Air cargo facility at IAH will deliver perishables sooner

Houston Airport System August 18, 2009 -- The Houston Airport System (HAS) and Trammell Crow Company announce that Tradewinds Cargo Handling, owned by New Jersey-based Group One Investments, LLC, signed a lease to operate a cold-storage air cargo facility at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).

Starting November 1, Tradewinds Cargo Handling will accept perishable imports flown into Houston from international markets and will distribute throughout the United States. Trammell Crow Company developed the 61,484 square-foot IAH International Air CargoCentre(TM) II with the intent of establishing Houston as a major gateway for temperature and time-sensitive air cargo.

We are excited about establishing Houston as a gateway for perishables, and we look forward to working with Trammell Crow Company and Houston Airports to turn this vision into reality, said Edward Danberry, Group One Investments CEO.

Group One Investments named Kerry Galegher the director of the new air cargo facility, which offers direct ramp access for airlines and is next to a consolidated Federal Inspection Services center that speeds up processing of imported products.

This new cargo operation adds a needed dynamic to international and Houston-based importers and distributors of perishable products, said Eric Potts, Houston Airport System interim director of aviation. The facility is the first of its kind in Houston in size and scope and allows airlines and logistics managers to better serve their customers.

Tradewinds Cargo Handling will offer a broad range of import and export value-added services, some of which include:

• Pre-cooling imports

• Sorting imports

• Re-labeling imports prior to shipment to distribution centers or retail outlets

• Certified cargo screening for airlines, freight forwarders, consolidators and commercial shippers

• Transshipment by air and ground transportation.

This represents a significant opportunity for growth at Bush Intercontinental Airport, and Houston's central location will dramatically improve the quality of imported products for the central United States, said Steven Bradford, Trammell Crow Company managing director of airport development. Bush Intercontinental Airport is going to play a significant role in the global distribution of temperature and time-sensitive products. The IAH International Air CargoCentre(TM) II will be a key link in the cold-chain.

Trammell Crow Company is marketing the remaining warehouse space at IAH International Air CargoCentre(TM) II.

“We cannot stress enough the significance and positive impact this will have relative to our perishables market business capabilities; including an estimated $10 million in economic impact to the region in its first year, “said Jeff Moseley, President and CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership. “The Partnership’s International division and member companies have worked around the clock with Houston Airports in bringing this to fruition by assisting to create market share to secure the outbound cargo business.”