Menzies Aviation: serving others and improving itself

Menzies Aviation continues to expand and develop; not just when it comes to gaining new clients, but also in the way it prepares to handle the cargo warehouses of the future. To that end, it has chosen to work with Banagalore-headquarters technology services and consulting company, Wipro, to transform its cargo handling services into fit for the future.

But first, over to South Africa, where it is South African Airways (SAA) Cargo, that has contracted Menzies Aviation to assist its own transformation as the airline returns from a very rocky past. SAA Cargo is currently restructuring in accordance with the airline’s post-Business Rescue plans. Its cooperation with Menzies already began on 01DEC22, over at Cape Town International Airport (CPT), where Menzies now handles all SAA Cargo terminal operations. In the coming weeks, it will also take over the airline’s air cargo services at OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, and Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ). Professor John Lamola, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, SAA, commented on the decision to hand over ground handling to the world’s largest aviation services company, following a stringent procurement process: “This milestone is an important one. It is part of our efforts to re-position SAA Cargo and unlock the value of SAA Cargo terminals. It also allows management to focus on critical strategic goals to grow our cargo business.”

Greener for Growth
The wise and necessary decision these days, when you’re building to bounce back, is to incorporate sustainability into your operations. SAA Cargo and Menzies are therefore renovating the terminals accordingly at the three South African airports, and investing in carbon-emission-reduction measures such as: electric vehicles and ground service equipment, solar energy, energy efficient lighting, and recycling processes. While Menzies will move its existing and new business into the airline’s cargo handling facilities – incidentally the largest in the country - the buildings will remain part of SAA’s property portfolio. OR Tambo can handle 229,000 tons/year and Cape Town has the capacity to handle 92,550 tons/year.
Philipp Joeinig, CEO, Menzies Aviation, declared: “The partnership with SAA aligns with the strategy to grow Menzies’ footprint in Africa, where we see huge potential for growth. SAA is an important player in the cargo industry and this partnership is a real game changer for our business in South Africa as we are now based in the largest air cargo facilities in the country in the two main air freight ports. It also aligns with our long-term vision to strengthen our position as the leading aviation services provider in Africa.”

Menzies strengthening its future position, too
Always looking to improve and prepare for a changing future, Menzies Aviation recently announced that it had selected technology services and consulting company, Wipro Limited, to transform its air cargo management services and keep Menzies at the forefront of the industry. “The cargo warehouse of the future will operate very differently from today’s facilities - think autonomous vehicles, robotics, and paperless environments. As part of our plans to transform and fortify our position as the leader in the market, we have selected global technology services and consulting company Wipro to provide a cutting-edge warehouse management system, which will improve business efficiencies, employee experience and customer service, as well as proving a platform to adopt future systems and solutions in the years ahead,” Menzies explained on LinkedIn.
The Wipro cargo handling product, based on cloud-native technologies and focused on visibility, efficiency, and security, will initially be rolled out in five air cargo locations, this year: Bucharest/Romania; Wellington, Christchurch, and Auckland in New Zealand; and Macau/China. The rest of Menzies network is due to follow by the end of 2024.

Wipro wins the RFP
Robert Fordree, Executive Vice President Cargo, Menzies Aviation, said: “At Menzies, we are committed to investing in innovative solutions, such as our recently launched robotic inventory checks and digitalization of flight packs, and Wipro’s platform will ensure we can utilize cutting-edge systems and products in the years ahead. This agreement will enable end-to-end digitalization of our operations, process standardization, consistent customer service and enhanced employee experience, which is hugely important in attracting a new generation of cargo professionals. Our teams will be able to utilize an operating system that is more aligned to the look and feel of everyday apps, and our customers will benefit from increased transparency of cargo status, use of automation to speed up processes and improved safety and security procedures.”

Powering the powerhouse
Omkar Nisal, Managing Director UK & Ireland, Wipro Limited, enunciated: “We are excited to deliver a modern, contemporary cargo handling solution architected on latest technologies that will support Menzies’ air cargo transformation and growth plans. Wipro’s new product is radically simple to use through a reimagined user experience paradigm. It will also address the urgent need for improved efficiencies in the supply chain driven by the tremendous growth in e-commerce business, while also improving processes in air cargo. We will continue to leverage Wipro’s vast technology prowess and invest in the product to deliver industry leading solutions to Menzies and the air cargo industry.”

Brigitte Gledhill

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