Lining up the opportunities NE W AF F I LI ATE FIDI Focus meets Josh Morales, President of International Van Lines, and learns about the prospects for quality movers in the US market and beyond J osh Morales, President at Florida-based International Van Lines, says working like a small company despite employing more than 200 people across the country is a key part of the firms success. Were very agile, meaning we can get things done quickly, he says, and we work with our clients personally to ensure the job gets done right. We dont consider ourselves just a moving company. Were an international logistics company and can get complicated moves done, he adds. The business is also a Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) that has contracts with ocean carriers, so, in addition to using us for origin and destination work, well also handle the ocean freight portion of the move, says Morales, saving a client hundreds of dollars. A competitive market While a Department of Transportation (DOT) licence for carrying out domestic moves in the US is relatively easy to come by, achieving the more stringent requirements of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), which regulates ocean freight, is more challenging, says Morales. Compared with domestic work, this makes international moves more of a niche market. Over the past 10 years, weve seen more and more moving companies claim that they offer international services, he says. However, very often these companies arent licensed or dont know the industry. Its therefore vital that firms spend time with their clients to explain the pitfalls of working with unlicensed operators. The good news, he says, is that the DOT and FMC have been cracking down on rogue movers. FAIM-accredited standard has been a long-term goal. I know from experience that FIDI agents are the best, and Ive always wanted to be part of what I consider the best group of movers in the world, he says. The process was intimidating at first, which it should be, but once I collected my thoughts and came up with a process, things got easier. I also sought help from other FIDI members who were instrumental in the process. I enjoyed the experience and learned a lot. Morales will be among the delegates taking advantage of the networking and learning opportunities at the FIDI Conference in Edinburgh in May, and plans to use FIDI marketing options, too. Our goal for the first year is to get warmed up and get our name out there as much as possible, he says. Its part of International Van Lines focus on building its partnerships with agents and networks around the world with the emphasis on quality rather than quantity. Were also expanding our domestic division by adding more trucks, new locations and converting pre-existing moving companies to International Van Lines, says Morales. Meanwhile, the company carries out charitable work for families in need. I am a foster parent and adopted two children through foster care, so we donate time and resources to helping families in the foster care process, says Morales. Were continuing to create awareness and providing whatever we need to, including free moves to families who are going through a difficult time. Josh Morales, President, International Van Lines Opportunities for growth Morales believes there is space in the market for another major US van line. There is room for more innovation and flexibility for agents to expand their business and keep more profits, allowing them to open new locations and expand, he says. For reasons including cost-of-living pressures, politics, natural disasters, and taxation, certain states of the country have seen a disproportionate amount of inward traffic, including Texas, Florida, Utah, and Arizona. More companies in the US are using technological solutions to help them with parts of their business, says Morales. Weve built a platform for virtual tours, which has worked well and saves time and money, he says. He also says building the companys credentials to a The team at International Van Lines 69 FF312 Dec_Feb 23 pp68-69 New aff.indd 69 05/12/2023 09:39