F E AT U RE The team at Planes Moving & Storage is a group of passionate, committed, innovative problem-solvers REACHING NEW HEIGHTS A resolute focus on company culture, diversification of services and now membership of FIDI give Cincinnati-based Planes Moving & Storage what it needs to navigate the changes ahead in the global relocation business. FIDI Focus speaks to Senior Vice President Brian Loud FF: What are the characteristics of your local market? Brian Loud (BL): The Cincinnati region has seen tremendous growth, as foreign corporations have found it more economical compared with other parts of the country, because of a lower cost of living and lower real estate costs. Cincinnati is centrally located in the US and within one days drive (600 miles) of two-thirds of the country, including New York, Washington DC, Atlanta, Kansas City and Chicago. BRIAN LOUD, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF GLOBAL SERVICES AT PLANES MOVING & STORAGE The biggest opportunities for growth lie in the international moving space and in continued diversication into logistics and specialised services FF: How has your countrys moving industry evolved over the past 10 years? BL: Significantly. The ongoing driver shortage in the US, the changing demographics of todays transferee, and the transformation of corporate mobility policies and programmes have all combined to prompt a re-examination of moving industry dogma. The transformation from relying on managing your own driver fleet and large over-the-road tractor trailers to outsourcing transportation and containerised moving has shifted capacity focus to human as much as equipment capacity. With the growth of containerised domestic moving, the demand for qualified, quality-focused crews is even greater. This scarce resource now creates an industry-wide challenge, prompting companies to create capacity for both service lines. FF: Where do you see the biggest opportunities for growth? BL: For Planes, the biggest opportunities for growth lie in the international moving space and in continued diversification into logistics and specialised services. With regards to international household goods moving, the traditional corporate contract business and/or RMC still provide a significant business opportunity; but, the focus on B2C (self-paid) international moves is growing significantly. In the areas of specialised logistics, commercial facilities management, and office moving, domestic and international opportunities enable us to leverage human, equipment, and technology resources to expand our reach. 92 FF293 OctNov19 pp92-93 New Affiliate 2.indd 92 FF: What is your companys business ethos? BL: Our culture drives every business decision we make. Our core values are centred on the ideas of team, trust, empowerment, accountability and meshing with teammates all over the globe. Our commitment to these values translates to a world-class experience for our partners and customers alike. FF: What are your main strengths as an organisation? BL: Beyond our nearly 100 years of experience, the Planes difference is really predicated on our people. We are a group of passionate, committed, innovative problemsolvers dedicated to our culture. We are proud of the global network of strong relationships with high-calibre overseas partners that weve cultivated over the years. FF: Why did you decide to join FIDI? BL: The decision to join FIDI was an easy one. When we made the strategic decision to grow our international business and focus on spreading our reputation for excellent service, there was no better organisation to align ourselves with than FIDI. It is widely understood among movers around the world that FIDI stands for strong procedures, partnerships, and trust among its members. FF: How did you find the FAIM process? BL: Going through FAIM was a great opportunity for Planes to re-evaluate all of its processes. The true collaborative spirit of our efforts reinforced the bonds that mesh us together, created opportunities for innovation and growth, and made us that much more confident in the level of service that we will deliver to all of our customers. FF: Are you looking forward to an active role in FIDI? BL: Absolutely we are eager to take full advantage of all of the benefits that FIDI extends to its members, especially the training opportunities offered through the FIDI Academy. Like FIDI, Planes prioritises professional development, and our team is eager to continue to grow and learn together. WWW. F I D I . OR G 18/09/2019 13:23