Nobody has to tell
ATC Aviation CEO Ingo Zimmer to stand tall.
At nearly 6 foot five inches, the
dynamic leader of “wunderkind” GSSA ATC, based in Cargo
City Sud Frankfurt-Main Airport, is usually the easiest to spot,
even in a crowded room.
But as 2015 continues, excitement
and forward momentum in the global GSSA game has become ATC's business
brand.
From small acorns has sprung a genuine,
European-based mighty oak, as ATC has forged its way to becoming
a major factor and the preferred airline cargo resource in North
America, Latin America, and as you will read here, elsewhere as
well.
“We are very positive for 2015,”
Ingo insists.
“Currently our existing network
covers four continents, nineteen countries fielding thirty-six offices
with more than 200 employees.
“We can announce that during
2015 ATC plans office openings in South America.
"We are also continuing to focus
heavily on building our brand across Asia.
“Last year (2014) ATC recorded
month to month increases throughout the year.
“Upward movement year to year
continues into 2015.
“Our coverage in Europe remains
a strong point.
“In Germany, for example, ATC
is currently moving 7,000-plus tons monthly," Ingo said.
Growth
Partnership
“ATC is proud to grow with existing
customers.
“Some of the airlines we represent
in Europe include Qatar, Etihad, and Turkish--all top line cargo
carriers with venturesome and exciting cargo offerings.
“In the U.S., where ATC acquired
Platinum Cargo (now branded as ATC), we see plenty of opportunity
for growth for our GSSA service whilst fielding an expert team headed
up by Timothy Pfeil and Don Cochran.
“ATC launched in South America
last year.
“Viva Latin America!”
Ingo exclaims, obviously glad he made the move. “Here we are
now adding exciting new airline customers almost on a monthly basis,”
he exclaims.
“ATC is open for business in
Argentina/Brazil/Ecuador/Venezuela and via co-operations in Uruguay
and Paraguay.
“No doubt we are well on the
way to becoming the leading GSSA operation across all of South America,”
he smiles.
Total
Dedication Across The Board
“I believe in partnership and
quality.
“What that means in exact terms
is that if airlines had good experiences with us and our product
offering in Europe, they will be comfortable in Asia and in the
Americas as well."
Tailored
Made Services
"Our strengths lie in the variety
and flexibility we offer, covering not only basic requirements but
also an expansive range of service requirements with deft experience,
market coverage, and quality.
“In fact, in every case, quality
is job one.
“ATC is also quite flexible
and in fact never markets a one-size-fits-all, cookie-cutter approach.
“We offer everybody both big
and small world-class services either as regional representation/national
representation/area representation or full global services as part
of our options offering.
“There is also plenty of variety
in our service packages.
“Customer can access various
ATC Service Modules, including customer service+reservation/customer+service+reservation,
and sales/customer service+reservation.
“Of course, full sales and accounting
support are also a major part of our offering," Ingo Zimmer
said.
ATC
Yesterday & Today
Founded in Switzerland in 1971, during
nearly a quarter century of service ATC has compiled an enviable
track record in markets around the globe.
“All our offices are company
operated,” Ingo said, "and there are no subcontractors
fronting our operations.
“We utilize the same centralized,
state-of-the-art IT everywhere, featuring a clear and very direct
group procedure manual.
“I have hand selected all of
our top managers using a very strict and well-tuned discipline.
"Our belief is simple. Operating
a great GSSA must include that the best surprise is no surprise.
"For example, all customer service
staff at ATC count having a forwarder/airline background as an active
and, to our purposes, vital part of their CV and job experience.
“There is no corner cutting
in any part of our business, meaning a first class offering, and
no thought of cheap labor, either,” Ingo said.
More
Airlines & Growing
“ATC is adding value and supporting
airlines in strategies and SPAs/partnerships.
"In 2015 ATC is the leading GSSA
in Germany, Switzerland, and now the USA, where we are among the
top five air cargo capacity providers,” Ingo said.
Any
Surprises?
“I am surprised about the sudden
downsizing of the cargo activities of Asian carriers we have known
for decades here in Europe.
“But I think the most important
change in the GSSA business has already happened, reversing some
negative views of GSSA providers when we started in business.
“ATC has proven by reputation
that we are a force for good as we continue to show how much benefit--including
both cost savings and innovatio--we bring to the industry.
“Looking ahead, it is our most
earnest desire to expand and innovate, so we will further enhance
and innovate our offering as an important and professional partner
in IATA and the air cargo industry in general.
“With 350 million euro turnover
per year, ATC is already among the top five 3-5 GSSAs in terms of
sales.
“I believe we are very solidly
the industry leader in terms of quality already.
“As mentioned, in terms of total
tonnage, ATC leads the way as number one GSSA in top markets like
USA, Germany, and Switzerland.
“But looking at tomorrow, let’s
see what our expansion in Asia and Latin America brings,”
Ingo smiles.
Why
Air Cargo?
“For me, this is the most exciting
job you can be involved in. It can never be boring You make friends
and business partners with people and different cultures from all
continents, all of who want to do real business.
“It is at once exciting and
always a challenge to better yourself.
"Sure air cargo can do some things
better, there is always room for improvement all around and up and
down the line.
“For example, airfreight still
spends too much time on the ground.
“The interface between cargo
agent-ground handling agent and airlines has to be improved,”
Ingo Zimmer said.
At
Hall B Stand 317 Munich
“We are in Munich at Air Cargo
Europe (ACE) because this is the biggest and among the best events
in the world.
"We can meet most of our airline
partners during those four days.
"Also we have a great opportunity
to meet and greet most of the German forwarders and some of the
international forwarding community in attendance here as well.
“At ACE we are fielding 20 and
more ATC specialist managers from all over the world that will be
in evidence in the ATC stand throughout the events this week.
"All attending ACE this week
are cordially invited to stop by and say hello,” Ingo Zimmer
said.
(Geoffrey)
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