Transforming the way baggage and cargo is moved around airports worldwide has helped Aurrigo International plc claim its fifth business award of 2024.

The smart airside solution provider was named as The Manufacturer MX Awards’ ‘Manufacturing in Action’ winner at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool last night in front of more than 500 industry people.

This latest title, awarded by The Manufacturer’s editorial team based on what they’ve seen throughout the year on site visits, is the culmination of a groundbreaking 12-months for the business, which has seen its all-electric autonomous Auto-DollyTug^® take off with airports, including Changi, Cincinnati and Stuttgart.

In addition to the MX Award, Aurrigo International has also won innovation titles at the Air Cargo Awards, FTE Americas, ‘Made in the Midlands’ and the overall Insider ‘Made in the UK’ accolade.

Miles Garner, Sales & Marketing Director, picked up the latest prize in Liverpool: “We always knew we had technology that had the potential to change the aviation sector and, after years of design, development and build, we are now testing our Auto-DollyTug^® and simulation software in the real world.

“This is making everyone sit up and take notice. We’re not talking about autonomy in three, five or ten-years’ time, we’re actually delivering it airside at several global airports with more trials set to be sealed shortly.”

He continued: “I think this is what has impressed judges, this and the fact we have used our innovation to more than double our UK workforce in Coventry to over 100 and opened international technical offices in the US and Singapore.”

With a combined heritage of over 50 years, The Manufacturer MX Awards are widely regarded as the gold standard in the manufacturing industry, recognising and celebrating both companies and individuals who are achieving amazing things.

Organised by The Manufacturer in partnership with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and with the support of this year’s sponsors, the competition is the only peer-reviewed and judged programme of its kind for UK manufacturing.

Grace Gilling, Managing Director of The Manufacturer, expressed her admiration for Aurrigo International, stating: “Our journalists visit some of the best manufacturing businesses in the UK, so the ‘Manufacturing in Action’ title is one of the most competitive ones to win.

“We have been following David and his team’s journey for many years and 2024 feels like the moment when the business and its outstanding technology matured into a real-world game-changer.

“Its innovation is beginning to ‘green’ and operationally improve airports globally and, importantly, it is being driven by the IP, skills and technical knowledge of its Advanced Engineering Centre in Coventry and its technical offices worldwide.”

For further information, please visit www.aurrigo.com or follow the company across its social media channels.

A new autonomous way of moving baggage and cargo around the world’s airports has been hailed as the ‘Best New Transformative Concept’ at a major travel conference.

Aurrigo International plc’s Auto-DollyTug^®, a zero emission, all-electric baggage and cargo tractor, wrote its name among the aviation stars in Los Angeles yesterday when it won one of FTE Americas Innovate’s major awards.

A high-profile judging panel, which included Raza Ail (International Airlines Group),), Manuel Van Lijf (NLMTD) and Heathrow’s Steven Armitage, was impressed with the manoeuvrability of the vehicle and the forward-thinking approach to connect the automation from within the baggage hall through dop off underwing to a JCPL.

The robotic arms, which have never been seen on an airside tug before, along with demonstrated operational, cost and environmental benefits proved decisive when overcoming the strong challenge of Gameway, Foundations, DataArt and Kquika.

“This is another massive vote of confidence for our technology and how we are trying to implement one of the aviation sector’s biggest innovations for more than 40 years,” explained Aurrigo International’s Tenille Houston, who had to conduct a live pitch to the judges and event audience.

“Auto-DollyTug^®, is one element of our vision to bring Intelligent Ground Support Equipment (iGSE) to the sector and this encompasses a suite of advanced, integrated technologies designed to enhance operational performance and streamline airside activities.”

She went on to add: “We are on a mission to help airports, airlines and ground handling operators leverage automation, data analytics and sustainable best practices to deliver an enhanced customer experience and a raft of operational efficiencies.

“Winning FTE Americas Best Transformative Concept proves that this is an offer the industry is looking for, and we will use this accolade to engage in more discussions with airports and to attract the most talented software and engineering professionals to our business.”

The FTE Americas Innovate Awards were part of the Future Travel Experience’s FTE Global 2024 event, labelled by many as the CES of the aviation world.

In addition to picking up one of the main awards, Aurrigo International also exhibited and took part in one of the most popular sessions of the three days focusing on ‘How do we leverage technology, innovation and new approaches to create Smart Ramp operations around the world?’

Professor David Keene, CEO of Aurrigo International plc, concluded: “It has been a fantastic October for the business, with the launch of our iGSE concept and the FTE prize coming just a week after we picked up the Innovation Product of the Year title at the Air Cargo News Awards.

“There is massive momentum behind what we are doing, and we are looking forward to expanding our operations in the UK, US and Singapore.”

For further information, please visit www.aurrigo.com or follow the company across its social media channels.