When the Mover Moves

Who knows better than a mover, how stressful a move can be?  Sonigo (Israel) International Shipping knows better than most.

After 6 years at their last warehouse and office, they shut down all computers, servers and switchboard at 2 pm on 20 December 2012 and moved to a beautiful, new facility 3 kilometers away.  This followed two weeks of massive transit of some 350 storage containers and vaults.  87 trips by flat-bed trucks and 36 trips by closed trucks moved Sonigo to their new facility.

Most important, according to David Sonigo, our mail server was back up by 6:30 pm on 20 December.  “We knew there would be down time when we disconnected our switchboard and all our computers and we prepared as much in advance as possible…but I never believed we would be back on line within 4 hours.”

Sharon Raz-El, Deputy General Manager, oversaw the logistics of this massive move of people, equipment and stored goods that occupied some 4000 square meters.  Even though the new facility is only two years old and has some of the newest state of the art equipment, there was still a tremendous amount of planning, building and refurbishing required to bring everything up to Sonigo’s standards.

Sonigo said, “We are completely back to work and making efforts to fill our books for the summer.  We are building new strategic alliances with the best and most experienced moving and relocation companies in the world.  At the same time, we continue to explore the latest techniques and technologies that will allow us to provide a smoother, safer and stress free move for our clients. 

“Our new facility makes these efforts even easier for us and nobody knows better than us…moving is a stressful business.”

Sonigo International Moving, established in 1986, employees some 60 full time staff, specializes in household goods shipping and concert project logistic management.

The Ashdod Customs House has decided to inspect any import shipment with a bicycle, to ensure that the bicycle is not motorized.

Motorized bicycles require approval from Ministry of transportation.
Charges for the inspection are billed to the owner of the goods.
This only affects shipments arriving to Ashdod (for now).

We are working with other licensed customs clearers to get this rule revoked (even if only for Olim Hadashim and Toshvim Hozerim); however right now it is best to NOT import a bicycle of any sort.

Israeli Customs is now requiring a "Teken" (Approval from Ministry of Standards) or a "Ptor" (Exemption from the approval) for ALL gas grills (Bar-b-ques) imported, even as personal import.

Any import shipment containing a gas grill will be pulled for inspection, and the grill will be held by customs until the approval or exemption is issued.

Of course, charges for the inspection/ removal, and storage of the gas grill will be billed to the owner of the goods.

We are working with other licensed customs clearers to get this rule revoked (even if only for Olim Hadashim and Toshvim Hozerim); however right now it is best to NOT import a gas bar-b-que.

US Longshoreman's strike

The US Longshoreman's union has agreed to a temporary extension of their contract.
This averted a strike, which would have affected all East Coast US Ports (including the Gulf of Mexico). The extension is until 28 January, and the threat of a strike at that time still remains.

Improved Customs Rights for New Immigrants

Improved Customs Rights for New Immigrants (Olim Hadashim) and Returning residents (Toshavim Hozerim)

The following items, which were not previously exempt from taxes, are now tax exempt (for Olim and Toshvim Hozrim):
·         Indoor exercise equipment (Treadmills, Exercise Bicycles)
·         Camping Equipment
·         One each of small household electronics
·         Two Air Conditioners
·         Television Games (x-Box, etc…)
·         One Fax Machine
·         Outdoor (Garden) Furniture / Patio Swings

Please note: The following items are not tax exempt and are still taxable:
·         Outdoor goods, like storage sheds, swimming pools, etc.
·         Garbage disposals.

Changes in Toshvim Hozrim Rights and Status
Toshavim Hozerim who arrive in Israel on or after 1 October 2012, will no longer receive a discount for importing or buying a new car.

As of 1 October 2012, there will only be one status for Toshavim Hozerim who return after more than 2 years with rights similar to olim chadashim with the following differences:

·         Two shipments of household goods can be imported within 9 months of arrival in Israel
·         No discount on taxes for vehicle.

Key to Success Found near Bethlehem

Most business people search for the “key to success” throughout their career. 
Sonigo International in Israel may have finally found the key…

Built in 2008 just outside Bethlehem in the Palestinian Authority, the pictured key weighing nearly one ton is almost 9 meters in length. 
When the 7^th Berlin Biennale wanted to include the key in their exhibition, they turned to Sonigo to “remove” the key from its display position at the town entrance, truck it to Sonigo’s carpentry shop and  crating facility and from there to port for shipping to Berlin.

Key to Success

The 1 ton key is being lowered onto the flatbed as many “assistants” help direct the loading operation.

Key in Cradel

The key is lashed into place in the open top container into the purpose built cradle.

Removing Key from Arch

The delicate and complicated  operation of dismantling the key from the arch at the town entrance required 2 heavy cranes. 

According to David Sonigo, Managing Director, “we have done many special and unusual projects over the years, but this was one of the most interesting.” 
Coordinating the key’s removal from its display stand 12 meters high, lowering it by crane onto the truck into the purpose built cradle, particularly satisfying.

Sonigo continued, “Although our principle business is personal effects and house hold goods, a special project like this is a great challenge to our crews and an opportunity to show how we can exceed expectations.”

After crating and lashing in place, the key was moved to the port where it was shipped to POE Bremerhaven. 

At the end of the Exhibition in Berlin, Sonigo is looking forward to bringing the key back home and returning it to the top of arch at the entrance to town.

Sonigo concluded with, “After seeing this magnificent key and what it represents, I can only hope this key to success  will be the key to peace and allow me to meet with my agents in Lebanon and throughout the Arab world and share a good cup of Arabic coffee.”

Madonna in Israel - MDNA tour (By Sonigo)

Equipment for MDNA tour

Some of the 1400 tons of equipment imported for Madonna’s first concert on her MDNA World Tour.  Note the heavy duty aluminum portable flooring protecting the grass.  Designed to handle landing jetliners, Sonigo’s semi-trailers were easy to handle.

Building Madonna Stage

Raising the 45 ton roof of the stage for Madonna’s concert was a study in artful technology.  It took over 6 hours to raise and then the riggers and lighting specialists went to work hooking everything into the system that produced a magnificent spectacle for over 33,000 fans.