(With Geoffrey in San Antonio)—As
CNS Partnership takes off today in San Antonio, Texas, and conferees
are gathering from all across the country and around the world under
a blanket of deep blue, south central Texas skies, Robbie Anderson,
President United Cargo delivers a message that is upbeat, realistic,
and in tune with the future.
“Since 2014 began, we’ve been upfront in stating
that our goal is to regain our customers’ trust and to recapture
the business that migrated elsewhere during our past technological and
vendor partner transitions.
“We’ve had significant success in bringing
our volumes back, though we’re still challenged by the difficult
rate environment brought on by chronic overcapacity.”
The Value
Proposition
“Our team is also examining our unique value proposition:
in other words, what qualities and benefits do we bring to the market
that cause customers to choose United Cargo?
“This is a crucial internal process that has resulted
in a reinforcement of our strengths and an awareness of where we need
to develop.”
Control Towers Above All
“We’re very pleased with the operation of,
and the customer feedback to, our new Control Tower for TempControl
shipments.
“Having a dedicated team delivering proactive shipment
updates and serving as the single point of contact for every facet of
the shipment increases the customer’s peace of mind and sense
of—I hesitate to say it—‘control’ over these
invaluable commodities,” Robbie smiles.
“The Control Tower is one part of an overall strategy
of developing our TempControl service.
“The global, cross-functional effort involves our
Training, Operational, and Sales teams to ensure we can respond quickly
to customers who require creative solutions for temperature-sensitive
transport.”
Business
Up To The Minute
“It’s encouraging to observe the healthy year-over-year
growth in worldwide cargo volumes in the first few months of 2014, but
disheartening to note that available capacity is rising right along
with the tonnage.
“In terms of products and commodities, we continue
to be encouraged by the success of our TempControl business.
“This is a focus for us, both in terms of increasing
the number of markets we serve and enhancing customer service. Among
the 10 additional TempControl cities we plan to certify in 2014, we
will announce Lima later this month and Delhi and Mumbai soon after.
“Once again, our Control Tower approach to service
is proving a distinct contributor to this product’s growth.”
B787s Driving
Positive Response
“We are experiencing consistent healthy cargo volumes
on our flights out of Europe.
“Our flights from China also continue to be strong
performers, and we anticipate very positive response to the launch of
Boeing 787 service between San Francisco and Chengdu, China, in June.
“The opening of this market represents the first
service by a U.S. airline to mainland China beyond Beijing and Shanghai.
“Chengdu is an excellent example of the type of market
that becomes economically feasible if serviced by the 787, where it
might not be on other widebody aircraft.
“Los Angeles-Tokyo is a market currently operated
with 787 aircraft that is performing well for our cargo business.
“We also plan to offer nonstop 787 service between
Los Angeles and Melbourne, Australia, six times weekly beginning October
26.”
Rap Around
UC360
“It’s very gratifying to report that the functionality
of our UC360° system, and our utilization of its capabilities, is
improving every day.
“The system is built on a leading-edge technological
foundation, and we’re implementing a series of code releases to
enhance its features and functionality as the year progresses.
“One of the most personally satisfying benefits of
the UC360° system is that it enables United Cargo to fully support
and participate in the e-freight initiative and contribute to the achievement
of IATA’s goal of 22 percent penetration of the e-airway bill
in 2014.”
Traction Toward e-AWB
“Many folks have heard me say that when I left the
cargo industry in 2005, e-freight and the push toward ‘less paper’
was a topic of high focus.
“When I came back in 2010, the focus was still there
but there hadn’t been much progress.
“Now, with the multi-lateral e-airway bill agreement
in place and definite, reachable targets established, I can say I sense
unmistakable traction and momentum toward the goal.”
About Leadership
& Next Gen
“In my view, the most important quality of an effective
leader is a genuine concern about the people on your team.
“From this concern, you develop an interest in helping
them determine where they want to take their careers, then a passion
to help them fulfill their aspirations.
“I think I speak for my industry colleagues when
I say we have the talent to lead the air cargo industry to a new level
of future prosperity already working on our teams.
“It’s up to current leaders to nurture this
talent, encourage their innovative ideas and keep them excited about
the unlimited possibilities in our industry.”
Keen
On The Environment
“The air cargo industry’s level of interest
and engagement in environmental and sustainability issues has never
been higher.
“There’s a pervasive awareness that these issues
will have an increasing impact on our business and a pragmatic understanding
that cooperative efforts are essential.
“In the future, we will either be confronting a patchwork
of conflicting regulations and programs, or we will be managing a framework
built on multi-lateral cooperation that can lead to real progress toward
the desired outcome of reduced carbon emissions.
“It’s my sense that our industry understands
our actions and can make a real difference in the regulatory environment
in the near-term, and the earth’s environment in the long-term.”
Geoffrey/Flossie
