Avfuel Corporation Enters Quarter Four Bolstered by Year's Successes and New System Roll-Outs
/The FBO branding side of the business added 48 dealers to the Avfuel Branded Dealer Network, including several recent high-profile additions. Most visible perhaps is Sheltair Aviation, a chain of 14 high-end FBOs in locations throughout New York, Georgia and Florida. The Naples Airport Authority also announced that it has selected Avfuel as supplier and branding partner at Naples Municipal Airport. Additionally, Avfuel has signed branding agreements (effective in December and January 2014 respectively) with West Star Aviation in Grand Junction, CO, as well as with Unijet, a premier FBO at Le Bourget Airport in Paris.
“Avfuel is thrilled that all 48 of these FBOs see the value in adding Avfuel programs and systems to their existing line-up of offerings,” said Avfuel Vice President, Sales, Joel Hirst. “Additionally, adding locations to the Avfuel network increases the value that we and our partners can deliver to pilots and flight departments. Everyone wins.”
To that end, Avfuel has focused on the continual development of systems to improve safety and efficiency across its branded dealer network. The Avfuel Hub, a proprietary, web-based card transaction system, is in the process of being rolled out network-wide. “The Avfuel Hub is designed to make transactions more efficient and customer-focused. It can process virtually any transaction type and is fully integrated with Avfuel Contract Fuel and AVTRIP,” said Marci Ammerman, Vice President, Marketing. “CSRs and FBO staff can store customer information and access that information through a variety of look-up features. We’ve developed a comprehensive training program for an easy transition.”
Avfuel also premiered Avfuel Atmospheres, a formalized version of the interior design and building consultation services that the company has been providing for some time. The Avfuel Atmospheres team consists of architects, artists, professional interior designers and pilots. Avfuel-branded FBOs can choose from a myriad of a la carte options as well as complete interior design and branding packages. Using Avfuel’s long-established industry connections, the company can design 3D models of FBO new-builds or renovations. Additional capabilities include furniture, architectural design and construction, consulting, decor, and more. The Avfuel Atmospheres catalogue includes extensive options for FBOs to pick and choose the interior they prefer.
Perhaps one of the largest behind-the-scenes undertakings of 2013 is the complete overhaul of Avfuel’s Quality Assurance and Ramp Training Program, a project championed by Quality Assurance Manager Randy Harrison and Marketing Manager Buffey Linder. “FBOs hire new ramp personnel all the time,” said Harrison. “We wanted to make sure that an FBO was able to offer consistent training across the board. All employees should learn the same procedures the same way and be on the same page – regardless of who hired them when.”In addition to an overall update of Avfuel’s quality assurance training DVDs and reference guides, Harrison and Linder developed an online training component complete with comprehensive tests for each module. Different sections of the course can be accessed by ramp employees and supervisors as needed, allowing for periodic review and recurrent refreshers even after initial training has been completed.
Linder said that Avfuel-branded dealers are excited about the new online component. “All they need in order to access the training modules and testing components is a computer,” said Linder. “It’s easy to administer and track progress. The online assessments help identify areas where additional review and hands-on training may be necessary. This course is a great compliment to any FBO’s on-site QA training.”
Avfuel’s revamped Quality Assurance Training Program is expected to be rolled out in early November. The program is free to Avfuel-branded dealers.