MEA Sept 2017 cover- Six Construct

26 MEA MARKETS / September 2017 , Nigerian AviationHandling Company PLC (nahco aviance) is the foremost aviation ground handling company inNigeria. They were delighted to win the Best Air Cargo Handling Company – Nigeria accolade, within theMEAMSub-Saharan Enterprise Awards. Tomark this success, we spoke to Chief Commercial Officer, Seyi Adewale to find out more about the firm’s award winning services. The Heights of Success Nigerian Aviation Handling Company PLC (nahco aviance) provides ground handling services, such as ramp, passenger, cargo and aviation training services to about 80% of airlines for international and domestic flights into and within Nigeria. nahco aviance operates from 13 airports across the country and they have just added a new station at Akure Airport. The firm’s Chief Commercial Officer, Seyi Adewale is keen to begin by telling us how it feels to win the Best Air Cargo Handling Company – Nigeria accolade, within the MEAM Sub-Saharan Enterprise Awards. “It feels great to be recognise by an international firm such as AI Global Media. It indeed proves that our last five-year strategic plan is beginning to yield positive outcomes. We sincerely believe that this recognition of our contribution to the West African Markets, will continue to birth the firm’s desired outcomes. “We believe that we have been considered for this award, because of our talent management and development strategy, whereby we have the most trained and aviation certified professionals within the Nigerian aviation space. Indeed, we have in place good talent replacement and succession planning, quality and several up- to-date GSEs. “Our responsiveness to client airline needs, contribution towards the growth and development of aviation in Nigeria, support to very good government initiatives, facility maintenance and expansion plans, global reach and international partnerships are all factors that set us apart in the work we do. Seyi then tells us about the firm’s mission, what differentiates them from their competitors and how they stay ahead of emerging developments. “Our primary mission is to increase our market share and this has been largely successful, indeed we have developed new and innovative businesses, such as our Nahco Free Zone at the Lagos Airport. We have also expanded our businesses beyond the shores of Nigeria and executed longer lasting financial sustainability. “What sets us apart, is our highly trained and experienced workforce, as well as the firm’s business coverage and growth (execution) strategy, market segmentation and development strategy, client (airline) responsiveness, business retention strategy and global partnerships. “To stay ahead of any emerging developments, firstly, we benchmark ourselves with the very best global firms in aviation, in terms of emergent technologies. Secondly, we attend relevant seminars, conferences and workshops that showcase technological developments in aviation. Thirdly, we execute timed talent exchange programmes, that include technical models that benefit clients and enhance both our efficiency and service delivery.” Seyi then imparts his expert opinion on the wider trends he is spotting in Sub-Sahara Africa and the benefits of nahco aviance being based in this region. “As I have mentioned, we benchmark ourselves with the very best and have strong partnerships with bodies that set the standards within aviation. This provides us with valuable insight into forecasts, market trend, all of which help us to plan, SA170022 prepare and position ourselves to be the first beneficiary of such initiatives. “For example, nahco aviance is the first certified third party regulated agent in West Africa. We are the first to be certified on DGR CAT 12 in Africa and the first in Nigeria to have an IATA Authorised Training Centre for Cargo. We are also the first to build the first ultra-modern Cargo Warehouse and the first handling company to have a free trade zone license and many others firsts that set us apart from any competitors in the market today. “Nigeria is a very big market, with over 160 million citizens, that are largely young people. Additionally, there are gaps in national infrastructure, as is the case in many other African countries that endears thinking businesses to continually grow and expand to benefit from the imminent bridging of these gaps. Lastly, as the poverty level begins to abate and more citizens are empowered within African states, the sky is the limit when it comes to our collective growth potential as a continent.” The firm’s internal culture consists of both knowledge and capacity building, Seyi tells us. Secondly, they have a tripod staff