FlyingTypers Logo
#INTHEAIREVERYWHERE
FlyingTypers Ad
   Vol. 14  No. 38
Tuesday May 5, 2015

ATC Up Front & Pulling Away

ATC Aviation Out Front

     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.

ATC Booth
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)



If You Missed Any Of The Previous 3 Issues Of FlyingTypers
Access complete issue by clicking on issue icon or
Access specific articles by clicking on article title

FT042415
Vol. 14 No. 35
Earth Day Lightbox
Jan Krems On Sustainability
Speak Up Air Cargo
The American Way
Bill Boesch—From The Bottom
Hot Ginger & Dynamite
FT042815
Vol. 14 No. 36
Time Delayed Report At CNS
David King At CNS
High Speed Change At Slowdown
Chuckles For April 28, 2015
Lithium Shippers Options Narrow
Four Decades Of Vital Views
Help For Nepal