Company: Suddath Companies, Jacksonville, FL
Company Description: A trusted name for over a century, Suddath has grown into a $800+ million global transportation, relocation management, specialized logistics, and workplace services company, serving 180 countries with more than 2,400 employees around the globe. Each year we move more than 72,000 households, including over 38,000 military families. We provide commercial services to the world’s best-known brands.
Nomination Category: Sales Awards Team Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Account Management Team of the Year
 Nomination Title: The Suddath Account Management Team
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes, explaining the achievements since July 1, 2022 of the nominated team, OR written answers to the questions? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video. If you are submitting written answers to the questions for this category, provide them in the spaces below.
- Briefly describe the nominated team: its history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 194 words used.
The Suddath Account Management Team exemplifies excellence in service delivery and thought leadership. With 129 years of industry experience, They’ve provided unparalleled support to our corporate clients. At the start of the year, they successfully managed the largest van line transition in our industry, achieving a 98.5% client contract retention rate within three months. This undertaking required extensive travel, meetings with procurement and legal teams, and cost and service impact analyses to demonstrate that the transition would benefit our clients by elevating the quality of service and a prioritized focus on corporate business.
Their commitment as trusted advisors shines through comprehensive account management. Since July 2022, the team has organized six client networking events and two summits, promoting shared learning and strategic planning for program optimization. These events earned continuing education credits for corporate clients, reinforcing our commitment to their professional development and empowerment by keeping them updated on trends that could impact their moving programs. Client-centric articles, blogs, and firsthand training furthered these efforts. To elevate the client experience, program enhancements like our Move to Green sustainability program and milestone video communications provided time-relevant messaging in easy to understand and revisit formats.
- Outline the team's achievements since July 1 2022 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 247 words used.
Van Line Partner Transition: 2024 began with our transition to Atlas Van Lines – the largest provider transition our organization had ever undertaken. The team outlined a transition plan for every client, carefully executing reassuring discussions with them, every step of the way. Our 98.5% retention rate and 99% client satisfaction score, following the transition, confirmed that the front-end mindfulness and careful plan execution prioritized their needs. Our reputation and strong client relationships were also instrumental in helping with our van operator retention rate, by transitioning an important sector of our business successfully. This equated to consistent service and care for our clients.
Connecting and Empowering Through Education: Since 2022, the Suddath account management team has curated more than ten in-person educational engagements, focusing on industry-related topics, peer mentoring and professional development opportunities. These events are designed creatively and provide insights in a fun and collaborative manner, as demonstrated through game show-style sessions.
The team created two published articles and multiple thought leadership campaigns featuring geo-political and economic impacts on our industry and informative updates on overseas shipping rate volatility. The team coordinated onsite port tours in Baltimore and Jacksonville, giving our clients a deeper understanding of port operations, to better partner with us on circumventing challenges.
Each educational engagement also focused on charitable causes, demonstrated through our support for Hunger Fight where the Suddath Account Management Team, alongside our clients, hosted a packing event in the fight to end hunger and illiteracy for local children.
- Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the team's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 250 words used.
Shifting to a new van line after 40 years demanded thorough planning. The team had to account for each client's specific needs and service requirements, while adopting new engagement rules, pricing, and support structures. Extensive training, rebranding materials, and personalized transition strategies were essential to retain our clients. Unlike typical industry consolidations through mergers and acquisitions, this brand transition was unique.
The scale of this transition required strict confidentiality to avoid early news leaks and allow for the execution of a customized plan for every employee, customer and contractor. The team respected this, ensuring the plan was executed smoothly. Timing was crucial, and Suddath’s Account Management Team acted swiftly, completing the plan in under a quarter. They showed dedication and discipline, often traveling on weekends and holidays for in-person meetings followed by detailed senior-level debriefs.
Aligned with our commitment to educate and advise, the team organized two client summits and multiple networking events, offering training, benchmarking, and peer connectivity. Clients praised the creativity of these events, as shown in the attached video testimonial. Competitors often replicate our content, highlighting its relevance and innovative tone. An additional outcome was the selection of team members to the Worldwide Employee Relocation Council’s advisory board, serving in capacities for conference content planning and supplier engagement.
Awards highlight team efforts: In 2022 and 2024, Suddath won the FEM International Moving Company of the Year. They also played a key role in earning the Sterling Lexicon Platinum Supplier title for 2024 and achieved perfect reporting accuracy.
- Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 245 words used.
FEM International Moving Company of the Year Announcement: Highlights consistent recognition for industry leadership, service, excellence, dedication to our clients/their employees.
Client Testimonial: Terry Reiter of Trane Technologies praises our creative, engaging, empowering approach to events and dependability as a collaborative partner.
Published Articles: Demonstrates respected industry thought leadership and dedication to keeping our clients/the market current on important industry issues. (See Trucking Along and Moving is a Contact Sport.)
Geo-Political News Alerts: Demonstrates dedication to keeping our clients informed of concerns/crises that require timely awareness/action - to protect their employees/the goods they’re transporting during a relocation. (See Important Update: Baltimore bridge collapse impact on household goods moving, and Important Update: Shipping industry responds to volatility in Red Sea and Suez Canal.)
Blogs and Video Communications: Represents commitment to educating our clients on issues impacting their moving programs, developing stronger relationships, facilitating proactive, collaborative relationships. (See Capacity Constraints in the Household Goods Moving Industry and High-Value Inventory Video Communication for Customers.)
Event Recap Video: Shows Suddath’s energy and unique approach to events, presenting industry-related topics, peer mentoring and professional development opportunities. Note the game-show sessions we mention in answer 1b. (See Suddath Conference on Vimeo.)
Advisory Council Announcement: Demonstrates commitment to thought leadership and constantly evolving as a caring, innovative moving partner: Two leaders continue to share industry expertise within the mobility community/support the development of resources and educational tools to better the industry. (See Two Suddath Leaders Appointed to Talent Mobility Industry Advisory Councils.)
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