b'SUPPLY CHAINbe able to survive, which will mean theres reduced capacity in the"Ensuring suppliers can perform system and some shifting in the supply chain. RMCs and corpora-tions will be tracking this closely and monitoring any capacity issues as well. the tasks they need to, even What might that supply chain shift look like? For Kay Kutt, CEO of Silk Relo, a moving and relocation services provider based inif they have to perform them Hong Kong, the U.S. insurance industry of several decades ago offers a clue. Thirty years ago or so that industry was prob-ably very much like the relocation industry of today, with a largedifferently, is going to be even number of players, lots of different segments, and smaller, more boutique companies, Kutt says. Over the last 30 years it has transformed to the point where today theres a handful of verymore crucial. If anyone has the large carriers that leverage their scale of economy, cost structure and technology infrastructure. Someone whos been in the reloca- supply chain on autopilot, that tion industry for many years told me they anticipate that the timing is right for that kind of consolidation and transformation in the relocation industry.will not succeed any more"Temporary accommodation providers and movers have been espe-cially hard hit by the current crisis, Deane says. The former haveMichael Deane, the advantage of a broad customer base and can potentially makeAll Points Relocation Serviceup business from other customers. Moving companies also serve a multitude of markets, but they depend to a great degree on a student workforce for their busiest seasons.Deane cites the example of one company that until recently In Canada, those who might work for moving companies in theallowed transferees coming into Ontario to to go without private summer are getting the $2,000 monthly CERB paymentsandhealth insurance during the 90-day period before they became are hardly eager to work in someone elses home. If the economycovered by the provinces OHIP health insurance. It put the begins to pick up at the end of the summer, a high proportion ofonus entirely on the employee to decide for themselves whether or students will be back in school, leaving movers ill-prepared to meetnot to take on the cost of health insurance for 90 days. But letting pent-up demand. These are independent contractors in manyan employee go into a new country unsupported, entirely on instances, and during the pandemic theyre having a very hardtheir own when it comes to issues like health care, or other issues time, Deane says. Many may not survive or may get acquired. like getting around, getting a drivers licence, a social insurance numberthose days are over. Companies now will have a higher COMPLIANCE AND CARE sense of duty of care.Duty of care and questions of compliance are top of mind forCompliance is also top of mind right now given the strictness of employers, especially in an inherently border-crossing industry,most governments in imposing lockdowns, social distancing proto-and for their clients. Kutt cites the example of one corporate clientcols, quarantines, etc. Every nation is approaching it differently who has upped the duty of care requirements for their transferees,and at a different pace, leaving relocation service providers feeling, even though it adds cost to the transaction. as Kutt puts it, as if theyre playing a game of whack-a-mole.Theyve actually mandated that we have two vehicles so that theRMCs and DSPs can still cover themselves by introducing basic consultant and the realtor drive in one vehicle and the transfereecompliance mandates in-house. Silk Relo has reworked its contract in the other, limiting the number of people that theyre interactinglanguage to stipulate that team members wear masks and other with. Theyre in the car with the driver, with a Plexiglas shield. Itpersonal protective equipment (PPE) on the job. Companies also doubles our vehicle cost, but they feel its an element in creatinghave to stay on top of what clients are doing, address the comfort a safe work environment for the transferee. The conundrum andlevel of transferees, and harmonize their practices with national pushback is: who picks up this added operating cost, the client orand global health organizations, the current state of COVID-19 the provider? science, and national jurisdictions.We have the government regulations for what the local laws and Diamond Club Producer norms are in the different countries where we operate, Kutt says. Then you have to look to the CDCs standards as a benchmark, and at the same time our clients are putting out guidelines around gloves, masks, physical distancing, hand sanitizer, etc. This is changing the way they do things.In the end, Deane believes the supply chain is going to become more important than ever, both during and after the crisis. Ensuring suppliers can perform the tasks they need to, even if 905-841-0000 they have to perform them differently, is going to be even more ISO 9001lindrealty.ca crucial. Are your suppliers healthy? Are they equipped to work Registered in the age of COVID with proper PPE, proper practices, proper Service with professionalism duty of care and compliance? If anyone has the supply chain on autopilot, that will not succeed any more. You will have to manage The Lind Realty Team Inc., Brokerage For all your GTA referrals15105 Yonge Street, #100, Aurora, ONL4G 1M3 Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada it more actively. 18PERSPECTIVES Fall 2020'