This year’s Schiphol Aviation Awards have named European Cargo Services B.V. (ECS) as winner in the Cargo category. ECS was launched in 2002. In October 2012, it announced the creation of a joint venture with Aviapartner Cargo, to open Schiphol’s second live animal handling facility specialising in horses. The award to ECS was made on the basis of its decision to invest in providing additional livestock and bloodstock handling facilities at Schiphol during a challenging time for the air cargo industry, and its design of a revolutionary new lightweight folding horse stall, which is estimated to save carriers around €200 per flight in fuel costs. The Schiphol Aviation Cargo Award was presented to ECS founder Edwin Hofstede by Schiphol Group Executive Vice President and COO Ad Rutten, at a ceremony held at The Arendshoeve and attended by 120  senior industry executives. Commenting on the award, Schiphol Cargo Senior VP Enno Osinga says: “ECS showed daring and enterprise in launching its new animal centre business during a difficult period for the industry. This has provided additional capacity and improved commercial choice that have added significantly to Schiphol’s appeal as a European gateway for the important livestock transport market. “ECS went on to design and commission an innovative lightweight horse stall system that is more animal-friendly, saves fuel costs and cuts emissions. We congratulate Edwin and his team on their achievements, which exemplify the spirit of constant improvement which we actively encourage in the Schiphol logistics community.”