Cargo iQ bursts into tiers

Air cargo quality standards organisation Cargo iQ is rolling out a tiered certification programme that it hopes will drive improved quality standards amongst members.

The new tiered structure will provide quality expectations for members and allow them to develop staggered quality implementation plans that help them progress through the various levels.

In a press release, Cargo IQ said each of the tiers "reflect the level at which members have implemented its operational milestones".

The first-tier system assessment will take place this summer and this will be followed by the incorporation of the new tiers in autumn 2025.

“The introduction of a tiered structure will allow our members to accurately map their quality progress, being able to identify areas that require further improvement,” said Kerstin Strauss, vice president, global air logistics operations and governance at Kuehne+Nagel and chair of the Cargo iQ board.

The tiers will range from one to three and will reflect scores achieved by members after a "data-driven assessment, which will check milestone capabilities and monitor how continuous improvement practises are being applied to operations".

Lean audits are also being introduced alongside the existing audit process so members can upgrade their tiers outside the usual audit cycle.

“Milestones such as the FWB will apply for all stakeholders: This is to reflect the commitment that Cargo iQ members make to jointly increase input and output quality and hold each other accountable. In this way we make a conscious shift from blame game to raising the game,” explained R.J Pegels, director of performance management at Air France KLM Cargo and vice chair of the Cargo iQ board.

This programme ties in with Cargo iQ’s membership engagement initiative, which aims to increase engagement through a structured Member Journey Map review, the organisation added.

“The tiers system and member engagement initiative will allow the Board and management Team, to prioritize and tackle issues across the different quality levels,” said Marie Seco-Köppen, executive director, Cargo iQ.