IMS Worldwide, Inc., (IMSW) Vice President for Logistics and Business Development, Steve Schellenberg provided 10 years in management for BAX Global, a global air cargo operator and integrated air carriers (purchased by DB Schenker, now DSV), initiated daily cargo flights to/from Monterrey, MX and the US system to support General Motors’ assembly operations in Saltillo, Mexico and managed all Ford Tier 1 supplier production parts from Mexico using the BAX cargo fleet or dedicated charter flights. Required interactions with both Mexico Aduana and US CBP. From that work completed by Shellenberg, BAX created the first Air Cargo direct-to-Mexico scheduled services for the automotive industry in Mexico and added both production and assembly operations across North America for the Big 3 Automakers.
IMS Worldwide, Inc. Air Cargo Consulting Experience
Rickenbacker Airport
IMSW provided three years as logistics consultant to Columbus Region Economic Development and Columbus Regional Airport Authority to provide inputs related to how Columbus/LCK could compete as a logistics and air cargo hub and provide advantages for shippers who would operate in that market rather than in the traditional Chicago/ORD gateway. Worked with freight forwarders, logistics services providers and cargo owners to leverage the value proposition for Columbus over other gateway markets and added daily and weekly freighter services to build a credible, competitive regional alternative gateway airport.
Outcome
Working with global and niche logistics services providers, IMSW proved to this sector that services to/from LCK were more competitive-in cost and time-over ORD and added new cargo carriers to the daily or weekly operations as demand increased, resulting in an increase from 3 weekly international air cargo flights to 30 plus weekly flights.
Michael Baker International Aviation Consultants
IMSW served two years as sub-contractor to Michael Baker International, in the role as lead consultant related to air cargo forecast, facilities requirements and infrastructure to support cargo operations at both Columbus Rickenbacker/LCK and Huntsville/HSV for each airport’s Master Plan. Two Master Plan updates were completed at these airports during the same time period.
Outcome
For LCK, the cargo forecast was created despite dubious inputs from the FAA related to the expected volumes, and in the first two years of cargo operations, both forecasts were exceeded in tonnage and operations .
Ardmore OK Airport
A one-year feasibility/demand study was performed for Ardmore Airport Authority (Ardmore, OK), by IMSW related to the challenges of a new cargo-only airport near DFW and OKC, recommended interim steps for building logistics and related infrastructure prior to launching full time marketing efforts to capture new air cargo operations.
Outcome
Ardmore leadership has contracted with a national developer to build infrastructure/rail and facilities in order to densify logistics activities in/near the Airport in order to build a platform for growth and future air cargo possibilities.
GSP Airport
IMSW served three years as leading cargo development consultant to Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport/GSP in South Carolina. Cargo operations expansion drove demand to increase the size of the existing air cargo facility and added additional ramp and parking to support international air cargo freighter operations at GSP. Transition from Senator to Maersk Air occurred during this period, and growth accelerated through development of value to show forwarders the differentials in cost and time that could occur at GSP over existing gateways.
Outcome
GSP added 50,000 sf on new cargo capacity to the existing 110,000 sf space and doubled the aircraft parking from 17 to 34 acres to meet cargo through-put demands. Maersk also added new routes to Asia to support other OEM vehicle producers’ expansion in the Southeastern US.
Tallahassee Airport
IMSW is currently in our third year of consulting to Tallahassee International Airport to develop a new air cargo operation and infrastructure at the TLH Airport. Demand and feasibility studies completed indicate opportunity to expand economic impact of the airport in the region as a Foreign-Trade Zone Grantee and Operator and identified cargo and logistics firms to shift or expand operations to support new cargo volumes and routes. This consulting project is on-going and cargo owners and logistics services providers are being contacted to generate demand to document viable volumes for carriers and expedited ground carriers.
Outcome
IMSW has worked with leadership at TLH to build a new Foreign-Trade Zone program at the Airport with the Authority acting as the Grantee. This is the base-line for attracting and building future logistics services providers’ facilities and operations at TLH. Leveraging the Zone program will result in increased logistics services demand, creating opportunity for new or existing logistics services providers to expand or implement new facilities and capabilities in the region.