FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT: RICHARD LICATA – Page 2
As we close out the third quarter, I want to take a moment to update you on where we stand and recognize the great work that continues to define our team.
The household goods business continues to face headwinds. High mortgage rates and a tight housing market have kept activity slower than we’d like. The Federal Reserve recently lowered interest rates by a quarter of a percent. While that alone may not move the needle much, we are hopeful for additional cuts before the end of the year to help stimulate activity and finish strong.
Despite those challenges, we’ve had some real bright spots:
Consumer Interstate Business: Shipment counts are up 23%, thanks largely to our expansion into Milwaukee. It was a bold move for us, but it couldn’t have come at a better time, and it’s already proving to be an excellent investment.
Storage at Franklin Park: Revenue is up 24%, boosted by creative partnerships with other movers like All Chicagoland and GoodMove Movers who now utilize our facility.
Quality Ratings: Even in a tough market, our front-line personnel continue to shine. Customers rated our local services at 4.89/5.00 and our interstate services at 4.76/5.00—some of the best results in the industry.
While some areas of the business are flat or down, we’ve stayed healthy by controlling costs and staying focused on what we do best: delivering excellent service.
At last week’s CEO Forum, I learned that many Allied agents have cut out internal marketing events to save money. Reebie has chosen a different path. We believe in celebrating and supporting our people, which is why we continue to host monthly employee events. One of my favorites is when Tricia Licata cooks her famous homemade pasta and gravy—with about 100 meatballs that always disappear quickly!
Looking ahead, our annual December luncheon with Santa Claus will be here before you know it. It’s always wonderful to see the newest additions to the Reebie family. This year, that includes my own: congratulations to Anthony and his wife on the arrival of Stella Maria, and to Robert Licata’s daughter on the birth of her son, Oliver Robert.
We’ve also been getting creative in how we connect with potential customers. This year, we participated in three Touch-A-Truck events—in Naperville, Bloomington, and Elmhurst—giving away over 3,000 stress-ball trucks. Families loved them, and we hope they’ll remember Reebie when it’s time for their next move.
All in all, while business hasn’t been as strong as we’d prefer, we’ve found ways to stay healthy, grow strategically, and have some fun along the way. None of this would be possible without the hard work and dedication of each of you. Thank you for continuing to make Reebie one of the best names in the industry.
Here’s to finishing the year strong.