ZURICH: Swiss WorldCargo has signed a "quality alliance" agreement with ground handlers Cargologic and SATS to jointly provide e-initiatives, temperature-controlled transport management and specialized handling solutions to shippers.

The announcement comes in the same week as the sudden revaluation of the Swiss Franc against foreign currencies – particularly the Euro. One consequence could make it much more expensive for Swiss exporters to sell their high-end products.

According to their MoU, the aim by the three companies is to facilitate "exchange and mutual learning" between the air cargo communities of Singapore and Switzerland as both have a commitment to open markets, innovation and quality leadership.

They also say they will share knowledge and best practices and collaborate in the fields of information technology, facility development, joint training, "staff/management attachments", and joint innovation workshops.

As a first step, the companies have agreed to develop Good Distribution Practice (GDP) at Cargologic's certified cool chain facilities and SATS network stations (particularly Zurich and Singapore), and to promote various premium and added-value airfreight products for Swiss WorldCargo. The parties say they also want to develop joint e-initiatives and "explore preferred service partnership arrangements".

Cargologic managing director Marco Gredig commented: "There's no denying that efficiency and consistency are key elements in sustainable business operations." Alex Hungate, president and CEO of SATS added: "We are excited about these specific collaborative opportunities...This focus aligns very well with SATS' own airfreight handling capabilities across Asia."

Oliver Evans, SWISS's Chief Cargo Officer and Head of Swiss WorldCargo, noted. "Both SATS and Cargologic are trusted partners and help us achieve our goal of being a global leader in the transportation of care-intensive shipments. We are very excited to embark on a long-term collaboration with them as the reliability of ground processes is a key differentiating factor."

Cargologic handles up to 500,000 tonnes of air cargo each year in Switzerland; SATS operates in 42 airports and 11 countries across Asia and the Middle East; and Swiss WorldCargo transports high-value and care-intensive consignments to some 120 destinations in over 80 countries.