14 PASSENGER HANDLING
GROUND HANDLING INTERNATIONAL JUNE 2013 AERO Specialties has seen buoyant demand for stairs... and hybrid GPUs
“We certainly see the market improving. Equity markets and real estate holdings have been returning profits as of the last several quarters. Such yields have led to increased consumer confidence and more propensity to invest in infrastructure and GSE. I could mention the old adage that the “rich are getting richer”, as it is generally the wealthy entrepreneurs who spur new aircraft purchases or aircraft operations, such as new commercial airlines. We have seen the most interest and growth in our line of diesel-hybrid aircraft ground power units, the JetGo GPUs. In fact, the JetGo GPU line has expanded to a level exceeding our production expectations and forecasts. This shows that there really is a pent-up demand for organisations to procure much needed equipment to expand their aircraft servicing capabilities. Many of these customers are choosing a greener unit such as the JetGo hybrid unit to not only save on operational costs and fuel consumption, but also to appeal to a more environmentally conscious customer base - or at least use the green system as a marketing strategy.” Finally, NMC-Wollard’s Vice President, Bruce Steingart notes that he has seen his international business increase
through the addition of a European office. “We’ve had increased interest in and
purchases of ramp equipment with electric power. For example, our Model 170 and Model 228 chassis passenger stairs are now available with electric power, as are the Model 888 beltloader and Model 704 maintenance lift. “We are cautiously optimistic about the pace of international business, though. We are continuing to strengthen our worldwide representation and enhance and develop our product line; that said, much depends on the strength of the economy and world unrest.”
A European perspective European office has helped Wollard
Across the Atlantic, Mallaghan’s Owen McKenna states that the manufacturer has had a very good year in terms of sales of both towable and self-propelled stairs. “With the towable version, most customers are going for either a diesel or a battery pack that makes the operation one-man: this is effected through powering the stairs hydraulically forwards and backwards as well as up and down. This also operates the stabilisers, thereby reducing the manual labour requirement. In 2012, we continued to sell many passenger stairs to TCR, the rental company in Belgium, for units that ended up with handling customers in the UK, Spain, France and Germany, to name a few. We sold units across an international area, for both new start-up contracts and for replacement stairs to customers in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Far
East and New Zealand. “We have continued to develop both our towable and self-propelled versions with some new innovations and further developments on the technology used in our electric stairs. The electric technology, unlike some truck-mounted GSE, is already there in the marketplace and we have been supplying new electric stairs to SAS Airlines and Menzies, to give just two examples. “We feel also at present that there seems to be a general movement away from the more expensive self-propelled stairs to the lower cost towable passenger stairs.” Passenger stairs are an important element in TLD’s range, as Marko Schottler, the company’s Sales and Service Director, explains. “Our most popular model is our ABS-580, because it can handle almost all commercial aircraft on the market, with sills of up to 5.80 metres in height. This model is available either a diesel or electric version. We also offer the BBS- 580, which is the same model but with the steering mounted on the top; again the customer can choose between diesel and electric power. Going green is an important subject for passenger stairs, since an electric transmission is perfectly suited for these applications because these units are usually not travelling large distances on the ramp. This is why we have been recommending an electric transmission for our most popular models for a long time. However, some airports are not able to provide the required infrastructure for chargers. The forthcoming emission restrictions, those of Tier IV, will further enforce the trend to green, as engines are becoming more complex, more expensive and more difficult to maintain. Also, it is not clear how particle filter clearing will be handled in an efficient manner for equipment that typically does not see an engine running for any length of time. “We are also manufacturing other models. There is a smaller version, the ABS-2045, which serves sills up to 2.45 metres only; and we have a towable version, mainly for the emerging markets, the ABT, which can work at up to 4 metres. Last year we sold hundreds of passenger stairs all over the world, so it can be said that sales have been truly international. Indeed, you will find our stairs in almost any country of the world. “Ahead, there might be some product evolution, mainly because of the new composite aircraft such as the B787 and the A350.”
Murat Denge, at the eponymous GSE manufacturer, says that sales of steps actually increased in 2012 after what has been a few quiet years. “Libya, after
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48