Cédric Millet, President of leading cargo technology group, CargoTech, brings top transformation and strategy expert on board to help fast-track the air cargo industry’s digital transformation: Michael Teoh has been appointed Head of Strategy, and shares his standpoint on industry challenges, ideas, and the CargoTech vision.

“Leaders need winners,” says Cédric Millet, President of CargoTech, “Michael Teoh’s impressive track record in digital transformation and strategy at some of the world’s largest companies, not to mention leading airlines, clearly defines him as the best in tech to take CargoTech’s mission to the next level. Welcome, Michael Teoh!”

Since early October 2024, Michael Teoh, CargoTech’s new Head of Strategy, has taken on the responsibility of steering the company’s strategy and member portfolio, and supporting the adoption of digitalization within the industry. He seeks to identify common problems across the air cargo industry and match these with solutions being developed by CargoTech’s member companies or potential external technology providers. “A significant part of my job will be scouting for startups and mid-size companies across the globe, that offer technology solutions in the air cargo value chain, and bringing them into the CargoTech community,” Teoh explains.

Digital impact mission

CargoTech’s declared mission to encourage, facilitate, and accelerate the air cargo industry’s digital transformation, was Michael Teoh’s key incentive to accept the post of Head of Strategy. “After spending 8 years in AirAsia Group and 6 years in Qatar Airways Cargo, I was looking for the next challenge and something with the ability to leave an impact. My role over the past 14 years has always been transversal in functions such as Group Strategy, M&A, turnaround, transformation and PMO. This is a natural fit with the needs of CargoTech, where there is a lot of coordination across the portfolio companies and alignment of business plans,” he says.

First movers

Though the Covid pandemic forced the air cargo industry to become more agile, digital investments and innovation still lag far behind other industries, he feels. e-commerce’s exponential growth adds another trigger to urgently improve logistics processes. “As a result, global logistics is now at the center of attention. CargoTech is exactly what the air cargo industry needs right now: a group of cargo people who love technology and invest their passion in removing complexity and making the industry more digitally efficient. Through CargoTech, I look forward to also being among the first movers in changing the industry for the better.”

Teoh appreciates CargoTech’s positive and productive culture: “Sustainable impact is at the core of solution design,” he emphasizes. “And the potential to expand the product and services offerings is huge given that Cargotech is a multi-expert group of companies based in Paris, London, Utrecht and Singapore, and thus approaches innovation from many different angles of the air cargo value chain.”

Cargo deserves its own focus

When it comes to technology investments and innovation, the air cargo industry has long suffered from the flawed perception that what works for the dominant passenger side of the industry, will also work for air cargo. “Air cargo deserves its own technology focus since capacity optimization is far more complex than simple seat numbers – it is all about volume, weight, dimensions and commodity specifics. Data transparency is also a much greater challenge within air cargo,” Teoh illustrates. Sustainable and functioning solutions require innovation from industry experts. “At CargoTech, we believe that air cargo transformation is not a one-party solution; it requires collaboration from like-minded players across the value chain, who are willing to experiment, innovate, share, and invest in joint solutions. CargoTech is well positioned to support this facilitation and acts as a catalyst to spur new ways of working,” he concludes.

A shared vision

Growth is more than simple financial returns or market share, Teoh feels. CargoTech’s philosophy is that growth occurs through positive development and impact on the cargo industry. “We help players in the cargo value chain, to solve challenges, bringing efficiency to business collaboration and engagement.” CargoTech members continuously invest time and resources in developing and fine-tuning new products and tools, based on practical feedback. “CargoTech’s solutions are not built in isolation, but through listening to our customers and partners, and understanding their roadblocks and needs. Collective experience and learning create a better product” Teoh believes. “The opportunity to be part of this amazing family, working towards a shared vision, therefore gives me great confidence that I am working on solutions to make tomorrow a better place,” he summarizes.

A strong digital future

“CargoTech has pioneered the concept of a one-stop-tech-shop to unite the air cargo industry with the vanguards of digital innovation. We have made excellent progress since 2022, in fulfilling our mission to facilitate and accelerate the air cargo industry’s digital transformation journey. But we can always go faster and deliver more,” says Cédric Millet, President of CargoTech. “And with transformation mastermind, Michael Teoh, on board to source and inspire the fast-growing number of trailblazing digital start-ups to join us, CargoTech and the air cargo industry can anticipate a strong and sustainable digital future.”