British ground support equipment specialist TBD has delivered 18 sets of towable passenger stairs to the ground handling branch of Azerbaijan-based carrier Silk Way Airlines.
The total order, worth over £500,000, was focused on a general upgrade for Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku which coincided with an additional requirement for the Europa Cup final staged in the city.
In addition to towable passenger stairs, TBD has recently supplied a significant quantity of baggage trailers, container dollies and pallet dollies for Silk Way’s ground handling needs.
TBS sales director, Jonathan Attfield said TBD was competing with numerous global suppliers from US, EU and the Middle East for this contract, but added Silk Way was “focused on improving quality as well as sourcing a manufacturer that could deliver on-site training and engineering support”.
He said: “We delivered the first sets of stairs in May and our own engineers set up and commissioned the immediate need for ten sets for the Europa Cup final. Full training was provided to the Technical Team at Silk Way Ground Handling so they can complete the building of the remaining units and commission into service themselves. Delivering partially assembled units reduced road transport costs which was also beneficial for the customer.”
TBD said investment in innovation, people, plant and equipment means it is well-placed to meet increased demand – and the company has achieved 30 per cent growth in sales in the last 12 months.
This growth, which has been centred primarily on ground handling equipment such as TBD’s new range of towable passenger stairs, baggage trailers and award-winning cargo dollies, can be attributed to many factors but primarily customers worldwide, like Silk Way Airlines, are coming to TBD “because they know they can get the durability and quality they seek”.
Attfield added: “Well engineered ground support equipment that can withstand changing weather conditions, continues to be robust and fully functional in the hands of many users, and remains cost effective to maintain, ensures a reduced total cost of ownership throughout the units’ lifecycles. Investing in TBD equipment ensures a relationship of on-time support delivery and minimised downtime across the service supply chain.
