Adrien Thominet, ECS Group. Source: ECS
The ECS, CargoTech and Global GSA groups launched Aerion earlier this year to act as a think tank and facilitate cross-selling of services.
Over the last few years, the ECS, CargoTech and Global GSA groups have assembled a wide range of companies, services and technology that they can offer to customers.
While having a range of product offerings is a huge advantage for the groups, it also presents a conundrum: how to cross-sell over such a wide range of different services.
To help solve the conundrum, the groups earlier this year launched Aerion. The new business is headed up by chairman and founder Adrien Thominet, who is a veteran of the ECS Group.
Speaking to Air Cargo News, Thominet says that Aerion will act as a think tank, providing customers with an overview of the different services on offer and neutral advice on which of the offerings can advance their business.
He says that previously, the various businesses operated in silos, making it hard for customers to get a complete overview.
“The idea is to position ourselves like a think tank organisation where we can position ourselves close to airlines and have a holistic overview and an analysis of their strategy,” he says.
Thominet adds that there is an important distinction between Aerion and a traditional consultant or advisor, as its sister companies will be providing the services it recommends.
“The difference compared with a consultant, or an advisor, is that we are not only giving advice, but we are also liable for the service we provide,” he says. “I have a very strong commitment to the advice I am giving.”
Thominet says this commitment could even extend to initially providing some services for free in exchange for a larger commitment elsewhere.
He gives the example of an airline wanting digital services but not having the budget to commit. In this case, the group could provide these services, or a credit line for the services, in exchange for a GSA contract covering more locations.
The whole arrangement would be created and overseen by Aerion.
“The big difference is I am bringing solutions that financially they cannot afford by themselves and using the existing relationship I have with them on their commercial fleet,” he explains.
“Once they are convinced, and of course they have the liberty to step back, or to say yes, I want to invest more massively in this product, they won’t need to invest from scratch. We have helped them to have one foot in these digital solutions.”
He adds: “We are just trying to create this extra solution. So that from a helicopter position, I can create synergies and opportunities.
“Each airline has a different profile, maybe on one airline we will say we need to accelerate on the digital. Maybe another one would be something totally different, it would be tailor-made.”
Thominet is supported by an executive board of directors overseeing operational execution.
The company also recently appointed chairman of the Global GSA Group, Ismail Durmaz, as partner of corporate & business affairs, where he will work in close collaboration with Thominet.
Aerion said that Durmaz will play a “key role in aligning Aerion’s vision with its strategic partnerships and operational execution”.
Meanwhile, a separate advisory board, composed of leading figures in the air cargo industry, will soon be unveiled.
The advisory board will contribute to shaping strategic priorities and tracking market evolution.
“This dual structure ensures both strategic depth and operational agility,” Aerion said in a press release.
