Airport Industry Benefits From ACI Conference

December 2, 2005

New Zealand Airport Industry Benefits From ACI Conference

New Zealand-based companies supplying technology to airports believe their industry was greatly boosted by last month's ACI conference and exhibition – and are following significant leads.

A number of Kiwi companies showcased their products to more than 600 airport delegates from around the world.

Faulkner Collins, New Zealand's premier wire and tube fabrication company, enjoyed the opportunity to show off their range of baggage trolleys, designed to provide easy movement both inside and outside the airport.

National sales manager Lawrence Barker says the ACI exhibition brought some significant leads.

"Because our products are big and bulky it's a logistical nightmare to take the whole range offshore for exhibitions. Our aim was to display our trolleys and make as wider contact with people as possible. We achieved that."

As members of New Zealand Airport Technology Suppliers* (NZATS), Faulkner Collins exhibited in the large stand supported by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

"As a group of companies joined together under the NZATS banner, our stand did a great job projecting what we are capable of doing. We are all complementary businesses and should you want a one-stop airport fit out, it could be arranged through any of the NZATS companies."

Another NZATS member, Ian Walton of Atrax Group, the worlds' largest supplier of specialised weighing equipment to the aviation industry, says the exhibition was a great networking opportunity.

"We met a lot of new players. There were a lot of delegates from East Europe and South American countries, which was definitely of value and we have a number of leads to follow up. It was also good to learn of new airports we didn't know about and make contacts with the people there."

Walton believes the New Zealand airport industry will benefit from having so many key players visit the country.

Software module company Airport 20/20 used the exhibition to build brand awareness. General manager Nigel Farley says it was good to support the NZATS group and meet delegates from around the world.

He says while in his experience, attending exhibitions doesn't always result in contract leads, they do help raise a company's profile.

This year has been an excellent one for Airport 20/20, including work with the Civil Aviation Authority of Finland that chose the company to provide a range of software and ongoing support for a range of systems, including air traffic air traffic, aeronautical billing, staff intranet and reporting and statistical analysis solutions, across 25 Finnish airports.

Airport 20/20 has also provided systems to a number of other airports in 2005, including JFK International Airport, Sydney International Airport, Dublin International Airport, Kotoka Airport and Winnipeg International.

NZATS were supported in their ACI exhibition efforts by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise's specialised manufacturing sector director David Penny was pleased with the outcomes achieved at the ACI World Conference and exhibition.

"The future is looking bright for the New Zealand aviation industry with global airport passengers increasing by four percent per year, and freight forecasts increasing by 5.1 percent per year. It is predicted that by 2020 per annum there will be more than 7.5 billion passengers and 170 million tons of freight worldwide.

"It was noticeable from the displays that New Zealand technology and consulting expertise is well regarded. We're confident the ongoing development of New Zealand airport technology industry will generate significant export revenue for the economy in the future."

ENDS

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