Author Archives: DN Van Lines

DN Van Lines, a Northborough, MA based moving services company charts their way through challenging decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic

NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. /ScoopCloud/ -- As a medium sized services business, DN Van Lines learned the hard way about "Staying the course," an idiomatic expression that means to persevere to the end, no matter what difficulties or obstacles stand in the way. Wikipedia attributes the popularization and modern usage of the phrase to former United States Presidents including Ronald Reagan who all used the phrase as a rallying slogan at various points during their terms in office.

Business leaders are charged with the responsibility to constantly monitor the changing business environment and chart the course with corrections necessary to keep their organizations stable and growing. This requires evaluating the business landscape to understand the changes currently taking place and assessing how these changes affect business conditions in the present and going forward.

Never has there been a more challenging period than now as businesses throughout the country and the world are confronted with the difficult and critical shifts brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Never has the expression "stay the course" taken on a more significant meaning to owners and leaders of mid-sized businesses who have decided to stay put and brave the odds.

DN Van Lines is an example of a mid-sized business that did just that: stay the course. 2020 saw DN Van Lines, a company that provides moving and storage services to consumer, corporate and government clients, faced with enormous challenges, one after the other. Military moves which are an important part of its business mix simply stopped when the Department of Defense issued stop movement orders that effectively halted the normal Permanent Change of Station movement of service members domestically and abroad. Corporate clients also halted transfer of their staff. Even in the private consumer move market the overwhelming effect was great confusion and uncertainty as customers struggled to interpret conflicting guidance from governmental agencies.

Oded Carmi, President of DN Van Lines, saw companies around him react with layoffs, furloughs, salary reductions, and other cost-cutting measures as well as a general cancellation of planned business investments. As a business owner who understands that his staff's livelihood rests on their employment at DN Van Lines, Mr. Carmi did not see lay-offs or salary reductions as options. What he did instead was look for other possibilities, but not before deciding firmly that staying the course would be the main strategy.

It's a lesson that Mr. Carmi learned the hard way in his experience of the 2008 recession. Mr. Carmi, along with many investors, panicked and exited the market at its lowest point as more experienced investors held out. While the ensuing market gyrations tested the resolve of even the savviest investor, the decision of those who stayed the course paid off as the market not only returned but went on to set new record highs.

"When I recollect about the recession, I get reminded of one of George Bush's memorable gaffes, 'There's an old saying in Tennessee - I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee - that says, fool me once, shame on - shame on you. Fool me - you can't get fooled again.' Seriously though, it's impossible to botch the meaning of that classic aphorism. No way was I going to be fooled again a second time. In fact, I have never been more determined to keep going than during this pandemic," Mr. Carmi quipped.

In the most challenging business environment, it has ever found itself in, DN Van Lines chose to stand with its people and protect their employment status. It chose to believe in its staff's capability to adapt to the COVID-19-dictated new normal. It chose to hang on to the faith that even during a pandemic, there was opportunity to be found. And that when the end of the pandemic finally comes, DN Van Lines, armed with dedicated professional staff, will be ready for the expected surge in consumer demand.

"I put my faith in the talented people of my organization to find ways to survive and maybe even thrive. Instead of closing down our offices and going home, we rolled up our sleeves and went to work. We found opportunity to pick up business from other industry competitors that had shuttered their doors or reduced their operating capacity. We formed new relationships with business partners that had an increased demand for our services due to the pandemic such as educational institutions and hospitals," Mr. Carmi said.

How is DN Van Lines faring now, you might ask.

The answer is: not bad at all. Almost a year into the pandemic, recent developments with COVID-19 vaccines indicate that a market resurgence may take place soon. Meanwhile, consumer demand for local and long-distance moving services in the last 10 months has exceeded expectations. In late June of 2020, the Department of Defense lifted its stop movement order. Most importantly the organization has adapted and shifted its focus to serving new market sectors more than making up for shortfalls in other business lines for DN Van Lines.

"It's been an arduous challenge but with our loyal staff who adapted, displayed great patience and kept their sense of humor, we managed not only to stay afloat but do better in other aspects of the business," Mr. Carmi proudly shares. "Moving is hard enough given the regular challenges that we face but add the social distancing, hygienic protocols and even something seemingly simple like using face coverings, it just became so much harder. What this experience has given me is a new level of respect and admiration for our front-line moving staff."

Sir Richard Branson said, "Take care of your employees and they'll take care of your business."

As First Vice President of the Massachusetts Movers Association, Mr. Carmi recently wrote an appeal to the State's governor asking for consideration to have moving staff deemed as essential workers and prioritize them for COVID-19 vaccinations. "The nature of our work requires us to be in close contact daily with customers in homes, businesses and medical facilities. Our work is essential, and I believe the governor will give our request serious consideration."

Mr. Carmi need not look far for affirmation that he made the right decision. 2021 has started off with continued strong demand for moving. Staying the course, a lesson learned the hard way, proved to be the right decision.

More Information: https://dnvanlines.com/

IMAGE LINKS FOR MEDIA:

Truck Masked Crew: https://myprnow.com/DN/Graphics/truckmasked.jpg

Oded Carmi: https://myprnow.com/DN/Graphics/Main%20Headshot%201.jpg

As a medium sized services business, DN Van Lines learned the hard way about "Staying the course," an idiomatic expression that means to persevere to the end, no matter what difficulties or obstacles stand in the way.

Related link: https://dnvanlines.com/

Janet Turner Powers New Expansion of Corporate and International Markets for DN Van Lines

NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. /ScoopCloud/ -- Industry veteran and a successful entrepreneur in her own right, Janet Turner joins DN Van Lines (headquartered in Northborough, Massachusetts), as Director of Corporate Relocation. Ms. Turner brings with her over 40 years of combined experience in international and domestic moving and transportation services.

Ms. Turner founded WISEnterprises NJ in 1992. A freight forwarding company that provided moving and relocation-related services to corporate clients and industry partners worldwide, WISEnterprises succeeded for decades under Ms. Turner's leadership. In 2014, Ms. Turner merged her business with Accelerated Forwarders, a global moving services provider in Ft. Wayne Indiana where she worked on the development of an innovative domestic small shipment program for the growing market trend toward flexible corporate relocation benefit programs, among other projects.

Oded Carmi, President of DN Van Lines, in welcoming Ms. Turner to the team, stressed his enthusiasm about how the timing could not have been more ideal and the fit, more perfect: "It's a perfect fit at a most opportune time. Since DN Van Lines' formation in 2006, our story has always been one of growth built on the relentless pursuit of service excellence. Janet's portfolio of experience and relationships dovetails perfectly with little overlap into our existing business. In fact, it effectively leverages the strength of our foundation and the DN Van Lines brand into the corporate relocation market. That foundation stands strong to this day on the skills, experience and passion of our people. Janet's passion for personal service is a welcome infusion."

A lot of companies in the moving and relocation industry has been seriously impacted by the pandemic and resultant business environment in 2020. The silver lining is that the impact has also accelerated a number of changes which present unique opportunities.

Ms. Turner, with her vast industry experience, is quite attuned and perceptive to the market: "Small shipments often get overlooked but there is a growing need developing from changes in moving consumer preferences as well as corporate client requirements. Corporations are offering their relocating transferees flexible options including lump sum allowances. Not every move involves 2 or 3 bedrooms of furniture and fixtures so the flexibility of our small shipment program will meet this growing demand."

Another unique opportunity for DN Van Lines is the fact that corporate relocation is not limited to just domestic movement. Under Ms. Turner's direction, DN Van Lines can now also offer international services to their corporate clients.

Mr. Carmi is confident of the perfect fit: "We've always had a global mindset and have never shied away from international opportunities. Janet's experience and relationships come at exactly the right time. With the international travel lockdowns associated with the current pandemic may make this move sound counter intuitive, both Ms. Turner and I recognize a vacuum in services tailored to overseas industry partners. Our overseas colleagues rely on us as service partners here in the US to deliver on the service promises they make to their clients. I believe our assets, physical locations and staffing are uniquely qualified to fill that void."

To learn more about DN Van Lines visit: https://dnvanlines.com

To learn more about International Association of Movers visit: https://iamovers.org

About DN Van Lines:

DN Van Lines, based in Northborough, Massachusetts and Jacksonville, Florida is a US Domestic Asset Based Mover, one of over 25 million entrepreneurial small businesses that invest in, provide employment and power America. DN Van Lines provides worldwide moving, relocation and logistics services to private consumers, government, and corporate transferees. It is especially proud of its close working relationship with US Transportation Management Command in a common mission to provide strategic moving services to uniformed military service members and their families.

MULTIMEDIA:

DN Van Lines Logo: https://myprnow.com/DN/Graphics/logo2.jpg

Oded Carmi - Head Shot Photo: https://myprnow.com/DN/Graphics/headshot4.jpg

Janet Turner - Head Shot Photo: https://myprnow.com/DN/Graphics/Janet_Turner-13.jpeg

Industry veteran and a successful entrepreneur in her own right, Janet Turner joins DN Van Lines, as Director of Corporate Relocation. Ms. Turner brings with her over 40 years of combined experience in international and domestic moving and transportation services.

Related link: https://dnvanlines.com/

Oded Carmi Elected to Executive Committee of International Association of Movers

NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. /ScoopCloud/ -- At the recent 58th Annual International Association of Movers' (IAM) Meeting, Mr. Oded Carmi, President of DN Van Lines, was voted into the IAM Executive Committee as a Governing Member-at Large for a one-year term. The IAM Executive Committee is the governing body of the International Association of Movers.

The International Association of Movers is the moving and forwarding industry's largest global trade association representing over 2000 member companies that provide moving, forwarding, shipping, logistics and related services in over 170 countries.

Each of the four Governing Members-at-Large serves as Chair of a Standing Committee. Oded has been appointed the Chair IAM's Claims Committee as well as serving as the Co-Chair of IAM's Domestic Asset Based Committee (US-DAB).

In addition to his IAM Executive Committee duties and functions as Member-at-large, Mr. Carmi also serves on the Executive Committee of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) Moving & Storage Conference and is 1st Vice President of the Massachusetts Movers Association.

Of his dedicated commitment to the industry, quite evident in his involvement with IAM, Mr. Carmi shares: "The International Association of Movers addresses specific needs of an industry made up primarily of small to medium-sized businesses domestically and abroad. In the United Stated the industry provides over $10 billion of direct wage employment to Americans."

He adds, "I owe a great deal to the industry associations like IAM that have paved the way for the successful business that DN Van Lines has become. Not only does it make sense to give back to the industry, but it also provides me with a way to contribute to guiding IAM in their mission of service to their members."

His new role at the IAM comes at a time when US asset-based movers have been getting renewed focus and attention. Being an asset-based mover himself, he understands the challenges and struggles of the group: "As asset-based movers, we invest in trucks, warehouses, equipment but most importantly in people. Like most businesses, we are faced with regulatory and environmental challenges which are accelerating change at an exponential pace. We can try to go at it alone, but it makes much better sense to collaborate to solve common issues and develop shared resources through an association like IAM."

Some 99% of all businesses in the U.S. are considered small businesses, according to Small Business Trends Magazine. Representing the needs of these small businesses is at the heart of Mr. Carmi's goals.

To learn more about DN Van Lines visit: https://dnvanlines.com

To learn more about International Association of Movers visit: https://iamovers.org

About DN Van Lines:

DN Van Lines, based in Northborough, Massachusetts and Jacksonville, Florida is a U.S. Domestic Asset Based Mover, one of over 25 million entrepreneurial small businesses that invest in, provide employment and power America. DN Van Lines provides worldwide moving, relocation and logistics services to private consumers, government, and corporate transferees. It is especially proud of its close working relationship with US Transportation Management Command in a common mission to provide strategic moving services to uniformed military service members and their families.

MULTIMEDIA:

DN Van Lines Logo: https://myprnow.com/DN/Graphics/logo2.jpg

Oded Carmi: Head Shot Photo: https://myprnow.com/DN/Graphics/headshot4.jpg

At the recent 58th Annual International Association of Movers' (IAM) Meeting, Mr. Oded Carmi, President of DN Van Lines, was voted into the IAM Executive Committee as a Governing Member-at Large for a one-year term. The IAM Executive Committee is the governing body of the International Association of Movers.

Related link: https://dnvanlines.com/