Our annual list of the top 13 end-to-end relocation providers.
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Its time again for The Bakers Dozen HRO Today’s annual list of the top 13 full-service relocation providers and, undoubtedly, one of our most talked-about lists of the year. Each time that we update one of the magazines annual lists, we try to include extra elements that add value for the reader by not only making the data more accurate but also providing additional data. This years Bakers Dozen is no exception.
The first year we published The Bakers Dozen, we interviewed 10 of the largest relocation providers for their impressions on market size and their top competitors. The list was received with much fanfare and some criticism (mostly from those relocation providers clamoring to be included in next years list.) The second year we published The Bakers Dozen, we interviewed 18 of the largest relocation providers and their clients, and asked them to provide data both on their relocation numbers and on those of their top competitors. The list was again received with much fanfare, readers especially like the input from users of the services and once again, some criticism. This time, it seemed that providers agreed with the overall rankings, but some still felt their total number of relocations were underestimated (a challenge in a market where little data is published and estimates can be off by a factor of 300 to 500 percent.)
So this year, our third year, we added yet a few more elements to the mix to try to come up with the most comprehensive, accurate data on the largest full-service relocation providers.
First, we surveyed 23 of the largest relocation providers, identified through research of databases such as
Second, we asked relocation providers to provide us not only their relocation numbers but also to rank their top 10 to 15 competitors both in terms of number of yearly full-service relocations and in terms of average market size. (The table below explains how that data was used to come up with our final list of top 13 providers.) Our thanks to the many companies who were kind enough to share their in-depth market research, sometimes in the form of very large and complicated Excel spreadsheets!
Third, we once again surveyed clients of these top relocation providers for their input on the providers best services, challenges facing HR executives in charge of relocation, and trends in the relocation market. We also asked the buyers and the providers what metrics they were using to track their relocation services.
All of this work, we hope, adds up to an even more comprehensive, accurate, and useful ranking of the top relocation providers for our readers. So without further ado, on to our third-annual ranking of The Bakers Dozen.
1. CENDANT MOBILITY
Annual number of Full Service Relocations: 115,000
www.cendantmobility.com
For more than 50 years, Cendant has provided relocation services to corporate, government, and military clients. With a global presence across four continents, Cendant offers employee relocation helping individuals sell and purchase homes, transporting personal belongings, move management, temporary housing, and settling in a new location. And with a new office in
Services: Supporting more than 2,000 clients worldwide. Offer consulting, intercultural training, mobility management, global supplier management, reporting, program administration, and technology solutions for move management. Support for international and domestic relocation includes home sale and home marketing assistance, household goods shipment, property rental management, closing services, home finding and destination assistance, rental assistance, mortgage services, expense administration, policy counseling, consulting, and group move management. Specialized expertise in cross-cultural and language training and global workforce development. Integrated, scalable technology to support international assignment compensation. Relocation management services to membership organizations (members receive assistance with home finding and purchasing, home listing and selling, and moving and mortgage services.)
Most Important Metric: Cendant’s most important metric is simple: whatever metric is most important to their customers. That customer-driven metric varies from client to client. While delivery of outstanding client and customer service is an understood given in any service business, clients key priorities vary depending on their organizational culture and business objectives. For some, it may be controlling costs or delivering cost saving recommendations. For others, it will be integrity, flexibility, or the ability to service a broad global footprint. Cendant uses a rigorous Six Sigma process to identify the critical-to-quality (CTQ) deliverables for each client. Looking at the input overall, the key CTQs for 2004 were: Accessibility, being able to communicate real time with account management through phone or e-mail; Responsiveness responding to client requests for data, reports, updates, etc., in an agreed upon time frame; and Keeping Promises do what you say you are going to do all the time.
2. PRUDENTIAL REAL ESTATE & RELOCATION SERVICES
Annual number of Full Service Relocations: 45,225
www.prudential.com
Prudential provides global mobility management under their real estate network umbrella. They are involved in domestic and
global corporate relocation, military and government relocation, and consulting.
Services: Domestic Consulting, concierge, partner assistance, policy development, cost accounting, amended value sales, buyer value option, guaranteed home sale, home finding, mortgage, marketing, policy counseling, rental, temp living, and transition management. Global Consulting, candidate assessment, intercultural and language training, global workforce development, compensation administration, cost projections and management, ongoing assignment support, policy counseling, repatriation and reassignment, destination services, education consulting, partner assistance, tenancy management, visa and immigration, short-term assignments, global business briefings, and mortgage. Received high marks for their intercultural training, inventory management, home sale program, policy counseling, program administration global consulting, reporting capabilities, customer service, accessibility and
problem resolution, and realtor base.
Most Important Metric: Client retention (based on customer satisfaction and cost-effectiveness).
3. SIRVA
Annual number of Full Service Relocations: 43,213
www.sirva.com
With customized end-to-end relocation and moving services, SIRVA operates in 40 countries and has various partnerships in more than 175 countries. Their recent addition of a client technologies group will provide SIRVA customers with dedicated technology solutions and support. The end of 2004 saw the acquisition of Executive Relocation into the SIRVA network, creating a stronger platform for their services.
Services: Consulting Benchmarking, policy evaluation, cost analysis, program development. Relocation Management Expense management and tax evaluation; group move; internal training; lump-sum benefit administration; Web-based reporting and financial services; quarterly financial review; SLAs; lease cancellation; property management; appraisal values; home finding, marketing, buying, and selling; moving. Departure, home marketing, lease cancellation, agent recommendations, management. Destination Counseling, orientation, home finding, rental, temp living, partner career assistance, concierge. Global Solutions assignment planning and administration, relocation and repatriation, compensation and payroll, tax services.
Most Important Metric: Customer service and performance metrics top SIRVAs list. Their lean Six Sigma quality-assurance
program includes a dashboard of metrics developed for each customer. Through a series of Voice of the Customer roundtables, SIRVA determines which metrics are critical for each customer. Their customized reports are tracked internally and reviewed often with customers. This is a key metric that contributes to their 98 percent customer retention rate. In addition, other important metrics include relocation expense reduction realized for clients through detailed policy review and recommendations as well as the implementation of proprietary products and cost efficient processes.
4. WEICHERT RELOCATION RESOURCES INC.
Annual number of Full Service Relocations: 24,900
www.wrri.com
After experiencing its best year yet, Weichert continues to hold its own in the relocation market. The independently owned company provides service in more than 120 countries, offering a broad portfolio of capabilities, extensive global resources, enterprise-wide service, and integrated technology. Part of the larger Weichert Affiliated Companies serving the finance and real estate sectors, WRRI has a client roster of more than 500 customers.
Services: Assignment management; consulting; cross-cultural and language training; cost-of-living analysis; destination services; lump-sum and financial administration; gross-up processing; group move; home finding, marketing, and sale; household goods and inventory management; mortgage; payroll; policy consulting; property management; rental; repatriation; spouse career services; supplier management; tax services; temp living; tenancy management; visa and immigration.
Most Important Metric: Employee/client satisfaction and year-to-year client cost reduction.
5. PRIMACY RELOCATION
Annual number of Full Service Relocations: 23,394
www.primacy.com
With solutions that reach from the
Services: Corporate Program, policy consulting, cost projections, immigration, compensation/tax/payroll, expense audit reimbursement, repatriation, reporting. Real Estate home sale, property management, leasing. Destination, culture programs, cost of living analysis, orientation, temp housing. HR Consulting, policy development, candidate assignment, global business assignment, spousal programs, risk management, benefit administration.
Most Important Metric: Client rating of value provided.
6. ROYAL LEPAGE RELOCATION SERVICES
Annual number of Full Service Relocations: 17,000
www.rlrs.com
Based in
Services: Consultingpolicy; group move; market, location, and property studies. Departurehome marketing and sale (with guaranteed buyout program); moving coordination. Destinationhome search and purchase assistance; rental; temp living; education, elder care, career, and community connection programs. International relocation programs including orientation and training. Accounting and administrative funds management and invoicing, supplier management, performance reporting.
Most Important Metric: Customer satisfaction, transferee satisfaction, and cost/policy goals.
7. GMAC GLOBAL RELOCATION SERVICES
Annual number of Full Service Relocations: 12,812
www.gmacglobalrelocation.com
With a network that connects through global service centers and relationships in more than 100 countries, GMAC is one of the leaders in global corporate relocation and assignment management services. As a division of GMAC Home Services, the relocation arm is part of the greater General Motors family. GMAC provides domestic relocation program management, global assignment services, and strategic consultancy. More importantly, GMAC provides the tools and technology to allow clients access to current status reports on every employee in the GMAC system. In 2004, GMAC signed a three-year contract renewal with Hewlett-Packard to provide relocation services for HP employees and their families in more than 50 countries.
Services: Global supply chain management and transition management of assignees. Consultingresearch, policy development, joint venture, M&A, workforce reduction, other HR. Domesticcomprehensive program management for departure and destination including financial administration, plus GM vehicle assistance, mortgage, and credit services. Internationalrange of services for host and home locations to more than 110 countries.
Most Important Metric: 97 percent overall client satisfaction rating for 2004.
8. AMERICORP GLOBAL RELOCATION
Annual number of Full Service Relocations: 12,625
www.americorp.com
With partnerships in more than 150 countries, AmeriCorp handles full-service relocation services anywhere in the world, including assistance with departure, destination, logistics, and administration. Using their own software capabilitiesStrategic Technology Application for RelocationAmeriCorp provides document and financial management, messaging, reporting, estimating, research, and technical support for clients and transferees.
Services: Corporateeducation, policy development, benchmarking, recruiting and retention, reporting, group moves, cost of living analysis. Departurecounseling, needs assessment, lease cancellation. Destinationcounseling, needs assessment, orientation, career assistance, dependant care, pet transport, rental, mortgage, purchasing, home value program, closing assistance. Globalmove manager, single booking agent, freight, audit process. Internationalpolicy consultation, candidate selection, visas, tax and Social Security, property management, transportation of goods.
Most Important Metric: Measurable service and financial improvements for each client every year.
9. TheMIGroup
Annual number of Full Service Relocations: 10,375
www.themigroup.com
This global relocation management company is supported by customized technology and systems, seasoned staff, and provides services that cover all aspects of both domestic and international relocation. TheMIGroup is owned by more than 40 members of the management team who provide involvement and personal commitment of the highest order.
Services: Domestic Relocationdomestic destination programs, real estate services, family assistance services, property management, expense administration; International Relocationsinternational destination programs, international moving, international risk management, international spousal career program, expense administration; Client Program Administration; Relocation Consulting.
10. HEWITT RELOCATION SERVICES
Annual number of Full Service Relocations: 10,000
www.reloaction.com
2004 was the year of relocation M&AHewitt expanded their service offerings by acquiring Exult, who had acquired ReloAction the previous year. Hewitt prides itself on being a single-source contact for relocation; they are there from start to finish. Incorporating the ReloAction technology platform, Hewitt can deliver time and cost savings to their clients. The industry is actively waiting for what Hewitt can bring to the marketplace as they begin to expand their relocation services.
Services: Departuremarketing, market value purchase, home buyout. Destinationconsulting, home finding, renting, executive assistance, affordability analysis, mortgage. Administrationoutsourced administration, household goods management, temp living. Relocation Accounting (domestic)cost estimator, expense management, tax reporting, lump-sum administration, closing cost reimbursement, employee loan administration. Consulting (domestic)policy analysis, development, and review; group moves; training. Internationalpre-departure candidate assessment, cost estimate, work permit, home sale, cultural and language training, partner counseling. Otherongoing assignment support, repatriation, international consulting.
Most Important Metric: Transferee satisfaction.
11. PARAGON RELOCATION RESOURCES
Annual number of Full Service Relocations: 8,457
www.paragonrri.com
Since their inception in 1987, Paragon has assisted more than 100,000 families with their domestic and global relocation services. They cover
Services: Program Administrationinternational and domestic relocation; global and short-term assignment; recruitment; relocation benefits; home marketing, sale, and finding; property management; mortgage; rental; temp living; spouse assistance; outplacement; transportation of household goods; travel management; tax program. Global Relocationassessment surveys, communications, program and relocation center development, supplier selection, staff augmentation, training, global business entry and expansion management. Group Moveorganization re-engineering, move planning, employee demographic study, communications, orientation, business continuity planning, facility move management.
Most Important Metric: Client-service metric that includes: expense-processing time; household goods claims rates (on-time delivery rates, insurance claim ratios); direct homesale costs; overall service to customer; and client service ratings.
12. EXCELLERATEHRO (EDS & TOWERS PERRIN)
Annual number of Full Service Relocations: 4,500
www.excelleratehro.com
ExcellerateHRO is the jointly owned HR business of EDS and Towers Perrin. Its Relocation and Assignment Services assumes complete process management responsibility for an organizations relocation operations by helping transferees find the right home, appropriate schools, day and senior care, recreation opportunities, and spousal employment. In addition, they address any cross-cultural and cost-of-living issues that may arise in each transferees new location. The company also offers consulting teams and can reduce the costs associated with moving household goods as well as the tax liabilities created from reimbursement programs.
Services: Global Relocation Management and Technology Suiteprogram administration, supplier selection and management, employee counseling, departure and destination services, expense administration, household goods and property management, group move, vehicle assistance, student relocation. Global Assignmentassignment management, visa and immigration, intercultural services, spouse support, language training, tenancy management, transit insurance. Consultingglobal policy consulting, benchmark studies, trends report, M&A and joint ventures planning, group moves, global HR strategy, and workforce planning.
Most Important Metric: Transferee satisfaction.
13. CORNERSTONE RELOCATION
Annual number of Full Service Relocations: 4,500
www.crgglobal.com
Delivering comprehensive relocation programs to corporations, employees, and their families since 1990.
Services: Consultingpolicy development and review, benchmarking, group move. Departurehome marketing, home sale. Destinationhome search, mortgage, temp living, rental, family assistance programs. Globalorientation, settlement services, home search, temp living, cultural and language training, consulting. Accounting expense management and tax reporting, funding, lump-sum administration, closing cost reimbursement. Administrationtransportation assistance and outsourced administration.
Most Important Metric: Client satisfaction and transferee satisfaction.
