From Severe Reductions to Increased Activity, Economy Takes Global Employee Relocations On a Bumpy Ride

Report by Brookfield Global Relocation Services Finds Some Industries, Including
Oil and Gas and Telecommunications, Have Increased International Assignments
While Others Are Sharply Cutting Back
WOODRIDGE, Ill.--(Business Wire)--
The ongoing economic downturn has forced many companies to dramatically scale
back the number of employees they are relocating for international assignments,
but has left other industries virtually unscathed, a new report exploring
international mobility trends from Brookfield Global Relocation Services
(http://www.brookfieldgrs.com) has found.

In fact, certain industries - among them telecommunications, oil and gas - are
experiencing an uptick in their employee relocation activities due to mergers,
emerging global markets and other factors, according to a recently released
report, International Mobility: The Impact of the Current Economic Climate. The
report queried senior international mobility professionals responsible for
international assignment strategy at a number of the world`s leading companies.

Combined, the mobility managers interviewed from a select group of corporations
representing a worldwide employee population of more than 2.2 million employees.
Industries represented in this report included: pharmaceuticals, manufacturing,
consumer products, industrial services, professional services, information
technology, telecommunications, retail, utilities and the financial services
sectors.

"This report is a supplement to our 2009 Global Relocation Trends Survey and is
an industry-by-industry look at which sectors are being hit hardest - or hardly
hit at all -- by the ongoing global economic challenges," said Scott Sullivan,
executive vice president of Brookfield Global Relocation Services.

Sullivan said that 33 percent of companies expect to increase the number of
employees they relocate this year, while 67 percent expect to either decrease or
maintain the number of employees they relocate.

"Although a higher number of industries are scaling back their relocation
efforts, others are seemingly immune and are even benefiting from these
circumstances and the economy," Sullivan said. "This report offers a fascinating
look at how economic variables are impacting international mobility."

The report`s findings pointed to four key trends currently facing multinational
companies:

* A reduction in the volume of assignments due to the recession. This is
occurring in industries that have been hit especially hard by the economic
downturn, including: automobile manufacturing, information technology service
and the financial services sectors.
* Changes in the volume of assignments. However, these changes are not directly
caused by the recession. This trend is impacting the high technology,
engineering, retail, financial and information services industries.
* No impact so far, but companies expect a general tightening soon. These
industries include pharmaceutical, food and consumer products manufacturing, and
logistics sectors.
* An increase in the number of employee relocations. This trend is primarily
occurring in the telecommunications, oil and gas sectors, and with some
professional services firms.

Sullivan noted that companies and industries that are experiencing increased
relocation activity are typically involved in:

* A merger or acquisition
* Moving into new international partnership arrangements
* Developing emerging markets
* Creating global tools, processes and programs
* Creating a cohesive culture or employer brand
* Closing long-term global capability and skills gaps.

Brookfield Global Relocation Services conducted this study as a supplement to
its Global Relocation Trends Survey, which is published annually since 1993.
Each year, the Global Relocation Trends Survey provides companies with in-depth
information and analysis on global mobility trends. (To obtain a complimentary
copy of the Global Relocation Trends Survey or the financial services spotlight,
go to: http://www.brookfieldgrs.com/insights_ideas/grts/).

The company will host a complimentary Webinar presentation exploring the
findings of this study on Thursday, Sept. 17. Participation in the Webinar is
free and limited to the first 100 registrants. To register, go to:
http://www.brookfieldgrs.com/insights_ideas/grts/2009_GRTS_Economic_Climate_Webinar.asp

About Brookfield Global Relocation Services

Brookfield Global Relocation Services (http://www.brookfieldgrs.com) is a
leading, full-service outsourcing partner of end-to-end employee relocation,
assignment management and mobility consulting services for multinational
organizations worldwide. The company serves corporations throughout the world
and manages over than $2 billion in relocation-related transactions.

Siler & Company
Hugh Siler
(949) 646-6966
hugh@silerpr.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009