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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 19, 2004
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CONTACT: Marketing Department
703-569-2121 x351
marketing@invan.com
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(Springfield, VA) Interstate International, the international affiliate of Interstate Worldwide Relocation, joins a select number of international moving companies around the world with its recent award of the coveted FAIM-ISO certification (International Federation of International Removers). FAIM is the only intercontinental quality system that exists for international moving companies and is rapidly becoming the quality standard demanded by multi-national companies. FAIM-ISO is only awarded to those FAIM-certified organizations who also have achieved ISO certification. Only nine organizations in the U.S. have achieved the FAIM-ISO standard.
Interstate's certification as FAIM-ISO came after a grueling company audit undertaken by world-renowned management accountants Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, acting on behalf of FIDI, a Belgian-based organization representing over 600 overseas moving companies around the world. The FAIM certification audit covers every aspect of an international moving company's activities in detail including: finance, management, operations, and customer service. The FAIM-ISO standard covers over 500 operational points.
"It's not just a question of getting the paperwork right, either," says Bob Matthews, Vice President of Interstate International. "Cap Gemini Ernst & Young interviewed staff at random, quizzing them on their knowledge of the industry and operational procedures. No one escaped - they talked to packers, drivers and office staff." Matthews serves on the Board of Directors of the U.S.A. section of FIDI.
The overseas moving industry is self-regulated. FIDI, the oldest association representing the industry, developed the principle of global agent-to-agent relationships to assist in this regulation. This has meant creating a climate in which companies all over the world can work together with a measure of confidence in a colleague's ability not only to provide supporting services at destination or departure, but to pay its bills as well.
"Consumers are entitled to know that they are dealing with a quality-audited company at departure and destination - and FIDI-FAIM is part of a process to bring the whole FIDI membership to a single standard. It provides our international customers with piece of mind, door-to-door," shared Matthews.
Established in 1943 and headquartered in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, the Interstate family of companies today comprises a worldwide group of relocation management, transportation and logistic entities. Interstate, the second largest carrier for the U.S. Military,
servicing over 12,000 moves for the service members annually, is a three-time winner of the U.S. Department of Defense's Surface Deployment and Distribution Command Quality Award. Interstate maintains the distinction of being the only carrier to ever win this prestigious honor, and becomes the only organization to win the award three times. Interstate's experience and attention to details contributed to Interstate receiving ISO 9001:2000 certification for all entities and all facilities.
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