The Young Movers Conference in Dublin in April focussed mainly on relationship building rather than more traditional plenary meetings. However, one panel discussion took a close look at the relationship between movers and Relocation Management Companies (RMCs), exploring the strengths of each and how they work together to provide services to corporate clients.
The panel consisted of: Pauline Collins from Voerman; Radhika Gorsia from Aires, Michen van Nieuwenhoven from SIRVA, Greg Helmer from K2 Mobility and Michel Hughes from Arpin International. Steve Jordan from The Mover magazine was the moderator.
After a brief introduction in which the panellists explained the role of the RMC and the importance of the moving operations as part of the scope of services, Steve asked if it was true that RMCs had simply taken the moving company’s business and auctioned it back to them.
Although this might be a commonly-held view, the panellists didn’t see it that way. Pauline said that the scope of services offered by RMCs would be difficult for a moving company to supply. Michen summed up from the RMC’s perspective. He said that today’s RFPs (Requests for Proposals) need a lot of intense investment in time and resources to manage. “It is not the RMCs taking away the opportunities for the moving companies, it’s more that we are offering these possibilities to the moving companies that they otherwise would not have.” They do this by covering much of the administration required by corporate clients including ISO certification, GDPR requirements, environmental standards and compliance that would be difficult for movers to achieve individually.
Getting on the list
Greg explained that it was necessary for his company to demonstrate that the suppliers they use meet the highest standards, but he welcomes approaches from potential suppliers. To be successful, however, it is necessary for partners’ offerings to match the requirements.
Are there minimum standards for acceptance? Radhika said that they have to uphold the highest standards and these must cascade down the supply chain. “I know it seems that we are always asking for more and more, but that’s because we're being asked for more and more.”
Michen said that FIDI/FAIM made due diligence much easier, but that companies without that accreditation would not be excluded as long as they operated to a similar standard.
What’s the relationship like?
Is the relationship between RMC and supplier a meeting of equals? ...
Photo: The panel discussion discussed the relationship between movers and RMCs.