Schiphol Intl Airport, The Netherlands, Friday August 12, 2011.

First Test with the Innovative Cargobox

Cargobox Europe, a Dutch company located at Schiphol Amsterdam International Airport, announced today that 12 Cargoboxes went airborne for a testing period of 6 – 8 weeks, on board of a Boeing 747-400F all cargo freighter bound for Hong Kong. A leading Logistics Services Provider has announced, after careful study and a considerable amount of preparation, that it would begin flying the Cargoboxes in their 747 freighter aircraft, between Hong Kong and Europe in a 8 week test program, carrying the 12 Cargoboxes, loaded with high value goods from various clients, back and forth to Hong Kong, three times each week.

Damage Prevention

During this relatively short, but intensive testing period, the Cargoboxes will be put through their paces. Special attention will be paid to one important aspect: the reduction of damage to the products of their clients as well as the packaging. During the manual assembly of an air cargo pallet, all too often the goods and/or its packaging get damaged, leading to claims processing and dissatisfied customers. Since many of these products are high-value consumer electronics, claims may quickly and surprisingly add up. Cargobox Europe is convinced that using the Cargobox will lead to substantial cost savings.

Reduction of Packaging Materials

Manufacturers are constantly searching for ways to reduce costs, and one of them is by economizing on packaging. The Cargobox, which can be used and reused many times, is a conveyance unit which fits this requirement perfectly. For the logistics industry, Cargobox provides an added attractive "green" bonus; if no wooden skids and/or sturdy disposable cardboard boxes are required, thousands of trees can be saved!

Research & Development

The founder and designer of the Cargobox, Mr. Henk Hilders, has worked a number of years developing an idea he had some time ago. One day, as a regular passenger waiting for his flight, he looked outside the window in the departure hall and noticed that air cargo was handled rather crudely and carelessly. In the summer of 2001, he gave his first speech about his "Cargobox idea", in Anchorage, Alaska, just two months before September 11th. At that time, he spoke only about theft prevention and reducing damage to shipments. After the tragic events which occurred on 9/11, he realized pretty quickly that his Cargobox could also become a key element for improving safety and security in the airline industry. Thus began the development of his dream.

Air Cargo Security

Over the last three years, air cargo security became the prime focus at Cargobox Europe, resulting in a PIN-Code secure/lockable, conveyance unit, which combines RFID, GPS and GPRS technologies – all of which can be combined into a "Total Solution" which can be tracked and traced continuously, in real-time, during its journey around the world. The Security Code can be released by the owner of the goods to the consignee or authorized user via Cargosyst, a Software Program developed by Cargobox. It can be accessed via the Cargobox secure website. The Cargobox can be opened, if required, by Customs officials, by use of a special PIN-Code authorization which is issued via a software priority protocol system.

Subsidy

Two years ago, the Dutch government commissioned an Advisory Body, designated the "van Laarhoven Committee", to analyze how Rotterdam Harbor and the Schiphol Internationl Airport might improve their position as leading main ports of The Netherlands and Western Europe. One recommendation was to examine measures for improving the efficiency and streamlining of cargo handling processes. After a presentation about Cargobox, the advisory body understood that the Cargobox could play a key role concerning air cargo. Because of this, the Cargobox project was granted a substantial governmental subsidy.

New Regulations

At the conclusion of the test project, the test results will be evaluated with the Logistics Services provider, involved. If using the Cargobox results in a significant reduction in damage and pilferage to its contents, the company plans to offer its client base this new product on a much bigger scale. It is anticipated that introduction of the Cargobox will not only lead to cost savings for shippers, but also will offer many other great advantages for Logistics Services Providers (LSP's); like reducing airport handling costs (assembly and disassembly of air cargo pallets can be done in a few minutes only), shorter transit times, reduction of pilferage and damages, in concert with lower costs for claim settlements, etc.

Cargobox Europe is a leader with the implementation of the latest regulations mandated by the TSA, which will become partially valid as per January 1, 2012. These new measures will allow the movement toward achieving 100% safety and security along the international air cargo logistic process.

Lease or Sale

Cargobox Europe focuses on lease as well as sale of Cargoboxes to the logistics industry and its client base. When leased, there will be a choice out of two options: per trip or per time period. Buyers of Cargoboxes can have them delivered with their own logo and can use the Cargosyst software at a very attractive price. A number of TOP-100 LSP's have already shown interest in this option.

Confidence

Cargobox Europe's management team has the highest confidence in the results of the newly instituted test program. "We are extremely pleased that one of the TOP-10 players has shown interest and invested in the Pilot Program test. We are proud and happy that, as a result of all our efforts over the past years to develop the Cargobox, our product will now travel around the world. We can foresee in the very near future that the Cargobox becomes a common item in the air cargo industry, just as the 40ft ISO sea container did in the sea-going cargo arena, some 50 years ago", says Mr. Derk Herkemij, Director for Sales and Marketing with Cargobox Europe.

For more information: contact Derk Herkemij at  Derk Herkemij This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.