Merger about giving ground for the greater good

The proposed formation of the Federation of International Forwarders and Customs Brokers of Australia Limited (FIFCBA) appears to create all sorts of synergies and give members a whole lot of bang for their membership buck (see separate story).

So why has it been so difficult to achieve?

Serious merger plans stretch back to the late 1990s, but have generally tripped on hurdles including concerns about voting rights and members not wanting to lose existing benefits.

To ignore this is futile, but history has in many ways become an additional obstacle.

Perhaps some have tried to use past efforts to suggest that the idea will never get off the ground.

Others have refused to talk of the history of the idea, and in doing so made it more likely that they would fall into the same traps.

Both approaches were akin to throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

The anecdotal evidence suggests a merger is an excellent idea and that members of both the CBFCA and AFIF broadly support the concept.

It has always come down to the detail.

This morning, both boards issued a joint statement which emphasises the commissioning of an independent entity to drive the proposal with the support of representatives of both groups.

Both organisations will have to concede ground to arrive at a model which will work for everyone.