1. Industry News
54 Removals & Storage April 2016
People NewsPeople NewsPeople News
STRAIGHT talking
with...
Straight talking with…Jason Franco
If you would like to share your knowledge and experience of the industry within the
BAR community, please contact rands-editorial@analyticamedia.com.
For more information visit: www.excess-international.com
R&S: How many years have you been in the
removals business?
22 years and counting. I started off as a trainee
export packer in 1993 at the tender age of 17,
working for Trans Euro, it was only supposed to be
part time job... From there I went to work full time
with Cadogan Tate. I’ve been with Excess
International now for 3 years, following a lengthy
stint at Anglo Pacific, starting out as their Senior
International Manager and have recently been
promoted to General Manager under our new
Managing Director Jason Herbert. I’m looking
forward to 2016: Excess International is in a prime
position this year to ruffle a few feathers and re-
establish itself at the top of the tree in the industry.
R&S: How did you get to where you are today?
I like to think I got to where I am today by being
honest and of course, hard work and loyalty… I
think some people may have actually also liked me!
My time spent on the road in my early years gave me
a much better understanding of how our industry
should work from a customer’s point of view and
how we should operate, providing a better level of
customer service. I have been very lucky in working
alongside some great people over the years
including Chris Jacoby, Roger Aitkin, Jack
Dorrington, David Williams, John Payne, and Ian
Macleod, which helps you gain a wealth of
experience and a vast insight into our industry –
something hopefully I can pass on to others just
starting out.
R&S: Is there anything that with the benefit of
hindsight you wish you’d done differently?
Yes, I wouldn’t have got involved in the operational
side of baggage shipping, carrying all those tea
cartons ruined my back and gave me some funny
nicknames to boot when I struggled to make it into
work the next day!
R&S: Have you had a mentor in the business or
someone who has played an important role in
guiding you?
Jack Dorrington and David Williams. Jack helped
me learn trade shipping when I first came off the
road in 2001 at Anglo, showing me the ropes,
helping me adapt to office life and most importantly
for me, acting like a father to me in the industry. He
protected me from mistakes while making sure I
understood where I had fallen short. I wish he could
do the same now! David, now at World Moving &
Storage in New Zealand, I hold in the same light. He
gave me a chance to show I could make it further
up the professional ladder and manage a busy
department while showing me how to get the best
from people.
R&S: What do you believe the removals and
storage industry needs to do to remain
competitive in 2016?
2016 needs to be an innovating one for our industry;
we all need to be looking at how to reduce the costs
of sale with the assistance of technology such as
website automation, simplifying processes and most
importantly, making life easier for our customers.
Collectively we should all be doing what’s right by
not undervaluing our services. A quiet few weeks and
suddenly some companies panic and drop their
rates?! We need to hold our nerve together. Our
customers should be choosing people and services,
not only base their decisions on the costs of an
international move….
R&S: Is there life outside of work for you?
Yes, my 2 young children (both under 3) and my
ever supportive wife. I also follow Arsenal football
club but we won’t mention that. I’ve started to take
up golf, and at the minute, my biggest handicap is
not being able to hit the pesky ball!!
R&S: If a film was made about your life, which
actor would you like to play you?!
A portly ‘Jason Statham’ according to my so called
‘friends!’ I suppose I should be flattered as I’m sure
they could dream up a lot worse!
‘‘Collectively we should
all be doing what’s right
by not undervaluing our
services. A quiet few
weeks and suddenly
some companies panic
and drop their rates?!
‘‘