Ferguson’s Goes Green….errr Orange =-)

Ferguson Moving & Storage is dedicated to reducing our environmental footprint and helping to create a healthy and sustainable future for generations to come through education, community outreach, and implementation of sustainable practices.

To that end, we are proud to introduce our GO GREEN initiative, making us the first moving company to incorporate environmental programs and initiatives into our business model.

The Mayflower Canada GO GREEN initiative takes a 3 step approach:

Our in-house initiative to Recycle, Reuse and Reduce in our day-to-day business practices.

• Reducing or eliminating the use of non recyclable packing material
• Reusing or recycling packing materials and containers where possible
• Using only packing paper and boxes which are 100% recyclable
• Reducing fuel emissions by following anti idling regulations, reducing highway speed and implementing regular mechanical and safety inspections on all trucks
• Striving toward a paper-less workplace

Our participation in local and community based environmental initiatives.

• Lending a hand with community projects such as: tree planting, park cleaning
• Donating equipment and materials for environmental initiatives

Our efforts to assist you, our customer, to GO GREEN in your new home.

• Providing Tips, links and other Green information to help you GO GREEN in your new home
• Providing information on local solutions for the sale, reuse or environmentally friendly disposal of household items not being moved.

Moving is a pivotal point in our lives. It is an opportunity for a new approach, and a fresh start. Mayflower is committed to doing our part and helping you do yours. Take our “Green Challenge” and get off on the right foot in your new home.

Future generations will thank us…

Ontario Trucker Fined for Smoking in Truck

WINDSOR, Ont. — A trucker was recently fined for smoking while driving his rig along Highway 401 near Windsor, Ont. and the ticket has sparked a bit of outrage among other drivers.

The 48-year-old driver was stopped by Essex County OPP when an officer noticed a lit cigarette between the driver’s lips. Although the trucker was the lone occupant in the vehicle, he was fined $305 for smoking in an enclosed workplace.

The ticket was issued under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, which was enacted in 2006 and prohibits people from smoking tobacco or holding lit tobacco in any enclosed public place or enclosed workplace. While the officer was upholding the letter of the law, it hasn’t stopped other drivers from criticizing the fine.

“I really think that’s ridiculous,” Abe Gunther told CBC. “I don’t smoke at all and I never have, but I would think that nobody else is there, he’s not bothering anybody.”

Kevin McKellar, a driver for 21 years, also told CBC he’d go to court to fight a fine, if he were given one.

“I own the truck, I’m the only driver,” he said. “As far as I know, they can’t do anything to stop me from smoking in it.”

And that’s where the confusion of the Ontario law lies — not all truck cabs are created equally.

Owner-operators for the most part are exempted from the rule. Independent truckers may light up in their own trucks as long as no one else — not even a part-time driver, spouse, or friend — enters the cab at any time, including off-duty hours.

Federally regulated trucking companies are also not bound by Ontario’s controversial blanket smoking ban, which fines fleet owners for employees puffing in truck cabs.

As Today’s Trucking first reported when the Smoke Free Ontario Act took effect, there was some uncertainty as to whether the new law — which bans all smoking in enclosed public spaces and workplaces, including commercial trucks and taxis — would trump a separate, federal anti-smoking bill that governs federally-regulated carriers.

As it turned out, it didn’t. Federally regulated carriers fall under Ottawa’s Non-smokers Health Act, which allows employers to designate smoking areas within the workplace.

Trucking companies that do not leave the province still have to abide by the Ontario regulation, which levies penalties averaging $10,000 per incident for allowing employees to smoke and not notifying them of the new rules. Some corporations can technically see fines as high as $300,000 in some cases.

“Greening” your office

Tip of the Month.

This month, I would like to focus on “greening” the office environment. As the environmental movement becomes more mainstream, green initiatives and solutions are moving into every day decision making and planning. At Ferguson Moving & storage, we are working on a recycling program for all obsolete office products.

So how does this effect office designs? It can be as simple of designing and supplying easy to use recycling stations. In today’s hectic office environment, recycling has to be simple and convenient. It also has to be easy to remove the containers when they are full.

It is also choosing more environmental options for products and finishes. Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds)  paints are available in a variety of colors and comparable pricing. Environmental options also exist for flooring.

Most furniture manufacturers also offer environmentally friendly solutions. These options have historically been more costly, but as they become more main stream prices have become more cost competitive.    

Ferguson’s joins homestars reviews.

Homestars.com is a website that allows users to research moving companies and other home related businesses. The search shows past customers and their experiences. Ferguson’s is currently ranked number 1.  With your help and with our staff doing a great job, we intend to stay ranked as the #1 vancouver moving & storage company.

Please consider writing a review about our company after your move is over. We would love to hear about it.

 

This web tool helps homeowners find the best contractors, and for contractors to find good clients based on their reputation.
They just updated their site and made a number of changes. The main change was to allow companies to support multiple locations on a single listing page but added plenty of new features as well as design changes.

The changes affect all the users of our site, Premium Companies, Claimed Companies, and Homeowners – All for the better!

* Premium listings can now have more than one location for their listing!
* Current companies will automatically be given 2 locations
* You can edit your service areas in your listing dashboard
* Locations are defined by a 15 mile radius
* Sponsored results show up in a larger 30 mile radius
* You can have a different contact name for each of your service areas or locations
* Reviews on listings with multiple service areas are consolodated

Ferguson’s Joins CAM!

 

 

Ferguson Moving & Storage is now a member of CAM (Canadian Association of Movers)

CAM is Canada’s trade association representing moving and storage companies. Members include movers and relocation companies, van lines, international movers both in Canada and overseas, suppliers to the industry and trade associations in other countries. Our purpose is to further the interests of owner-managed moving and storage companies, by assisting consumers to access credible, professional moving services.

How does being a member of CAM help our customers?

Just looking at the Membership requirements shows that we are committed to be among the best movers you can hire! Being the best mover is more than just handling furniture, it’s about managing your entire relocation process.

Membership Requirements

Applicants for membership must provide CAM with the following documentation:
• Business licence
• GST registration and number
• Workers’ compensation certificate
• Insurance certificates showing a minimum of $1 million liability and a cargo limit minimum of $250,000
• Incorporation certificate
• Yellow Pages ad or promotional items
• Signed Code of Ethics form
• *All membership applications are subject to approval by the Board of Directors.
  
•