I N D U ST RY NEW S Armstrong acquires BBF NEWS IN BRIEF MOBILITAS OPENS IVORY COAST PREMISES Mobilitas, the parent company of AGS Worldwide Movers, has opened a new multi-purpose facility in the Ivory Coast. The new 18,000m2 office and warehouse complex is located in Yaou, with three depots for the groups main operations. Meanwhile, Mobilitas chairman Alain Taeb is running for election to the National Assembly in France. Taeb is standing as a candidate for French citizens who live outside France in Africa and the Middle East in the June elections. GROSPIRON CELEBRATES IN CANNES Grospiron International held a party at beachside La Petite Maison/Palm Beach for invited guests during its time in Cannes for the FIDI Conference. The company partied with its agents and partners, with dancing, local food, and good wine. FINACITY PROVIDES SANTA FE BACKING Finacity Corporation announced it has financed a 10 million receivables facility for Santa Fe Relocation. The facility - including sellers based in the United Kingdom, Belgium, and France is designed to provide additional financing for the growth of the company. ASYA WINS ONE-GROUP PACKING CUP A team from Turkish international moving company Asya International Movers has been awarded the One-Group Packing Cup in an event hosted by De Haan Relocation in the Netherlands. Packing teams from De Haan, Euromove, Keller Swiss Group and Robinsons were also judged on packing quality and speed. ENERGY PRICE OPEN LETTER PUBLISHED With the global increase in energy prices affecting businesses worldwide, FIDI Focus has published an open letter to explain the impact on the international moving sector. Affiliates are strongly encouraged to use this when communicating with their clients. You can download the letter and infographic on www.fidifocus.org or on FIDINET. 16 FF306 June-August 22 pp10-16 News.indd 16 Memphis-based moving and transport company Armstrong Relocation has bought transport brokerage business BBF Global Logistics. BBF will now trade as Armstrong Transportation Management. Todd Watson, Chief Executive Officer of Armstrong Relocation & Companies, said: As Armstrong is seeking to expand our supply chain solutions, we quickly recognised the synergies between the two companies, the cultural alignment and the complementary value BBF provides. Alexander and team have established an incredible foundation upon which we are eager to grow. Armstrong was founded in 1957 and now operates out of 31 US locations, with more than 400 drivers and 1,400 employees. It has more than three million square feet of warehouse space and provides residential and commercial relocation and storage, international freight forwarding, domestic transportation management, logistics and warehousing services. Armstrong Relocations has a FIDI Affiliated office in Atlanta. Packimpex acquires Professional Relo Packimpex has announced the purchase of Milan-based Professional Relo Srl in Milan, expanding its European reach to 15 offices in Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, and now Italy. All Professional Relo staff will join the Packimpex Group. According to the company, the deal forms part of a succession plan by Professional Relos previous owner and Managing Director, Maddalena Michieli, who died in April after long illness. Marco Caporossi, Director of Professional Relo, said: It was Maddalenas wish to find a partner who could ensure long-term stability for customers, employees and business partners when she would no longer be with us. She was very happy that with Packimpex we have found the ideal partner, one who will ensure this continuity and who shares our values. Packimpex CEO Damian Aebischer said: We feel honoured and humbled that Maddalena entrusted us with the succession of her company and are committed to developing it in her spirit. We are convinced that our pan-European setup allows for competitive and innovative service offerings, while maintaining the personal, local touch that makes such a difference to the overall customer experience. SBK opens new warehouse and office SBK Moving has opened doors at its new warehouse and office facilities, located just south of Stockholm. The company said the development would help it expand its service provision and keep up with demand. Christoffer Westin, company CEO, said: With 4000m2 warehouse space and 11m ceiling height, the new warehouse is twice the size of the previous one allowing us to handle six containers at the same time. Not only does this make the goods handling more efficient, but also allows us to open our own customs-bonded warehouse. Adding 350m2 office space, EV charging stations and additional warehouse of 1000m2 close by, we now feel we are ready for peak season and continuous success. WWW. F I D I FOC U S . OR G 07/06/2022 14:56