S P E C I A L F E ATURE FIDI PUBLISHES ITS FIRST STATE OF THE INDUSTRY REPORT FIDI Focus examines the main themes of the report, including consolidation, technological challenges, the US military moves contract and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic F We can expect more caution, and heightened attention to aspects such as liquidity and agility highlighted by the crisis 24 FF301 Q2 21 pp24-27 Feature Report.indd 24 IDIs first State of the Industry report pulls together and analyses the events that have affected the global moving industry during the past year. The project wasnt introduced for posterity. Its purpose is to help make sense today of what can, on a day-to-day basis, seem like unconnected incidents. It draws out key trends affecting the shape of an increasingly fast-moving business, highlighting the macro forces influencing Affiliates fortunes, which they must understand to ensure their operations are equipped to thrive in the future. It examines the impact on FIDI as an organisation, too, laying out the likely roadmap for it to develop in the months ahead. And what an extraordinary year to launch the inaugural report. While it covers the subjects we would have expected in the previous 12 months including consolidation, use of technology and the single-provider US contract award COVID-19 now looms large throughout. The pandemic has distorted every industry trend and, generally, increased the urgency with which we need to address them. Here is a summary of what you can find in this report. GIANT KILLERS? The report details how COVID-19 could alter the impact of the new type of mergers and acquisitions between businesses such as Relo Group/BGRS. As RMC operators make up a high percentage of many movers business, these deals could wipe out a significant amount of trade for movers when they assimilate both RMCs and smaller moving businesses that could service the RMCs needs. Meanwhile, movers expanding into DSP services and the arrival of aggressive mobility newcomers - have blurred the lines between traditional industry categories. The pandemic was cited as a major reason for the failure of the Cartus/SIRVA deal that had been agreed towards the end of 2019. However, largescale mobility alliances such as this are expected to continue although we can perhaps expect more caution, and heightened attention to aspects such as liquidity and agility highlighted by the crisis. Indeed, these moves may form a key part of businesses response to the challenges they were presented with in 2020. THE FEW AND THE MANY The report states that, if consolidation follows the WW W. F I D I FOC U S . OR G 09/03/2021 14:44