Airline/forwarder venture doubles turnover

IN THE 10-year relationship between French forwarding major SDV and Air France Cargo, turnover has doubled - with 35% now generated outside France. The two partners are currently working on integrating processes both in their electronic connection and in physical cargo handling. Presently, EDI (electronic data interchange) monitoring tests are being carried out aimed at obtaining "Cargo 2000" certification by mid-year. The two operations are also currently sharing the main SDV hub at the De Gaulle airport in Paris, until construction of the new Air France Cargo hub - designed to handle a million tons of cargo a year - is completed. A steering committee has also been formed to decide on the future relationship of the two facilities. There is also integration in the express field - where SDV's Saga Express shares the airline's "express supermarket". The two companies are also aiming their joint product at specific, major industrial sectors - having already signed six contracts, covering various sectors in the pharmaceutical, oil, aeronautics and chemical industries.