(Dateline Istanbul)—Our first impression upon walking into the building was that we had just landed at Google Headquarters.
     The space was so big, bright, and airy, and filled with young, smart looking, purpose-driven people.
     In this business, the opening of air cargo handling terminals occurs on a regular schedule, and each is undoubtedly filled with the hopes and dreams of everyone involved in its creation.
     Over the years we have had the pleasure and honor of seeing some imaginative facilities debut, both at home in the U.S. and around the world in places like Singapore, the UK, and Dubai.
     But a few weeks ago we travelled to Istanbul to see the new Cargo Transfer Facility (CTF) that Turkish Airways Cargo opened January 1, 2015.
     The new Turkish Cargo CTF is not only big, broad-shouldered, beautiful and situated on a tract of land at Ataturk International Airport that will allow for certain expansion in the future, it is a place of expanded capabilities and great promise. It touches every aspect of the transportation art, punctuated by a light and airy openness that lends itself to the business of air cargo and lifts the spirit and imagination of everybody that comes into contact.
     Turkish CTF Istanbul is the right place at the right time, and even for an old cargo hand it’s nothing short of amazing.
     No, it is not about bells and whistles or razzle-dazzle; what is going on here is smart cargo operations at the hub level, with the potential and benefits to rise up and meet any challenge both today and during the upcoming seasons.
     Put simply, Turkish Cargo has now moved further center stage to claim its rightful leadership position on the world cargo air lanes.

Systems & People

     Rather than rush to judgment by slapping a building full of systems and then hoping everything will work all at once (a mistake that has been made time and again by others), Turkish planners and builders opted to take a patient, measured approach, fully fitting out the new CTF whilst measuring some long term decisions about next generation systems.

     But what just knocks us out about the Turkish Cargo IST CTF is how the building deals with the people who work there: the human dimension. It’s the engine that drives everything.
     CTF is a space that allows for everybody inside to view operations and vital activity, offering an unobstructed view of the cargo workspace through giant floor-to-ceiling window walls.
     The view imparts a sense of motion and interaction, a ballet that can only help encourage ideas, sharing, cooperation, and other efficiencies.
     Inside, the Turkish Airlines Istanbul Cargo Transfer Facility staff meeting rooms—where the strategies are planned—are situated facing the air cargo action.

     There is also a sense of history as interior wall spaces tell the story of great Arab philosophers, poets, scientists and mathematicians, including Abu Nasar Al Farabi and Jallaludin Rumi, whose messages spread to impact people all over the world.
     A bright, busy cafeteria that seats 600 people faces the pallet build up area so that meals (there are no special classes here, meaning both white and blue collar employees dine in the same space) at CTF include an overview of the build up process.

     Looking a bit further into the Turkish CTF, we also noted only three private offices in the entire place.
     The main gallery where all the people sit on the top floor includes 300 meters of open plan offices under high ceilings with exposed heating and cooling. Everything is painted white, elevating the open Bauhaus feel of the place in an upward sweep of understated functional elegance.

     “I get a very good daily workout walking back and forth here, before I go to work each day, and also sometimes to work off lunch,” smiles Turkish Cargo Vice President Sales Halit Anlatan.
     “Our new cargo facility offers streamlined operational processes that have been redesigned, and service quality has been maximized.
     “Our network of more than 260 destinations in 108 countries, currently served by 9 freighters with 48 destinations and 253 passenger airplanes, has a center port for a growing business in air cargo.
     “The CTF includes a larger cargo acceptance area, accelerating cargo processes.
     “We have also optimized space for specialty cargo with dedicated areas to handle every consignment from bulk to refrigerated to high value to express—you name it.
     “Whether Live Animals (AVI), Dangerous Goods (DG), Vulnerable Cargo (VUN), Valuable Cargo (VAL), or anything else.
     “If it can be shipped by air, our CTF has a place for the cargo via Istanbul,” Halit insists.
     The cargo admission and delivery space includes 53 bays, with several gates dedicated to TK Plus and special cargo.
     Also vehicle admission areas are 42 m. wide, allowing vehicle traffic and maneuvering to be managed smoothly.
     Accommodation of many different types of vehicles will be facilitated by means of movable level adjusters.


Room To Grow

     Technical Specifications of the New Cargo Facility put future annual throughput tonnage capacity at 1.2 million tons, but Halit points out there is room to grow.

First He Helped Build It

     Mustafa Kemal Ozahi is project engineer for Turkish Cargo.
     As part of the team that planned and built CTF, today Mustafa Kemal helps operate while keeping a weathered eye out for the facility.
     Mustafa Kemal studied industrial engineering in school but then worked in logistics for the fashion industry.
     Having spent time on the customer side of the equation he notes a keen awareness of their needs, which gives him knowledge that has served him well both in the design stage and today in the ongoing implementation of operations for the new Istanbul hub.
     “Actually, when we launched CTF on January 1, we moved operations into the new facility and had everything done in one day with no problems,” said Mustafa Kemal.
     “We were keenly aware that our former facility here was a level two facility. “Too much wasted motion.
     “Our biggest challenge in this new CTF was changing the mindset.
     “People, we felt, would revert to the processes they were familiar and comfortable with from habit.
     “So we commenced staff retraining prior to the move last August 1.
     “Today, everyone is on the same page.
     “There is total seamlessness and transparency in communication here because of the physical layout of the building.
     “That is a real plus for the three shifts a day with 200 people, four shift managers, and eight shift supervisors.
     “Our old facility could handle 550,000 tons, today we are handling 700,000 tons.
     “The projection ahead 4 years is 1.2 million tons annually.
     “Looking ahead we are changing our IT set up to IBS.
     “We currently have sent staff to Lufthansa, our alliance partner, to learn best practices, among other things,” Mustafa Kemal said.

The Vision Thing

     “Bringing this great facility forward we notice that there is better and clearer focus on vision—that allows better interaction for everyone working together as a team, to share the same passion,” said Mr. Anlatan.
     “We are an airport to airport service, so we have to be a true partner to the freight forwarder.
     “Right now, price has become a bargaining chip because of the cost of fuel, but we buy in Kazakhstan where nothing has changed.
     “So the bottom line is Turkish customer service.
     “We are not an industrial country; we are a trading conduit.
     “Now, in addition to our growing, modern air fleet (including freighters), our incredible geographic location as a nation and gateway, and the determined effort of a truly dedicated air cargo management and staff, we move ahead in 2015 seeking new business and challenges.
     “This facility is the new landmark for air shippers.
     “Our investment here is our commitment to a long-term program to take our cargo enterprise in a leading direction well into the 21st century.
     “Turkish Cargo can handle it,” Halit Anlatan said.
Geoffrey/Sabiha

     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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