I N D U ST RY NEW S SIRVA and BGRS create relocation giant Global relocation and moving providers SIRVA, Inc. and BGRS have announced they are combining operations to create a new company they say will deliver unparalleled support to clients. In a joint statement, the two companies said the venture would initially be called SIRVA BGRS. The statement said the transaction would give a wide range of product offerings and robust technology solutions. Clients will benefit from having access to the richest breadth of relocation and household goods service options, leading programme flexibility and best-in-class technology solutions. It added that it would expand the global reach and access to mobility talent. SIRVA BGRSs global footprint will include 4,000 employees across 66 offices in more than 170 countries providing extensive local coverage and offering clients exposure to a larger, combined supply chain, whose increased scale will help create efficiency in the market, said the statement. Tom Oberdorf, Chairman and CEO of SIRVA, said: This is a natural combination that allows us to meet the expanding and evolving mobility needs of our clients around the world. We look forward to combining our complementary industry expertise, footprint, and technological resources to create a single entity with greater efficiency, scale and local experience, well positioned to shape the future of mobility and deliver greater value to customers. Traci Morris, CEO of BGRS, added: Both SIRVA and BGRS have a common customer-focused approach that drives everything we do, and we are thrilled at the prospect of joining forces. Together, we will create a differentiated leader with a truly unique set of value-added products, dedicated resources to invest in technological innovation and an unmatched global footprint. The new company will have its head office in the Chicago region. Oberdorf will serve as its Chief Executive Officer, while Morris will retire after a transition period. BGRSs parent company, Tokyobased Relo Group, reported on its website (12 May) that, during 2021, BGRS had US$67.5 million revenue and an operating profit of $1.7m; SIRVA, meanwhile, announced revenue of $1.6 billion and adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) of US$81.8m. Relo Group said that with domestic competition becoming more intense, it would support overseas expansion, with the aim of creating an industry of comprehensive lifestyle support services that we provide globally. YOUNG MOVERS DESCEND ON DUBLIN Almost 250 moving professionals from around the world attended the threeday Young Movers Conference (YMC) in Dublin, Ireland, from 21-23 April, 2022. The 28th outing of the event postponed from 2020 began with a trip to the world-famous Guinness Storehouse. Delegates took part in a session on the relationship between RMCs and the moving industry, that included representatives from Aires, K2 Mobility, Voerman, and SIRVA. YMC organiser FEDEMAC also presented the plans for the future of the organisation in addition to featuring the FEDEMAC Load Exchange platform. FIDI sponsored the event, which was attended by Customer Relations Officer Lydia Cope. The 2023 YMC will be held in Riga, Latvia. Insurance to contain the risks www.reason-global.com 12 FF306 June-August 22 pp10-16 News.indd 12 Solutions outside the box WWW. F I D I FOC U S . OR G 07/06/2022 14:56