Send us a text

Fortbrand and Fast Global Solutions partner to auction a special "Grounded in Hope" pink bag cart at the GSE Expo, with all proceeds benefiting the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The custom Bravo Series bag cart features white paint with distinctive pink curtains and will be displayed at Fort Brand's booth #2012, where attendees can place bids through a QR code or make direct donations.

• Auction runs September 8-17, with the winner announced at the Women of GSE event
• The National Breast Cancer Foundation provides direct support services for patients including mammograms and navigation services
• The bag cart features "Grounded in Hope" branding visible from both ground level and air
• Starting bid is $1,500 with options for direct donations for those not bidding
• Winner will participate in a collaborative marketing campaign during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October

Visit Fort Brand at booth #2012 or Fast Global Solutions at booth #7019 during the GSE Expo in Las Vegas to learn more about the initiative and the equipment.

Looking for dependable and on demand ground support equipment leasing? Fortbrand is your go to partner. We specialize in tailored operating leases for airlines, cargo carriers, and ground handlers, delivering top tier equipment without the wait. From the latest electric GSE to traditional units, Fortbrand offers flexible terms, competitive rates, and a customer experience that is second to none. Keep your ramp moving with confidence. Visit fortbrand.com and experience GSE leasing redefined.

Send us a text

The GSE Podcast welcomes Jennifer Zucchino (IEMA Executive Director), John Jezo (Endeavor Sales Manager), and Jenny Lescohier (Editor) to discuss the upcoming GSE Expo in Las Vegas this September and its exciting new features.

• Fortbrand has acquired Xcēd, retaining all employees while expanding service offerings
• IEMA has partnered with Endeavor to create an enhanced show experience with 210+ exhibitors expected
• Only 25% of exhibitors are currently IEMA members despite significant benefits including 10% booth discount
• The reimagined Demo Zone sponsored by PCS will feature scheduled equipment demonstrations throughout the show
• The new "Layover Lounge" replaces the beer garden concept with a more inclusive social gathering space
• The "Oasis" provides shaded seating with fans, phone charging, and prime viewing of demo activities
• Ground Support Worldwide will present its Leaders of the Year Awards at the Expo
• Registration is trending up with 2,000-2,500 attendees expected
• A mobile app is being developed to enhance the attendee experience
• Electric vehicles and sustainability technologies will be prominent themes throughout the show

Register at gseexpo.com to secure your spot at the GSE Expo, September 16-18 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Looking for dependable and on demand ground support equipment leasing? Fortbrand is your go to partner. We specialize in tailored operating leases for airlines, cargo carriers, and ground handlers, delivering top tier equipment without the wait. From the latest electric GSE to traditional units, Fortbrand offers flexible terms, competitive rates, and a customer experience that is second to none. Keep your ramp moving with confidence. Visit fortbrand.com and experience GSE leasing redefined.

Send us a text

A groundbreaking initiative is transforming the traditionally male-dominated ground support equipment industry, one connection at a time. The Women of GSE movement celebrates its first anniversary this year, having evolved from a casual conversation to a powerful network supporting women across aviation ground operations.

Started by passionate industry professionals from companies like Mallaghan and XSEED, the Women of GSE initiative creates meaningful networking opportunities at major industry events. Their impact was perfectly captured by one attendee who approached organizers after a European event saying, "I came here not knowing anyone and I'm so thankful that I had this time to network and meet people." This simple yet profound testimonial demonstrates how these gatherings transform the conference experience, especially for newcomers to the industry.

The group has developed several ongoing programs, including monthly spotlights featuring women from various sectors of the industry—from CEOs to engineers—and is now launching their "Women of GSE Give Back" initiative. This new charitable program will support the Resurrection Preschool in Winter Garden, Florida by collecting essential school supplies during the upcoming GHI conference in Orlando. Collection boxes will be available throughout the event, accepting items like crayons, markers, and double-sided tape, along with cash donations that will be converted to Amazon gift cards for the school.

Women of GSE welcomes anyone interested in supporting their mission. You can connect with them on LinkedIn by searching for their distinctive purple logo, attend their networking event at GHI Orlando on Wednesday at 1:30 PM in the Speed Networking area, or simply stop by to contribute to their charitable initiative. As they move into their second year, their message remains clear: GSE is "a great place to work with good people" where women can thrive, connect, and make a difference both within the industry and beyond.

Looking for dependable and on demand ground support equipment leasing? Fortbrand is your go to partner. We specialize in tailored operating leases for airlines, cargo carriers, and ground handlers, delivering top tier equipment without the wait. From the latest electric GSE to traditional units, Fortbrand offers flexible terms, competitive rates, and a customer experience that is second to none. Keep your ramp moving with confidence. Visit fortbrand.com and experience GSE leasing redefined.

Send us a text

Step into the world of ground support equipment innovation as the Power Stow Americas team opens their doors to reveal how they're quietly revolutionizing baggage handling operations worldwide. From their facility in Norcross, Georgia, this intimate conversation takes listeners on an unexpected journey through the company's fascinating origin story and current cutting-edge solutions.

The podcast features a remarkable cast of industry veterans - Ken Brown (KB), who spent 38 years with United Airlines before crossing over to lead Power Stow Americas; Justin Brennan, bringing his extensive GSE sales expertise; and most surprisingly, Arlie Wurtzen, who designed chocolate manufacturing equipment (including the knife that cuts Kit Kat bars!) before helping develop Power Stow's first prototype over 20 years ago.

What began as a solution to European regulations limiting lifting weight has evolved into a product line that dramatically improves ergonomics for ramp workers. The flagship roller track system, which extends conveyor belts directly into aircraft cargo holds, has become so valued that ramp agents have physically fought over units and stayed with them during breaks to prevent others from "borrowing" their equipment.

The conversation explores how Power Stow has expanded beyond their initial success with new innovations like the tail loader (bridging the gap between belt loaders and carts), the transfer belt (solving ergonomic challenges in baggage rooms), and assisted docking systems (addressing aircraft damage concerns). Throughout each development, the company maintains its obsessive focus on user experience and customer service, shipping parts same-day and deploying technicians within 24 hours when needed.

Most compelling are the stories of transformation - from KB's journey as a skeptical airline executive to becoming the company's biggest advocate, to the moments when resistant veteran ramp workers suddenly realize how the technology can extend their careers by protecting their bodies. These human elements reveal why Power Stow has earned such loyalty in an industry where relationships and reliability matter more than fancy marketing.

Ready to see these innovations in person? Visit Power Stow at the upcoming GSE Expo in Las Vegas, where they'll showcase their systems and demonstrate why this team has earned such respect throughout the aviation ground handling community.

Looking for dependable and on demand ground support equipment leasing? Fortbrand is your go to partner. We specialize in tailored operating leases for airlines, cargo carriers, and ground handlers, delivering top tier equipment without the wait. From the latest electric GSE to traditional units, Fortbrand offers flexible terms, competitive rates, and a customer experience that is second to none. Keep your ramp moving with confidence. Visit fortbrand.com and experience GSE leasing redefined.

Send us a text

Looking for dependable and on demand ground support equipment leasing? Fortbrand is your go to partner. We specialize in tailored operating leases for airlines, cargo carriers, and ground handlers, delivering top tier equipment without the wait. From the latest electric GSE to traditional units, Fortbrand offers flexible terms, competitive rates, and a customer experience that is second to none. Keep your ramp moving with confidence. Visit fortbrand.com and experience GSE leasing redefined.

Send us a text

Stepping into the world of advanced battery technology, this episode takes us to Kokomo, Indiana—the global headquarters of Green Cubes Technology. Here, we explore how lithium batteries are revolutionizing ground support equipment operations at airports worldwide.

Jerry Crump and Darren Kiefer walk us through Green Cubes' fascinating journey from their 1986 beginnings in small power electronics to becoming leaders in lithium battery technology for material handling and GSE applications. Their transition makes perfect sense—both industries require batteries that serve dual purposes as power sources and equipment ballast, though the adoption curves have differed significantly between the two sectors.

What truly distinguishes Green Cubes in the crowded battery market is their commitment to flexibility and customization. Rather than forcing customers to adapt to standardized products, they design solutions tailored to specific operational requirements. Their GSE SafeFlux battery system incorporates sophisticated protection mechanisms that prevent operation in potentially damaging conditions, such as charging when cells are below freezing or automatically throttling performance when temperatures rise too high.

Perhaps most refreshing is their approach to data sharing. While many manufacturers lock customers into proprietary systems, Green Cubes makes battery data freely available to any telematics platform a customer might prefer. This open architecture eliminates the frustration of managing multiple dashboards and logins while empowering operators to make data-driven decisions about their fleets.

With over 13,000 high-power systems deployed globally, their experience translates into batteries that perform reliably whether they're operating in the freezing temperatures of Minneapolis or the scorching heat of Phoenix. For airport operations seeking sustainable alternatives to conventional power sources, Green Cubes offers not just a battery, but a comprehensive power solution designed for the unique challenges of ground support equipment.

Looking to electrify your GSE fleet or upgrade your existing battery systems? Discover how Green Cubes' approach to lithium technology could transform your ground operations' reliability, sustainability, and performance.

Looking for dependable and on demand ground support equipment leasing? Fortbrand is your go to partner. We specialize in tailored operating leases for airlines, cargo carriers, and ground handlers, delivering top tier equipment without the wait. From the latest electric GSE to traditional units, Fortbrand offers flexible terms, competitive rates, and a customer experience that is second to none. Keep your ramp moving with confidence. Visit fortbrand.com and experience GSE leasing redefined.

Send us a text

When Karim Ben Dhia founded Adveez in 2011, the company wasn't focused on airports at all - it was building hands-free access control systems for buildings. Today, with nearly 20,000 GSE units monitored worldwide, Adveez stands at the forefront of a technological revolution transforming ground operations at airports globally.

Product and Customer Success Director Matthias Moulinier takes us through this remarkable journey, revealing how their first aviation client simply wanted to prevent competitors from using their equipment on the ramp. That single need quickly expanded into a comprehensive tracking system collecting everything from GPS coordinates to engine hours, shock detection, and battery management data.

What makes GSE telematics fundamentally different from standard vehicle tracking? The lack of standardization. While passenger vehicles have universal OBD connections, every GSE manufacturer implements different systems requiring specialized hardware solutions. This technical challenge became Adveez's opportunity to develop purpose-built systems for the unique airport environment.

Perhaps most revealing is what the data shows about equipment utilization. Despite ramp operators consistently claiming equipment shortages, the metrics tell a different story - no customer ever utilizes more than 80-85% of their equipment simultaneously. This insight allows procurement teams to make data-driven investments rather than reacting to perceived shortages.

Looking forward, Adveez is pioneering innovations like charger management systems to optimize electric GSE infrastructure and camera monitoring to enhance safety. They're also developing AI algorithms that predict maintenance needs based on patterns detected across thousands of operating hours, moving from reactive to predictive operations.

As the industry gradually moves toward factory installations rather than field retrofits, Mathias works closely with manufacturers like Oshkosh to integrate these systems during production. However, challenges remain, particularly the lack of standardized data protocols - a topic currently being addressed in IATA and SAE working groups.

Curious about the future of GSE management or how these systems might benefit your operation? Visit www.adveez.com or connect with their team on LinkedIn to learn more about this rapidly evolving technology.

Looking for dependable and on demand ground support equipment leasing? Fortbrand is your go to partner. We specialize in tailored operating leases for airlines, cargo carriers, and ground handlers, delivering top tier equipment without the wait. From the latest electric GSE to traditional units, Fortbrand offers flexible terms, competitive rates, and a customer experience that is second to none. Keep your ramp moving with confidence. Visit fortbrand.com and experience GSE leasing redefined.

Send us a text

Joe Davis shares his journey from aviation maintenance school graduate to Sales Account Manager and interim Service Manager at Oshkosh Aerotech, revealing how his hands-on technical experience provides unique value to customers.

• Starting in de-icing operations after 9/11 affected aviation job prospects
• Training new technicians through six-month apprenticeships with senior staff
• Offering factory training programs that attract 250 customers annually
• Commissioning new equipment and providing operational training for customers
• Using IOPS telematics to remotely diagnose equipment issues
• Sharing the epic story of de-icing a C-5 Galaxy with two feet of accumulated snow
• Discussing the B80 pushback's independent suspension and agile performance
• Explaining JetDock autonomous docking technology's precision and safety features
• Outlining electric pushback capabilities from B250 to B950 models
• Emphasizing proper battery management for electric GSE longevity

Contact your Oshkosh Aerotech sales representative to learn more about factory training programs, which are free for equipment owners and include daily lunch plus a social dinner event.

Looking for dependable and on demand ground support equipment leasing? Fortbrand is your go to partner. We specialize in tailored operating leases for airlines, cargo carriers, and ground handlers, delivering top tier equipment without the wait. From the latest electric GSE to traditional units, Fortbrand offers flexible terms, competitive rates, and a customer experience that is second to none. Keep your ramp moving with confidence. Visit fortbrand.com and experience GSE leasing redefined.

Send us a text

Discover how a simple idea transformed the aviation industry through the eyes of our special guest, Eric Ball, the visionary CTO and co-founder of EBIS. From his early days transitioning from a tech background to mastering the aviation sector, Eric shares the fascinating journey of EBIS, a pioneering software that revolutionized ground support equipment. Join us as we uncover how this innovative tool evolved to captivate major airlines like Southwest, navigating through challenges and growth opportunities to become a cornerstone in the aviation world.

Explore the unexpected pathways that led to the evolution of ground support technology with insights from Eric Ball, along with contributions from Santo Schnatchu, Rick, and Crystal. Dive into the narrative of EBIS’s acquisition by Tron Air and how it sparked new innovations in maintenance software. Learn about the strategic melding of AI and human expertise and its impact on operational efficiency, as well as the hands-on empowerment of technicians who are at the heart of aviation maintenance.

Get ready to be inspired by stories of effective maintenance optimization with advanced tools like EVA software, and discover how data-driven decisions are transforming asset management. We offer a compelling look at how telemetry data and customer feedback are shaping future developments in ground support operations. Explore how AI is redefining technician efficiency, bridging communication gaps, and reducing operational costs. This episode is packed with insights into the cutting-edge technology propelling the aviation industry forward.

Looking for dependable and on demand ground support equipment leasing? Fortbrand is your go to partner. We specialize in tailored operating leases for airlines, cargo carriers, and ground handlers, delivering top tier equipment without the wait. From the latest electric GSE to traditional units, Fortbrand offers flexible terms, competitive rates, and a customer experience that is second to none. Keep your ramp moving with confidence. Visit fortbrand.com and experience GSE leasing redefined.

Send us a text

Transitioning from a diesel mechanic to a key player in the ground support equipment (GSE) industry, Mark DiMaria's journey is nothing short of inspiring. His global career, marked by stints in Spain, Ireland, Norway, China, and Saudi Arabia, showcases the adaptability and dedication required to excel in this field. Uncover the unique moment at a Saudi holiday softball game that propelled Mark into a pivotal role with Stewart and Stevenson, where he went from technical instructor to managing their European office from a humble broom closet at KLM.

Billy Ash takes us further into the global nature of the GSE industry with his riveting career path, which was set in motion with a move from Tennessee to Texas. His chance encounter with Stewart and Stevenson led to a role that took him across the world 27 times, from Abu Dhabi to the United States. Billy's stories reveal the critical importance of skilled technicians in aviation ground support operations and his adventures highlight the industry's evolution, from pushbacks to air starts, showcasing the integral role of companies like Stuart and Stevenson.

As the GSE industry embraces electrification and technological advancements, challenges and opportunities abound. Our discussion covers the shift from mechanical systems to electric equipment and the implications of EPA regulations. Discover how training through online platforms like YouTube is revolutionizing the way technicians approach troubleshooting and maintenance. Finally, hear about innovative solutions like mobile charging stations and the potential for telematics to transform equipment management, setting the stage for an electrified future in ground support.

Looking for dependable and on demand ground support equipment leasing? Fortbrand is your go to partner. We specialize in tailored operating leases for airlines, cargo carriers, and ground handlers, delivering top tier equipment without the wait. From the latest electric GSE to traditional units, Fortbrand offers flexible terms, competitive rates, and a customer experience that is second to none. Keep your ramp moving with confidence. Visit fortbrand.com and experience GSE leasing redefined.