CSC builds management strength

É as volumes increase COUNTRIES WITH ample mineral resources will shine when the current global economic crisis settles down, and South Africa will be well to the fore, says a confident Derek Hughes, Cargo Service Center (CSC) station manager in Johannesburg. "I've been in this position since late last year and have already seen a significant rise in capacity loads," he says. "Some of these exports have been of an unusual and enormous size. Take for instance the large number of railway coach chassis we are loading for export to the United States. Normally this is a commodity that is moved by sea because of its size, but they are being sent airfreight because of urgent calls from the States. "We've had them flying out on Hydro Air, Cargolux and BA World Cargo. The increase in passenger flights has also acted in our favour. It means more belly space for cargo, and we are using it up as fast as we can get it." Formerly Virgin Atlantic Cargo service manager at Heathrow for five years out of the eight he spent there in the airline's service, Hughes has built a strong team to develop CSC in this country. Craig Crozet, currently operations manager of CSC2 terminal in Johannesburg, has the additional roles of station manager for Durban and Port Elizabeth. These two coastal centres are primarily trucking destinations, which means CSC now acts as an extension to international airline services where the airline does not proceed beyond Johannesburg. CSC will also be handling Singapore Airlines in Durban from July 1. The team in Durban is led by operations supervisor Tony Goncalves. Latest newcomer to the CSC stable is Linda James, formerly of BA World Cargo where she has been monitoring international freight movements for the past five years. She is now manager, cargo services for CSC's terminal 3. "All I have done is to move over the fence, still serving my former master, but adding experience to the others under the CSC handling banner," she says. James has been closely connected with movements of wild animals out of South Africa under the worldwide wild life programme, notably the packs of Cape hunting dogs which were flown to the US to be involved in a breeding programme. "I have aimed to attract experienced airline people to our staff to give us the strength we need to meet the demands of this country's growth in the future," says Hughes.