Movers adapt to ups and downs

Movers adapt to ups and downs

By Simon Wellington

Moving across town can be enough to test the logistics prowess
and sanity of anyone, but an international move opens up a whole
new can of worms that affects every facet of an individual or
family's life, particularly when it involves adapting to a vastly
different culture.

JAKARTA (JP): For these reasons, moving companies based in
Indonesia have had to develop quality services that cater to
every requirement of customers making an international move,
securing their clients' trust and confidence during periods which
are often extremely unsettling.

Indonesia's sizable expatriate community has ensured a steady
flow of international nomads in and out of the country for some
decades now, with a notable increase in the 1980s when the
economy started to boom.

As the boom years continued through the early 1990s, keeping
customers satisfied remained essential.

And then the staggering chain of economic and political events
that overwhelmed Indonesia in the late-1990s sent the country
into shock, and approximately two thirds of the expatriate
community running for home shores.

"There was a peak in 1998 for people going out of the
country," recalls Syarifah Aidid, the marketing manager for
international moving company Global Silverhawk.

"We worked seven days a week nonstop. But there was no balance
of reentry. This market has still not recovered."

All industry representatives agreed, as would most people in
other sectors, that political stability was the key factor
influencing development.

"It used to be a good market, but now it seems to be smaller.
The last three years especially," says Syarifah.

Crown Relocations senior technical advisor, Rick McCarthy,
notes that prior to 1998, there were a lot of people working in
industries, such as construction, that came to a halt with the
onset of the economic crisis.

"This did reduce the market. However, despite the reduction,
multinationals still maintain a presence and are committed to
staying in the country," Rick explained.

"The market is stable now, but future development depends on
the political situation."

Meanwhile, adapting to events of the past has also been
critical.

Lidya Aritonang, movers manager at locally owned Ritra Movers,
said that due to the effects of the economic crisis and lack of
development within the commercial market, Ritra placed more
emphasis on targeting diplomat community.

"We are very convinced that in the next two or three years the
market will improve again, as long as the political situation is
stable," Lidya said.

Over recent years, a large number of new companies entered the
sector to take advantage of the dollar-based market.

These included a number of freight forwarding companies, with
little experience in the international moving industry, and also
lacked suitable infrastructure or established international
networks.

Currently, there are four major international moving companies
in Indonesia and around 30 local companies. Of this number, there
are approximately 15 which are adequately equipped to support
international moves.

Rick contends the changing nature of the business is that
people want more than just a moving service. For the past several
years, Crown has been leading the relocation revolution,
providing comprehensive services to assist clients in their
transition to a new country.

In addition to the move, Crown also arranges: home search,
orientation tours, meetings with school registrars, meet and
greet at the airport, and hotel accommodation if required.

These services aim to make people more comfortable with their
transition to a new home, particularly considering the cultural
and language differences that, for many people, can prove
intimidating upon arrival in a new country.

"Service is not just about moving any more," says Rick,
"Moving is only about boxes."

The hurdles facing people moving into a country include the
mountains of official documentation that must be processed, as
well as customs regulations.

Lidya would like to see more flexibility in this area. Before
goods enter Indonesia, new arrivals must have a resident and work
permit to ensure passage, while a minimum 12-month stay period is
required to avoid duties imposed on the goods entering.

Problems arise, however, when someone entering the country is
given a short contract and official permits are issued for less
than twelve months.

On top of the costs and upheaval already associated with their
move, people obviously don't want to fork out more money to
ensure their household goods can enter the country.

"It is very important that there is more flexibility in this
area, with increased cooperation between customs and the Ministry
of Manpower and Transmigration," Lidya said.

Security and reliability are also major concerns for
customers.

After all, no one wants to travel halfway around the world,
only to discover that the container transporting their goods was
either broken into, or is sitting on a dock in Tanzania.

Global Silverhawk has a bonded facility in Jakarta, providing
a secure location for all the services normally conducted at the
port of entry.

Crown maintains an office at the port and uses a private
contractor's yard for customs clearance and storage, with their
own staff on hand to supervise the process.

Some companies also offer web tracking, allowing clients to
verify the whereabouts and progress of their goods throughout the
transportation process.

Crown has such a system, enabling customers to access their
file and view freight details.

They can check access information regarding collection
details, where their goods are currently going, the name of the
vessel transporting them, and arrival details for the port of
destination.

Planning

There are plenty of services available that can ensure the
safe and efficient transport of goods, door-to-door, anywhere
around the world.

Therefore, the first idea to vanquish from your mind is the
self-deception that you should do as much of the organizing as
possible.

So, how do you make the right choice when looking for a mover?

Although pulling names out of a hat could expedite the
process, it doesn't necessarily guarantee quality service.

Shop around, find out who the major players are and
investigate their services.

Compare their experience in the industry and check out their
claims history.

Of course, calling in the advice of friends or colleagues also
helps. Personal experience is valuable guidance.

You should also ensure that the company uses reputable
international partners and is accredited with industry standards.

The major association standards for the moving industry
include FAIM, FIDI, Industry ISO and OMNI affiliation.

Finally, shortlist the candidates and get quotes, remembering
that sometimes cheaper isn't always better.

Once the selection process has been completed, seriously
consider the items you need to take with you.

Could that lumpy couch be adopted out to a new home locally?
Cull now, replace later.

Pets

Four-legged friends pose more perplexity in the moving
conundrum. And in most instances, you won't want to cull Spike or
Fluffy.

Despite lengthy, expensive quarantines and transportation
costs, about 80 percent to 90 percent of pet owners take their
animals with them on their international move.

Different countries have different requirements, however they
all require that your pet has had its rabies vaccination more
than one month and less than one year prior to the date of
departure.

Make sure you investigate your destination country's
regulations well in advance.

Short of attempting to smuggle your beloved beast out of the
country in the kids' suitcase (never use your own), there are a
number of procedures which must be followed here prior to
departure.

This administrative ordeal involves the issuance of health
certificates, an export license and quarantine permit.

Of course, they involve a multitude of ministries,
departments, directorates and interdepartmental subdirectorates
-- so, again, plan well in advance.

Sound difficult?

Well, fortunately, to meet the demands of moving pets past the
obstacles of bureaucratic red tape and on to their destination
safely, moving companies, as well as some local pet shops and
veterinarians, are ready and willing to help pet owners.

They can assist in the preparation of all necessary documents
and arrange travel plans to ensure your pet's time in transit is
not an endless fur-raising nightmare, for them and you.