Tampa Cargo SA

South Florida CEO, Jan-Feb, 2005

Frederik Jacobsen, CEO of Colombia-based cargo airline Tampa Cargo SA, saw mixed results during 2004. "It was difficult mainly because of intense competition and fuel prices, but at the end of the year it was profitable. We grew 20 percent in revenue and tonnage," he says.

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Tampa Cargo, the third largest cargo airline in Latin America, has grown steadily during the past few years and expanded its operations in Miami. "Miami is the gateway from Latin America to the US, it's the closest point of entry. It would be difficult to find a community that understands what is happening in Latin America better than this," Jacobsen says. He points to Miami's infrastructure for handling perishable goods, a critical factor for a company whose main shipping commodity is flowers. "In terms of planning and logistics, it's one of the most complex perishable operations you can have," he says.

To stay competitive, Tampa Cargo bought four new aircraft last year and invested nearly $1 million in its cooler facility in Miami. Including the 200 subcontractors on its roster, the company employs close to 300 workers in Miami--that amount of manpower, says Jacobsen, allows Tampa Cargo to handle the heavy volume the company sees during the Valentine's Day holiday season and Mother's Day, the two busiest times of the year for the flower trade.

Looking ahead, Jacobsen says he plans to focus on improving quality and on-time delivery.