Cartus Global Network Conference - Dallas, Texas

IAM Annual Convention - San Francisco

Moving is a stressful event for adults, and even more so for children. If children sort their own toys and clothes, and understand how the family’s goods are going to be transported, they will be distracted, relaxed and better prepared for their new home. The children will adapt more quickly, and our clients will be relieved to have one less thing to worry about.

In Shanghai, sailing as a recreational sport dates back to the 19th century. Until the breakout of war in the 1930's, regattas were regularly organized on the Huangpu by the Shanghai Yacht Club.

Today, the Shanghai Yacht Club, based in the Shanghai Water Sports Center ( SWSC )

on Dianshan Lake in Qingpu District, has grown from strength to strength, and continues to develop its activities and increase its membership. “Over the years, and through a successful co-operation with the SWSC, we have introduced many of our clients, newly arrived in Shanghai, to the thrill of sailing ,” adds Keith Ellis, Managing Director of AGS Four Winds China.

The Club currently boasts about eighty members, and a total fleet of more than twenty boats. Although races are always fiercely contested, the spirit it relaxed, and the atmosphere always friendly. AGS Four Winds, always keen to get involved in the expat communities in cities where it operates, is actively involved in the Club and

sponsors all the annual transportation for the Club.

The Summer Series, with predominantly light winds, is perfect for new competitors. Success requires good tactics and concentration. “We encourage all our members to enter the race, for it is the best way to improve one's sailing skills, and a lot of fun too!” reports Keith Ellis.

The final round of the Summer Series took place on 30 July 2006 on Dianshan Lake. The weather was perfect for sailing, and the lake was full of contenders. We are proud to announce that AGS Four Winds's very own Keith Ellis, who finished first in one race and third in the second, was the the winner of the series at the end of the day.

“Friends of Rwanda Rugby” is an ambitious plan developed internationally to finance rugby activities in this developing country, including the two national teams, in order to unite Rwandans behind their sports stars and to facilitate reconciliation after the horrendous events of the 1990's.

Generous sponsorships allowed Rwanda’s men’s team to take part in the Tusker Safari Sevens in Nairobi, Kenya, on the 17th and 18th of June, open to teams from East Africa. AGS Frasers supplied the men with shirts in Rwanda’s national colours, which they wore with pride.

The Rwandan national women’s team also wore these shirts at the CAR Womens Seven-a-Side in Kampala, Uganda, on the 24th and 25th of June. The ladies wore their national team colours as proudly as the men, and made it through to the semi-finals.

Once again, AGS Frasers showed its support for the countries we operate in. By sponsoring shirts for the national rugby teams, AGS Frasers helped to build relations between all supporters of Rwanda Rugby, and made a contribution to the development of sport in Rwanda.

Thanks to its outstanding results, Carthago will hold this, the most prestigious seal in the international moving industry, for four years instead of the usual two.
We asked Jean-Louis Vinot, Carthago’s manager, a few questions about the accreditation.

Jean-Louis, firstly congratulations to you and your team on your excellent score - 91%! What criteria did Carthago need to comply with to do so well?

Obtaining the FAIM seal is a long process, and requires teamwork from the entire company. Working closely with the AGS Quality Control Officer (QCO), I started by working to understand and become familiar with the FAIM quality framework.

The first audit is a remote audit done by Ernst & Young , to check that the branch confroms to FIDI’s requirements in terms of equipment, documentation, accounting, recruitment and work procedures. All internal and external documentation is checked, and over 150 files need to be completed.

 The QCO next performs a drill or “blank audit”, playing the role of the auditor to prepare us for the final examination, and to identify places where we can improve to be totally in line with the framework.

(management review, monitoring indicators, striving for constant improvement).

How does the FAIM accreditation impact on business processes?

FAIM accreditation improves every aspect of a branch’s operational procedures. The organisational and technical systems perform better, files are easier to find and follow up, and services rendered improve because mistakes are analysed and the system is constantly corrected to try and eliminate all faults. The whole team is completely committed. Reaction times to quote requests have become faster, which has resulted in a better conversion-to-sales.

What value does the FAIM accreditation afford clients?

Confidence. FAIM accreditation guarantees the branch’s reliability. It means clients can be sure of fast responses, precise answers to their queries, and the knowledge that they are working with a recognised and professional company.

What quality objectives do you have to take Cathargo Moving and Storage into the future?

We want to improve all our quality indicators, reduce our claims ratio and improve our client satisfaction ratio. Pursuing this goal will be a real challenge with a real reward on a daily basis. Quality Control is a vital task and a vital help to the manager of any company.

It is an occasion for the parents to come and discover the school, meet the teachers and see the environment of their children. For the kids (from kindergarten to primary school), it is a special day to play and meet new friends. AGS Four Winds International Movers Ltd has a strong partnership with the French school.

Many of the school’s teachers and parents used our services when they moved to Hong Kong, and they naturally recommend AGS Four Winds to new arrivals.

This year, AGS Four Winds was invited to be part of the open day, which was held on June 10, 2006. The AGS Four Winds stand was manned by our French salesperson, Nathalie Gruez, who had great fun meeting the community, chatting and giving practical tips, and handing out balloons and gifts to the children.