Movers adapt to ups and downs<\/p>\n
By Simon Wellington<\/p>\n
Moving across town can be enough to test the logistics prowess
\nand sanity of anyone, but an international move opens up a whole
\nnew can of worms that affects every facet of an individual or
\nfamily's life, particularly when it involves adapting to a vastly
\ndifferent culture.<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): For these reasons, moving companies based in
\nIndonesia have had to develop quality services that cater to
\nevery requirement of customers making an international move,
\nsecuring their clients' trust and confidence during periods which
\nare often extremely unsettling.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's sizable expatriate community has ensured a steady
\nflow of international nomads in and out of the country for some
\ndecades now, with a notable increase in the 1980s when the
\neconomy started to boom.<\/p>\n
As the boom years continued through the early 1990s, keeping
\ncustomers satisfied remained essential.<\/p>\n
And then the staggering chain of economic and political events
\nthat overwhelmed Indonesia in the late-1990s sent the country
\ninto shock, and approximately two thirds of the expatriate
\ncommunity running for home shores.<\/p>\n
"There was a peak in 1998 for people going out of the
\ncountry," recalls Syarifah Aidid, the marketing manager for
\ninternational moving company Global Silverhawk.<\/p>\n
"We worked seven days a week nonstop. But there was no balance
\nof reentry. This market has still not recovered."<\/p>\n
All industry representatives agreed, as would most people in
\nother sectors, that political stability was the key factor
\ninfluencing development.<\/p>\n
"It used to be a good market, but now it seems to be smaller.
\nThe last three years especially," says Syarifah.<\/p>\n
Crown Relocations senior technical advisor, Rick McCarthy,
\nnotes that prior to 1998, there were a lot of people working in
\nindustries, such as construction, that came to a halt with the
\nonset of the economic crisis.<\/p>\n
"This did reduce the market. However, despite the reduction,
\nmultinationals still maintain a presence and are committed to
\nstaying in the country," Rick explained.<\/p>\n
"The market is stable now, but future development depends on
\nthe political situation."<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, adapting to events of the past has also been
\ncritical.<\/p>\n
Lidya Aritonang, movers manager at locally owned Ritra Movers,
\nsaid that due to the effects of the economic crisis and lack of
\ndevelopment within the commercial market, Ritra placed more
\nemphasis on targeting diplomat community.<\/p>\n
"We are very convinced that in the next two or three years the
\nmarket will improve again, as long as the political situation is
\nstable," Lidya said.<\/p>\n
Over recent years, a large number of new companies entered the
\nsector to take advantage of the dollar-based market.<\/p>\n
These included a number of freight forwarding companies, with
\nlittle experience in the international moving industry, and also
\nlacked suitable infrastructure or established international
\nnetworks.<\/p>\n
Currently, there are four major international moving companies
\nin Indonesia and around 30 local companies. Of this number, there
\nare approximately 15 which are adequately equipped to support
\ninternational moves.<\/p>\n
Rick contends the changing nature of the business is that
\npeople want more than just a moving service. For the past several
\nyears, Crown has been leading the relocation revolution,
\nproviding comprehensive services to assist clients in their
\ntransition to a new country.<\/p>\n
In addition to the move, Crown also arranges: home search,
\norientation tours, meetings with school registrars, meet and
\ngreet at the airport, and hotel accommodation if required.<\/p>\n
These services aim to make people more comfortable with their
\ntransition to a new home, particularly considering the cultural
\nand language differences that, for many people, can prove
\nintimidating upon arrival in a new country.<\/p>\n
"Service is not just about moving any more," says Rick,
\n"Moving is only about boxes."<\/p>\n
The hurdles facing people moving into a country include the
\nmountains of official documentation that must be processed, as
\nwell as customs regulations.<\/p>\n
Lidya would like to see more flexibility in this area. Before
\ngoods enter Indonesia, new arrivals must have a resident and work
\npermit to ensure passage, while a minimum 12-month stay period is
\nrequired to avoid duties imposed on the goods entering.<\/p>\n
Problems arise, however, when someone entering the country is
\ngiven a short contract and official permits are issued for less
\nthan twelve months.<\/p>\n
On top of the costs and upheaval already associated with their
\nmove, people obviously don't want to fork out more money to
\nensure their household goods can enter the country.<\/p>\n
"It is very important that there is more flexibility in this
\narea, with increased cooperation between customs and the Ministry
\nof Manpower and Transmigration," Lidya said.<\/p>\n
Security and reliability are also major concerns for
\ncustomers.<\/p>\n
After all, no one wants to travel halfway around the world,
\nonly to discover that the container transporting their goods was
\neither broken into, or is sitting on a dock in Tanzania.<\/p>\n
Global Silverhawk has a bonded facility in Jakarta, providing
\na secure location for all the services normally conducted at the
\nport of entry.<\/p>\n
Crown maintains an office at the port and uses a private
\ncontractor's yard for customs clearance and storage, with their
\nown staff on hand to supervise the process.<\/p>\n
Some companies also offer web tracking, allowing clients to
\nverify the whereabouts and progress of their goods throughout the
\ntransportation process.<\/p>\n
Crown has such a system, enabling customers to access their
\nfile and view freight details.<\/p>\n
They can check access information regarding collection
\ndetails, where their goods are currently going, the name of the
\nvessel transporting them, and arrival details for the port of
\ndestination.<\/p>\n
Planning<\/p>\n
There are plenty of services available that can ensure the
\nsafe and efficient transport of goods, door-to-door, anywhere
\naround the world.<\/p>\n
Therefore, the first idea to vanquish from your mind is the
\nself-deception that you should do as much of the organizing as
\npossible.<\/p>\n
So, how do you make the right choice when looking for a mover?<\/p>\n
Although pulling names out of a hat could expedite the
\nprocess, it doesn't necessarily guarantee quality service.<\/p>\n
Shop around, find out who the major players are and
\ninvestigate their services.<\/p>\n
Compare their experience in the industry and check out their
\nclaims history.<\/p>\n
Of course, calling in the advice of friends or colleagues also
\nhelps. Personal experience is valuable guidance.<\/p>\n
You should also ensure that the company uses reputable
\ninternational partners and is accredited with industry standards.<\/p>\n
The major association standards for the moving industry
\ninclude FAIM, FIDI, Industry ISO and OMNI affiliation.<\/p>\n
Finally, shortlist the candidates and get quotes, remembering
\nthat sometimes cheaper isn't always better.<\/p>\n
Once the selection process has been completed, seriously
\nconsider the items you need to take with you.<\/p>\n
Could that lumpy couch be adopted out to a new home locally?
\nCull now, replace later.<\/p>\n
Pets<\/p>\n
Four-legged friends pose more perplexity in the moving
\nconundrum. And in most instances, you won't want to cull Spike or
\nFluffy.<\/p>\n
Despite lengthy, expensive quarantines and transportation
\ncosts, about 80 percent to 90 percent of pet owners take their
\nanimals with them on their international move.<\/p>\n
Different countries have different requirements, however they
\nall require that your pet has had its rabies vaccination more
\nthan one month and less than one year prior to the date of
\ndeparture.<\/p>\n
Make sure you investigate your destination country's
\nregulations well in advance.<\/p>\n
Short of attempting to smuggle your beloved beast out of the
\ncountry in the kids' suitcase (never use your own), there are a
\nnumber of procedures which must be followed here prior to
\ndeparture.<\/p>\n
This administrative ordeal involves the issuance of health
\ncertificates, an export license and quarantine permit.<\/p>\n
Of course, they involve a multitude of ministries,
\ndepartments, directorates and interdepartmental subdirectorates
\n-- so, again, plan well in advance.<\/p>\n
Sound difficult?<\/p>\n
Well, fortunately, to meet the demands of moving pets past the
\nobstacles of bureaucratic red tape and on to their destination
\nsafely, moving companies, as well as some local pet shops and
\nveterinarians, are ready and willing to help pet owners.<\/p>\n
They can assist in the preparation of all necessary documents
\nand arrange travel plans to ensure your pet's time in transit is
\nnot an endless fur-raising nightmare, for them and you.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/movers-adapt-to-ups-and-downs-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}