Kilfrost - News/Media
EARLY PREPAREDNESS WILL KEEP CREWS COOL UNDER PRESSURE
Archived on: Friday 1st July 2011
The global leaders in the de/anti-icing sector are warning ground handling crews across the northern hemisphere to prepare now to avoid another challenging winter season.
Kilfrost understands the importance of good planning and has invested significantly in its delivery and logistics infrastructure over recent years to make sure that they are able to support their customers through even severe winter weather. And yet the 2009/2010 winter season challenged the plans of everyone in the industry because it saw prolonged and significantly cold weather across the whole of mainland Europe and North America at the same time.
"This is practically unprecedented" explained Kilfrost's Chief Executive Gary Lydiate. "But changing weather patterns mean that it may well happen again in future years so we're taking the lead, and working with our customers to proactively plan for every eventuality. For many, the use of wing de-icers is now moving further up the risk register due to the major impact winter can have on operations."
"Many customers had relied well on their existing plans for a number of years, but with the winter weather turning colder, and periods of ice, snow and frost lasting longer, we're advising that all winterisation plans should be updated now to ensure smooth operation this coming winter. Equally important is the first fill of the pipelines, as a large amount of fluid can be stored here, and some airports are already receiving delivery now, in the summer months."
The efforts of Kilfrost logistics team, and the excellent relationships they have developed with the suppliers of their core ingredients, meant that they were able to keep all of their customers supplied last year, despite many requiring unprecedented levels of stock. Italy, for example, took the total level of fluid Kilfrost supplied in the whole 2008/2009 season in just ten days last winter, and in many cases they quadrupled their usual supply levels.
Early signs are that this winter season may yet see just as cold weather, so Kilfrost is communicating with all of its customers across the next few months to help them develop their own plans to avoid shortages. In many cases the company is advising on new stock levels, additional storage, and also scheduling regular top-ups to fluid to prevent issues as the temperature starts to fall. They are also investing heavily in their own blending and storage facilities across mainland Europe, North America, China and Japan; and have strengthened their logistics and delivery plans so that they are as prepared as possible.
"Of course weather is unpredictable, but we have access to the very latest meteorological data and run predictions for days ahead which allows us to make sure that we have stock where it needs to be, when our customers need it†Gary added. "It's this good planning and our ethos of working in partnership with ground handling crews and airports across the northern hemisphere which has helped us mitigate the negative effects of a cold winter and keep Europe flying in the past, and also this which will help us all keep cool under pressure this coming season."
Any customers or ground handling teams who would like advice and guidance on their own strategies are invited to call a member of Kilfrost's dedicated aviation de/anti-icing fluid team on +44 (0)1434 321500, or at info@kilfrost.com. Kilfrost also regularly updates its website with product details, advice and guidance articles, and technical specifications so visit http://www.kilfrost.com/ for more information.
