June 2013 Exploring GSE, airfi eld equipment and infrastructure | www.airsideint.com INSIDE THIS ISSUE... 9 19 26 The challenges Managing Air cargo facing Far Eastern airport systems and gateways finances equipment GSE BUYERS AND RAMP OPERATORS COME TOGETHER Pete Speck (above) and David Anderson (below) chaired the conference Between 24 and 26 April, the great and the good of the ground support equipment community came together with ramp operators in Lisbon for the 2013 GSE Buyers’ & Ramp-Ops Conference EVA INTERNATIONAL – PUBLISHER of Airside Interna- “We are now at a GSE maintenance at Swissport International and a reg- tional – organises the annual GSE Buyers’ Conference ular contributor to the pages of Airside International – and, this year, it took the decision to include ramp crossroads in so and British Airways’ head of operational safety, David operations in the event, refl ecting the inextricable Anderson. They introduced the various speakers that connections between GSE procurement and the vast many areas of GSE, took to the podium to give the audience the benefi t array of activities that are carried out on the ramp. and tomorrow’s of their experience and knowledge; amongst these in- Over the course of three days, senior fi gures dustry leaders were representatives from big players within the GSE and ramp operations world came to- handling of the GSE manufacturing, leasing and handling world gether in the Portuguese capital for an agenda that such as Dnata, Fraport, HAVAS, JBT AeroTech, Menzies included presentations and panel discussions on all equipment may Aviation, TCR and The Specialist Hire Group. aspects of the GSE arena and the equipment’s role not look or operate Airports, too, were well represented amongst the on the apron. A particular focus this year was on air- speakers, namely Chicago Rockford, Copenhagen and port winter operations, adding to the topics covered like today’s” Toronto, while there were also speakers from airlines in a varied and fascinating programme. including Aer Lingus, LAN Cargo and SpiceJet. The Conference was chaired by two experienced Pete Speck Exhibiting alongside the Conference were numer- operators, Peter Speck – head of corporate supply & ous other GSE manufacturers, including Airside GSE, Continued on page 3 with high GSEGSE performance Baggage, Cargo, Pushback We are able to offer a large product range of towing tractors, conveyor belt cars, container pallet transporters and other special vehicles for high-quality Ground Support – with 50 years of experience. MULAG Fahrzeugwerk Heinz Wössner GmbH u. Co. KG Gewerbestraße 8 Phone +49-7804 913-0 Messe München C528.-11. October Outdoor 2013 Area 77728 Oppenau Fax +49-7804 913-159 www.mulag.com Germany E-Mail [email protected] CONFERENCE REVIEW | GSE BUYERS’ & RAMP-OPS 2013 MIKE BRYANT Editor [email protected] his issue of Airside International leads with a review of April’s GSE Buyers’ PARVEEN RAJA Publisher & Ramp-Ops Conference in Lisbon, & Business Development Director an annual event organised by the [email protected] publisher of AI that brings together ROSA BELLANCA TGSE buyers, suppliers, users and other interested Commercial Director parties. Once again, it was a big success, attracting [email protected] numerous high-powered speakers and a large, often lively audience. BHAVI ATUL 13 17 22 24 Events Coordinator This issue also takes a look at the many [email protected] challenges of airports in the booming Far East, some of which are fairly peculiar to operating in SHELDON PINK Graphic Designer/Production that part of the world. There is a distinct cargo [email protected] theme to this Airside International, the magazine featuring an interview with Gerton Hulsman, SHOBHANA PATEL Head of Finance managing director of warehouse handler fi [email protected] Düsseldorf Cargo Logistics, and with Mike Duffy, contents CEO of freight handler Cargo Airport Services, HANNAH SAFIYAH Circulation Department while we offer an analysis of the changing face [email protected] of cargo handling systems and equipment used around the world. 1 GSE Buyers’ & Ramp-Ops Conference review Address changes and subscription orders to: [email protected] Plus, we look at specialist GSE including apron ISSN 1755-8697 buses and tractors, as well as consider how GSE 6 Bus-iness as usual EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS is maintained in various models, while offering Marcia MacLeod, Keith Mwanalushi, Megan Ramsay and David Smith some thoughts on just how airports manage their 9 Far East round-up PUBLISHED BY delicate fi nancial dealings. We also talk to Maurizio EVA International Media Ltd Beni of Heathrow handler Azzurra about his 13 Keeping up with the customer 25 Burcott Road, Purley Surrey, CR8 4AD, UK company’s GSE fl eet. Tel: + 44 (0) 20 8668 9118 17 Pulling standards Fax: + 44 (0)20 8660 3008 I hope you enjoy the issue. Website: www.evaint.com PRINTED BY 19 Managing the cash Headley Brothers The Invicta Press, Lower Queens Road Ashford, Kent, TN24 8HH, UK 22 Goldhofer: An eye for opportunities DISTRIBUTED BY Business Air MIKE BRYANT 23 Düsseldorf handles the challenges EDITOR 24 GSE buyer interviews – CAS and Azzurra 26 Today’s freight loads need extreme machines Issue 22 © 2013 | www.evaint.com Content may not be reproduced in any format without 30 Airside update Exploring GSE, airfi eld equipment and infrastructure written permission from EVA International Media Ltd Experience the …and come see us Vestergaard quality at stand #B60 at Vestergaard Company A/S Skullebjerg 31 · Gevninge · DK-4000 Roskilde · Denmark Tel. +45 4642 2222 · [email protected] · www.vestergaardcompany.com 2 AIRSIDE INTERNATIONAL | JUNE 2013 WWW.AIRSIDEINT.COM GSE BUYERS’ & RAMP-OPS 2013 | CONFERENCE REVIEW Continued from page 1 AMSS, Charlatte Manutention, Contrac, Denge, Douglas Equipment, Gold- hofer, Mallaghan, sister companies Sovam and Air Marrel, Timsan, TLD, TUG Technologies, Viseon Bus and Vestergaard. NOT ALL WORK AND NO PLAY While the days were busy, the evening of the 25th brought a chance for those in Lisbon to enjoy themselves, as well as to continue to make the most of the networking opportunities that the Conference offers. A sumptuous champagne reception and gala dinner in the Conference venue, the five-star Tivoli Hotel in the centre of Lisbon, proved a great way for speakers and delegates to unwind and let their hair down a little after what had been a long but enjoyable day, and before the Conference re- sumed once again on the Friday. The Thursday had begun with a brief introduction from event organ- iser Eva’s publisher, Parveen Raja, and she was followed by chairmen Peter Speck’s and David Anderson’s opening remarks. Speck pointed out that, in the GSE sector: “Innovation has come largely through evolution.” Indeed, he said, aircraft are still being handled more or less as they were in the 1960s and by means of pretty much the same equipment. But, he added, we are now at a crossroads in so many areas of GSE, and tomorrow’s handling equipment may not look or operate like today’s. to promote greater levels of consistency in handling safety standards and to The day’s first presentation was given by Kristaps Freimanis, quality reduce the need for carrier customers to audit their handlers, those goals manager for HAVAS Europe. Freimanis outlined how a handler such as HA- have perhaps only been achieved to a limited extent. VAS adheres to the procedures laid out in the International Air Transport Association’s ISAGO (IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations) guidelines DNATA LOOKS TO THE FUTURE and suggested some technological developments that the industry might Next up to the podium was John Edmunds, business manager – central ser- seek to adopt in order to ensure greater adherence to ISAGO protocols on vices at Dnata UK. Coming from a military background, he is keen to bring a an ongoing basis. Greater automation of some GSE equipment control func- fresh eye and some new ideas to handling and to GSE operations. According tions might help in this regard, he pointed out and – while requiring some to Edmunds, some of the GSE in use is still “very agricultural” – quite old initial investment – it was noted that that outlay could soon be more than and relatively unsophisticated. compensated for in terms of not only labour saving but also in lower rates Yet, he sees cause for optimism: while certainly the GSE in use generally of damage and/or injury on the ramp. “needs to be more efficient, we are slowly catching up”, he said. Some of the Freimanis also questioned the value of some of the procedures contained priorities for handlers today analysing their GSE acquisition requirements, within ISAGO, although he has no doubt of the worth of the mechanism to Edmunds considers, include looking at the whole-life costs of equipment, the Turkish handler. One issue highlighted by a member of the audience from acquisition right through to disposal – whatever form that may take. was that technological developments introduced by GSE manufacturers Recycling of obsolete equipment will become a much more common means might have made some of the ISAGO protocols somewhat obsolete already. of disposal, he notes, while as part of the move towards greater environ- It was also mentioned that ISAGO is not compulsory for any handler and mental consciousness hard choices will need to be made on what will power therefore there are no sanctions for non-compliance. Moreover, introduced the GSE vehicles of the future – to be diesel, electric or hybrid? tbduk We’ll make you fly ELECTRIC TOWBARLESS AIRCRAFT TUGS The most stylish and advanced range of AC electric powered environmentally friendly & economical Aircraft Tugs available. 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