CORT: Global Furniture Rental Network Continues Rapid Expansion to Support Employee Relocations
More than 37 percent growth in customers in 65 countries served last year by CORT Global Network members
As businesses adopt furniture rental as a cost-effective strategy to support employees on temporary assignments, the CORT Global Furniture Rental Network continues to expand to now serve more than 65 countries with more than 37 percent growth last year in the number of customers served.
CORT, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is the world’s largest furniture rental provider. The CORT Global Furniture Rental Network, founded in 2001, has continued rapid growth to support employees in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific and The Americas.
The network is the only global service provider for residential home furnishings, serving thousands of customers each year, primarily companies and their employees relocating on temporary assignments. Growth remains consistent throughout the network. Growth in top destinations outside of the United States is led by Brazil, Canada, Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Manila Home Furniture Rentals in the Philippines was founded in 2010 to provide furnishings for expatriate assignees. “We deliver and set up furnishings the way our clients like it, making it quick and convenient for assignees and families to move and settle in their home,” said General Manager Dornet G. Venturanza. “For a new company like ours, being part of the CORT Global Network automatically gave us global visibility and respect from corporate clients. With the help of the CORT Global Network, recognition was instant.”
With the number of temporary assignments growing to support a global workforce, renting homes or apartments, and furniture, is a cost-containment strategy that eases the stress of transition for employees and families. Arriving to a home already arranged with rental furnishings, appliances, housewares, televisions and other equipment makes the transition as simple as possible so employees are productive in their new assignment from the first day.
“Today, assignments are typically for much shorter durations than they were several years ago, and furniture rental is becoming a popular alternative that is being integrated into an increasing number of corporate policies,” said Kenneth S. Barron, CORT managing director of global relations and client services.
Furniture rental can also play a role in longer-term assignments to supplement a household goods move whereby the transferee can move into their permanent accommodations upon arrival instead of paying for duplicate housing, such as hotels, while waiting for furniture to arrive. Settling into the host country will not require two moves and acclimation to the new environment is faster.
Canada’s Furniture Collection joined the global network in 2012 and is located in Calgary, which has a high concentration of corporate headquarters. “Partnership with CORT has helped us to organize and streamline our internal processes for the ultimate goal of servicing our clients better, as well as achieve more trust from the clients,” said Furniture Collection President Olga Brovkina.
CORT carefully evaluates potential partners to ensure a high standard of customer service and furniture selection around the world. Network members share best practices and business insights on global product trends, manufacturing sources, merchandising strategies and warehouse operations – all resulting in the award winning service that customers expect from a Berkshire Hathaway company.
CORT Global placed an emphasis in 2011 to enhance and expand the CORT Global website as an online destination to promote all the partners and services, including search engine optimization to raise the profile of all partners.
HousePak in New Zealand joined the CORT Global Furniture Rental Network at the end of 2011 and is the preferred supplier of rental furniture to a large number of relocation firms and corporations. “Joining the CORT global network is an exciting opportunity for HousePak to further expand and cement our superiority in the New Zealand furniture rental market,” said HousePak Director Robyn Salmon. “We look forward to the challenges ahead and to the benefits of being a partner in a global network.”
For additional information, including a white paper with more details about the benefits of furniture rental and CORT’s Global Network solutions, please visit www.cortglobal.com.