Inside Out 2019 Issue 10 (English)

GOSSELIN MAGAZINE

July 2019

issue 10

HR with a smile Having fun at work

Growing at Gosselin Opportunities there for the taking

Love in times of Brexit The moving team in the UK

FOREWORD

Dear Colleague,

Anyone working at the site in Antwerp who looks out the window will have concluded from all the activity outside that the busy summer season has begun. I would like to give a big thumbs-up to all the people working long hours during these busy months.

Your efforts and enthusiasm are greatly appreciated!

At the same time, the entire company is on the move like never before. The logistics division is now led by a team that is ensuring a wind of change, and putting the focus on the clients is the message they are conveying. To achieve this, we are working on our internal structure and methods. A few teams have been moved and consolidated which facilitates better integration and communication.

CREDITS

Volume 4 - issue 10 - 2019

Change is also a key word in the moving division. The challenges we are

Inside Out is a magazine for all Gosselin employees and appears three times a year.

facing are being felt throughout the entire sector. The major moving

Layout Micha Verbruggen Project management Dirk Van der Borght Editorial board Ann de Schutter Stephan Geurts Sr. Maarten Marijnissen Sven Van Dyck Anne Van Gils Marc Smet Dirk Vanhoutteghem

contracts are putting a great deal of pressure on service providers like Gosselin, leaving less margin. We are currently brainstorming on ways to improve profitability in the future.

These processes of change naturally come with a new mindset. Rest assured our future vision is on the right track, and the infrastructure is there to ensure the plans succeed. Let’s make it happen, together.

Happy reading!

Photography Stefaan Van Hul Jeff Gilbert Translations Allison Klein (ABK Translations) Printed on recycled paper

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Marc Smet

Working @ Gosselin

MARITIME BLOOD Interview with Koen Stuer Koen is the operations supervisor for subsidiary Pasec Port at the port of Antwerp. He was born and raised with a passion for the maritime world.

As a recent graduate with a degree in financial sciences, Koen started his career at a bank. “I stuck it out for seven months, but it drove me crazy, so I left,” he says with a burst of laughter.

“I was still so drawn to the maritime world. My grandfather had been the captain of the Grote Gust, a famous floating crane at the port of Antwerp.

My mother worked at Compagnie Maritime Belge, one of the oldest and largest shipping companies in Antwerp. Blood is thicker than water, and after my adventure in banking, I found a job as a cargo inspector at Hessenatie.”

“After this, I started at Pasec Port in 2003.” (Pasec Port is a subsidiary of Gosselin that handles lashing and securing of cargo on ships; see InsideOut no. 4.) “I started out as an inspector, boarding ships to speak with ship’s command and all the other parties about how we could successfully complete the work. This type of work often didn’t get done until a few hours later which added a suspenseful aspect to my job.”

“I have been an operations supervisor for around six years now. It’s a dispatching position that involves bringing together the right personnel to secure cargo. Pasec Port works both with its own personnel and day laborers. It’s a multifaceted job that offers plenty of variation. I also do the payroll for example.”

“Fortunately, I get a lot of support from my colleagues. The atmosphere at Pasec Port is great. We’re a small team, so everyone can lean on everyone else. Our communication is open and direct which is typical for a port company. Sometimes this can come across as being a little harsh, but it also makes a lot of things simpler because you immediately know where you stand with one another.”

My love of the sea Even when he’s not working, Koen can’t abandon his love of the sea. “I invariably spend vacations with my wife on our sailboat in Zeeland, the island province of the Netherlands. A sailing trip can easily last seven hours, and we still wax lyrically about it, even after all these years. Our oldest son sails too.

We’ve passed the bug on!”

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Human resources

GROWING AT GOSSELIN Opportunities there for the taking “When the logistics division was restructured, a few new jobs were created as a result,” Ann de Schutter, director of Human Resources, tells us. “We began by looking at existing employees to fill these new positions. This is one way we continue to invest in our own people, and safeguard the future of the company.”

Giovanni Geladi Giovanni Geladi is responsible for customer service 3PL in the logistics division. He started at Gosselin in 2013 as a file manager, with only a high school diploma under his belt. “I just wasn’t interested in continuing my studies,” Giovanni says, laughing. “I didn’t discover and develop my strengths until I started working. Gosselin has always supported me on this voyage of discovery.”

“As a file manager, I showed an interest in how the company works on a larger scale, and after a while, I was assigned new responsibilities. This included the addition of duties such as pricing and customer follow-up. I got positive reactions from those around me and also felt like I was growing in my position.”

“At the request of Marc Eennaes and René Beckers, I recently started in a new position, responsible for customer service 3PL or third party logistics.

In this position, I am the team leader for around five colleagues. It’s definitely a challenge to manage a group of people. First of all, there are so many different personalities involved.

Secondly, the logistics division is undergoing major changes right now.”

From left to right: Giovanni Geladi, Jan Hooyberghs and Maxime Jonckheere.

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Jan Hooyberghs Jan Hooyberghs started as an operational supervisor in April of last year.

“Every warehouse is managed by two supervisors,” Jan explains. “They coordinate the daily activities and make sure there are enough employees and materials.”

“When the logistics division was restructured, Marc Eennaes became operational director, and the search was on for a new overarching role for all of the supervisors in the warehouses.

I became one of them!”

“I took the initiative to let them know I wanted to take this step. When Marc Eennaes approached me about it, I seized the opportunity with both hands. He’s giving me the time I need to learn the ropes. It’s a pretty big change and I have to work hard to handle the new responsibilities. This isn’t always easy, but I enjoy it and it feels right. I have worked for a few different companies and Gosselin is head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to encouraging young talent.”

Maxime Jonckheere Maxime Jonckheere has known about Gosselin since he was 16. “I worked here every vacation when I was a student,” he says.

“When I was 21, René Beckers offered me a permanent contract. I was studying marketing at the time, and decided not to finish my program. I wanted to start earning money and the prospect of an office job didn’t really appeal to me.”

“I started out in the warehouse, got promoted to warehouse manager, and now I’ve been a junior operations supervisor for around six months now.

The position was open, and during a performance review I mentioned that I was ready to take a new step in my career. I took a few tests for human resources and the results were positive.”

“I can show a lot of initiative and have the freedom to express good ideas in this new position, and it also better utilizes my capacities. I manage a group of around 20 employees, and their responses to my promotion are positive for the most part. They admire how I’ve worked my way up. Considering that I was one of them at one point, they know who they’re dealing with!”

“What I really like about these three testimonials is it shows we don’t overestimate the value of credentials. Degrees and so on often only tell part of the truth. Who you are, your intellectual capacity, skills and areas of interest are at least as important. Of course, this applies to more than just these three people; there are also other employees just ready and raring to grow.”

“Let people know that you want to take the next step in your position, and talk about it with your team leader. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for positions opening up; we update them regularly on our website and on the intranet.

Your application will be included with the external applications. You won’t be given priority over the others, but your knowledge of Gosselin does give you a certain headstart.”

“I would really love it if there were more internal responses to our openings, but I don’t want to force it. Not everyone is interested in taking on new responsibilities. The most important thing is that you’re happy in your job.

I would like to encourage everyone to use the training tool more often. It can help you better develop your skills, something we think is really important at Gosselin.”

Ann De Schutter Director human resources

You can find all of the Gosselin job openings on www.gosselingroup.eu/jobs and on the intranet.

The training tool is available on the Myworkandme platform.

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Human resources

HR WITH A The importance of having fun at work It’s no secret that a good group laugh can boost team spirit. Sophie Noë of Human Resources knows this all too well. Together with a handful of colleagues, she is launching a few initiatives in Belgium that contribute to the good feeling that prevails on the work floor.

Sophie Noë shouldn’t be an unfamiliar name for recently recruited colleagues in Belgium. After all, she has been responsible for recruitment and selection of new employees since October 2015. Prior to that, she worked as an HR consultant for various companies.

“Generally speaking, human resources consists of two parts,” Sophie explains.

“On the one hand, you have payroll administration and everything that involves. On the other, you have what is known as the ‘soft side’ of the job: recruitment, training, introduction, replacing colleagues and various HR

projects. This second side is where my focus lies.”

Attention for ourselves “As a service organization, we are constantly mindful of the welfare and satisfaction of our clients,” Sophie continues. “I felt that it was time to pay more attention to the employees themselves.

When we feel good, our work progresses a lot faster and we are also better equipped to handle setbacks. This is why I gathered a few colleagues together to think about initiatives we could launch to promote this good feeling.”

Enjoying lunch in the sun

“Last summer, employees would sit on camping chairs during the lunch break to eat their lunch at the roof parking area on top of the main building on the Belcrownlaan. We agreed there had to be a more comfortable way to do this, so we had garden furniture installed.

It was a small but successful gesture on behalf of the company, but when the sun is shining, people are eager to use it!”

Esther Breugelmans, Maarten Marijnissen, Sophie Noë and Kirsten Fasoel make up the team coming up with and implementing these initiatives.

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Human resources

An apple a day keeps the doctor away There is an element of truth to this well-known saying since apples are one big bundle of goodness.

Apples satisfy hunger and are low in calories.

They’re the ideal snack for everyone trying to keep their weight under control.

Apples can boost memory and help fight the development of dementia.

Apples are rich in pectin, a fiber that helps keep cholesterol in check.

Apples contain vitamin C. Apples just taste really great.

Fruit gives you energy “Every month, fresh fruit baskets are laid out in every division. These fruit baskets are beautiful and healthy, and health is obviously important to the company,” according to Sophie. “It’s an initiative that has already borne fruit at the other companies, and the initial responses at Gosselin are positive.”

E.H.B.

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(first-aid kit) Eerste Hulp Bij Gosselin

“The special Gosselin first-aid kit is a playful pillbox filled with candy. Things really heat up here in the summer with all the activity going on here, particularly in the moving division.

Everyone is always more tense than normal. This box of candy is our way of boosting morale, and encouraging everyone to keep going even on days when this is a pretty tall order. It’s an initiative with a smile; see it as a pickme-up!”

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Human resources

What does being positive mean to you?

Esther: Working with others to achieve a common goal.

Kirsten: Working with enthusiastic colleagues you can count on.

Maarten: Seeing solutions instead of problems.

What makes you laugh?

Esther: Having fun with colleagues.

Kirsten: I love it when a plan comes together.

Maarten: Cat videos and corny jokes.

The cornier, the better!

What’s your favorite fruit?

What’s your secret for getting through a rough day?

Esther: A good venting session.

Kirsten: A sympathetic ear.

Maarten: Some good music and a nice cup of tea to decompress.

What motivates you at work?

Esther: A great job description with tasks I learn and derive satisfaction from.

Kirsten: New responsibilities and sharing great times with colleagues.

Maarten: A pat on the back, colleagues who make you laugh, fun projects.

Esther: Cherries and raspberries.

Kirsten: Yellow kiwis.

Maarten: Pineapples and strawberries.

And your favorite candy?

Esther: Aardbeistaafjes (sour strawberry taffy) Kirsten: The blue sharks in the Gosselin first-aid kit.

Maarten: Anything with a sour flavor.

What doesn’t motivate you?

Esther: Uncertainty and the feeling I’m not being treated fairly.

Kirsten: Negative vibes.

Maarten: I’m always motivated, unless I haven’t had a good night’s sleep!

Contribute to the great Gosselin feeling Do you have a feasible idea that will contribute to more positivity on the work floor? Send an email to sophien@gosselingroup.eu

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Team in the spotlight

LOVE IN TIMES OF The moving team in the United Kingdom The merger of Gosselin and DT Moving, with offices in Paris and London, was completed in 2017. High time to meet the colleagues in the United Kingdom. We take a peek behind the scenes - over a cup of tea of course - and meet a moving team that combines years of expertise with current trends. Welcome to Britain.

The moving company in the United Kingdom traces its origins back to the Davies Turner family business, which was formed in the 19th century to move the Victorian adventurers of the day.

Over the years, the company placed an increasing emphasis on logistics and sold the removals division to the current CEO, Nick Kerr.

Expertise in every aspect Our colleagues in the United Kingdom can handle every international move, from start to finish. They have their own movers, warehouses, sales and marketing division, and of course a team of move managers who successfully complete every order.

“I started out as a 17-year-old kid in the art and antiques division of the company,” operations manager Steve Wakley tells us. “I learned the profession through packing art and antiques. And believe me, if you are good at packing these valuable items, you are also more than capable of packing up personal belongings!” In 1986, Steve became the team leader of a moving team at the age of 21, and in 2013, 27 years later, he was promoted to field m a n a g e r.

From left to right: Steve Wakley, Tim Daniells, Julie Davis and Tony Hutchison.

“We actually get a lot of compliments on how we pack goods. I always kept an eye on things, and even though I was wearing a suit then, I always had my old work clothes with me in case I need to jump into the fray and lend a hand. In 2018 I was promoted to operations manager which is testing me once again, but still keep my work clothes handy, ready to jump into my old role when needed.”

Part of the Gosselin family When we called move

manager Julie Davis, she had just gotten off the phone with her colleague Ivana from Croatia. “Before we became part of the Gosselin family, we worked with agents for international moves. These days, I have colleagues I can work with for intra-European moves. It makes a huge difference. If we want to book interesting clients, we go after them together, and this works well.”

Operations director Tony Hutchison also agrees about the positive results the merger has had. “We have managed to attract a new group of clients.

Large companies employing lots of expats actively seek us out and want to meet with us. Now that we have our own offices throughout Europe, we have a convincing argument for why they should do business with us.”

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The impact of Brexit “In spite of this new, attractive position in the market, we are really feeling the impact of Brexit,” sales director Tim Daniells adds. “Many multinationals are postponing strategic decisions until there is certainty about Brexit.

You can imagine the consequences of this. Lots of companies have adopted a wait-and-see attitude and the mobility of their expats is decreasing. Once Brexit is behind us, the market is sure to pick back up again.”

A homey feeling One thing that stands out is that so many employees in the United Kingdom have been working for the company for decades. It might seem a bit strange in today’s world where job hopping has become the norm. We want to know the secret behind this unique recipe. What is the glue keeping everyone together?

“As is the case with the best families, there are days that we don’t agree,” says Steve. “By the end of the day, we always manage to patch things up again. Nick Kerr places a huge emphasis on the human aspects of doing business. That’s the only explanation I can come up with (laughs).”

“A family atmosphere dominates in this company,” Tony says. “The people who start here usually end up staying.

Nick is a great guy to work for. His contribution is a crucial ingredient in the recipe.”

The moving team in figures Number of employees: 35 Surface area of warehouses: 2.800 m² Number of files on an annual basis: 2.000

Team in the spotlight

Mini bios

Julie Davis Julie is a move manager, having started out in the company’s art and antiques division in 1979. “It was an incredibly fun time that I look back on with so much pleasure. The phone was our only means of communication at the time; sometimes I felt more like an art collector’s personal assistant than his mover.”

Steve Wakley Steve started out at DT Moving when he was only 17, after his parents pointed out a job vacancy for the company that had been around the corner from their home when they were growing up. He started out as a warehouse man and is now operations manager.

Tony Hutchison Fresh out of school, Tony started out in the logistics division of Davies Turner. He took a brief detour by going to work for a different moving company in London, but after a phone call with Nick Kerr, he returned to DT Moving.

Tim Daniells Tim originally wanted to become a sports journalist but ended up working as a marketer in magazine publishing. Two sales and marketing roles later, and after a round-the-world trip in 2008, he joined DT Moving. “It’s been a great journey ever since.”

Can you guess which hobby goes with which colleague?

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2.

3.

4.

I was training to become a tailor.

I can really cut loose at rock concerts.

Cricket is my passion.

I’m training for a half marathon.

Send your answers to uk@gosselin-moving.com

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Events

FRIENDS OF GOSSELIN Our colleagues in the moving division are in touch with the entire world every day. We organize the moves falling within the Gosselin footprint with our own colleagues. This is a different story however if we are moving clients all over the world. We call on our worldwide network of agents for these jobs.

The first edition of the Friends of Gosselin event brought these agents together in Antwerp on March 30, and was an unforgettable day. Agents from every corner of the world - by our count, some 40 nationalities were represented - were brought from Amsterdam to Antwerp for a VIP program. The sun thankfully also made an appearance, and after a lively visit to the Gosselin site in Deurne, next up was a boat tour around the Port of Antwerp. It was a unique opportunity to reinforce the relationships with our worldwide partners in a relaxed setting.

The photos from the first Friends of Gosselin event speak for themselves. Definitely an event worth repeating!

Events

GOSSELIN IN POLAND Our Polish colleagues Pawel Wasiak and Antoine Bourquet sponsored an event organized by the French school in Warsaw. They handed out balloons to expats’ children and promotional materials to their interested parents.

GOSSELIN IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC Our moving services for diplomats were given extra time in the spotlight this year. Gigi Bokeria presented an award at the Diplomatic Spouse Association Charity Awards in Prague.

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News

EXPANSION OF SELF-STORAGE IN DEURNE Major success leads to addition of 70 extra units In 2014, Gosselin expanded a self-storage facility at the former location of the Crown cork factory, affectionately known in the Antwerp area as the “stopkesfabriek”. Private individuals and businesses can rent storage units there ranging in size from 6 to 60 m2. A second addition will now follow an initial expansion completed in 2017.

“We started out here in 2014 with 200 storage units,” says Philip Corens, the person responsible for ensuring that all goes well with the Gosselin Self-storage facility on the Merksemsesteenweg. “All of the units were rented in the span of two years, so we expanded the facility by adding 50 extra spaces.

These also were rented pretty fast, so today we are opening another 70 units, bringing the total storage area to nearly 7,300 m2.”

“In the interim, we had also opened the Exclusive Car Storage facility with over 70 spacious, safe and covered parking spaces for exclusive vehicles. It was a logical expansion of our services.”

The secret of your success?

“Most clients rent the spaces for longer periods of time, others have been here since the very beginning,” Philip continues. “They really value the service offered and cleanliness of the building.

The building is heated to protect the goods from exposure to extreme variations in temperature. There are also cameras installed for security.”

“It’s hard to say exactly who the clients are. Many are collectors whose hobby grew to such large proportions at a certain point that their houses were too small to store everything.

Some clients are small traders who use the self-storage to warehouse their products.

For others, it’s the ideal solution for storing their document archives.”

Personal touch Two ladies walk in just as our interview is coming to an end. Philip offers them coffee. “Wow, that’s what I call service!

Do we get a slice of cake

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with that?” one of them jokes. There may not be any cake, but what they do get is advice from Philip on how to estimate the size of the unit they need. This is the type of personal touch that ensures that clients really feel at home here.

This article has been published previously on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Follow Gosselin on social media.

News

SUCCESSFUL COLLABORATION AT STORK SITE Transport and handling of wind turbine units The first transports of wind turbine units from the Stork site in the Port of Antwerp took place in June. Our client Lemants-Smulders builds the units on site, after which they’re put on a flatbed and driven to the wharf nearby.

From there, they are sent via pontoon to Hoboken for further assembly and processing. A total of 58 units will be transported.

Each unit is 12 meters high and weighs around 15 tons. Colleagues at Heavy were recruited to handle the transport on the flatbed, and Pasec Port’s people helped secure the cargo. All in all, a successful collaborative effort between different divisions!

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Magazine

From the editor “Inside Out started back in the spring of 2016. Today, we proudly present the tenth edition of our personnel magazine. How the time has flown! It is always a pleasure to produce the magazine and everyone we interview and photograph is happy to help. This really says something about our communication culture!"

issue 10

Do you have anything new to report or an idea for a topic?

Just let us know!

We can’t wait for the next ten issues!

Dirk Van Der Borght would love to hear your input and responses dirkvdb@gosselingroup.eu

Let us know what you think!

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