SACO Airport Equipment based in Mierlo, The Netherlands, has just signed a contract for the supply of an air cargo handling system to MGH Group, a logistics company based in Dhaka.The company’s very first order from Bangladesh is currently being shipped with installation and commissioning scheduled in July 2012.

The scope of supply includes a lowering workstation, castor decks and elevating truck dock, all suitable for handling 10ft main deck ULD’s (pallets and containers). Also included are two sets of roller equipment to convert locally available standard flatbed vehicles into air cargo vehicles with rise and sink roller tracks.

With the SACO system the client will be able to consolidate and pack goods, mainly textiles, on to IATA standard air cargo pallets in their own warehouse and then transfer these built-up pallets by truck directly to the airport for export. Because these air cargo pallets are very large (approximately 2.5m x 3.1m) and heavy (maximum 6,800 kg), it will become an exciting new venture for the supply chain infrastructure in Bangladesh.

With export volumes predicted to substantially increase in the near future, the handling system can easily be expanded to keep up with this demand.