In total, 100 pieces of new Yale equipment are now in operation at the airport.

Italy's leading airport, Milan Malpensa, and its new cargo-handling partner, Incontro, have appointed Yale dealers Bramieri Srl and ORMIC SpA as their preferred materials handling suppliers during a comprehensive review of their logistics operations.

Handling more than 170,000 T of goods a year and with an active customer portfolio of 70 airlines and more than 100 individual companies, Milan Malpensa airport is one of the most complex cargo airports in Europe.

However, despite increased freight traffic in Europe, Italian airports have typically been unable to remain competitive due to their ageing infrastructure and inefficient processes.

Throughout its review of its Cargo City operation, Milan airport recognised the need to demonstrate a commitment to delivering a consistently high level of service, despite the differing needs of customers.

Gianfranco Bramieri, president of Bramieri Carrelli Elevatori, says: "The decision by Malpensa airport to review its cargo handling operations was taken to help re-establish Italy as a key operator in the global cargo handling market at a time when air and sea freight are increasing in popularity.

"Many airports across Europe are seeing increased freight traffic. Unfortunately in recent times, Italian facilities have been unable to remain competitive ... The changes implemented at Malpensa will have a positive effect on the airport's ability to compete internationally and attract new business from some of the more lucrative, high value routes."

Both Yale dealers worked closely with the airport and Incontro to understand the logistics needs in the site's Cargo City facility and identify the most appropriate and effective materials handling solution.

Massimo Crovetto, president of ORMIC S.p.A., says the dealers worked to identify the ideal materials handling and logistics equipment solution that was typical of their customer-oriented strategy. "Guiding our customers through the identification and purchase process step-by-step ensures that both a successful bespoke solution is delivered and an ongoing rapport between us and our customer is achieved."

In total, 100 pieces of new Yale equipment are now in operation at the airport, ranging from pallet and reach trucks to three- and four-wheel counterbalance trucks, including several equipped for operation in temperature-controlled environments.

Each piece of equipment was individually specified to ensure that the fleet catered for all of the airport's needs and had the best possible combination of energy efficiency and productivity.

The Bramieri and ORMIC solution includes a small, on-site warehouse within Cargo City to house spare parts and provide storage facilities. An engineer is permanently located at the airport to provide ongoing maintenance services and to ensure maximum truck uptime.