F E AT U R E Michael Keller, Grace Bishar and Dirk Ellermann from Paramount Transportation Systems Europe GmbH present their FAIM 3.1 Certificate with Isabel Chilopa, FCC Customer Service Coordinator (left) and John Prooij, FIDIs Project Manager Quality & Risk (right) at the 2018 IAM Conference Historically, many transferees were moving intra-Europe, but regional contracts are becoming more common. In addition to road transportation, overseas trade has also been growing. Emerging markets, such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia and South Africa are also gaining significance. FF: Where are your biggest opportunities for growth? DE: PTS has always followed its customers to new locations, by either opening a PTS office or collaborating with reputable local moving companies. PTS will continue to offer solutions to customers unmet needs through innovation and global expansion. FF: What is your companys business ethos? DE: Driven by a desire to exceed customer expectations, PTS focuses its efforts on reducing costs, enhancing value, building lasting relationships and minimising the stresses associated with one of lifes biggest changes. MIGHTY OAKS FROM LITTLE ACORNS GROW Paramount Transportation Systems already has a presence on three continents, but its expansion plans are not over yet, as Managing Director Dirk Ellermann explains P aramount Transportations Systems, Inc. (PTS) in the United States has experienced significant growth over the past few years, expanding its presence throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Paramount Transportation Systems Europe GmbH (PTS Europe) in Frankfurt, Germany PTSs EMEA headquarters is part of this success story. Since PTS was founded in 1996 by Mike Keller and Grace Bishar, it has become an award-winning market leader in moving and relocation services. PTS opened its Germany office in 2008 to better service the needs of its clients moving to, from and throughout the region. DIRK ELLERMANN, MANAGING DIRECTOR, PARAMOUNT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS EUROPE FF: What are some of the key characteristics of your local market? DE: The majority of movement is between Europes main business regions. Frankfurt, Munich, Stuttgart and Berlin continue to be active, but Germany is one of the main gateway countries to and from Eastern Europe and central Asia. It is also actively involved in all kinds of intra-European road transportation. Its strong economy supports a continuous growth and steadiness in household goods imports and exports, but with more varied destinations than in the past. These shipments can be more complex and therefore require higher qualification levels for PTS and for our FIDI partners. 80 FF289FebMar19 pp80-81 New Affiliate 3.indd 80 FF: What are your main strengths as an organisation? DE: PTSs strengths lie in its experienced employees, excellent customer service and personal relationships with its customers. FF: Why did you decide to join FIDI? DE: More complex transport structures and traffic-lane combinations require continuous development and improvement of our supply chain and international partner network. As one of the most recognised organisations in our industry, FIDI stands for quality improvement through education, continuous process control and optimisation. The FAIM quality management programme is the only quality certification programme in the moving industry that is beneficial for PTS as it continues to expand its market presence throughout EMEA. FAIM certification validates our process and service levels to our existing customers, as well as our potential future clients. In a world of detailed compliance regulations, ethical standards and data protection requirements, FIDI also supports PTSs effort with relative information, programmes and training. FF: Has anything surprised you about the organisation since becoming a member? DE: We have received a very warm welcome from FIDI and many of its Affiliates around the world. We have been working with our new FIDI family members on a variety of shipments and exciting projects. FIDI Affiliation is extremely beneficial for the PTS Group. FF: Are you looking forward to playing an active role in your FIDI Association? DE: PTS has more FIDI-related initiatives on the horizon. PTS recently hired Silvia Louro, who is responsible for coordinating and developing FIDI-related projects. After holding a few positions on the FIDI USA board of directors for two years, Louro served as FIDI USA President in 2017. With her experience, PTS can better capitalise on FIDI programmes, including FASI and the FIDI Academy. FF: What does the future hold for your company? DE: With its financial stability, strategic partnerships and a dedicated team that embraces our vision, PTS is uniquely positioned to maintain momentum and continue to grow. WWW. F I D I . OR G 23/01/2019 16:58