Glidepath - Getting Airports Sorted Globally
16 July 2008
In its 36-year history, Glidepath has won many premium contracts to supply baggage handling and sorting systems around the world. Chief executive Dave Body says that while the company's technology is cutting-edge, Glidepath seeks to set itself apart from the competition through brilliant service.
"We are not just selling systems, but see ourselves as an intrinsic part of day-to-day airport operations. Glidepath understands the business of its airport customers. It is all about the airlines that operate out of their terminals and Glidepath is focused on helping them be more effective and successful.
"You find that attitude at every level of Glidepath’s business, starting with operations and maintenance staff who really care about making sure baggage handling is smooth and efficient and that planes depart on time."
Glidepath's technology is in use in airports like JFK International Airport in New York and has been selected ahead of competitors for new developments, such as the King Shaka International Airport being built in Durban, South Africa, which will be a vital part of the infrastructure supporting the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
The new $60 million terminal at Reno-Tahoe International Airport in the United States is also installing Glidepath baggage handling and sorting systems.
The Durban and Reno projects add to Glidepath’s already extensive portfolio of systems in large, world-class airports.
BAGGAGE-HANDLING SYSTEMS FEASIBILITY STUDIES, DESIGN, MANUFACTURE, INSTALLATION, AND MAINTENANCE
Glidepath provides end-to-end solutions, from initial feasibility studies through to design, manufacture and installation, and ongoing operations and maintenance through its airport services division. Its sophisticated control systems are designed and developed in-house, illustrating the company's ongoing emphasis on investing in technical capability to provide state-of-the-art systems and products.
"We are constantly looking for ways of giving Glidepath a competitive and technological edge and one of those is making sure we don’t become complacent and that we service our existing customers well, while continuing to pursue new opportunities," says Body.
This includes a recent initiative to integrate its GlideSort™ and GlideScan™ systems to provide airports and airlines with tools to improve security and reduce aircraft turnaround times. Airport staff use wireless handheld scanners to read the barcode on baggage tags, instantly identifying the passenger who checked their baggage in, their flight details and the whereabouts and status of their baggage.
"There is pretty much nothing that a Glidepath inspired information system doesn’t know about a passenger’s baggage," says Body.
Glidepath was founded by Ken Stevens, who was appointed New Zealand Business Champion for Export Year 2007, and Body says the business has retained the entrepreneurial spirit of its founder.
"Pushing the boundaries is what Glidepath does best," says Body. "We are not fearful of the unknown, whether it's new markets or new technology. There is a confidence in Glidepath that we can do great things and do them well."
The company is expanding rapidly in the Australian market says Body, on the back of "an unsatisfied demand for quality service." It has completed a major re-development at Adelaide International Airport and recently won a multi-million dollar expansion contract at Sydney International Airport.
Glidepath is also increasing its representation in fast growing air travel markets in Asia and the Middle East, winning new contracts as a result. This includes projects underway in Guangzhou in China, Mumbai, Oman; Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in the Middle East.
