERENCE DELEGATE PACKAGES

Conference Price
Description
Package (p/person)
��������������
3 night’s accommodation (B&B) 13-15 May 2010, entry to all business sessions, trade
Package £599.00 + VAT
exhibition, all social events, tea/coffee refreshments and buffet lunches.
������������
�������������� 3 night’s shared accommodation (B&B) 13-15 May 2010, entry to all business
Package sessions, trade exhibition, all social events, tea/coffee refreshments and buffet £425.00 + VAT
������������ lunches. partners’ tour on Saturday 15 May 2010.

���������������� Accommodation (B&B) on any 2 consecutive nights between 13-15 May 2010, entry
Package to all business sessions, trade exhibition, all social events, tea/coffee refreshments £425.00 + VAT
������������ and buffet lunches on the respective dates.
Shared accommodation (B&B) on any 2 consecutive nights between 13-15 May
�������������������
2010, entry to all business sessions, trade exhibition, all social events, tea/coffee
Package £350.00 + VAT
refreshments and buffet lunches on the respective dates. Partners’ tour on Saturday
������������
15 May 2010.
�������������
Entry to all business sessions, trade exhibition, tea/coffee refreshments and buffet
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For the latest information and to book, please visit

www.bar.co.uk/conference2010.aspx
 BARS Product of the month

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 European News
News Roundup
Sofia to raise parking
tax for blue zone lots
Days after the recent by-elections for mayor
in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia, the
municipality announced plans to increase
the fee for parking in blue zones. “We will
keep unchanged the blue zones in some
districts, while in others the fee will go up
several times. Parking in parts of the centre
will be prohibited,” said the head of the
transport commission at the municipality
council.
EU compromises
on 30% CO2 cut
After talks amongst themselves, EU members
have reached a compromise on their recent
pledge to make a 30% cut in CO2 output by
2020. They will now accept a binding 20%
cut with an aim to go to 30%. The original,
binding 30% deal depended on other
signatories committing to ‘comparable’ cuts.
They didn’t, so the EU replaced a promise
with an objective.
Tax inspectors and
Customs officials
strike in Greece
Greek tax inspectors and Customs officials
have been striking in protest against
government austerity measures. The
measures have been introduced to try and
tackle Greece’s huge budget deficit and
national debt. The Customs officials strike
could stop all forms of transport to and
from Greece. The EU recently approved the
plan but insisted on inspecting Greece’s
notoriously unreliable accounts. Part of the
government’s plan relies on tax collectors
recovering billions of euros lost to tax
evasion. Greece’s deficit is, at 12.7% (about
euro 300 billion) more than four times
higher than euro-zone rules allow. Farmers
have already been protesting by blocking
the Bulgarian border and civil servants are
planning to strike, with there also being
talk of a general strike. Bulgaria’s Economy
Minister said that Bulgaria is suffering
losses in the amount of euro 3 million per
day over the Greek farmers’ protests.
42 Removals & Storage March 2010
R&S is grateful to FEDEMAC for
its contribution to this section
TfL to try average speed
cameras on A13
A notorious A13 blackspot is the first place in
the UK where average speed cameras will
enforce speed limits along a major urban
road. Transport for London (TfL) will fit 87
new cameras at 37 points between Canning
Town and the Goresbrook Interchange as
the collision rate on that part of the A13 is
almost a fifth higher than typical major
roads in London. TfL expects the new system
will halve the number of people killed or
seriously injured along the road and improve
traffic flow.
SMMT wants action
on digital radio
Vehicle makers, broadcasters and
governments must work together to meet
plans to fit digital radios into all new vehicles
on European roads by 2013 and for every
other vehicle to be ‘digitally enabled’ by
2015. The Society of Motor Manufacturers
and Traders (SMMT) has told the House of
Lords Select Committee on Communications
that there is too little action, co-ordinated
research and development between the
parties. Its members broadly back the
government’s digital radio aims but worry
that many of the UK’s 31 million strong
vehicle fleet won’t be adapted in those two
years and will need converters and trained
technicians to fit them. Paul Everitt, SMMT
Chief Executive said, “It is essential that
there is a thorough cost/benefit study before
the government agrees a date.”
EC to charge
trucks for pollution
A new report from the European
Commission’s in-house Joint Research
Centre says that the advantages of charging
trucks for pollution justify the higher prices
this will mean for consumers. The report
supports the EC plan to revise the
Eurovignette Directive on truck tolls to allow
national governments to cover pollution
costs. It also suggests that the price rises
would be ‘negligible’ and that the plan would
cut road freight CO2 emissions by 8%. It
says that truckers can absorb 20% to 30%
of cost rises by using greater efficiency.
Extension of
Electronic Tolls in
the Czech Republic
As of 1 January, 2010 the system of
electronic tolls in the Czech Republic was
extended to all vehicles with a MPW of over
3.5t driving on motorways, assimilated
roads and first class roads. It previously
only applied to vehicles over 12t. The toll
will be calculated according to the vehicle’s
Euro category and the number of axles.
The time of day and day of the week, as
well as the season, will also be taken into
consideration.
The toll will be calculated through an On
Board Unit (OBU). OBUs are available at
around 250 retail points (mostly fuel stations),
against a 1’550 CZK deposit (around 60
euros). Instructions on how to install an
OBU are explained in a short film available
to view at www.mytocz.cz/en/index.html.
The toll itself can be either prepaid or
post-paid. If using the prepay system the toll
is paid in advance at a retail point, either
by cash, credit or fuel card. The following
documents are required: registration
document with vehicle’s Euro category; the
applicant’s identification document (driver
licence); the form completed and signed; a
1’550 CZK deposit and a prepaid amount of
minimum 500. If the emission category
fails to be indicated on the registration
documents the vehicle will automatically
be entered as a Euro 2 category.
For the post-payment system, a valid
contract must be concluded in advance. The
amounts due for the tolls are calculated
and regularly sent by invoice. To conclude
the contract, the applicant must present the
following documents: the applicant’s
identification documents; all vehicles’ fuel
cards or a copy of a bank guarantee; the
original or certified copy of a Commercial
Register extract not older than three months;
the form completed and duly signed on the
spot; registration certificates for each vehicle,
with the emission category. Further
information is available in several languages
at www.mytocz.cz and http://www.premid.cz.
 European News
Do you have any news?
If you have please send it to: The Editor, Steve Jordan, Removals & Storage, The Words Workshop Ltd, 26 Swanwick Lane, Broughton, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK10 9LD
Tel: 01908 695500 Fax: 01908 690099 Email: rands@thewordsworkshop.co.uk

Mutual recognition
New form of
purposes where it is required. The form is
accepted all over the EU in any official EU
of driving
attestation
language. Its standard format facilitates
disqualifications: understanding as it contains numbered pre-
UK and the Republic determined fields to be filled in.

O
n 14 December, 2009 the European To be valid the form must be completed in
of Ireland Commission adopted a new attestation full signed both by the company representative
The United Kingdom has taken the formal letter to be used by a driver to explain and by the driver. Self-employed drivers may
legal steps, along with the Republic of to a control officer at a roadside check why he sign once as the company and once as the
Ireland administration, to mutually has insufficient charts/records in his possession, driver. The text of the form may not be
recognise driving disqualifications issued e.g. was driving an out of scope vehicle on modified. Only the signed original is valid.
to either UK or Irish drivers. This will mean other days or had just started work as a driver, There are still some grey areas around the
that a UK driving licence holder disqualified etc. The new version of the attestation letter use of the form, for example, some countries
for an offence in Ireland will no longer replaces the old one that was criticised for not require the document at the roadside and some
escape that punishment when they return having enough options to record activities. do not. It is, however, essential to have this
home. Likewise, a disqualification earned The new form contains a field ‘performed information on hand if stopped especially
by an Irish driver while in the UK will have other work than driving’, that may be used if in France.
their disqualification enforced on their drivers have done packing or storage work or Most countries have agreed to accept this
return to Ireland. another non-driving occupation. The form form but, at the time of going to press, the UK
comes only in addition to the tachograph authorities have not. BAR advises members
records and will not be required for activities to continue with their usual precautions as
Dublin HGV ban that are already recorded in the tachograph. well as the new form to avoid any possibility
proves too expensive EU member states are not obliged to require of accusations that records are inadequate.
The ban on big trucks on the streets of the use of this form, but the new standardised Meanwhile it is tying to obtain a fuller
Dublin is proving too expensive for the Irish form will be recognised as valid for such explanation from the European authorities.
capital to sustain. The HGV management
strategy introduced in 2007 banned trucks
of more than five axles from the city centre
between 7am and 7pm, but the City Council
agreed to pay truck tolls on the East Link
toll bridge because they were left with no
alternative route. That has now proved so
costly - euro 1.6 million (£1.4 million) a year
- that the council is now reviewing the policy
which arose because under EU rules a toll
road can only be enforced if an alternative
route is available. A report is now being
prepared for Dublin city councillors to
allow them to consider alternatives to the
present arrangements. It now seems likely
that a further ban on four-axle vehicles on
Dublin’s streets will be abandoned because
it would also be too expensive. The cost of
removing these vehicles is understood to
be euro 500,000 (£451,493) per year in
tolls, with no provision in the 2010 budget
to pay for the move. In the meantime, the
national toll road contract to operate the
toll bridge runs until December 2015. Until
then the council will have to pay the tolls or
offer a non-tolled route for five-axle trucks
to reach Dublin port.

March 2010 Removals & Storage 43

 Letters
Send your letters to: The Editor, Steve Jordan, Removals & Storage, The Words Workshop Ltd, 26 Swanwick Lane, Broughton, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK10 9LD
Tel: 01908 695500 Fax: 01908 690099 Email: rands@thewordsworkshop.co.uk
Letter to the Editor
Dear Sir
We acknowledge with thanks the two recent
issues of Removals & Storage which arrived
more or less together via Sweden, no quicker
than from England but presumably at a
cheaper postal rate!
Two issues together gave us lots and lots of
reading with so many really interesting
articles, the In the Beginning article by Tony
Allen hopefully brings plenty of feedback.
Whilst stated not to be a definitive article, the
part where we are instructed not to accept a
coffee or drink goes way against our long
held instructions to all estimating staff with
the underlying thought that to always accept
an invited drink with the idea that this helps
to get feet under the table and a chance to
extend the selling time. We look forward to a
long run covering this important and
controversial topic.
The letter from another highly respected
member … getting the price right … most
certainly should be explored in great depth.
We have carried out enquiries on the costing
of the quite simple rate from and to the UK
with alarming results, with truly massive cost
variations by members, some of the members
44 Removals & Storage March 2010
running on a wing and prayer basis.
The statement of cabotage deliveries/
collections only goes so far, the fines and
sanctions for going over the permitted trips are
not stated, we presume that any infringement
could cause seizure of the vehicle and contents
and presumably as this is an illegal act then
the insurance would be void. Many BAR
members are guilty of ignoring the cabotage
rules believing these do not now exist!
Finally re: vehicle robberies in Spain, we
are always willing for vehicles to be parked in
our gated yard with CCTV cameras, this offer
is available to all not just to the companies
trading with us, for extra security vehicles
can be parked overnight or over the weekend
at the permanently security manned vehicle
park in Malaga.
The pale print about the regulations was a
little difficult to read in the bright sunshine
here, presumably under artificial light this
causes no problems and in any case this
competition is again not available to third
degree members outside the UK!
Andrew Riley
Britannia Southern, Malaga, Spain
Re: standards for
membership and
the new website
Dear Sir
Re: BAR New standards as a
requirement to membership
I
am very much against the proposal
[to introduce a standards-based
membership to BAR] as the OFT
standard was supposed to be the best
thing since sliced bread when it was
sold to us and I have not seen it make
any difference to my business, all this
is another thing we have to pay for and
spend time organising and in a few
years time it will be something else.
Re: the new BAR website
I believe BAR is going to have a big
uphill struggle as this site is supposed
to be our answer to removal brokers. If
they can get this site on to the first page
of Google for every search that is made
for removal services are people going to
click on a site that says “BAR” or a site
that says “save 60% of your removal
costs”. When people read the articles on
the site why should they believe them
and not what they have read on the
removal broker sites?
I hope I am proved wrong and this new
site does bring every subscribing member
loads of extra work, time will tell.
Neil James
Hunt International

BS EN 12522 -
The point of view behind
THAT straw poll
Dear Sir
Hail, Gentle Readers all! Last December, I
upped and sought the opinion of all the BAR
members I could find. Why? The short
answer is - because no one else had. The long
answer is:
BAR’s intention to make BS EN 12522
compulsory for membership (R&S Oct 2009),
bewildered me. Was this a fait accompli?
Shouldn’t we have detailed information first?
Proposals, association-wide consultation
through official emails? The website? R&S?
(More on golf than BS EN.) And what
“standards” are we talking about? What
“standards” does BAR want to raise by forcing
BS EN on members? Not standards of actual
removals, which aren’t done well if
management isn’t up to scratch, but the
management paper trail!
BS EN - if you want it - go get it and good
luck to you. Enjoy its wonders - extol them till
you’re purple - but don’t force it on me. I’m
not stopping you getting it if you want it, but
why should I have to have it just because you
do? R&S (Nov 2009) proudly proclaims BAR
fulfils the criteria that distinguish a good
trade association, as defined by Which? Why,
then, must BS EN be compulsory?
BS EN isn’t exclusive to BAR. As a ground-
levelling legal requirement for ALL removers,
it would decimate the cash-in-trouser brigade;
imposed as a membership criterion, it’s a
disproportionately hefty financial and
administrative burden that will penalise many
small independent members, and frankly, I
object to paying to do more admin to prove
we run our company well - paying very
heavily if the OG has its way and we must
have a BS EN for every service we advertise.
Cost effective? For a company with one van?
Don’t think so. Can BAR determine “you can
afford it” without knowing our budget?
Apparently, we’ll recoup BSEN costs:
effective sales pitch = price boost. Does BAR
dictate our marketing now? If we can sell
ourselves without BS EN is management
practice a main selling point? What’s the
point of having it? For the vast majority of
customers, BAR isn’t yet their first concern.
The Code of Practice hasn’t superseded ‘price’
as the major factor in customer choice. Mrs.
Jones is probably willing to risk the black
economy rather than pay for the privilege of
us having management merit badges. She
wants to talk china, her plasma TV and white
carpet, not discuss BS EN. Management
standards haven’t cleaned her ward during
her hospital stay, or educated little Ianto so
he doesn’t need remedial maths when he
starts university. If she knows no better than
to agree to exchange and completion on the
same day (is BAR lobbying against that?), will
Letters
But OG wants to prohibit us from advertising
BS EN - if you want overseas moves unless we’re similarly
disadvantaged!
it - go get it and good If current legislation and BAR membership
luck to you. Enjoy its don’t ensure good all-round practice, BS EN
won’t. The exclusive criteria of BAR membership
wonders - extol them should be enough evidence of ‘quality’ to justify
till you’re purple - but the sprinkle of sugar we want in pricing.
Compulsory BS EN will over-egg the pudding.
don’t force it on me. Proof of the pudding is the product - the service.
I’m not stopping you Customers turn down their deaf aids long
getting it if you want before the sales pitch reaches ‘management
standards’. If they buy on BS EN, why bother
it, but why should I with BAR? Hmm…. I consulted my fellow
have to have it just members with the following question:
As a concerned BAR member, I am
because you do? attempting an unofficial straw poll. The OFT-
approved BAR Code of Practice - whose
requirements are similar to those of BS EN
12522 - is already an integral component of
BAR membership, and exclusive to BAR
members. The BS EN standards are available
she take kindly to a lecture on BAR and Code to removers outside the BAR. I am wondering
of Practice, or understand a homily on if making BS EN 12522 (and similar BS EN/
“management standards”? ISO standards) compulsory for BAR
Consider - what problem does compulsory membership, economic climate, are pushed
BS EN solve? The BSI website says, “Standards into the position of choosing BS EN as an
are designed for voluntary use and do not alternative beacon for quality to BAR
impose any regulations.” A compulsory BS EN membership, will we have a BAR left? I would
contradicts that concept. If BS EN is the best be most grateful if you would reply to me,
thing since cardboard cartons, everyone will indicating your opinion as to whether or not
buy it. (And what will the public think of BAR’s obtaining BS EN 12522, or similar BS/ISO,
subsidiary, QSS, monitoring BAR members? should be:
Oooh! How ‘independent’ is that assessment, A) a COMPULSORY qualification for BAR
Mabel?) Yet the OGC report in December R&S membership or B) a VOLUNTARY qualification
says, “There was also concern that a Standard Please note - I will pass on only totals,
might disadvantage OG members when should individuals request them, not who
compared to companies who do not have OG voted, or how.
membership yet carry out overseas moves.” If I sent 654 emails. Of 92 replies, 82 (89%)
it’s so wonderful, how can it be a disadvantage? chose B) a VOLUNTARY qualification.
Comments volunteered a desire to be
heard, most expressing passionately
indignant opposition to compulsion. One slap
If current legislation me on the wrist advocate chastised me for
and BAR membership loading the question. (Well, where’s the
torrent of impartial data about it from BAR?
don’t ensure good all- And before anyone says ‘Area’ - two Areas
round practice, BS EN didn’t meet in 2009.
won’t. The exclusive Nine Areas had three meetings or fewer, the
last in June.) Another remarked that BS EN is
criteria of BAR a “superb management tool”.
membership should To that, I’d say - excellent! Whatever floats
your boat, turns your wheels, packs your
be enough evidence boxes. But why make it compulsory? To us, it
of ‘quality’ to justify would be as useful as a stair lift in a bungalow.
We’d like to stay in BAR, and I think it would
the sprinkle of sugar be a sad day if we’re expelled - not because
we want in pricing. we don’t meet a quality standard, but because
proving it cost too much.
Alicia Moss
Aberystwyth Removals & Storage Ltd
March 2010 Removals & Storage 45
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“A Passport to People”
Pat Hawkins celebrates
50 years of service at Pickfords
N
ot many of us can say that we have
worked in the same place for 50 years,
however Pat Hawkins has celebrated
this very achievement having worked at
Pickfords since 1959. Charlotte Freestone
caught up with Pat to talk about the changes
in the industry and the three Ps – people,
places and possessions.
Pat first joined Pickfords to multi-task
between acting as a travel agent clerk and
also working on the removals and storage
side of the business. Pat said, “In those days
Pickfords ran a travel agents service and the
removals and storage side of the business
from the same offices in Cheltenham. They
employed me as someone who could do a
little bit of everything.”
Having been part of the removals and
storage industry for such an admirable
amount of time it is no surprise that Pat has
seen some changes to how things are done.
“When I first started we operated using Guy
diesel vans which were very noisy, very dirty
and not particularly reliable. Packing-wise
we were using tea chests, newspaper and
hessian wrappers.”
This led Pat on to the biggest change he has
seen within the industry: health and safety.
“At that time all the rules of health and safety
as it is today were not in place, it was just the
way things were. Guys would think nothing of
putting tea chests on their backs to move
them. Men were what you might call ‘macho’
and if they didn’t do it they were called wimps.”
Pat’s only break from Pickfords and the
removals and storage industry came in 1965
when he joined the Gloucestershire
SEE
PAGE
64
Constabulary as a Police Constable although,
as Pat points out, he never really left at all. “I
would always be popping in for a cup of tea
and helping out as a casual member of staff
when it fitted in around my shifts.” Pat was
enticed back by Leslie Rolls, the then South
West Area Manager in 1966, as Acting
Manager in Swindon.
Since this time he has moved around the
country with Pickfords from Cheltenham to
Kingston, to Bromley, to Fulham settling in
2003 in West London as a Sales Consultant.
So, now that Pat has completed 50 years
service you would think he would be ready to
sit back and put his feet up. “I’m not very
good at doing that,” Pat confessed. “I still do a
bit of part-time at Pickfords now, on the sales
side of things. I think the main thing that has
held my interest in the job is the people I have
met, the different places I have visited and all
of the possessions I have seen. It’s all the Ps!
Pickfords to me has been a sort of passport to
all of these things.”
Pickfords marked Pat’s 50 years of service
in a presentation given by Kevin Pickford, at
Hayes branch. Kevin said, “I would like to
thank Pat for his dedication over the years
and celebrate his extraordinary career. He
has spent a lifetime working for Pickfords
and has witnessed many changes in the
company and the industry, from changes in
packing techniques and materials, to the
introduction of compliance. We look forward
to continuing to work with Pat in the future -
you can’t keep a good man down and you
know what they say - things can only get
better, the first 50 years are the worst!’
Kevin Pickford
and Pat Hawkins
(in the chair)
People News
Russell Start
New MD for
Pickfords
P
ickfords has announced the appointment
of Russell Start as the new Managing
Director of the Pickfords operating
company Moving Services Group UK Ltd.
Russell will be taking over from Kevin
Pickford, who has been with the Group for
over 30 years, the last five years as Managing
Director of Pickfords UK. Over that time
Kevin steered the business through a change
of ownership in 2008 and through the
challenging economic climate of the recession.
Kevin will be returning to his home and family
in Australia and will continue to work with
the Group.
Russell, a twenty-eight year veteran of the
moving and relocation industry, worked for
Pickfords for many years in a variety of senior
management roles. In 2004 he moved to
TEAM Allied, part of The TEAM Group,
where he has spent the last six years as
Managing Director.
Commenting on the appointment, Yogesh
Mehta, Chairman of Moving Services Group
UK Ltd said, “I want to thank Kevin for his
tremendous contribution and we wish him
every success in his future role. Russell has a
rich knowledge of both the removals industry
and of Pickfords, coupled with an impressive
track record of sales-lead business growth. I
wish him every success in this challenging
role.”
Russell said he was delighted and privileged
to have been given the opportunity to continue
the great work achieved by Kevin and his team.
“The business is in good shape and with
optimism beginning to return to the markets
we serve, I look forward to leading the
company through its next stage of development.
Although I previously worked for Pickfords
for sixteen years, I am sure it is a very
different business from the one I remember,
and I look forward to getting re-acquainted
with the company and its very special brand.”
March 2010 Removals & Storage 47
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Who’s in charge?
By WALLY WHINGER
Can you think of any subjects for our
grumpy old man to get his teeth into?
You can email him at:
david@thewordsworkshop.co.uk
A
little while ago I had a letter from the
company that insures my car, it’s the
one based in Norwich that for some
unfathomable reason has just changed its
name to something that sounds like a bus
company. Apparently because of a problem
with their system they hadn’t been able to
collect a couple of Direct Debits from my
account (being poor I pay monthly) and they
wanted me to contact them to put matters
right. Trouble was the amount they were
asking for was a lot more than I actually owed.
There was no postal address on the letter,
just a phone number so I had no option but
to call it. After the usual press one for this
and two for that, and then being subjected
to a series of recorded adverts for things I
didn’t want, I eventually got through to ‘Peter’
in the debt collection department. Peter was
very polite and despite the crackly line and
his strong accent did his best to help me, but
because the amount on his screen was
different from the one on my agreement, we
went round and round in circles. After about
ten minutes of international verbal tennis
he decided to transfer me to Customer
Service which involved another helping of
classical music interspersed by adverts until
‘Jenny’ eventually answered. Unfortunately
she had the same screen as Peter and so I
was back to square one. “Look, could you
Well fancy that! Nobody spotted the face of Stewart Gauntlett smiling out of the page last month so no prize this time.
That’s two months on the trot that the prize of a company feature in the R&S has gone un-won. What is going on?
This time it’s so easy it’s hardly even worth entering. Absolutely everyone will get it right so you’ll be in the hat with a
thousand others. Or will you? Recent history suggests the competition is getting harder. So who could it be this time?
Answers to Steve@thewordsworkshop.co.uk
And another thing ...
just send me a statement so I can see what
I’m being charged for?” I pleaded. “All I can
send is what is on my screen,” said Jenny. It
was hopeless, so after 40 odd minutes on
the phone I gave up and spent the next 40
typing everything out in an e-mail to their
so called help desk – ten days later I still
haven’t had a reply - and this, as Catherine
Tate might say, is the biggest insurance
company in the country.
If only they were the exception. Over the
last few months I’ve had similar service from
my broadband supplier, credit card company,
the railway, and even the people who are
supposed to service my central heating boiler.
Getting through to someone in authority
when you have a problem is becoming nigh
on impossible and we’re all expected to just
put up with it. Well I for one have had enough.
I’m sick of being messed about by companies
that rely on computer systems and automatons
to serve their customers, and in future I’ll
be doing everything I can to avoid dealing
with them.
Good business systems should be invisible
as far as the customer is concerned, not an
obstacle to be overcome every time they get
in touch. Let’s make sure that in our efforts
to become more efficient and streamlined we
don’t lose sight of what’s really important
… people.
Solution to February’s puzzle
March 2010 Removals & Storage 49
 A Distant Sale! Part Three
A Distant Sale! By Tony Allen
Part Three: The Beginning
of the end game
A
nd so we have reached the final act; the
pay-off; the reason why we are here
(easy to forget). Andrew (our salesperson)
has successfully negotiated his way through
the essential first and second stages. He’s
created the best receptive atmosphere for his
potential customer (Mrs Mathews) and he’s
spent time building her confidence in his
company - and also, by definition, therefore
in himself.
So where does he go from here? Well sooner
or later he’s going to have to quote a price as
obviously that is the logical conclusion to his
visit. But this is a subject that perhaps we
We hate quoting
prices. We find it
hard to look someone
in the eye at this point.
We think our price
might be too high.
We feel embarrassed
about it.
ought to discuss right now as this will influence
the stages in between which we will be
coming back to later.
Before we go any further, let’s get one thing
straight. I’ve been a sales person for the whole
of my working life, I’ve managed sales people,
I’ve managed people who manage sales
people and I’ve taught sales people. We hate
quoting prices. We find it hard to look
someone in the eye at this point. We think
our price might be too high. We feel
embarrassed about it. We think that we
might give the game away by implying that
we are actually here to obtain an order!
I have never had a sales person come back
to me and say: ‘I lost the sale, I made a complete
hash of the presentation; I got it completely
wrong!’ We are much more likely to hear: ‘We
(yes: we) lost the move, our price was too
high’. As opposed to the alternative: ‘I (yes: I)
won the move’. The essence of this is that when
we are told that the customer placed the
business elsewhere, we are devastated. When
we are told that we lost it on price, we are
delighted: ‘It wasn’t my fault; I’ve got an excuse;
I’m secretly delighted!’
Boss: Hi Andrew. How did you get on with
Mrs Mathews?
Andrew: I phoned her this morning to follow
up my visit and our subsequent quotation.
50 Removals & Storage March 2010
The bad news is that she placed the job
elsewhere. The good news is that it wasn’t my
fault; our price was too high! It was the
company’s fault.
Boss: I’m sorry Andrew. The company has
completely let you down, I can only apologise.
I don’t think so ...
Boss: Hi Andrew. How did you get on with
Mrs Mathews?
Andrew: I phoned her this morning to follow
up my visit and our subsequent quote. I’m
afraid that she placed the order elsewhere.
I’m sure that this was because I made such a
bad job of my sales presentation that she
didn’t even feel the need to offer me the
opportunity of further discussing our proposal.
She probably placed the job with someone
who gave her more confidence. It’s obvious
that she used the excuse of a too high price as
the easiest way of giving me the bad news.
I’m telling you what I believe to be the truth
because I don’t want you to be left with the
feeling that our prices are much too high. I
know that you might then consider reducing
our margins generally, thus adversely affecting
the profitability of the company.
Dream on!
I think you have the picture, but anyway we
know that Andrew is going to do such a good
job that Mrs Mathews will want to place the
business with his company and she is going
to give him every opportunity she can.
So what we are saying is that no matter
how we look at it, price is not the be all and
end all. At the very worst it should simply be
a subject for negotiation (and remember how
in Part Two we said that any price reduction
should always be accompanied by a suitable
justification). It’s important to understand this,
as it will influence how we conduct ourselves
during the final stages.
So after we have given our sales presentation,
what next:
Andrew: Well there you are Mrs Mathews,
thank you for listening. That tells you
everything you need to know about our
company. Shall we have a look around your
house now to see what you need to be moved
and to discuss your requirements so that we
can quote you a price.
Not bad; Andrew is not stupid. But ask
yourself how this could be improved upon.
Firstly, we’ve already established that the
sales pitch is much more important than we
might think, and it certainly adds to the
chances of obtaining the business.
Just a minute, but surely that’s obvious!
Well yes of course it is, but it’s surprising how
many people spend too little time on their
actual sales presentation. In addition, how
does Andrew know if he’s done a good job?
Well why not ask Mrs Mathews.
In his closure Andrew said: ‘That tells you
everything you need to know about our
company’. How does he know?
Let’s start again:
Andrew: Well there you are Mrs Mathews,
thank you for listening. I hope I’ve told you
everything you need to know about our
company, however, are there any other points
So what we are
saying is that no
matter how we look
at it, price is not the be
all and end all. At the
very worst it should
simply be a subject
for negotiation ...
that you would like me to cover? Is there
anything you would particularly like to ask?
(In other words: ‘Mrs Mathews can you help
me to precisely tailor my presentation to your
actual needs?’. By the way, this is also where
you are going to find out whether or not you
did a good job as the reply you receive at this
point will be a good indicator of your success.)
Shall we have a look around your house now
to see what you will need us to move and to
discuss your particular requirements so that
we can come back to you with our proposal.
(Note the injection of the word ‘us’ here which
denotes assumed mutual involvement, and of
course every job is different, every requirement
is particular. ‘Coming back to you with our
proposal’ is so much more effective than
‘quoting a price’. It does two things, it signifies
that you are offering more than just a price,
and it reminds the customer that you will be
coming back to them, which puts them under
a degree of obligation.)
This is probably a good place to finish for
now. In part four we will be looking at the
‘End of the End Game’ when we discuss both
Andrew’s final summing up before he leaves
the house, and also how he follows up on his
visit. He’s also going to learn a foolproof
method of gauging his degree of success –
and this doesn’t have anything to do with
expletives or rotten eggs!
INTERNATIONAL & EUROPEAN
TRADE SPECIALISTS
Instant online Trade quotes
Visit the Trade Services page
Choose either International or European rates
then just enter the User ID & Password
User ID: simpsons Password: trade

www.simpsons-uk.com

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

Memb No: S092


New Affiliate:
The Private Health Partnership
T
he Private Health Partnership (PHP) has
been working with BAR for over three
years and has now joined as an Affiliate
offering BAR members a range of unique
products and services. PHP specialises in
providing advice on private medical insurance,
dental insurance, cash plans, health screening,
occupational health and absence management
to companies and individuals.
The Private Health Partnership was
established in 1989 to provide impartial,
independent medical insurance advice to
individuals and small businesses. It was one of
the first specialist healthcare intermediaries
in the UK. Over the past twenty years the
company has grown and now over 100 members
of staff are looking after over 8000 clients.
Richard Gould, PHP’s Development Manager
said, “We’ve built up a reputation within the
industry for our service and treating customers
fairly. We are really committed to providing
Subcontractors -
is it all a big sham?
By Backhouse Jones
T
he statutory protection afforded to an
individual who contracts to work for
another will depend on their legal
status. Essentially, three possibilities exist:
• Employee status: Case law has established
that control, mutuality of obligation and
personal service are an ‘irreducible
minimum’ of requirements to establish a
contract of employment. Employees enjoy
the full range of statutory employment
protection rights;
• Worker status: Workers are entitled to a
limited range of statutory rights, including
paid holiday and the national minimum wage;
• Self-employed status: Self-employed
contractors enjoy no statutory employment
rights.
Questions of legal status frequently arise
where individuals whose contracts describe
them as self-employed contractors argue that
they are in reality workers or employees.
This has recently been considered by the
Court of Appeal in Protectacoat Firthglow
Limited v Szilagyi [2009] who have given
guidance on determining alleged ‘sham’
contracts and the importance of determining
the true relationship between the parties by
assessing the facts.
tailor-made solutions and impartial and
independent advice.”
As the economy appears to be improving
most companies are looking to hang on to the
skilled staff they have working within their
team. Occupational Health Magazine (2009)
stated that access to health-related benefits
and insurance is becoming more highly valued
by staff so offering it to employees could benefit
current staff as well as being an effective
recruitment tool.
Richard continued, “We are offering all BAR
members a free healthcare review without
obligation, whether you are considering private
medical insurance for the first time or require
a review of your existing arrangements, we
can offer unbiased advice on all the options
available.”
PHP complete reviews of the health insurance
market and offer advice on the options that
may best suit the needs of your employees or
In Protectacoat, the Court of Appeal
considered whether car valeters (whose
contracts described them as independent
contractors working on a subcontract basis)
were employees or, alternatively, workers.
Facts
The valeters signed an agreement stating
that they were independent contractors and
that they were responsible for payment of
National Insurance Contributions and
Income Tax.
The agreement also contained a provision
allowing the valeters to substitute alternate
workers in to do the work. All of these
provisions support a self-employed status.
Decision
The Court of Appeal allowed the claimants’
cross-appeal and as such ruled that the
claimants were in fact employees. In doing
so, they provided further guidance on how
employment tribunals should address
disputes which includes the tribunals
looking at the actual legal obligations of the
parties. This involves examining all the
relevant evidence, including the written terms,
evidence of how the parties conducted
PHP/Subcontractors
yourself, offering advice to make sure that
you get a plan tailor-made to your company.
“Our philosophy is that experience-based
knowledge and advice are invaluable when
looking to invest in your health,” said Richard.
“Whether you are looking for private medical
insurance or advice on any number of health
related products, we see it as essential that
you are able to turn to a company with a strong
reputation and wealth of experience to guide
you through the process.”
For more information on the
PHP offer for BAR members please
contact Richard on 01274 588862
or e-mail Richard.gould@php.co.uk.
themselves in practice and what their
expectations of each other were.
Comment
A question that is often raised before
tribunals is whether the contractual
documentation entered into by the parties
is a sham that obscures the true nature of
their relationship. Usually this involves an
individual who, having entered into a
contract purporting to be a self-employed
contractor, subsequently wishes to argue
that they are, in reality, an employee or
worker (in order to claim the benefit of
statutory rights).
The issue is particularly pertinent to the
moving industry as self-employed
subcontractors are often engaged by operators.
Careful consideration needs to be given as
to the true nature of the relationship. If the
individual works exclusively for one operator
and his hours and the way he is required to
work is dictated by that operator then there
is a real possibility that the subcontractor
may in fact be an employee.
If you have any concerns about the nature
of a relationship then please do not hesitate
to contact one of our specialist lawyers.
March 2010 Removals & Storage 53
 Keeping your staff
I
t is hard to measure at what point employee
turnover begins to have a negative impact
on a business. With the removals industry
being as it has been for the past year or so
some companies may have been grateful for
staff moving on, giving the business the
opportunity to hold off on filling vacancies until
things looked up. White and Company were
one of these such businesses. Chief Executive
Ian Palmer said, “We have made surprisingly
few of our employees redundant. As we have
needed to adjust our staffing levels to match
business levels we have not replaced staff who,
for whatever reason, have left our employment,
thereby reducing the number of staff we
employ without actually making too many
staff genuinely ‘redundant’.”
Like many strong removals companies,
Bishops Move has found that although it has
been going through a difficult period this has
actually served to make the team more solid.
Managing Director Al Bingle said, “I think
actually the company has become closer and
stronger as we have all been working to ensure
we make the most of all the opportunities
that arise. Everyone is focused on driving the
company through this challenging period so
that it is well placed to expand as the markets
improve.”
It has indeed been a challenging period, but
most businesses still want their staff to remain
satisfied and feeling as though they are
appreciated as an integral part of the team.
What then is the key to keeping employees
happy and motivated when times are tough?
54 Removals & Storage March 2010
KEEPING
HOLD
OF YOUR
ASSETS
During the recent tough economic
climate most moving companies
have been more concerned with
how to cut their workforce than
how to hold on to it. However, as
the tide begins to turn, now is the
time to start looking at how you
can hold on to those people that
make your business thrive.
By Charlotte Freestone.
Lesley Crumpton, Director of Removal
Recruitment, believes that good communication
is key: “If staff feel part of the decision making
processes, they feel more informed as to why
they may be getting fewer hours. I would advise
our clients to talk to their staff, tell them what
“ If staff feel part
of the decision
making process,
they feel more
informed as to why
they may be getting
fewer hours.”
Lesley Crumpton,
Removal Recruitment
is happening within the business, have regular
staff meetings, get feedback from their staff
and give them feedback as well. Make them
feel part of the company and its objectives.”
This is something that White and Company
takes very seriously. Ian said, “While times are
tough all management staff and operatives
have had to have restrictions placed on their
salaries. Management took a salary cut and
operatives had restrictions placed on overtime
working (time off in lieu was introduced). We
made sure a clear explanation was given to
all employees at all levels for the reason why
restrictions and cuts were being made.”
However, Ian did not find a ‘one size fits all’
solution to the problem: “Strangely, there were
at least as many operatives who were content
to work reduced hours as there were those
who were disappointed to have hours reduced.
Some stayed at home child minding whilst
their partners worked extra shifts. Consultation
and open discussion is essential.”
But what happens when an employee leaves
of their own accord? Finding skilled and
competent packers and removal staff, a
removals business’ most precious asset, is no
mean feat. Skills of this kind are relatively
scarce and so even when a vacancy is filled
this could mean weeks of training until the
high standard demanded by many nowadays
is reached. “Using a specialised agency
supplying trained and experienced removal
staff solely to the removals industry is one
way to lift the pressure,” said Lesley. “This
will cut down on full time costs which will
help businesses in the recession.”
A specialist agency can lift some of the
pressure, however this still comes at a cost.
And then there is the cost of finding a new staff
member: the cost of administration of the
resignation; recruitment costs; administration
of recruitment and induction training for the
new employee.
Caroline Frostick, Managing Director of
Red Recruit believes that when a member of
staff leaves of their own accord it can spell
disaster for a company. “There are of course

obvious costs of replacing a member of staff
but some of the underlying costs are often
forgotten, such as the lost knowledge and years
of experience that goes with a member of staff
who is leaving. Processes and procedures
have to be re-introduced impacting on service
and inevitably on customer satisfaction.”
“There is also the cost of re-training and
the inevitable impact of new staff making
mistakes whilst on the learning curve. You
could take four months base salary as a
minimal cost for a member of staff leaving,
and in some cases more.”
So, what are the main reasons that staff
tend to leave an organisation? Sometimes it is
the attraction of a new job which pulls them,
however it can also be dissatisfaction in their
current job that pushes them to look at
alternatives. A lack of training, development
and career prospects can also be a major
contribution to an employee’s decision to find
another job.
The big question is: How do you hold on to
those cherished and trusted members of staff?
Many may think the answer to the problem is
money: If you give your staff a pay rise they
will be happy in their job and stay within the
business. This is, however, rarely the case.
An unexpected pay rise is a bonus to any staff
member, but it is far more likely that they are
happy to be appreciated and recognised as a
valuable member of staff rather than craving
the money itself.
“Team morale is paramount to the workings
of a successful company,” said Al. “This is
especially important in the removals industry
where you have the office and the off-site
element. We have, during the last quarter of
the year, designed and implemented a new
training scheme for all of our staff and set up
a designated full-time trainer. We actively
“ Remember,
thank you costs
nothing. Keep
staff motivated
by sharing the
company’s goals
and tartgets.”
Caroline Frostick,
Red Recruit
encourage staff feedback and have regular
meetings to ensure the company’s objectives
and goals are understood by all.”
White and Company, Ian said, has managed
to keep up morale through a number of
different events as well as training and
preparing for future development. “We have
held several large scale family events and
also significantly increased our training
spend at all levels, enabling us to prepare
well for the future and demonstrating our
commitment to our staff. Management have
Keeping your staff
taken part in FIDI training, sales staff with
BAR training, IT training for all administrators,
in-house export packing courses for operatives
and upgrading of driving licences to LGV
standard.”
Investment in training, as White and Company
and Bishops Move have done, is great for staff
morale if you can afford it, however when
money is scarce what else can you do to hold
on to your staff? Caroline advised , “Remember,
thank you costs nothing. Keep staff motivated
by sharing the company’s goals and targets.
Tell the staff how the company is doing. Ask
them for ideas on how the company could do
better and ways to increase sales and the
margins. Set individual targets and monitor
performance with monthly reviews. Let people
know the good and the bad and encourage
good behaviour.”
Caroline continued, “Of course everyone
likes to be rewarded financially for what they
do but we found that people want to leave
their work for other reasons. A top priority is
job satisfaction, closely followed by being
appreciated by the boss; career prospects
as well as job satisfaction. These all come
before money.”
So, as all businesses across all industries
look for ways to hang on to those members of
staff who help their business prosper, it seems
that money should not be the main concern.
Good old fashioned appreciation along with
transparent communication could be the way
to keep your team of irreplaceable employees
on board.
March 2010 Removals & Storage 55
 Vehicle bodies
Vehicle bodies -
present and future
We all know that last year was a challenging one for those within the removals industry,
which had a domino effect on those businesses who effectively rely on the industry for sales.
One area of commerce which did not escape the difficulties of last year was those supplying
van bodies to removers. Here Charlotte Freestone catches up with the latest developments.
W
hen speaking to those in the business
of supplying vehicle bodies it is
clear that 2009 was one of their
toughest years to date. This will come as no
surprise as many removals companies cut
back and tightened the purse strings, putting
off unnecessary expenses such as new chassis.
Terry Sinnott at Unique Van Bodies said
that last year was terrible for them, however
he is reasonably positive about this year.
“Since about four weeks before Christmas we
have seen an increase in the workload and,
fingers crossed, it seems to be picking up. The
housing market is still in desperate need of
attention but it looks as though the worst is
over. Touch wood!”
And it wasn’t only Unique Van Bodies that
were affected, Derek Avis of Vancraft said
that the downturn had a dramatic effect on
them, having to restructure and make some
redundancies last summer. However, Derek
too is optimistic about the future saying,
“Business is now actually above normal levels
and we have been able to re-employ those
who wished to return.”
But, as we all wait for the effects of the
recession to subside, there seems to have been
a shift in popularity of the services vehicle
body suppliers offer. Derek said, “We are
experiencing a higher demand than usual for
our refurbished chassis which, when they are
fitted with new bodywork, show a saving of
about £25,000 over a new chassis, whilst still
looking new and earning the same revenue
for the companies. We also have a team entirely
dedicated to repairs and refurbishments,
with a mobile estimator.”
Efficiency and economy are high on many
companies’ agendas and the vehicle bodies
industry appears to be altering their chassis
to assist with these targets. Terry said that at
the moment they are looking at the weight of
the bodies in relation to the chassis cabs. “We
are trying to make the van bodies lighter to
give a better payload. If the body weighs less
then the vans are able to carry more, making
them more economical both in monetary
values and environmental values. We are also
working on the aerodynamics of the bodies.”
Vancraft has recently launched lightweight
curtainsider bodies, made using aluminium
framework for the general haulage trade,
together with heavy duty curtainsider bodies
for 18 to 26 tonne operations. Derek said,
“These are proving to be quite popular and we
currently have several orders for both types.”
So, as trade increases and the industry
56 Removals & Storage March 2010
continues to be proactive in developing
newer, more economical bodies, what can be
expected from the introduction of the EC Whole
Vehicle Type Approval legislation (ECWVTA)
to be introduced to the trucking industry over
the next five years?
The ECWVTA covers European rules on
the construction standards for road vehicles.
The changes will see the extension of Whole
Vehicle Type Approval from passenger cars to
commercial vehicles, covering the finished
vehicle including bodywork. Once the
requirements come into effect, all affected
vehicles will have to be built to an approved
standard before they can be sold and registered
for use on the road. The Department for
Transport (DfT) has concluded that it will take
this opportunity to introduce two national
approval schemes:
• National Small Series Type Approval;
• Individual Type Approval.
“ Business is now
actually above
normal levels
and we have been
able to re-employ
those who wished
to return.”
Derek Avis, Vancraft
Under European and the less strict UK type
approval schemes, each vehicle provided
must be checked to see that it meets these
checks to make sure they meet with height,
width and length regulations. It’ll be good for
our clients and give them a bit of quality
assurance and trust in our product. It will cut
out the ‘cowboys’.”
So, as the economy recovers, it would seem
that there are changes on the horizon for
those in the business of vehicle bodies. New
legislation looks to give the industry higher
standards and consumers quality assurance,
whilst new body shapes see it making moves
towards producing more economical and
environmentally sound vehicles. With the
worst of the recession behind them, it would
appear that the future for the vehicle bodies
industry is bright.
 Vehicle bodies

Above left: The UVB

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

March 2010 Removals & Storage 57

 E-mail hackers

Protect your IT systems

It would seem that every day more and more scam e-mails are
sent by hackers and criminals trying to access your information
and – scarily, opened – catching many people unawares.
By Paul Digby of Digby computers

S
ince the beginning of the year there has
been an increase in client side attacks
on companies. These are sent by hackers
via an e-mail with either a PDF attachment or
a web link containing malicious hidden
applications. These hidden applications can
be used by the attacker to connect to your
computer and take full control on your machine.
We all need to be extra vigilant when opening
e-mails from an unknown source, or links
and attachments that we aren’t expecting.
Here are some top tips for protecting your
business from viruses and scams:
• If you receive an e-mail from a person or
business of which you have previously had no
contact or no interest in don’t open it, unless
you have very good reason to do so. If you think
it may be something of interest be cautious
when opening any links or attachments. If
possible, telephone the sender before opening
to confirm what the link is.
• Anti-spyware and anti-malware software
programs are essential. It is estimated that
around 90% of all computers are infected by
some sort of spyware.
• If you are suspicious about a file, why not
scan it online with over 20 anti-viruses at
once? Go to www.virustotal.com.
• Get in the habit of backing up all of your
important information onto an external
hard drive.
Unfortunately no applications can provide
100% protection. The best advice is to be
cautious and protect your data with anti-
spyware programmes.

58 Removals & Storage March 2010

March 2010 Removals & Storage 59
 Your business and Twitter
The business argument for Twitter
According to The State of the Twittersphere, a research paper produced by hubspot.com, each day
five to ten thousand new people join Twitter. Current estimates of total users is around five million.
That’s a lot of people and, for businesses, a lot of opportunities. Here Charlotte Freestone looks at
how Twitter can help your business grow.
The basics
The best place to start with anything like this is
at the beginning! Twitter is a social networking
site which lets you write and read messages
of up to 140 characters. The messages are
public and you decide what sort of messages
you want to receive by following people of
interest. When you combine messages that
are quick to write, easy to read, controlled by
the recipient and exchangeable anywhere,
you’ve got a powerful, real-time way to
communicate which is turning out to be
ground-breaking for businesses.
It allows you to send updates (or “tweets”)
as many times a day as you like. When you
follow people on Twitter you see their tweets,
when people follow you they see your tweets.
It is a constant stream of communication.
Practical ways Twitter can help
your business
Twitter can connect you to past, present and
future customers in a way that has never
been possible before. For past and present
customers it offers an easy and effective way
of providing feedback. Customers may make
suggestions that you would never otherwise
have considered giving you invaluable
customer feedback and helping you plan on
improvements for your business in the future.
Recommendations have the potential to lead
to future business and, when you consider
that one customer could have thousands of
followers, it is an amazing source of PR for
your company.
It isn’t all about the corporate nature of
your company however. Twitter offers your
business a unique opportunity to engage in
conversations with people, giving partners
and employees the chance to build real
relationships with customers. As marketers
say, it shrinks the emotional distance between
your company and your customers.
How to gain followers
The best way to gain followers is to follow
people yourself. You can search for specific
people and companies using the search box
60 Removals & Storage March 2010
on your home page. You can also use this tool
to look for people talking about your company,
brands and products and also mentions of
key terms in your sector.
To begin with just follow those whose tweets
you genuinely want to read. This will help
give you ideas for your own tweets and also
give you the opportunity to say hello and build
a conversation.
There are a number of sites to help you find
people that you may want to follow. Twellow.
com is one of these. It allows you to search
within certain market sectors, towns, cities
and even countries.
As you follow people and begin conversations
they will follow you in return. The key to
holding on to these followers is posting
informative and lively tweets.
What to tweet
The possibilities are endless. Twitter is all
about branding your company with a
personality, offering something beyond the
conventional company spiel and logo. For that
reason tweets do not always need to be directly
linked to your business, however if you have
a lot to say or a lot to tell people about it is the
perfect outlet for maximum exposure.
For example, if you have just secured a new
client you can tweet about this with a link to
your website to encourage others to have a
look. You can tweet Twitter exclusive discounts,
announce special deals and link to blogs
within your website. You can also use Twitter
to give customers and potential customers
tips and advice, helping you become known
as an expert in your industry. For example,
you may decide to tweet: “You now need a
visa if you move to India.” This will then
encourage new followers who will view you as
an informative source rather than a Twitter
profile driven purely by sales and promotion.
We already mentioned the effectiveness of
posting links to drive traffic to your website.
Posting other links providing useful information
and advice to your potential customers as
well as recent news stories relevant to your
industry can be an effective way of not only
keeping your finger on the pulse as far as
industry news is concerned, but also those of
your potential clients.
Twitter services to help
There are a number of sites connected to
Twitter which will help you grow your network
and manage your Twitter account:
Twellow.com and Justtweetit.com
These are, in effect, the ‘Yellow Pages’ of
Twitter users. Here you can search for people
who may be in your geographical location, or
area of interest. For example, ‘corporate
relocation’ or ‘HR professionals’.
HootSuite.com
HootSuite will help you manage your Twitter
account or accounts. It allows you to schedule
tweets to send out later that day, week or even
month so that you do not spend all day tweeting.
HootSuite is the ultimate Twitter toolbox and
allows you to measure the success of your
tweets through graphs of daily clicks (when
web links have been used). This gives you the
opportunity to see the sort of links your
followers are most interested in. It also allows
you to shorten web links to make it easier for
them to fit inside your 140 character limit as
well as uploading pictures to post.
On top of that you can choose certain
keywords to focus on which means HootSuite
will filter out the ‘background noise’ and show
you only posts you are interested in.
Twitter can be ground-breaking for
businesses, but if you are new to Twitter it
can sometimes appear intimidating and even
a little pointless if you don’t understand its
true potential. However, stick with it for a few
weeks, vow to dedicate just ten minutes a day
to tweeting and listening to what others are
saying. It will almost definitely deliver a
‘eureka!’ moment when all will become clear.
More information is available from
http://business.twitter.com/twitter101
Your business and Twitter

March 2010 Removals & Storage 61

• Our new web based service
www.evl-rates.co.uk for easy
and immediate online quotes
• We guarantee a fast, efficient and
competitive quality service

We can offer quotes on the

following services:
• FCL (full container load
single shipper)
• Groupage
• Airfreight

Australia, USA, Canada

New Zealand, South Africa
Cyprus, Malta, Dubai
Turkey, Bulgaria
Canary Islands

Memb. No: E007

European Van Lines International Ltd

Unit 6, Lakeside Industrial Estate, Colnbrook, Berks, SL3 0ED, UK
T: 01753 561490 F: 01753 680018 E: trade@evl.co.uk
 Diary Dates

Diary Dates
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL BAR AREA MEETINGS 2010 Western Area
CONFERENCES 2010 Contact Ria Russell: 01278 447099
Kent Area March 16 -
BAR Annual Conference Contact Tom Bourne: TomB@uts-bournes.co.uk Presentation by Steve Jordan, Editor of
The Bristol Marriott Hotel City Centre R&S magazine.
May 13 – 15 East Anglia Area May 11 - Quiz
Contact Richard Dolan: 01449 613053 September 14 -
European Young Movers Conference Speaker to be advised or general meeting for
Rome, Italy New Met Area current issues.
May 20 – 23 Contact Darren House: 01932 253737 November 9 -
More information and registration Possible skittles and fireworks evening at
documents will be published shortly on North West Area Middlezoy. (To be confirmed dependent on
www.youngmovers.eu. Contact Annette Harris: 0161 653 4455 numbers and venue confirmation.)

FIDI Annual Conference Yorkshire Area West Midlands Area

Melbourne, Australia Contact Graham Puddephatt: Contact Sarah Pargeter: 01384 377786
April 11 – 16 grahamp@reason-global.com Meetings will be held at:
March 17 - Venue TBA Gainsborough House Hotel, Kidderminster
OMNI Annual Conference May 19 - Venue TBA June 9 7pm
Queenstown, New Zealand June 23 - Venue TBA September 8 7pm
April 16 – 19 September 15 - Venue TBA November 10 7pm
November 17 - Venue TBA
BOARD, COUNCIL AND BAR SCOTTISH AREA
COMMITTEE MEETINGS 2010 East Midlands Area MEETINGS 2010
Contact Jayne Cliffe: 01778 394291
Board of Directors Meetings will be held at: Contact Phil Stewart: 01786 448383
March 24 Lady Anne’s Hotel, Stamford Meetings will be held at:
May 14 AGM March 17 7.00pm Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn
July 14 May 19 7.00pm May 11 -
December 1 September 15 7.00pm September 14 -
November 17 7.00pm November 9 -
Executive Committee
March 17 - Southern Area
May 18 - Contact Greg Wildman: 01372 385985
June 30 - gregw@basilfry.co.uk
September 15 - June 23 6.00pm Venue TBA
November 24 - October 20 12.30pm Venue TBA

National Council
June 15 -
October 12 -

Overseas Group
June 22 -
October 13 -

Commercial Moving Group

June 17 -
October 14 -

Do you have any diary dates?

E-mail them to rands@thewordsworkshop.co.uk

March 2010 Removals & Storage 63

 Memberships

BAR Memberships March 2010

Registered National Group Additional Trading Name
The following members have registered:
Arnold and Self Removals Simplyship of Sheffield an ATN of
National Group 10 Wandle Way Specialised Movers
Mitcham 316 Petre Street
4321 Services Ltd
Surrey Ellesmere
Memb No: F045
CR4 4NB Sheffield
Coxpow Farm
Tel: 0208 401 8778 South Yorkshire
Fallin
Web: www.arnoldandself.com S4 8LU
Stirling
Tel: 0114 261 1183
FK7 7LU Aussie Man & Van Ltd
Web: www.specialisedmovers.com
Tel: 01786 814 321 2 Armoury Way
Web: www.4321services.com Wandsworth Simply Ship Plymouth an ATN of
London Hackworthy & Sons
Anglo French Euro Removals Ltd
SW18 1SH The Depository
Memb No: A112
Tel: 0208 870 4003 Elliott Road
The Mill Business Park
Web: www.manandvan.biz Prince Rock
Maidstone Road
Plymouth
Ashford Concise Removals & Storage Services
Devon
Kent Unit 15A
PL4 0SB
TN26 1AE Arnside Road
Tel: 01752 228 815
Tel: 01233 660 963 Waterlooville
Web: www.hackworthy.co.uk
Web: www.anglofrench.co.uk Portsmouth
Hampshire S.P.Cocks an ATN of Hackworthy & Sons
Eagle Relocation Ltd
PO7 7UP The Depository
Memb No: E035
Tel: 02392 263 197 Elliott Road
Unit 6
Web: www.concise-removals.co.uk Prince Rock
Ascot Road
Plymouth
Watford Express Removals & Storage Ltd
Devon
WD18 8AD Unit 2 Glevum Works
PL4 0SB
Tel: 01923 801 500 Upton Street
Tel: 01752 228 815
Web: www.eaglerelocations.com Gloucester
Web: www.hackworthy.co.uk
GL1 4LA
Branch
Tel: 01452 523 676 International Associate
Armishaws Removals and ATN Smart Removers Web: www.express-removals.co.uk
Baillie Moving Systems Ltd
Memb No: A101
Park & Sons 600 Kingsland Drive
The Unit
73 Shelley Road East Batavia
Grove Farm
Boscombe Illinois
Frog Grove Lane
Bournemouth USA
Wood Street Village
Dorset 60510
Guildford
BH7 6HA Tel: 001 630 761 0408
GU3 3HD
Tel: 01202 397 735 Web: www.bailliemoving.com
Tel: 01963 34065
Web: www.parkandsons.co.uk
Web: www.armishaws.com Moving Star
S & B Removals Ltd and ATN Aztec Removals 41099 Boyce Road
Additional Trading Name
Unit 15 PO BOX 6021
SBS Removals an ATN of New Albion Industrial Estate Fremont, CA
Clockwork Removals Ltd Glasgow USA
Memb No: C102 G13 4DL 94538
Unit C Vector 31 Tel: 0141 951 3600 Tel: 001 510 675 9930
Waleswood Way Web: www.sandbremovals.co.uk Web: www.MovingStar.us
Sheffield
Crispin Removals Ltd Other Changes
South Yorkshire
18-24 Hows Street Unless shown all other details remain the same:
S26 5NU
London
Tel: 01909 774 115 Red Recruit Ltd
E2 8EE
Web: www.clockworkremovals.co.uk Memb No: R924
Tel: 0207 739 0303
The Bower
Applications: Web: www.crispins-removals.co.uk
Langford Hall
BAR has received the following applications for:
David Gilkes & Sons Ltd Witham Road
National Affiliate Church Farm House Maldon
London Road Essex
Dajon Data Management Ltd
Ryton-on-Dunsmore CM9 4ST
Dajon House
Coventry
28 Sandgate Street Resignations
CV8 3EW
London BAR is sorry to lose the membership of the
Tel: 0247 630 3268
E15 1LE following companies whilst thanking them for
Web: www.davidgilkes.com
Tel: 0207 732 3223 their past support:
Web: www.dajon.co.uk
National Group
Aztec Removals and ATN Argyll Removals
Memb No: A103

64 Removals & Storage March 2010

 Feature Schedule/Copy Deadlines

G W Lamb
Memb No: L003
Overseas Group
Nippon Express (UK) Ltd
Memb No: N023
International Associate
Victory Van Corporation Feature
Memb No: V305
Schedule 2010
Additional Trading Name
Every month Removals & Storage includes a number
Morris Removals ATN of
of feature items. These are planned well in advance
Cadogan Tate Worldwide Moving to allow members of and suppliers to the industry
Memb No: C106 to join in. Here’s what’s coming up later this year.
Branch April 2010: Shipping
Kings Removals & Services (Wisbech branch) E-mail us on any of the topics mentioned, or with anything you
and ATN Priestley Removals wish to say, at rands@thewordsworkshop.co.uk or phone
Memb No: K007 Charlotte Freestone on 01908 695500.

Liquidation

Copy and advertising

Carrmount Ltd and ATN Selles of Hull
Memb No: C118

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
deadlines 2010
Article submission:
5th of the month preceding publication
Booking of display adverts:
10th of the month preceding publication
Booking of classified adverts:
10th of the month preceding publication
Booking of trade adverts:
10th of the month preceding publication
Artwork for adverts:
15th of the month preceding publication

Title:
Pat Hawkins celebrates
50 years service
Sent by:
Pickfords

Pickfords strikes again

This is the second time a
picture sent in by Pickfords has
won Photo of the Month. They
also won it in December last
year with a similar effort.
Truth be told though, the
pickings were pretty slim in
terms of photography this
month, and the picture shown
here was the only real
contender.
Someone has gone to the
trouble of putting a little
thought into it, and technically
it’s right on the money. (For a
fuller explanation see The
Editor’s Column on page 6.)
Increasingly though, it seems
only a handful of contributors
are prepared to go to much
trouble where photography is
concerned. It’s a shame really
because a good photo makes
the story much more likely to
be read. Anyway - well done
Pickfords.

March 2010 Removals & Storage 65

 TRADE SERVICES

Channel Islands Ireland Isle of Man

Scotland/Europe

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Sweden and Scandinavia

Scotland and Islands

Established 1990

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Austria

North West

66 Removals & Storage March 2010

 TRADE SERVICES

France

France &
Switzerland
• Weekly services and competitive rates
H081

• Tranship & Hoist services available

• Collection from your To download ou
depot or clients www.hamiltonsr r tariffs visit:
emova
residence available Username:Trad ls.co.uk
Password: Ham6 e
62

H A M I LTO N S
N AT I O N A L & I N T E R N AT I O N A L R E M O VA L S
Contact our European department on 01379 851074
trade@hamiltonsremovals.co.uk

France (continued) Germany and Austria Cyprus and Malta

WH HUMPHREY & SON LTD

Weekly Groupage Service � Weekly Services to

Full origin and destination
services available.
German speaking staff
Contact Darrel or Justin
Tel: 01923 210669 • Fax: 01923 250355
Email: Darrelb@humphreys-moving.com
North and Southern Cyprus, Malta,
Egypt, Israel, Dubai, Morocco,
Canary Islands, Lebanon and Tunisia.
Contact Darrel or Justin
Tel: 01923 210669 • Fax: 01923 250355
Email: Darrelb@humphreys-moving.com

Cyprus

Regular Trade
Services to
SOUTHERN
CYPRUS
& all other major
destinations
OVERSEAS
REMOVER

Advance
Payment
Guaranteed

Full & part loads Memb No: GO13

Call Stuart, Sami or Jeremy on

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

Italy

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

March 2010 Removals & Storage 67

 TRADE SERVICES

Spain Eastern Europe

WEEKLY Eastern Europe

��������
• WEBBS INTERNATIONAL REMOVALS S.L.
• WEEKLY SCHEDULED SERVICE
������� Weekly shuttle service
Full, part and return loads
• RATES FROM £1.95pGBP PER CUBIC FOOT
• NO VAT ! • PRICE GUARANTEE
�������� Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria
Austria, Slovenia, Croatia
• INFORMATIVE WEBSITE ����� Romania, Czech Republic

www.william-worldwide-webb.com
UK Office: Tel: 01843 585055
������ Contact Chris
Email: sales@webbsremovals.com T: 020 88035151
F: 020 88074141
Mallorca Office Tel: 0034 971 693566
Email: webbs@spain.cc REGULAR E: Europe@ryansmove.com

����� China

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Caribbean
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Trade Notice Tariff

Trade notices are booked in units.
Each measures 3cm x 1 column (6cm)
or multiples thereof.
One Colour Black
£391 (plus VAT) for a full year.
Full Colour
30% more (plus VAT) for a full year.
Each notice must be booked for a
minimum of tweleve months and paid
for in advance.

68 Removals & Storage March 2010

 TRADE SERVICES

Switzerland Australia and New Zealand

To Australia &
New Zealand
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Atlantis Overseas Removals
Receiving Birmingham
and Leeds

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������ 01132 789191
������������0121 451 1588

United Arab Emirates Worldwide

Regular Trade
Services to
Trade Rates
UNITED ARAB to Europe
EMIRATES Regular Services to all Major
Dubai, Sharjah Destinations Worldwide
and Abu Dhabi
OVERSEAS
REMOVER

Advance

Receiving in Windsor & Stourbridge

Payment
Guaranteed

Full & part loads Memb No: GO13

Contact Mike, Chris or Steve on
Call Stuart, Sami or Jeremy on 01633 488 100
01432 377477 trade@fox-moving.com
fax: 01432 279894
email: shipping@gbliners.com

South America South Africa

Trade services to and from Panama,Costa Rica,Puerto Rico Honduras,Dominican

Republic, El Salvador Ecudor Guatamala,colombia
Nicaragua./Brazil,argentina,peru,chile,bolivia, venezuala, mexico,
paraquay,uruguay. ��������������������������������������
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LCL, groupage and full container services to central and south america. Paima, fidi ������������������������������������������
,IAM, Bar. Warehouse receiving 6.30am-9.30pm saturdays 6.30am-4.00pm. ����������������������
Tel: +44 (0)1902 714555
Fax: +44 (0)1902 427837
Email: gary@burkebros.co.uk
Burke Bros Moving Group, Burke Bros Trading Estate, Fox's Lane, Wolverhampton,
West Midlands. WV1 1PA

March 2010 Removals & Storage 69

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

www.tradestorage.co.uk THE PIANO

We are not a removal company or SPECIALISTS
your competitor, you are our clients A family run business, Est. in 1968.

on which our business depends. LOCAL MOVING • WORLDWIDE SHIPPING

WEEKLY EUROPEAN SERVICE
They say that imitation is a form of
Recommended by the worlds finest piano manufacturers,
flattery - but there is only one auctioneers, music colleges & academies.
Trade Storage Limited.
sales@tradestorage.co.uk Mem. No G005

London or Swindon 100 BOLLO LANE, CHISWICK, LONDON W4 5LX

Tel: +44 (0) 20 8994 9733 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8995 0855
0208 795 4838 or 01793 731696 Email: info@gandrremovals.co.uk www.gandrremovals.co.uk

Computers and Internet

Trailer Hire T

TRAILER HIRE
From car trailers to 3200 cubic feet Training
stepframes, 8 container
curtainsiders unsignwritten haulage
available too. (UK and Europe).
www.tradestorage.co.uk/trailers
020 8795 4838 or 01793 731696

Warehouse Containers

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External Elevators

70 Removals & Storage March 2010

 TRADE SERVICES

Journal of the British Association of Removers

ADVERTISING RATES
1st January 2010

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

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

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

Half Page £470 £583 £434 £547
Quarter Page £279 £350 £266 £335
Mono Full page £473 £593 £434 £542
Half Page £343 £429 £308 £386
Quarter Page £220 £276 £208 £260
Inside Front Cover £886 £1110 £849 £1066
Outside Back Cover £955 £1157 £905 £1129
Front Cover (full colour, per single insertion) £964 £1190

TRADE SERVICES
DISPLAY AD MECHANICAL DATA (height x width)
Full Page: Half Page: Quarter Page: Front Cover:
Trim 297mm x 210mm Horizontal 135mm x 188mm Horizontal 66mm x 188mm Trim 210mm x 210mm
Bleed 303mm x 216mm Vertical 272mm x 92mm Vertical 135mm x 92mm Bleed 210mm x 213mm

CLASSIFIED RATES* MECHANICAL SPEC

All advertisements to be supplied in eps format
Situations Vacant £2.15 per word (min 15 words)
(CMYK, 300dpi) with fonts and pictures embedded or
Sales and Wants £2.15 per word (min 10 words) as a high resolution PDF (Acrobat Distiller settings can
Boxed Ad £26.50 (per single column cm) be supplied on request). Please send on CD (with a
(Vehicle Picture £16 extra) printed colour copy for checking layout)**
to the address below, or by email:
Box Number +£26.50 marianne@thewordsworkshop.co.uk
Trade Cards £391
(3cm x 1column) per annum GUARANTEED POSITIONS
All guaranteed positions, excluding front cover, inside
Loose Inserts £278 per 1,000 front cover and outside back cover, are charged at
(per A4 sheets supplied) normal rates plus 20% and are subject to availability.
Half Page Mono £509
ENQUIRIES
Half Page Colour £614 All enquiries to:
Quarter Page Mono £422 Marianne Lee,
The Words Workshop,
Quarter Page Colour £500
26 Swanwick Lane,
Broughton,
COPY DATE Milton Keynes, MK10 9LD.
Tel: 01908 695500
10th of the preceding month Email: marianne@thewordsworkshop.co.uk

PLEASE NOTE: All rates shown cover the cost of advert insertion only. Advertisers should provide their own advertising
artwork. Removals & Storage can generate new or amend existing artwork for an additional charge.
All advertising must be paid for in advance by credit card.

* All prices are subject to VAT at the current rate.

** If no colour print is supplied, The Words Workshop cannot accept responsibility for the correct reproduction of the advertisement.
Removals and Storage is produced by The Words Workshop on behalf of The British Association of Removers.
All display rates shown are per single insertion, based on singular or series bookings for editions of R&S within 12 calendar months.

March 2010 Removals & Storage 71

 CLASSIFIEDS

Classified Are You Looking To Sell?

Advertising
Charges We are looking to buy good quality household moving and storage
companies in London and the home counties.
All classified advertisements should be booked no later than the 10th Please call 07933 123 123
and received no later than the 15th of the month preceding publication. in full confidence for a quick decision.
For all advertising enquiries please contact:
Marianne Lee at The Words Workshop,
marianne@the wordsworkshop.co.uk For Sale
26 Swanwick Lane, Broughton, Milton Keynes MK10 9LD
Tel: 01908 695500 Fax: 01908 690099 Warehouse containers
£25 + VAT each,
Rates phone 07710 012345
Situations Vacant £2.15 per word (min 15 words)
For Sale and Wanted ads £2.15 per word (min 10 words)
Boxed Ad (Semi-Display) £26.50 per single column centimetre
(Please note all lineage & semi-display ads are set by R&S in house style)
Wanted ADVERTISE YOUR
Half Page Mono £509 Bedford, Ford, Leyland,
VEHICLE WITH A
Half Page Colour
Quarter Page Mono
£614
£422
Marsden Vanplan
Preferably Mid 80s Model, must be
FOR SALE
Quarter Page Colour £501 sleeper cab upstairs. Restoration
BOX AD
Box Number +£26.50 project or mint, anything interesting AND WATCH IT GO!
All charges are plus VAT. considered. This space plus photo
Box Numbers Phone Bill Webb for only

£188
Replies to Box Number advertisements should be sent to: 07802 661630 Direct
The Advertiser www.webbsremovals.com
Box no. (XYZ)
The British Association of Removers +VAT
Tangent House, 62 Exchange Road, Watford, Herts WD18 0TG

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

Vehicles
Purchasers of a vehicle advertised in Removals & Storage should satisfy
themselves that the payload/volume is suitable for the purpose for
Woods Removals
which they intend to use it.
BRANCH
MANAGER
FIND THE An opportunity has arisen for an individual with estimating

RIGHT PERSON experience in domestic and commercial relocations.

FOR THE JOB

Candidates will need to be professional, PC literate,
with a flexible, “hands-on” approach.
International CPC holder preferably but not essential.
Salary and package dependant on experience.
Please forward your CV and current salary details to:
Brian Allen, Managing Director, Woods Removals, 1
1a Icen Way, Dorchester DT1 1EW Tel: 01305 250202
Or by email to: brian@camphopsonremovals.co.uk
(Woods Removals is an alternative trading name of Camp Hopson Removals Limited)

Small family run business

looking to recruit a highly motivated

COMMERCIAL
SALES
Advertise your job vacancies in REPRESENTATIVE
Removals & Storage magazine
Must be experienced. Salary negotiable.
Call Marianne Lee on: Please email CVs to
01908 695500 info@carrscarriers.co.uk
Contact number 01784 438743
or email: marianne@thewordsworkshop.co.uk

72 Removals & Storage March 2010

 CLASSIFIEDS

The Words Workshop ...

moving is our business
W hen it comes to writing it’s important to get things spot on. Whether it’s a
newsletter, an article for a magazine, the words on your website, or an advert
for the Removals & Storage, it’s important that you get the message just right.
Steve Jordan, our managing director, has worked in the moving business for over
thirty years and is a familiar face to many in the industry – he is also the editor of
this magazine. Steve’s long experience both as a moving man and a copywriter
has enabled him to assemble a team of writers that really know how the moving
business works - and that means we are in a unique position to provide the
right words for your business.
So, if you’re wracking your brains trying to think of a catchy story that will
get you in the news, want to start a newsletter but don’t have the time, or
simply hate writing - give us a call, we’ll be happy to help.

Call: +44 (0) 1908 695500

or visit: www.thewordsworkshop.co.uk
The Words Workshop
26 Swanwick Lane
Broughton, Milton Keynes
The right words for your business United Kingdom MK10 9LD

BOOK YOUR
CLASSIFIED
QUARTER PAGE
ADVERTISEMENT

MONO:
£422
FOR

COLOUR:
£501
FOR

Contact Marianne Lee

Tel:01908 695500 Fax:01908 690099
Email:marianne@thewordsworkshop.co.uk

March 2010 Removals & Storage 73

 CLASSIFIEDS

BOOK YOUR
CLASSIFIED
QUARTER PAGE
VEHICLE
SALES
ADVERTISEMENT
OFFER!
MONO: THIS FOR SALE

£422
Make and Model
FOR +VAT
SPACE
Marsden Vanplan
X container,
new MOT to June
XX XX,

PLUS
full service histo
ry XX XX Xkm.
Feature, feature,
feature,

PICTURE
feature, feature,
feature,

COLOUR:
feature, feature,
feature,

FOR
LEZ compliant.
Asking price

£501 £188
ONLY
Contact XX XX
XX XX
Phone and em
FOR +VAT ail address

+VAT
Contact Marianne Lee
Tel:01908 695500 Fax:01908 690099 Contact Marianne Lee
Email:marianne@thewordsworkshop.co.uk Tel:01908 695500 Fax:01908 690099
Email:marianne@thewordsworkshop.co.uk

Order additional copies of R&S

R&S is published monthly and costs only £48 a year for
UK companies and £72 a year for Overseas companies.
You may order as many copies as you wish.
Please send your order with payment to:
British Association of Removers,
Tangent House,
62 Exchange Road,
Watford,
Herts WD18 0TG
England.

Please send copies of Removals & Storage to: I enclose a cheque for
Name made payable to: The British Association of Removers
Company
Address I wish to pay by debit/credit card (not Amex)
Card number

Postcode
Tel no Expiry date MM/YY
email Security code

74 Removals & Storage March 2010

 Jack of all trade
Those of you who don’t yet
use our trade groupage
shipping services obviously
don’t know Jack.
You can rely on Anglo Pacific to handle your
customers’ goods with care. We’ve been in
the business for 30 years and offer frequent
sailings on all routes to major destinations
worldwide.

We’ll arrange shipment on the vessel

promised and nominate reliable FIDI agents
at destination. With depots in London,
Manchester and Glasgow we offer a
competitive solution wherever you are located.

At Anglo Pacific we understand your business

and will ensure that your goods are handled
professionally from start to finish.
Jack Dorrington
Visit our website or simply call Jack and his Trade Manager
team and get in the know.

Memb No: A026

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

FREEPHONE 0800 707 6093

Or visit us at www.anglopacific.co.uk. London, Manchester, Glasgow