F E AT U R E A PARTNER WITH A RICH HISTORY No newcomer to FIDI, Gil Stauffer recently decided to obtain FAIM Accreditation at its Madrid office. Charo lvaro, Director of Communications and Marketing, gives us a flavour of the companys operations GIL STAUFFERS DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING CHARO LVARO Gil Stauffer Madrid has been in the international arena for more than 50 years, fetching from and carrying to the farthest reaches of theworld FF: Tell us about the history of your company CA: Gil Stauffer is a Spanish brand that started in 1905 with a small warehouse in the centre of Madrid. Today, with 114 years of experience, it is highly acclaimed in the field of removals, both nationally and internationally. In the 1950s, Gil Stauffer designed the only vehicle in Spain capable of transporting a single mass of 200 tonnes. It also pioneered the use of the Container Express Train (TECO) system, invented by RENFE (Spanish national railways) more than 70 years ago. Presently, the majority of freight movements within the Spanish peninsular are by this system, and Gil Stauffers Madrid office, like other non affiliated offices in the Group, are equipped with container lorries and lifts capable of handling containers. Gil Stauffer Madrid has been in the international arena for more than 50 years, fetching from and carrying to the farthest reaches of the world. In the domestic field, it is thelargest of Gil Stauffer branches in terms of turnover and volume. FF: What are some of the key characteristics of your local market? CA: There is a lot of competition and sometimes it is not easy to convince clients to pay a fair price for a quality moving service. FF: How has the countrys moving industry evolved over the past decade? CA: Ten years ago, we were immersed in a serious economic and real-estate crisis in Spain, and the moving market suffered its effects. But, little by little, we have overcome this crisis and now now have a clientbase Gil Stauffer containers ready for action including large corporate clients, multinationals, official organisations and private clients with high purchasing power. FF: Where do you see your biggest opportunities forgrowth? CA: Biddings both private companies and official institutions are fundamental to our growth. But, with international moves, mutual collaboration with quality agents in each country is essential to grow. FF: How would you describe your firms business ethos? CA: Gil Stauffer is an organisation concerned with social welfare, improvement of economic activity and progress, conservation of the environment and, in general, reflection on all those aspects that may imply the legacy of a better world for future generations. FF: What would you say are your main strengths as anorganisation? CA: Our history and the antiquity and reach of our brand which encompasses offices throughout Spain. Editors note: For now, only the legal entity in Madrid is Affiliated to FIDI. FF: Have there been any standout projects youve completed recently? CA: With a history as long as ours, it is difficult to choose specific projects but we recently moved the contents of the Hotel Ritz so it could be remodelled, storing the contents in our warehouse in Madrid. Another noteworthy fact is that, in 2018, we were awarded Best Company in the removals category at the La Razn awards. La Razon is one of the most important Spanish newspapers, and it created this particular prize to reward Spanish companies operating in the transport and logistics sector. FF: Why did you decide to join FIDI? CA: We believe FIDI is the most suitable organisation to certify the quality of removal companies. It is important to have this qualification, both for us and for our collaborating agents. FF: What does the future hold for your company? CA: Now we are 114 years old, we would like to think we will continue for at least as many more years, always growing and facing the future with positivity as we employ new generations of workers. 80 FF291JunJul19 pp80-81 New Affiliate 2.indd 80 WWW. F I D I . OR G 10/05/2019 16:54