Industry News

Submitted by admin on Tue, 04/21/2020 - 20:07

Latest Update:  May 2, 2023  - Catch up on the latest industry news and announcements
 

Moving Industry Event Calendar:

 

Here are the latest Industry Headlines. Read more news in the links below.

  • *new*  ATA, Moving and Storage Conference Celebrate National Moving Month American Trucking Associations and the ATA Moving and Storage Conference marked the beginning of National Moving Month by celebrating the country’s professional movers and offering consumers a number of tips for selecting a mover as peak moving season begins. (May 1, 2023)
  • *new*  DHS Statement on the Lifting of Title 19 Requirements On May 1st, 2023, the Biden Administration and the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued statements announcing the lifting of the vaccine mandate for foreign nationals entering the US.  Beginning May 12, 2023, DHS will no longer require non-US travelers entering the US via land ports of entry and ferry terminals to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide related proof of vaccination upon request. DHS intends to rescind these Title 19 travel restrictions in alignment with the end of the Public Health Emergency and the termination of the Presidential Proclamation on air travel. This means that Canadian and Mexican truck drivers that are unvaccinated can once again enter the US.  According to John F. Lynch Senior Vice President, Federation Relations at the ATA, "ATA has been pushing the Administration on this for months. In fact, a couple of weeks ago, ATA, along with the Canadian Trucking Alliance, TCA, and NTTC sent a letter to both the US ambassador in Ottawa and the Canadian ambassador in Washington, DC asking for better coordination on a number of cross-border issues, including that the US drop the vaccine mandate for truck drivers."  (May 1, 2023)
  • International Association of Movers: IAM President Chuck White to retire at the end of 2023  After almost 19 years at the International Association of Movers/Household Goods Forwarders Association of America, Chuck White has announced that will retire at the end of 2023. Brian Limperopulos has been named to succeed Chuck. (February 15, 2023)
  • FreightWaves: Cargo thefts spike 15% across US, Canada in 2022  The end of 2022 saw a surge in cargo thefts that pushed the yearly total to above an estimated $223 million worth of goods stolen across Canada and the U.S.  Based on voluntarily reported cargo thefts, 1,778 “supply chain risk incidents” were recorded in Canada and the U.S. in 2022, a 15% jump compared to 2021.  The No. 1 commodity [for cargo theft] was household goods for all of 2022, electronics was No. 2, and food and beverage commodities were No. 3. (February 8, 2023)
  • North American Van Lines US just issued their 2022 Migration Report. "In 2022, Americans were on the move, but where to? Most found themselves leaving high cost of living areas in favor of warmer climates and more reasonable housing conditions.  The chosen states for inbound moving migration predominantly reside in the south. Whether it’s a coincidence or not, many of these states were among the first to lessen Covid-19 regulations. While it’s a possibility that the surge in remote work leads people to areas with less restriction in the short term, it could also be that these locations offer a smaller tax burden in the long term as well."  (January 2023)
  • Canadian Association of Movers Warns of the Increase in Moving Scams - “CAM has seen an increase in the number of incidents in which consumers are being victimized by rogue operations who call themselves movers,” says Nancy Irvine, President of the Canadian Association of Movers. “This trend has skyrocketed in the past few years, during the pandemic, with opportunistic, faceless scammers capitalizing on the new trend in which 90% of consumers go online to source their services,” she continues. Read the full press release below. (June 28, 2022)

 

These are some of the press releases, bulletins and newsletters published by government, moving industry associations, movers and suppliers that CAM receives. Visit here regularly for new announcements.

You can download and print the PDF files linked from the underlined text below using free Acrobat Reader software available at the Adobe Systems Incorporated Web site.

 

Industry Headlines

  • March 7, 2022 Today's Trucking Full ELD enforcement delayed until Jan. 1, 2023 Full enforcement of a federal electronic logging device (ELD) mandate will be delayed until Jan. 1, 2023, pushing back plans that were scheduled to take hold June 12.
  • March 4, 2022 CBC Marketplace Secret trackers and hidden cameras expose how some movers can be ripping you off
  • March 3, 2022 Federal News Network GAO rejects legal challenges to multibillion dollar military moving contract. The Defense Department’s attempt to fundamentally restructure its household goods moving system for military members overcame a major roadblock on Thursday as the Government Accountability Office denied five separate protests losing bidders had filed.
  • January 11, 2022 NorthStar Moving Wins Trademark Infringement Case Against Florida Moving Company. A US Federal judge finds operator of King David Van Lines guilty of deceiving consumers, issues damage award of $13 million to NorthStar Moving. Read about the decision below.
  • BC floods and mudslides will cause delays (and potential increased costs) in moving (November 17, 2021) Torrential rain that set off flooding and mudslides in Southern British Columbia have closed highways, trapped people in vehicles and forced the evacuation of some communities.  Large sections of highways and railway tracks near Vancouver have been damaged or destroyed, essentially cutting many areas off from the rest of Canada. British Columbia Trucking Association and BC Government warn that movement in and out of Southern BC over the coming weeks will be severely disrupted. Consumers should be aware that these disruptions will compound existing problems getting imports across Canada and exports to destinations abroad.   If you are expecting service in Southern BC, or are moving to an area affected by the floods, please keep in touch with your moving company about the status of your shipment.  As well, remember that our members are also dealing with personal challenges as their homes and properties are severely affected.
  • HomeSafe Alliance Secures $20B Contract to Transform U.S. Military Moving Industry with Digital Solutions (November 5, 2021) HomeSafe Alliance LLC has been awarded the global household goods contract by U.S. Transportation Command. The contract ceiling value is $20B with a potential 9 year term, inclusive of all options periods. HomeSafe will be the exclusive household goods move management service provider for the U.S. Armed Forces, Department of Defense civilians and their families. Read more
  • Quick end to border action, after chaotic Friday (August 6, 2021) Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) workers reached a tentative deal late Friday night, after causing significant border delays over the previous day. The four-year deal has brought an end to work-to-rule actions by Customs officers that caused plenty of headaches for truckers on Friday.  Read trucknews.com article here.
  • Moving industry experiencing setback this government posting season (July 21, 2021) The Canadian Military Family magazine reports that “the moving industry across North America is experiencing a reduced capacity in drivers and labour, affecting companies’ ability to meet contractual obligations this year.”  This means that moves during the active posting season could be affected and take much longer than expected.   While not interviewed directly, CAM was referenced in the article. Read here.
  • International Shipping? Competition is high and box rates are soaring! (July 14, 2021) There seems to be no limit to what some shippers are prepared to pay to get containers onboard sailings from Asia to Europe and the US. You can read more about this concerning situation on our International Resources webpage.

Movers

  • May 10, 2022 Atlas Canada Atlas Canada Signs a 25 Year Renewal Agreement with AMJ Campbell Leading van line Atlas Canada, a subsidiary of Atlas World Group, Inc., announces that it has signed a 25 year renewal agreement with AMJ Campbell effective May 1, 2022. AMJ Campbell represents Atlas in 30 locations across Canada providing full-service household moving (local, long distance, international and corporate), specialized moving services with short and long term storage options, home delivery and logistic solutions.

Suppliers

Announcements of new products and services from CAM Supplier members. To post a new product, send the product information to newproducts@mover.net.

Media

  • *new* - FreightWaves: argo thefts spike 15% across US, Canada in 2022  The end of 2022 saw a surge in cargo thefts that pushed the yearly total to above an estimated $223 million worth of goods stolen across Canada and the U.S.  Based on voluntarily reported cargo thefts, 1,778 “supply chain risk incidents” were recorded in Canada and the U.S. in 2022, a 15% jump compared to 2021.  The No. 1 commodity [for cargo theft] was household goods for all of 2022, electronics was No. 2, and food and beverage commodities were No. 3. (February 8, 2023)
  • Toronto Star - Affordability, flex work prompting Ontarians to move to Quebec - For the first time since the 1970s, more Ontarians are moving to Quebec than Quebecers heading to Ontario. (May 28, 2022)
  •  STL News - Florida AG Secures Ban Against Moving Businesses  Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody announced a victory that secured a $20 million judgment as well as a lifetime ban against a number of shady moving companies. The moving companies were those owned by Ohad Guzi. Guzi's case, involved 8 moving companies that operated with familiar names that could fool consumers. The names used were All USA Van Lines Inc, Moving Group Inc, Top Movers Inc., Guzi’s Investments, LLC, Cross Country Movers LLC, 24/7 Moving Services Inc., Transworld Movers Inc., and Emoving Company, all located in Hollywood, FL. The AG stated that the companies presented themselves as legitimate and professional moving companies but actually made use of untrained contractors, rented box trucks, and third parties for delivery services. The companies also held customers' goods hostage after quoting low prices initially, then demanding more money afterwards. (May 25, 2022)
  • Miami Herald: Fort Lauderdale moving company was a serial scammer that held furniture hostage, feds say. Read more (February 19, 2022)
  • CBC News: Sudbury police investigating complaint about alleged scam involving movers. (March 8, 2021)
  • The Sudbury Star: Sudbury police warn of moving company scams. "Whether you are moving across town or across province, choosing a mover should not be taken lightly, police said. Finding a trusted and reliable mover is even more important, however, during the current COVID-19 pandemic." (March 4, 2021)
  • Transport Topics: Fraudulent Movers Are a Major Threat to the Industry.  "Rogue operators are the largest threat to the legitimate household goods industry and one of our top issues that we are working on with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and Capitol Hill,” said Katie McMichael, director of American Trucking Associations’ 1,400-member Moving and Storage Conference. (Feb. 25, 2021) 
  • Listowel Banner: Fraudulent moving company rips woman off for $500, leaves her stranded in Listowel. This consumer got scammed for $500 by Triple Star Movers Inc. and had to sleep in her pickup truck while keeping an eye on all her belongings at the side of the road. (January 11, 2021)
  • CBC Nova Scotia: These customers were promised shipping containers. Now they're out thousands of dollars. The two companies identified in the article are Box Containers LLC and BigMax Containers. (January 4, 2021)

Other resources:

CAM Press Releases

    Industry Associations

    • *new* - International Association of Movers: IAM President Chuck White to Retire at the end of 2023  After almost 19 years at the International Association of Movers/Household Goods Forwarders Association of America, Chuck White has announced that will retire at the end of 2023. Brian Limperopulos has been named to succeed Chuck. (February 15, 2023)
    • ATA Names Katie McMichael as MSC Executive Director (November 10, 2021) Arlington, Virginia – Today, American Trucking Associations announced it has named Katie McMichael as the first executive director of the association’s Moving and Storage Conference. McMichael will oversee operations and assist in the advocacy efforts for the leading national organization representing household good moving companies and industry suppliers, as well as various state moving and storage associations.
    • InfoGlobal: Interview with Moving Associations (June 15, 2021) The Netherlands’ Triglobal conducted a series of interviews with leaders in four global industry associations on the effects of Covid-19 - a year after - and the actions taken by companies and those associations to adapt to the current situation. Find out what CAM President Nancy Irvine had to tell them. Read more.

    Association Newsletters

    Government

    • February 9, 2022 - Statistics Canada released its report on Canada’s fastest growing and decreasing municipalities from 2016 to 2021. "This document highlights the municipalities in Canada that grew the fastest between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, as well as the municipalities whose population decreased the most."
    • Second ELD certification body announced. (June 15, 2021) A second electronic logging device (ELD) certification agency has been approved by Transport Canada. CSA Group will join FPInnovations as the second third-party organization available to approve ELDs for use in Canada. Canada’s ELD mandate went into effect June 12 for federally regulated carriers, but no devices have been approved to date. An approved third-party must first verify the devices meet the Canadian technical standard before Transport Canada allows them. Read this Truck News article.
    • As Canada's ELD mandate takes effect, compliance is impossible. (June 11, 2021) Read this Truck News article
    • On March 2nd, the Minister of Transport issued the following statement, confirming June 12th as the implementation date of ELDs in Canada: "Road safety is a priority for the Government of Canada. That is why, in 2019, we took new action to prevent commercial driver fatigue and improve road safety by mandating electronic logging devices. These devices track drivers' working hours to ensure all federally regulated motor carriers and their drivers operate safely. Consultations in the lead-up to the mandate generated broad support, and identified June 12, 2021, as a feasible date for the installation of electronic logging devices." Read more. (Mar 2, 2021)
    • Quarterly Demographic Estimates, Statistics Canada
    • Déclaration des salaires 2016, QC Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail
    • Final Report: Ontario's Household Moving Industry, May 2015, prepared for the Ontario Ministry of Government and Consumer Services by PRISM Economics and Analysis (PDF) © Queen's Printer for Ontario, 2015 Reproduced with permission.
    • Guide to violence prevention in the workplace, Government of Canada

    Reports

    • *new* North American Van Lines US just issued their 2022 Migration Report. "In 2022, Americans were on the move, but where to? Most found themselves leaving high cost of living areas in favor of warmer climates and more reasonable housing conditions.  The chosen states for inbound moving migration predominantly reside in the south. Whether it’s a coincidence or not, many of these states were among the first to lessen Covid-19 regulations. While it’s a possibility that the surge in remote work leads people to areas with less restriction in the short term, it could also be that these locations offer a smaller tax burden in the long term as well."  (January 2023)
    • February 9, 2022 - Statistics Canada released its report on Canada’s fastest growing and decreasing municipalities from 2016 to 2021. "This document highlights the municipalities in Canada that grew the fastest between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, as well as the municipalities whose population decreased the most."
    • United Van Lines US released the results of their 2020 National Migration Study. In 2020, Americans continued to move westbound and southbound – and the COVID-19 pandemic factored into and accelerated many of those decisions to move. (Jan. 4, 2021) 
    • Allied Van Lines US just issued their 2020 Migration Report. "In this report, you will find not only an interactive migration map of the United States, but also a list of the top inbound and outbound states, key takeaways that show notable changes in recent years, and regional breakdowns that detail important developments in those particular states." 
    • 53rd Annual Atlas Corporate Relocation Survey May 27 2020

     

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