Writes Lynne Harrison, Deputy Group CEO & Group CFO
The past six months seem to have passed by in no time at all, especially as we have often been caught by the need to respond to a lot of short turnaround requests for proposals. Unfortunately, the quick response required doesn’t often convert into a quick award, and we have a number of opportunities that we are waiting to hear about.
There has been a lot of good news from existing customers as we renewed the Port of Oakland contract as well as Orlando, extended and expanded Reno, and heard about the potential for further growth, extensions, and other opportunities elsewhere. It is always great when we can add to our work at one of our existing sites, as it gives the employees there a chance to learn about different technologies and expand their skills – if you ever get asked whether we can do something at an airport/by an airline, then please refer that to your manager, in the first instance, so we can follow up.
Our global brand – and excellent reputation – is also helping create opportunities, especially with new technology companies making their way West, (i.e. from Europe!). So often, these companies will employ a US-based aviation-experienced Head of Sales – who we most likely will have known for years – and then find out they need a support solution, and so they call ServiceTec. It seems to make us a cross between AAA and Ghostbusters!!!
Speaking of promoting our brand, we attended – and exhibited – at the ACI-NA Annual Conference and Exhibition in Grand Rapids, MI, at the beginning of September.
It was, actually, quite a busy week as we had a successful site visit and team event at JFK on the way, including presenting a Quest Award, and then helped Brian Curtis celebrate his 10th anniversary with ServiceTec the first night we were in Grand Rapids. More details about these two events are contained elsewhere within the newsletter.
Back to ACI-NA and Michigan!
Obviously, our reputation precedes us because, even during set up, we kept getting asked about the new duck (typically by old ‘friends’)! As all the ones we took with us found new homes, it would appear we picked well. Fortunately, some people did actually ask about the services we provide as well.
But we may have set ourselves another precedent for future shows, as our bright blue ‘booth uniform’ shirts also drew a lot of (mainly positive) comments.
They were a bit overwhelming when viewed en masse, but we certainly stood out!
We have already booked our booth for October 2025, when the show will be a combined ACI-NA and ACI-World event and held in Toronto. While some US airports struggle to attend events in Canada – as they require international travel – many other airports attend ACI-World who would not, necessarily, attend ACI-NA. The obvious answer to the question already asked is, of course, ice hockey player duck (Toronto is home to the Hockey Hall of Fame and the Stanley Cup). As for what we plan to wear……
I couldn’t write this article without mentioning Bryan Mills – Bryan was actually my first real contact with ServiceTec, over 26 years ago. ServiceTec had only recently set up the US entity, and my interview (in Stevenage, UK) was punctuated by telephone calls because Bryan was also in the process of buying a company house for use by all the Brits (and one Dutchman) going over to the US to develop the business. I could never have imagined what changes to my life that first meeting would lead to, and I feel privileged to have been able to rely upon Bryan’s friendship, support and advice during the journey so far.
Looking ahead to 2025, and I’m hoping we’ll add some more ‘dots to the map’ early on in the year – then keep on adding!
Wishing you all Happy Holidays!
Lynne Harrison
Deputy Group CEO & Group CFO
