F E ATU RE NEW AFFILIATE JOINS FROM THE SUNFLOWER STATE After 110 years establishing its brand, Fry-Wagner Relocation & Logistics has joined the elite in moving by becoming a FIDI Affiliate. Company President Larry Fry gives us a flavour of operations in Kansas City LARRY FRY, PRESIDENT, FRY-WAGNER FF: What are the key characteristics of your local market? LF: The Kansas City Metroplex stretches across the Kansas and Missouri state line, leading to healthy competition for new investments as US companies seek fresh locations to establish roots, or add home-office support locations. We are ideally situated in the middle of the United States, access to the east- and west-coast time zones and airports is optimal. A city of more than two million residents, Kansas City suburb Overland Park was voted the Best place to raise a family in the United States in 2018, taking into consideration essential family dynamics, cost of housing, quality of local school and health-care systems, and opportunities for fun and recreation. FF: How has the countrys moving industry evolved over the past decade? LF: As the moving industry emerges from the economic depression, it finds itself dealing with smaller and fewer shipments not exactly a recipe for prolonged sustainability. But, as the dust settles, we find ourselves evaluating how we have historically done business and contrasting that against the new needs of younger and more agile consumers who are driving technology investments to meet the thirst for instant information and fulfillment demands. As the moving industry emerges from the economic depression, we nd ourselves evaluating how we have historically done business and contrasting that against the new needs of younger and more agile consumers WW W. F I D I. O R G FF290 pp72-73 New Affiliate Fry-Wagner.indd 73 FF: Where do you see your biggest opportunities for growth? LF: Our focus is on investments in domestic-use containers for small shipments. Fortunately, our crews and dispatchers embraced international packing standards years ago, so the migration to smaller shipments has been a relatively easy transition. FF: What would you say are your main strengths as an organisation? LF: Having been in business for 110 years, our leadership has faced the best and worst of times, and continues to offer quality service throughout. Our significant investments in infrastructure, technology platforms and moving equipment have allowed us to diversify our offerings into: project management for logistics; warehousing and distribution; commercial office relocation; and nationwide and global furniture, fixtures and equipment programmes. FF: Why did you decide to join FIDI? LF: Fry-Wagner was established in 1908 and being recognised by this elite group is part of a long-term strategic plan to position the company for its second century of serving the needs of private individuals and corporations moving through life. FF: How did you find the FAIM compliance process? LF: While we were pleased to learn that many of our processes were already in place, we benefited from organising our processes and expanding our internal and external communications protocols. Ensuring that all our client-facing staff had undergone data privacy, anti-bribery and corruption training took time, but our corporate clients will benefit from our investments in completing it. FF: Has anything surprised you about FIDI since becoming an Affiliate? LF: How quickly word spread that we had successfully received FAIM certification and the wave of congratulations from all corners of the world. FF: Finally, what does the future hold for your firm? LF: Fry-Wagner is actively involved in transforming our relationships with our clients. We have a large number of return customers and referrals from past clients. Our goal is to keep this trend going. As we learn, so too will our clients. FRY-WAGNER IN SNAPSHOT 1908 Mandel Fry starts the business by moving furniture with a horse and wagon 1981 Facilities in Kansas City open TODAY 1993 Missouri offices open Fry-Wagner is a fourthgeneration family owned and operated elite relocation and logistics company, with a commitment to serving the needs of private individuals and corporations moving through life 73 13/03/2019 12:33