There are many examples of mascots that have become associated with businesses, events and even countries. Like Disney’s Mickey Mouse. And “Fuwa”, the famous Olympic Games mascot from Beijing in 2008, who represented the five natural elements. Or perhaps the Kumamon, who promotes tourism and culture for Japan’s much-visited Kumamoto Prefecture? But, when it comes to an air cargo terminal, does any mascot spring to mind?
As the symbol of a particular place, organisation or event, mascots generally evoke happy emotions and memories, while often also imparting certain messages. So, in order to tell more people about the work of Hactl, and highlight the efforts and contributions of its staff, Hactl has designed a new family of mascots, dubbed “The Best Team”, composed of five different birds. The team labours throughout the terminal and apron every day, applying their expertise, many years of experience and teamwork to ensure the smooth operation of the business, and provide the best cargo handling experience for Hactl’s customers.
“Hactl initiated the concept of ‘The Best Team’, to recognise the contributions of every member of its team.”
People-oriented
Hactl fully understands the importance of teamwork. Mr. Cargo is the leader of “The Best Team”. With his wisdom and insight, resourcefulness and exceptional vision both day and night, he overcomes every challenge. Renatus Wu, designer of the “The Best Team”, says the terminal operates 24/7/365, and the busiest time is at night. Owls are nocturnal animals and highly intelligent, so they possess very similar qualities to the Hactl team. Renatus says: “They are not only doing manual work; every single step requires good planning. For example, for some temperature- and time-sensitive cargo, the Hactl team must beat the clock to ensure shipments are kept in prime condition, it’s a lot more complicated than simply moving cargo around.”
The team mates who work closely with Mr. Cargo to provide high quality cargo handling service include “The Loader” — an ostrich who is proactive and always encourages the team to seek breakthroughs and strive for excellence. Its long legs allow it to sprint and move up and down effortlessly — just like the hi-loaders used for loading and unloading aircraft. “The Forklift” meanwhile is a pelican with a large pouch, which enables it to carry stacks of cargo. It’s always curious and aware of its surroundings, and ever ready to offer a helping hand. “The Bin and The Box” are a duo of large and small penguins that look like the yellow boxes constantly moving inside Hactl’s automated Box Storage System. With a meticulous eye for detail and commitment to excellence, their job is carrying loose cargo around the facility.
Not many corporations in Hong Kong would take the step of designing mascots to show recognition to their staff. Renatus explains: “Hactl initiated the concept of ‘The Best Team’, to recognise the contributions of every member of its team. They want every staff member to recognise their value, and their contribution to the terminal’s smooth operation.” Renatus believes this shows Hactl appreciates its team, and understands that their talents are the most valuable asset, and one that no advanced facilities and technologies can replace.
Professional teamwork
At Hactl’s huge SuperTerminal 1, Mr. Cargo assigns duties to his team based on their unique skills and talents. They may not always be in the limelight, but they are all crucial to the terminal’s smooth functioning.
With Hong Kong as the leading global aviation hub, the air cargo industry has always played an important role in supporting the economic development of the city. As a key member of the air cargo industry, Hactl plays a pivotal role in the logistics of cargo, and effectively drives the city’s economic growth and international trade.
Renatus explains: “A city is made up of many elements. In Hong Kong, there are high quality restaurants, horse racing entertainment, and so on, and it’s precisely because of the hard work of Hactl team, that Michelin restaurants can use fresh ingredients and competition horses can safely race in Hong Kong. The public rarely gets a glimpse into Hactl’s work, so may simply see it as part of the transportation process. But, in fact, the work they do is vital to the smooth functioning of our entire society.”
Already, “The Best Team” has been developed into figurines, and features in the company’s calendar and business gifts. They can be easily seen by all staff in the terminal, and act as a constant reminder of the Hactl team’s exceptional teamwork and professionalism. Hactl believes that by portraying the spirit of “The Best Team”, its workforce will continue to pull together to deliver the best possible services to its customers.
