IFLN members Falcon International of Canada and Austria based BTG Spedition & Logistik collaborated on two projects this summer for a new customer. The client – ATM Recycling Systems, a major player in the manufacturing of presses and conveyor systems for metal recycling – chose BTG to handle the shipment of a complete metallurgical baling system. BTG then turned to Falcon because of their experience in handling project cargo and the complete turnkey services offered by the Canadian cargo agent’s team, explained Patrick Legault, president of Falcon International.

    The first project shipment, handled between May and July 2014, consisted of the door-to-door scheduling and movement of more than 45 individual pieces packed into various in- and out-of-gauge containers; the largest item, a press, weighing in at 50 tonnes. Many other pieces weighed between 10 and 20 tonnes, some even more, and they all had to be individually loaded and unloaded without so much as a scratch.

    The forwarders handled all aspects of the move, including land and ocean freight shipping, customs, on-site rigging, cranes and manpower for the shipment to Ste-Pie, Quebec. BTG experts were on hand at Antwerp, which served as the European point of departure. Falcon staff members were also on-site in Quebec to oversee the unloading and rigging of the arriving containers at the port of Montreal, and the heaviest pieces by means of ro-ro at Halifax.

    One particular obstacle, said Thomas Hafner, vice president of air & ocean freight for BTG, concerned getting the necessary out-of-gauge road haulage permits in time, a particular problem in Germany. As a specialist in handling project cargo shipping and experienced in just this sort of move, BTG smoothly arranged for the trailer and heavy truck transport to Antwerp.

    "The key to success was the daily exchange of information between BTG and Falcon International to make sure we kept on schedule,” Legault said. “The consignee had no terminal or unloading facility. We had to be resourceful and plan carefully."

    Despite the challenges, “The consignee was so impressed that he sent us a letter expressing his complete satisfaction,” Legault enthused, adding, “Coordination between two ports, three terminals and the job site was a breeze thanks to our dedicated and knowledgeable teams.”

    Then in August, the two cargo agents repeated their cooperation, handling a similar shipment to Piedmont, South Carolina. The same satisfying result was achieved, and in less than three days all the freight, 20 separate pieces, including another 50-tonne press, were moved door-to-door by way of Antwerp and Charleston.

    Legault attributes their successful collaboration to sharing the same ideas and work processes. “They know exactly what kind of service the customer requires from us,” Hafner added of Falcon. The client so pleased by the work done by the two IFLN members, has asked for quotes on more upcoming projects in 2015.

Previous News IFLN News Archives