JT & Sons Relocations retained the title of ‘Commercial Mover of the year’ (CMOTY) 2014/15, at the British Association of Removers’ (BAR) annual conference at the Marriott Hotel in Glasgow.

No it’s not April the first! The Ford Motor Company and Heinz are investigating the possibility of using tomato fibres to develop sustainable, composite materials for use in vehicle manufacturing.

Earlier this year Bournes in Rye was awarded the Member Award for the Best UniGroup Relocation Network Company as voted for by its members globally.

Eric Bourne, who has been Managing Director for Bournes since taking over from his father in the 1970s, has announced his intention to move into the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors as part of the company’s succession plan.

Debbie Maupin, President of Graebel Relocation Services Worldwide has recently announced several leadership role changes.

Reason Global has announced that David Brown has joined the company. David will be known to many in the moving and storage industry having looked after clients’ insurances in this sector for the last 17 years, most recently with Jelf Group PLC.

Crown World Mobility has announced the release of the next issue in its Perspectives series: its publication that shares information for mobility professionals.

Elliott Mobility in South Africa has recently completed its largest-scale move to date – successfully moving its headquarters and warehouse to new premises in Samrand, Centurion.

Pickfords is supporting the ‘Love your Clothes’ campaign to help reduce the environmental impacts of clothing in landfill and to raise money for its charity the NSPCC.

With so many bad things happening in the world it’s good to hear a story that demonstrates the better side of human nature and to see that the spirit of camaraderie is still alive and well in our industry.

Consumer law changed in June as part of the reform of the UK’s Consumer Contracts Regulations. The changes are significant for all retailers and, in some areas, movers are particularly affected.

On Saturday 7th June 2014, John Mason International’s staff member, Keith Chapman, completed the Nightrider 100km Cycle Ride in London and raised over £600 for the charity Prostate Cancer UK.

John Mason International’s vintage 1960s Leyland Comet, was displayed at the Kelsall Steam and Vintage Rally in Cheshire in June.

Oxfordshire-based removals company, Robinsons has helped its local Citizens Advice Bureau in Abingdon relocate to new offices free of charge.

This month's news from Europe.

Have you ever had a customer asking for a female crew? Most movers have had the request at some stage. The usual answer is no. But now, a new company in London is offering that service, not only to its own customers but to members of the trade. Steve Jordan went along to the famous White Hart Lane in Tottenham, to find out more.

The annual Cart Marking ceremony took place at London’s Guildhall Yard on a very sunny 16th of July.

UniGroup – parent company of United Van Lines, Mayflower Transit and other leading global relocation and transportation companies – has acquired UK-based Sterling Relocation. The sale closed June 30.

All businesses need to market themselves, and even though new and innovative alternative marketing methods have emerged in recent years, press advertising remains an effective means of getting information about products and services in front of the right people. By Simon Taylor, freelance Graphic Designer.

Henneken International Removals is one of the oldest removal companies in the Netherlands. It was founded in 1870 and remained a family business until 2001 when the company was sold and changed its direction. Steve Jordan interviewed its Director, Lauwrens de Jong, to find out more.