CORT, a Berkshire Hathaway company providing relocation services throughout the United States and more than 50 other countries, has announced that it has added a new partner, SC Rentamuebles, which is based in Bogota, Colombia. CORT was responding to a growing demand for furniture rentals in Bogota, a thriving city of eight million which has grown to include many branch offices for multinational corporations.
For nearly 40 years, CORT has been providing rental furniture to corporate employees who have been temporarily relocated. It has partners in more than 50 countries. SC Rentamuebles is a family-run business founded 13 years ago by Susana Camacho. Now the company has 18 employees and is run by Camacho's daughter, Paula Santamaria. SC Rentamuebles brings many clients of its own to the partnership, including multinational companies, embassies, and film industry clients (for which it provides by-the-day furniture leases for temporary film sets). SC Rentamuebles can provide its clients with indoor and outdoor furniture, appliances, kitchenware, linens, and other accessories.
"We serve many international companies and embassies that appreciate the benefits of furniture rental," commented Santamaria. "We are proud to join the CORT Global Network of companies helping customers around the world with the quality services."
Kenneth Baron, CORT's managing director of global relations and client services, agreed. "Relocating employees internationally can be costly and difficult to manage, both for companies and their employees," he said. "Every member of the CORT Global Network offers prompt and professional service for quality home and office furniture anywhere in the world. The CORT Global Network is a trusted provider for many relocation companies and international corporations. We are proud to welcome SC Rentamuebles into the CORT Global Network."
Increasingly, multinational corporations are relying on companies that provide relocation services, such as short term apartment leases and furniture rentals, as a way to temporarily relocate employees without having to pay for an extended hotel stay. Every year, about 1.5 million workers relocate temporarily as part of their jobs. As the economy grows tighter, many analysts predict that even more employees will be temporarily relocated as companies jump to take advantage of new opportunities in the global marketplace. In addition to short term apartment leases and furniture rentals, CORT also connects relocating employees with destination touring services, utility companies, renter's insurance, car rentals, job search assistance for spouses, etc.